SESSION #4:

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

I. Introduction

This retreat is not the climax but the beginning in our walk with the Lord.

II. What Path Should We Take?

(The following section is an interplay between the speaker and his “assistant.” It is
important that they both rehearse this part beforehand. As the speaker says his part, the
assistant “echoes” while facing the audience, until # 8.)

Speaker Assistant

A. Jesus comes into the world (Mt 2). B. Jesus comes into our lives.

1. Wise men knew that the King of the Jews 1. “I’m looking for something.
would be born. They knew he was awaited. Something’s lacking in my life.

2. Where is He who has been born king of the 2. “What do I need? The Lord?”
Jews?

3. Herod wanted to find out where the Christ 3. “How do I find him? Where do I
begin?
was to be born. What must I do?

4. Herod was told, “In Bethlehem, of Judea.” 4. “My friend invited me to that
‘Crossroads’ thing…retreat, I think.
Maybe I do need it….”

5. “Go and search diligently for the child, and 5. “I have second thoughts… I’ll go
when you have found Him, bring me word, that anyway. Just to please my friend. I
have to
I, too, may come and worship Him.” pack, get ready for it.”

6. When they saw the star, they rejoiced 6. “In the retreat, I really came to
know
exceedingly with great joy; and going into the Him more. I can really get excited
about
house they saw the child with Mary His mother, the Lord, after all. Last night, I even
raised
and they fell down and worshiped Him. my hand, sang aloud and worshiped
Him!”

7. They offered Him gifts, gold, frankincense 7. “I stood up and offered my life to
Jesus.
and myrrh. I gave myself to the Lord. I guess
it’s the
best gift I could give Him.”
8. They departed to their own country in 8. “I beg your pardon?” (Suddenly
turning
another way. to the speaker)
(Speaker) “They departed to their own country in another way.”

(Assistant) “How do I do that? What does that mean?”

(Speaker) “Sit down and I’ll tell you.” (Says this with some humor)

III. Choosing Another Way

We are called to choose another way for our lives.

The first speaker spoke to us about our being at a crossroads. Here, we stopped
and really considered the choices before us.
We heard in the second talk about the choices of the heart, God’s heart and ours.
Then, we were invited to a great and joyful feast.
After hearing about what God had done for us (He made a choice to give us life at
the price of His own Son’s life) and about the feast the Lord’s inviting us to (a full life
with Him) we ended up making a choice too. We chose the Lord. We chose to begin to
live a new life, with the hope and goal of living it with God in heaven.
We made the choice last night. (Note to the Speaker: Or depending on when the
participants actually made that choice.)
But last night was last night. Today is today. Where do I go from here? How do
I move on from here?
God presented us the choices. He helped us make one. He accepted our choice.
We prayed with one another for the grace to live out the choice.
We prayed to God, because we believe it’s up to him to help us live out the
choice. God is going to get us there.

IV. Some Obstacles to the Choice

While it’s true that God is going to get us there, sometimes, though it’s so easy to
forget that.
We forget that God knows where we’re headed, and that He knows the best
routes. Many times, when we can’t see ahead, we argue with God about which way to
go. When the road gets rough, we start doubting our decision.
We should trust in the Lord.
When we’re on a journey to live our lives in a new way, it’s important for us to
trust in the Lord. He knows Heaven better than any of us. He knows the best way to get
there. He knows the best way we ought to live in order to prepare for it.

(Note to the Speaker: The story below illustrates the point about encountering
obstacles in our Christian life. If you have a similar story or experience, you may replace
this story with that. A personal experience is more recommended than the story below.)

A group of sisters decided to take a trip to the countryside. We

asked someone who frequents the place to take us there. In the vehicle, we
were excited, laughing, joking around, singing, eating, and just plain
relaxing. Then, we hit a long stretch of dirt road. For a while, we were
still laughing. But in time, all were concerned about was covering our
noses. We didn’t bother to cover the rest of ourselves because the dust did
that very well! We were so thoroughly covered with dust.

About 30 minutes into the dirt road, we started asking, “How much
longer?” But none of us asked that driver, “Are you sure you know the
way?” We didn’t question our friend’s sense of direction. We trusted
him.
 In my short story, we were ready for a long ride. We didn’t realize, however,
there would be lots of bumps along the road: bumps, then flat roads, then bumps again.
After a short stretch of cemented road, we would be taken by surprise by another series of
bumps.
The Christian life has bumps too. But we need not be caught unaware,
unprepared. We can be ready for the bumps.
The bumps are the obstacles to the choices we’ve made.
What are some of the obstacles?

A. Fear of not making it

The Lord will not give us a choice, and then tell us it’s an impossible dream. He
doesn’t let us make a choice, and then after we’ve made it, He’ll say “Dream on!” No!
He invites us to make the choice because we can make it. It’s possible to make it because
God is with us. We don’t have to do it on our own. True, it won’t always be easy.
Sometimes, it may even be really difficult. Hard as it may be, it’s definitely worth it.

B. Not knowing what lies ahead

Jesus said to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe”
(John 20:29). The Lord wants us to trust in Him before He shows us the whole picture.

C. Feelings
Sometimes our feelings help us to choose for the Lord. Sometimes they don’t.
But the good news is that we don’t live our Christian lives by our emotions but by
decision. We don’t have to always yield to our feelings. For example, husbands and
wives can be faithful to each other for years and years by decision, and not be depending
only on their emotions.

D. It's a long, lonely road

When we stood up and committed ourselves to the Lord, we entered into the
family of Christ. Christian living was never meant to be a solo trip or a solo adventure.
Others stood up with you. You will live out your choice with them and with others who
made the same choice at one point or another.

E. Temptations and trials

It’s easy to get discouraged when we encounter the same (or new) temptations
and trials.

“I’m so weak!” Does this sound familiar?

As we grow in the Lord and are strengthened, we will learn how to overcome
them. Until then, just remember: when you fall, pick yourself up and stand again.

V. Go, Grow, and Glow

Where do you go from here? Here are some steps and helps to get your moving,
and heading for the right direction:

A. Prayer
It’s your lifeline to God. It’s communicating with the perfect friend. ACTS
(Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) is a recommended prayer format.

B. Scripture
Through this, we can know the Lord more. It’s also like a map for our Christian
life. It will show us where to go, and how to get there. We may use the daily Church
reading guide or any helpful pattern.
C. Service

We need to look beyond ourselves. Try walking around and looking at your toes
and your chest at the same time. Sooner or later you’re bound to trip or bump into
something. You may try serving in your parish, in the CYA group in your campus, etc.

D. Fellowship
Because the way was never meant to be a long, lonely road, we need to be part of
a “family.” We need to be with brothers and sisters in Christ.

(Speaker may invite them to join CYA or another Christian youth group.)

VI. Conclusion

After hearing all of these, one thing is still needful: step out in faith. Christ will
bear us up as if on eagle’s wings. We will go out into the world. We'll begin to live a
new way. To begin to learn it, we have to step out in faith.

Where do you go from here? You begin living a new way, headed towards one
goal – to dwell with God forever in Heaven. Where do you go from here? You've got to
follow the road to the Lord; follow the road, until the day you come home to Heaven. The
Lord will meet you there.

MEDITATION PASSAGE
Matthew 2:7-12

DISCUSSION STARTER
What are the concrete steps you want to take to continue on in your walk with the
Lord?

Note: This outline has been written in greater detail to enable the speaker to understand
more clearly the nuances of the talk. Not much more is needed in terms of elaboration to
avoid consuming too much time. The speaker is also advised to learn the outline by heart
so as to minimize reading during his/her delivery (particularly II, III, and V).

Note to the Speaker / Team Leader: During the reflection period, encourage the
participants to write down whatever specific resolutions that they might want to make.
This exercise will help concretize the basic decision to follow the Lord. They may share
about those decisions / resolutions in their discussion groups.