2024Teachable Woman Retreat Recap and Highlight

Introduction:

In this episode of the Teachable Woman Podcast Retreat, Reverends Michele Owes and Diana P. Cherry delve deep into the spiritual foundations that sustain a fulfilling life, particularly focusing on relationships and marriage. Through their insightful discussion, they emphasize the critical role of Jesus as the cornerstone of a meaningful life and offer wisdom on navigating life's challenges by anchoring oneself in faith. Below are seven key highlights from this enlightening episode.

I. Jesus as the Foundation

• The reverends emphasized the importance of making Jesus the foundation of any relationship, especially in marriages. They warned against relying on worldly measures like education, money, or material possessions, which they referred to as "impostors." Jesus is the only firm foundation that can sustain a relationship through life's challenges.

II. The Concept of 'Impostors'

• Impostors are things that falsely present themselves as foundations but cannot truly support or sustain a fulfilling life. These include material wealth, status, and personal achievements. The reverends highlighted that without Jesus, these elements cannot provide the stability or peace that we seek.

III. Seeking and Finding Jesus

• The retreat underscored the importance of seeking Jesus with the same urgency as searching for lost keys. One cannot truly move forward in life without first finding Jesus and establishing a relationship with Him. They reminded listeners that Jesus is the only way to a meaningful and abundant life.

IV. The Role of Obedience

• Once a person accepts Jesus, obedience to His word and will are essential. The reverends discussed how true Christian living involves aligning one’s life with Jesus’ teachings and embracing the lifestyle He modeled. Obedience is seen as a natural outcome of genuine faith.

V. Abiding in Christ

• Abiding in Christ means making Him the permanent home of one's heart. Just as one finds comfort in returning to their physical home, true contentment and peace are found in a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus. The reverends encouraged listeners to make Jesus their spiritual home, where they can find lasting peace and security.

VI. Contentment in Christ

• Contentment was highlighted as a vital aspect of Christian living. The reverends urged women to be content with what they have and to avoid the trap of constantly seeking more. They stressed that true contentment comes from a deep relationship with Jesus, not external achievements or possessions.

VII. Staying the Course

• The episode concluded with a call to perseverance. The reverends encouraged listeners to stay committed to their relationship with Jesus, no matter their challenges. They used the analogy of an athlete winning a gold medal after years of perseverance, drawing a parallel to the rewards of staying faithful to Jesus and His teachings.

These key points encapsulate the core messages from the episode, emphasizing the importance of a Christ-centered life and the spiritual rewards of living in obedience and contentment.