Session Six • Sunday Morning

Living Purposefully

Theme Statement

What God has done in you, He now desires to continue doing through you.

Purpose of the Morning

This final gathering celebrates God’s work and helps participants identify one faithful next step. The retreat is not the destination. Discipleship continues in homes, workplaces, churches, friendships, and communities through ordinary acts of surrender and obedience.

Leader Aim

Commission participants without creating emotional pressure or promising that every struggle is resolved. Help them leave with a simple rhythm they can remember: surrender, abide, obey. Encourage connection, support, and a realistic next step rather than a dramatic promise.

Teaching: Purpose Begins With Relationship

Purpose is not first a platform, position, or project. It begins with belonging to Christ. We do not leave the retreat to prove that we changed. We leave to remain close to Jesus and let His life become visible in the places He has already entrusted to us.

Surrender, Abide, Obey

• Surrender: What am I carrying or controlling that belongs in God’s hands?

• Abide: What will help me remain close to Christ in ordinary life?

• Obey: What is the next faithful thing God has actually given me to do?

The next step may be a conversation, an apology, a boundary, a request for help, a return to prayer and Scripture, joining a healthy community, resting, or waiting. Obedience does not require seeing the whole path.

The Gospel and an Invitation to Christ

Say: “Everything we have explored rests on Jesus Christ. God created us to know Him, but every person has sinned, and sin separates us from God. We cannot repair that separation by becoming better or more religious. Because God loves us, He sent Jesus Christ, His only Son. Jesus lived a blameless life without sin, died on the cross for all our sins, and rose again. On the cross, He stood in our place and bore what our sin deserved. He bridged the gap we could never cross. Jesus is the only way to the Father.”

John 14:6 (KJV)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Continue: “Salvation is God’s gift, received through faith rather than earned by works. To receive Christ is to acknowledge your sin, turn from sin and self rule, believe that Jesus died and rose again, and trust Him alone as Savior and Lord. This is more than having an experience. It is the beginning of a real relationship with the living Christ.”

Romans 10:9–10 (KJV)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Suggested Invitation and Prayer

Say: “Prayer is a conversation with God. It is the response of faith in which a person acknowledges sin and need for God, confesses Jesus as Lord, believes God raised Him from the dead, accepts His gift of salvation, and receives Christ as Savior and Lord. Prayer does not earn salvation; Jesus saves. If you are ready, speak to Him honestly in your own words or use the prayer in your workbook.” Read the prayer slowly, then allow one or two quiet minutes without filling the silence.

Lord Jesus, I believe You are God’s only Son. You lived without sin, died on the cross for all my sins, and rose again. I know I have sinned and cannot make my own way to God. I turn from my sin and trust You alone. Forgive me. I accept Your gift of salvation and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Come into my life and help me follow, serve, and love You. Thank You for giving Yourself for me, standing in my place, and making the way for me to know the Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Assurance and a Path to Celebration

After the quiet, say: “If you turned from sin and placed your trust in Jesus Christ today, your confidence does not rest in a feeling or in perfect words. It rests in Jesus, in what He has done, and in His promise that the one who comes to Him will not be cast out. You have not merely had an experience. You have begun a relationship with Christ.”

Then say: “Following Christ is personal, but it is not meant to be hidden or walked alone. If you trusted Christ today, please tell me or another leader before you leave. We want to celebrate with you, answer your questions, pray with you, and help you begin well. If you would like to share with the group, tell us; we would be honored to celebrate with you. We will not put you on display or ask for an immediate testimony.”

Leader Guidance

• Present the invitation once, clearly and calmly. Do not prolong it to produce a visible response.

• Do not ask everyone to repeat the prayer aloud or use raised hands, standing, tears, music, or silence as proof of salvation.

• Invite voluntary disclosure. When someone tells you they trusted Christ, celebrate warmly. Ask whether they would like to share with the group. If they do, let them share simply and let the room celebrate without requiring a testimony.

• Ask gently what they understand they have trusted Jesus to do. Clarify the gospel without turning the conversation into a test.

• Help them begin with Scripture, honest prayer, baptism, and connection to a healthy, Bible believing church.

Personal Response

• What truth do I want to carry home?

• What burden am I leaving in God’s hands?

• What practice will help me abide in Christ this week?

• Who is one safe person I can ask to walk with me?

• What is my next faithful step?

Commissioning

Invite participants to stand if they are comfortable. Make clear that standing is not a promise of perfection; it is simply a willingness to keep walking with Christ.

Leader: “You are not leaving with every answer. You are leaving with the One who will remain with you. Go in the grace of Jesus Christ. Keep surrendering what is not yours to carry. Remain close to Him. Obey the next thing He gives you. Let His love become visible through your life.”

Closing Prayer

“Father, thank You for meeting us here. Seal what is from You, correct what we have misunderstood, and continue the work You began. Give us courage for the next faithful step, humility to receive help, wisdom for our relationships, and grace when growth takes time. Keep us rooted in Christ. Let our lives reflect Your love wherever You send us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Leader Follow-Through

• Explain how participants can connect after the retreat.

• Identify pastoral or support contacts before dismissal.

• Encourage leaders to follow up within one week.

• Do not publish or share participants’ stories without explicit permission.

• Remind participants that meaningful healing may include professional support.