WELCOME TO CIC RETREAT 2025

RELATIONSHIP WEB

• 1 person assigned as scribe
• Sit in a circle, one person holds a ball of yarn, shares one meaningful quality of a godly relationship (e.g. trust, forgiveness) 
• Toss the yarn to another person who adds a quality.
• The web formed visually represents interconnectedness and community. 

GOD’S BLUEPRINT FOR RELATIONSHIPS:� �BUILDING CONNECTION �THAT HONORS HIM

GOD HAS A DIVINE BLUEPRINT FOR ALL RELATIONSHIPS.

• Intro: Called to Gather
• David & Jonathan
• Ruth & Naomi
• Jesus & Disciples
• Wrap UP

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WHY?

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you

love one another: just as I have loved you,

you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By

this all people will know that you are

my disciples, if you have love for

one another.”

John 13:34-35 (ESV)

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No more swinging good times: The changing face of the Singapore playground

THE STRAITS TIMES

DESIGNED FOR A PURPOSE

1. Motor skills (climbing, balance)

2. Sensory input (wind, motion)

3. Balance Risk vs Thrill

DESIGNED FOR A PURPOSE

4. Social skills (turn-taking, cheering)

WHAT DOES AN ADULT PLAYGROUND LOOK LIKE?

News Feeds

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Designed to grow the whole adult

Designed to grow corporate profits

GOD’S BLUEPRINT FOR RELATIONSHIPS:� �BUILDING CONNECTION �THAT HONORS HIM

DISCUSSION PROMPTS

What makes relationships strong or difficult in today’s world?

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How do you think God views relationships?

WE GATHER TOGETHER TO ASK THE LORD’S BLESSING

• 1597 🇳🇱 Dutch victory over Spain
• 1894 🇺🇸 English hymn for *Thanksgiving*
• 2025 🇸🇬 Here in Singapore – *our gathering*

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³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you

love one another: just as I have loved you,

you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By

this all people will know that you are

my disciples, if you have love for

one another.”

John 13:34-35 (ESV)

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you,

that you love one another:

just as I have loved you,

you also are to love one another.

³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-35 (ESV)

CAN YOU LOVE FROM A DISTANCE?

GATHERING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Passover God’s deliverance from Egypt

Feast of Firstfruits God’s provision in harvest.

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Feast of Trumpets Call to repentance.

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Day of Atonement Atonement for nation’s sins.

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Feast of Unleavened Bread Leaving Egypt

Feast of Weeks Giving of the Law.

Feast of Tabernacles God’s provision in the wilderness,

GATHERING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Gather in Jerusalem

Passover God’s deliverance from Egypt

Feast of Firstfruits God’s provision in harvest.

​

Feast of Trumpets Call to repentance.

​

Day of Atonement Atonement for nation’s sins.

​

Feast of Unleavened Bread Leaving Egypt

Feast of Weeks Giving of the Law.

Feast of Tabernacles God’s provision in the wilderness,

GATHERING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Passover God’s deliverance from Egypt

Feast of Firstfruits God’s provision in harvest.

​

Feast of Trumpets Call to repentance.

​

Day of Atonement Atonement for nation’s sins.

​

Feast of Unleavened Bread Leaving Egypt

Feast of Weeks Giving of the Law.

Feast of Tabernacles God’s provision in the wilderness,

Looking Back: Remember what God has done

GATHERING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Passover God’s deliverance from Egypt

Feast of Firstfruits God’s provision in harvest.

​

Feast of Trumpets Call to repentance.

​

Day of Atonement Atonement for nation’s sins.

​

Feast of Unleavened Bread Leaving Egypt

Feast of Weeks Giving of the Law.

Feast of Tabernacles God’s provision in the wilderness,

Looking Within: Call to repentance and spiritual renewal

GATHERING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Passover God’s deliverance from Egypt

Feast of Firstfruits God’s provision in harvest.

​

Feast of Trumpets Call to repentance.

​

Day of Atonement Atonement for nation’s sins.

​

Feast of Unleavened Bread Leaving Egypt

Feast of Weeks Giving of the Law.

Feast of Tabernacles God’s provision in the wilderness,

Looking Forward — Anticipate What God Will Do

GATHERING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

anticipation to fulfillment

Jesus fulfilled what the feasts pointed

Christian gatherings express our response

GATHERING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Looking Back — Remember what Christ has done

To remember the cross, resurrection, and new covenant

The Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23–26);

Gathering on the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7; Rev 1:10)

Worship and thanksgiving for completed redemption

GATHERING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Looking Within — Respond in repentance and faith

To examine ourselves, confess, and live holy lives

Church assemblies for teaching and correction

(1 Cor. 11:28; Heb. 10:24–25)

Spiritual renewal and mutual encouragement

GATHERING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Looking Forward

— Await Christ’s return and eternal gathering

To worship in hope of the final restoration

Early church worship (Acts 2:42–47);

Promise of the final gathering (Rev 19:6–9; 21:3)

Anticipation of the ultimate feast

— the marriage supper of the Lamb

WORSHIP

GATHERING IN THE BIBLE

• Christlike love
• Visible witness
• Faithful community

Come, now is the Time to Worship

A call to demonstrate

Christlike Love

Visible Witness

Faithful Community

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REFLECTION

Individual Reflection

Read Colossians 3:12-15 and identify which relational virtue(s) you most need to grow in. (3 minutes) 

Group Reflection

• Where have I seen God’s love reflected in a relationship recently?
• What hinders me from building connections that honor Him?

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Trying it out: Small Group Activity

Discuss

• Writes a short ‘Relationship Prayer’ asking God to strengthen one relational quality (humility, compassion, trust)

Here I am to Worship

A response to God’s presence and purpose

in relationships

Heart of Worship

Expresses

unity, surrender,

and honoring God

in Relationships

Gathering is essential to Worship�Relationships are essential to Gathering

Challenge

1. How can I participate in gathering
2. How will I show Christlike love in one relationship this week?

Career highlights

LET US PRAY….