Represent Retreat Book

God will use our pain and failures for his glory and for his purposes. What a comfort and hope that is for us! Exercise: Re-read the passages listed above. Now visualize yourself in this story. What parts of the story are you drawn to? Can you identify with Peter? What is God saying to you? What truths can you apply to your life today? Father, I come to you with all of my sin and failures. I stand broken before you. I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Cleanse me and restore me. From the ashes of my brokenness may you bring about something beautiful—for your purposes. For your glory. Amen. Now what? Take what you’ve learned and apply it to your community! Community Connection: Many of us live in communities that are lacking basic needs. There are limited grocery stores. There is a lack of education quality for black and brown students. There are limited male role models in the community. For those of us doing ministry in the city, these things will cause levels of desperation. What are some areas of your community that are broken? Is there a need for a better water system? Is it mass-incarceration? How can God use you or others to birth new fruit out of the brokenness in your city, community, and/ or neighborhood?

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