Encounter Experience

WELCOME! 

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT:


We will have multiple stations set up in the auditorium. You can experience the station together or by yourself and in any order with the exception of Station 7. You will want to visit #7 last. 


Scripture Reading Stations

These stations will be hosted. When you arrive, take some time to read the scripture reference from your own Bible or from the text below.

At some point, the host will read the passage aloud. 


Reflection and Prayer Stations

When you are ready, spend some time with the Reflection and Prayer Prompts. 


Worship

There will be a worship set every 45 minutes throughout the evening.

Creation Stations
1 & 2

Our God is a beautiful and intentional Creator. As you move through these stations, reflect on how God uniquely created humanity. Instead of speaking us into existence like everything else, He formed us from the dust & breathed life into us. This unique process highlights the supernatural power of God & the fragile nature of humanity. 


  • 4This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the soil. 6 Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land. 7 Then the LordGod formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.  8 Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. 9 The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.       (Genesis 2:4-9) 

  • 1. As you reflect, focus on each breath you take. As you breathe, be reminded of how God breathed life into us. 

    2. What does it mean to be a part of God’s creation and how does this affect our purpose? 

    3. How can we see goodness of God in His creation? Do you look to see Him moving in everything or just some things? 

  • Take some time to acknowledge God as your Creator and sovereign Lord.  Thank the Lord for how He works throughout all of Creation.  Rest in how He intimately knows you.  Express to Him how and why you desire to worship Him. 

Curse Stations

3 & 4


In the garden of Eden, we had unfettered access to God in the garden. We were able to exist in harmony with God and all of His creation. When humanity disobeyed God, we were given consequences for choosing our own self over what He desired for us. The true burden of the curse is that we became separated from Him. 

  • 13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”  “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”  14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild.  You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.  15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” 16 Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth.  And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.” 17 And to the man he said,  “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you.All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. 18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat ofits grains. 19 By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”  (Genesis 3:13-19) 

  • 1.  Adam & Eve ate fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil to become like God. Think deeply about what separation from God looks like.  

    2.  When and/or why have you ever felt far from God? 

    3.  What are some ways you avoid God when you’re feeling guilt or shame for your actions & choices? 


  • Take a few moments to privately confess any guilt, shame, or sin you’re holding on to. Share with the Lord any doubts or fears you’re allowing to affect your relationship with Him. Express the need you have for Him to be in your life. 

Repentance Stations

5 & 6

While many of us believe God knows all and has infinite wisdom, many of us don’t live like accordingly.  Today’s society screams a message that self-reliance is the key to living a good life. Repenting is often one of the hardest things we can ever do.  Many of us struggle with this because of fear of being embarrassed, the potential of shattering our own self-image, or the feeling that we will continue to be a failure.  Repentance is not easy—it requires us to do 2 things: 


1. Learn what pleases God 

2. Trust His wisdom over our own and believe what He says 

 

After reading John 14:23-24, write on the back of your notecard a reason why you love God and a way in which you currently or plan to obey Him. 

  • 12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.  When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.  13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.  14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. (Proverbs 28-12-14) 


    23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.  (John 14:23-24) 

  • 1. How have you let sin and self-reliance stop you from experience the freedom, joy, and eternal hope God has for you? 

    2. What steps do you feel God is leading you to take towards repentance? 

    3. What are practical some ways you can remember God’s grace from now until Easter? 

  • Rest in knowing that the Lord is loving & gracious. Take a few moments to praise Him for this. Express gratitude that we fall into God’s grace rather than out of God’s grace. Declare some of the many ways that the Lord has been gracious to you.   

Cross Station

7

When God sent His only son—Jesus—the gap was bridged between humanity and God.  We serve a God who loves His creation and desires a relationship with us.  Just as we were “made from dust and to dust we shall return”, let us return to Christ with the entirety of ourselves.   

  • 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) 

  • There is a cross in the middle of the sanctuary.  As Christ laid down His life for you, we encourage you to lay your burdens down before the cross.  Take a few moments to write something you want to give to God by anonymously pinning it to the cross. Give it all to Him and go forth knowing that God has made us new.