Q&A: Encounter God Retreat
1. What is EGR??EGR or Encounter God Retreat is week-end program designed to make you encounter God through audio-visual experiences and series of lectures. It claims that you will hear God’s voice and experience true conversion. This is how some facilitators describe it,
An ENCOUNTER GOD RETREAT is a weekend individuals set aside with a primary purpose of restoring hope for the unwritten tomorrows of their life. It is an intentional opportunity to encounter the real Jesus. At this retreat, we focus on learning how to deal with the hurts, hang-ups and struggles that we all face on a daily basis. We learn to recognize those things that have kept us from living life in its fullness, and we learn how to deal with the issues that hinder our ability to live out the greater dream that God designed us for. We will hear Jesus speak into the deepest places of our heart, and always hear his love expressed. We will learn how to access the freedom Jesus wants to give. Jesus said, ?If you hold to my teaching, then you really are my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.? (John 8:31-32 NIV)?Expect an encounter with Jesus by experiencing??
But how does it fare from the Biblical standpoint? Write your comments below.
2. How important is the EGR to its facilitators? Very important. Facilitators of EGR claim that: It sets people free as they experience genuine conversion and turn curse into blessing.
Objective: Each person should understand the importance of a genuine encounter.
Introduction: God?s intentions are to set people free so they can serve Him and live the?life He created them to live. (EGR Manual, Session 3: Importance of Having an Encounter.)
Download a sample?handout material here.
3. Why didn’t the early Christians have a similar program like Encounter God Retreat? We may say that God has His own program for individuals. But through emotional and psychological programming, EGR makes the experience common to all who will participate.
Watch this promotional video.
4. Why didn’t Paul endorse a similar program to the early church? ?Paul himself experienced the transforming power of God’s Word, the Gospel. He taught that it is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms lives.
Because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.?You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.?1 Thes. 1:5-6
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.?Titus 3:5
5. How do you account for “transformed” lives through the program? ?The program works for some, that much we can’t deny. We do not reject the testimonies or claims of transformation, just as we can’t deny the testimonies of those who have gone through Alcoholics Anonymous, the Betty Ford Center, and other rehabilitation programs. Rehabilitation programs often give good results too.
6.??Are you saying no one can really get saved or be spiritually renewed in the program? ?No, we’re not saying that. Where the Word of God (the Gospel) is preached there will be salvation; and where the Holy Spirit is, there will be deliverance and transformation. The facilitators of EGR, however, give undue credit to the whole experience they provide.
7. If the Apostle Paul was here, do you suppose he will endorse EGR to the Churches? And why.?No. I don’t believe so. When he preached the Gospel he made sure that he did not dilute it with enticing words, he said,
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the ?power of God. ?(1 Cor 2:4-5)
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