Stakeholder Retreat Devotional

VISION 󠀘ETREAT

DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

Did you know you’re God’s poiēma? His poem? His work of art? Paul’s basically saying: “You’re not a mass-production IKEA shelf with leftover screws– you’re a handcrafted masterpiece. A custom build He’s been planning since the beginning of time.”

Translation: God didn’t just save you from something…

He saved you for something.

And the best part? The “good works” aren’t you grinding for God’s approval. Through Christ, you already have it!

They’re God’s dreams for your life that He already queued up “in advance”–like a divine playlist waiting to be played through you.

So relax: The future ain’t up to you. Your story has already been written by your Heavenly Father in advance–you’re just living into it!

What will God do next through your life?

One thing is certain: With Jesus, the best is yet to come!

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Welcome to our VISION RETREAT Colleen and I are so happy you could join us for this retreat experience! First off: Relax, you’re among friends! Our time together is meant to create space

for celebration, conversation, and reflection–we hope you’ll come away feeling inspired & challenged by all that God is calling us to as a church family!

Our team created this devotional to help you reflect on key aspects of your

influence, lifestyle, and legacy as a follower of Jesus. Please set aside 45

minutes to meditate on these powerful Scriptures and write your answers

to these questions in your booklet. This way, you can refer back to them in the coming months.

As you work through this guide, spend some time thinking about what the

Holy Spirit is saying to you in this season. What are some of the good works God may have planned in advance for you to do? Our hope is that this simple

devotional, along with your prayer times, will help deepen your relationship with God during this special season at Liquid.

Regardless of where you are in your walk with Jesus, we know He has more for you. In fact, I believe the most life-changing & influential days of your life

as His disciple are still ahead! It is our joy & privilege to walk alongside you as you continue your journey with King Jesus!

On the journey with you, Pastor Tim

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INFLUENCE READ: MATTHEW 25:14-30

“The Parable of the Talents” is a powerful story Jesus told to help His disciples understand how God entrusts responsibility—and what faithfulness looks like in His Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Heaven will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,* to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.

Here, you have what is yours.’

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26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ * A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years’ wages for a laborer

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1.

What talents has God placed in your hands?

Take a quick inventory of your life and list your key resources below.

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My Abilities

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My Time

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My Family

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My Work

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My Influence

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My Finances

How intentionally and faithfully are you currently investing each one to expand God’s Kingdom?

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3.

The servants who received 5 talents and 2 talents multiplied their master’s money.

How did He reward them for understanding the assignment?

Why do you think they received the same reward in Jesus’ story?

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4.

Our view of God often influences how we manage our key resources.

How would you describe the 1-talent servant’s view of God? (vv 24-25)

What role did fear play in the way he managed his talent?

5.

Is fear causing you to bury anything in your life right now?

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6.

At times, we all struggle with a scarcity mindset. Where would you place yourself on this continuum? (Draw an X for where you’re leaning today)

Abundance Mindset

Scarcity Thinking

“Everything I have belongs to God– & there’s more where that came from!”

“I better protect what I have so I don’t lose it.”

Be honest: Where might fear be causing you to play it safe instead of trusting God?

7.

If Jesus reviewed your investment of talents today, what would He affirm?

Where might He challenge you to think differently?

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LIFESTYLE READ: LUKE 12:16-21

As you reflect on Jesus’ words in Luke 12, resist the urge to rush through these questions or arrive at “right answers.” This is not an exercise in self-critique or comparison, but a quiet moment to listen for God’s voice.

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1.

In Jesus’ story, barns represent success and security. What do your

2.

Honest moment: How do you typically respond when God blesses you

“barns” look like right now?

with increase?

(Check one) When my harvest grows, my instinct is usually to: Save more Spend more Give more Protect more

What does your first reaction reveal about your trust in God?

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3.

What was the man’s rationale for building bigger barns? (v. 18)

How would you describe his “retirement plan”? (v. 19)

4.

Notice: The rich man talked to himself—but never to God.

Is there a major decision you’re currently making that requires God’s wisdom, not just your own logic?

Where might you be planning wisely… but praying little?

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5.

Jesus calls the man a “fool,” not because he was wealthy, but because he ignored eternity.

Are your daily decisions influenced more by earthly calculations—or an eternal perspective?

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My Time

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My Money

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My Relationships

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6.

If I knew eternity started tomorrow, what might change about how I’m

7.

Jesus contrasts storing up for ourselves with being “rich toward God.”

living right now?

What would it look like for me to become more intentionally rich toward God in this season of my life?

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LEGACY READ: 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-19

This Scripture records the Apostle Paul’s final charge to Timothy– his nextgeneration apprentice. So it naturally turns our attention to legacy—what our lives are ultimately pointing others toward.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION As you finish your time with Jesus, let these questions help you to discern whether the life you are building is leading you toward “the life that is truly life.”

1.

Paul says that “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

How would you honestly describe your level of contentment in this season of life?

Where do you feel most grateful—and where do you feel restless for more?

2.

When you think of someone who has influenced you with their generosity, who comes to mind?

What about their life made that legacy possible?

3.

Paul reminds us that “we brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it.”

As you make financial decisions and steward your earthly resources, how are you intentionally building a legacy with eternity in mind?

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What are your children—or others you influence—learning about money, generosity, and trust in God by watching your life?

4.

Paul urges Timothy to “fight the good fight of the faith.”

In light of the gospel’s transformational power, are you giving in a

way that continues to challenge and change you—or has your giving become comfortable and routine?

5.

Paul instructs the rich to “to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”

This begs the question: If you were God, would you give you more money?

6.

Paul says this open-handed way of living allows us to “take hold of the life that is truly life.”

What kind of legacy is your current life pointing toward?

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Closing Prayer As you close your time with the Lord, take some time to pray & listen: What is the Holy Spirit beginning to say to you? When you’re ready, slowly read through the prayer below. Then in your own words, express your heart to God.

Father God, everything I have comes from You. My life, my time, my resources, my opportunities—none of it is accidental, and none of it is truly mine.

Search me. Know my heart today. Show me where I may be holding too

tightly, storing for myself, or playing it safe out of fear rather than trust. Holy

Spirit, gently reveal anything I have buried—any gift, calling, or act of delayed obedience.

Forgive me where I have measured success by comfort instead of faithfulness, and where I have planned carefully but prayed little.

Lord, help me to see You clearly—not as a harsh master to be feared, but

as a generous Father who delights in my trust! Help me invest what You’ve

entrusted to me in ways that matter for eternity. Make me rich toward You, bold in obedience, and joyful in generosity.

Jesus, I place everything back into Your hands today. Lead me in the next faithful step You have prepared in advance for me to do.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

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