In the Beach, Bible, Belonging retreat theme, you’ll find thoughts, ideas, recommended scriptures, activities, songs, and more.
Feel free to use the ideas you need and leave the rest…or use them all.
As always, if you have ideas to add, please comment in the comment section below the post or send an email to julie (at) lovingchristministries (dot) com.
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING NARRATIVE:
There’s something magical about the beach. Soft, warm sand comforts us as we gaze out onto the seemingly endless waves.
I love standing just at the edge of the water and letting the water lap over my feet. It causes a joy so deep inside of me that often releases itself through a giggle.
Why does the beach offer such delight?
For me, I think it’s the magnitude of the ocean in front of me and the sand surrounding me. It’s a small reminder of how much bigger life is and how I’m a small part of something huge.
The beach represents to me a tiny portion of what we experience in relationship with Jesus and through Him with others. Both scripture and the belonging we know through our connection with other Christians also help us to understand that we are part of something bigger; we make up the body of Christ.
Knowing we have a role to play as part of Christ’s body, we can also be assured that God will prepare us and equip us to fulfill our part. It’s up to us to take time for reflection, reading, growing, and connecting.
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING SCRIPTURES:
Psalm 136:1-6 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of Lords: His love endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
Psalm 146:6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever.
Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
More Scriptures for this theme – 15 Encouraging Scriptures for Understanding How Big God Is
Beach, Bible, Belonging Upgrade Bundle
Buy the Beach, Bible, Belong Printable Theme Bundle by clicking HERE or on the image below.
- step-by-step directions
- an opening prayer
- a theme-specific speaker’s outline and notes
- original, theme-specific devotional
- additional scriptures plus scripture prayer cards
- table talk cards
- small group discussion questions
- individual reflection questions
- and more:
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING ICEBREAKERS/ACTIVITIES:
Bible Scavenger Hunt:
-Divide the group into teams of 3-5. Ensure they all have a Bible.
-Announce the name of a person, place, or thing and challenge them to see which team can find a scriptural reference to the person first.
-Vary the difficulty level as a way to promote confidence among the women.
-Hold 10 rounds and tally the winner of each round. Present the winning team members either with door prizes or a raffle ticket for door prizes.
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING RETREAT GAMES/ACTIVITIES:
Lost at Sea
This activity emphasizes interaction and teamwork. It’s a fun one to bring everyone together.
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Think about those you consider to be ‘your’ people through Christ. How do you feel stronger in your faith because of them?
2. Within this theme, we see the vast ocean as a symbolic reminder of how vast God’s love is for us. What reminds you of His all-encompassing, never-ending love?
3. What Bible verses help you when you need encouragement?
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING CRAFTS:
Gone Swimming Beach Craft
Mosaic Turtle Using Canvas and Fabric
DIY Sea Glass Stepping Stone
Driftwood Vase
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING SONG SUGGESTIONS:
Pieces–by Meredith Andrews (listen to it on YouTube here)
Hosanna in the Deep –by Brenton Brown (listen to it on YouTube here)
Oceans: Where Feet May Fail –Hillsong United (listen to it on YouTube here)
I Belong to God –by Big Daddy Weave (listen to it on YouTube here)
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING DOOR PRIZE IDEAS:
The Beach is My Happy Place Decoration
Relax Wall Hanging
Beach Themed Bookmarks (Pack of 12)
Beach Theme Tote Bags (Pack of 12)
BEACH, BIBLE, BELONGING CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, how thankful we are to understand the magnitude of your love. We are grateful that we can rest in You. As we belong together through you, Lord, we understand that we are strong and purposeful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Beach, Bible, Belonging Upgrade Bundle
Buy the Beach, Bible, Belong Printable Theme Bundle by clicking HERE or on the image below.
- step-by-step directions
- an opening prayer
- a theme-specific speaker’s outline and notes
- original, theme-specific devotional
- additional scriptures plus scripture prayer cards
- table talk cards
- small group discussion questions
- individual reflection questions
- and more:
If you liked this post, you might like these others about Christian women’s retreat themes:
101 Retreat Theme Ideas for Christian Women
15 Encouraging Scriptures for Understanding How Big God Is
Free – Joy in Jesus Retreat Theme
Free – Fall in Love with Jesus Retreat Theme
Want to remember this? Post this Beach, Bible, Belonging Retreat Theme to your favorite Pinterest board!
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