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It’s BREAK-OUT-TIME!

Have you ever thought of having a  God-focused Family Vacation?  

W-H-A-T?!  

I know.  

Vacations are for chilling. Who better to refresh you and chill out with, then God?  

Isaiah 40:31 - but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  

Romans 15:13 -  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

While reading the scriptures, did you feel a tug to be alone with the Lord? Cool!  

Here is what a  God-focused Family Vacation is and its benefits: 

• Spending time alone with God 
• Spending time with each other 
• Sharing the goodness of God
• Developing memories
• A new experience as a family
• Doing something different but special 

Sounds like too much alone time with God? Do you feel a little tense about this whole thing? Don’t. The purpose of the vacation is to spend time as a family with the Triune God. 

I provided a free downloadable Personal Prayer Retreat Planning Guide  to get you started. Download now.

Here’s how to get started: 

1. Gather your family together to begin the discussion around having a God-focused vacation. Share the scriptures above for inspiration. Ask the following questions: 

• Why should we do this?
• What would be our focus?
• Should we all focus on one theme, topic or book? 
• Where would we go to spend at least, an hour of consecutive time alone with God, without interruption? 
• Who will schedule the rooms or will each person schedule their own room?  

2. Schedule a 3 to 7 day stay at a Christian retreat area, hotel or cabin that has: 

• A place for praying alone on their campus 
• TV access isn’t easily accessible 
• Exercise room 
• Sporting activities on the premise, i.e. swimming pool, tennis court, basketball, miniature golf, etc. (things the family like to do) 

3. Define as a family “The Why” of what you are doing. Come up with a family theme, i.e. what is sanctification, studying the Book of Romans, or Understanding Holy Spirit. Participate in reading a chapter a day from The Story Bible within 31 days. (See Monthly Opportunities for Growth – below) Check out the pre-recorded webinar on The Forgotten God: Who is He? This may spark a conversation on what your family should focus on. Sharing how to spend alone time with the Lord draws closeness. Isn’t the saying, “A family that prays together stays together”? What better way to do it than on a vacation, especially designed for it. Also, if you are fasting for a couple hours during the day, make sure that everyone is healthy enough to do so. 
    
4. Set up a daily schedule using ideas from the one to seven day retreat schedule found in the Personal Prayer Retreat Planning Guide. Schedule should consist of: 

• Two times, daily, during your stay to meet together as a family at the same time 
• Three times, daily, during your stay to meet with God alone at the same time 
• This is a retreat so don’t bring a lot of gadgets with you that can be distracting.  
• Also the Personal Prayer Retreat Planning Guide, is just that, a guide to helping you and your family decide what to do. Don’t try to do everything you read. Focus on “THE WHY” your family is taking this vacation. 

5. End the vacation with a culminating celebration of thanksgiving and worshipping God. Once everything is scheduled, begin packing! Make sure you have your Bible, plenty of paper and writing tools. 

Now if you are wondering if you can use this as a guide for you and your friends. Please by all means do. Share this blog with your friends or send them to get their own Personal Prayer Retreat Planning Guide.  I use it when scheduling my workshops during writing conferences. 

This year take a family vacation with God that will last a life time. 

Monthly Opportunities for Growth – July  

The Story Bible: Read through the Bible in 31 days using The Story Bible. Start July 1st and read one chapter a day until you finish on day 31.  It’s designed to read like a continuous novel. Sometimes changing your Bible translation can spark a renewed delight in reading and pondering God’s word.

Spiritual Discipline to Practice: Intercessory Prayer - Learn how to intercede for your 

• family 
• husband 
• wife 
• nation 

Summer book I’m reading: 1984 by George Orwell 

Shalom! 

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