Day 1 — Eremos: Step Away
Main Passage
Mark 6:30-32
Supporting Passages
Luke 5:16
Mark 1:35
Matthew 14:23
Key Verse
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
— Mark 6:31
Opening Thought
The word Eremos is the Greek word often translated as wilderness, desert place, lonely place, or quiet place.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus regularly withdrew to the Eremos.
When ministry became busy, He went to the Eremos.
When crowds demanded His attention, He went to the Eremos.
Before major decisions, He went to the Eremos.
After emotionally exhausting seasons, He went to the Eremos.
Jesus understood something we often forget:
You cannot continually pour out without intentionally filling up.
Many couples spend years running.
Running to work. Running to kids’ activities.
Running to appointments. Running to responsibilities.
Running from one commitment to the next. Life becomes so full that marriages slowly drift into survival mode.
This retreat is your invitation into the Eremos.
Not to escape life. Not to avoid responsibilities.
But to step away long enough to hear God’s voice, reconnect with your spouse, and gain fresh perspective.
The goal of this retreat is not simply relaxation.
The goal is renewal.
To regroup.
To re-engage.
To recharge.
And then return home healthier than when you arrived.
Individual Reflection Time
Find a quiet place by yourself.
Read Mark 6:30-32 slowly.
Imagine yourself sitting with the disciples after a long season of ministry and responsibility.
Imagine Jesus looking at you and saying:
“Come away with me to a quiet place and rest.”
Reflect on the following questions:
“Lord, during this retreat I am asking You to…”
Devotional Thought
One of the most interesting patterns in Jesus’ ministry is that He often withdrew before He advanced.
Before choosing the disciples.
Before major ministry moments.
Before difficult seasons.
Before significant challenges.
Jesus would step away so He could step back in with clarity.
Many couples do the opposite.
We keep pushing harder.
We assume more effort will solve exhaustion.
More activity will fix disconnection.
More productivity will create peace.
Yet often what we need most is not another strategy.
We need space.
Space to hear God.
Space to listen.
Space to breathe.
Space to remember why we fell in love.
Space to enjoy one another again.
The Eremos was never the destination.
It was preparation for what came next.
This retreat is not about escaping your life.
It is about allowing God to strengthen you for the life He has called you to live together.
Couple Discussion
When you have both completed your individual reflection time, come back together and discuss the following:
Mark 6:30-32
Supporting Passages
Luke 5:16
Mark 1:35
Matthew 14:23
Key Verse
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
— Mark 6:31
Opening Thought
The word Eremos is the Greek word often translated as wilderness, desert place, lonely place, or quiet place.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus regularly withdrew to the Eremos.
When ministry became busy, He went to the Eremos.
When crowds demanded His attention, He went to the Eremos.
Before major decisions, He went to the Eremos.
After emotionally exhausting seasons, He went to the Eremos.
Jesus understood something we often forget:
You cannot continually pour out without intentionally filling up.
Many couples spend years running.
Running to work. Running to kids’ activities.
Running to appointments. Running to responsibilities.
Running from one commitment to the next. Life becomes so full that marriages slowly drift into survival mode.
This retreat is your invitation into the Eremos.
Not to escape life. Not to avoid responsibilities.
But to step away long enough to hear God’s voice, reconnect with your spouse, and gain fresh perspective.
The goal of this retreat is not simply relaxation.
The goal is renewal.
To regroup.
To re-engage.
To recharge.
And then return home healthier than when you arrived.
Individual Reflection Time
Find a quiet place by yourself.
Read Mark 6:30-32 slowly.
Imagine yourself sitting with the disciples after a long season of ministry and responsibility.
Imagine Jesus looking at you and saying:
“Come away with me to a quiet place and rest.”
Reflect on the following questions:
- What has occupied most of my attention lately?
- What has left me physically, emotionally, or spiritually exhausted?
- What distractions do I need to leave behind during this retreat?
- Where do I most need God to refresh me?
- What do I hope God will do in me during this retreat?
“Lord, during this retreat I am asking You to…”
Devotional Thought
One of the most interesting patterns in Jesus’ ministry is that He often withdrew before He advanced.
Before choosing the disciples.
Before major ministry moments.
Before difficult seasons.
Before significant challenges.
Jesus would step away so He could step back in with clarity.
Many couples do the opposite.
We keep pushing harder.
We assume more effort will solve exhaustion.
More activity will fix disconnection.
More productivity will create peace.
Yet often what we need most is not another strategy.
We need space.
Space to hear God.
Space to listen.
Space to breathe.
Space to remember why we fell in love.
Space to enjoy one another again.
The Eremos was never the destination.
It was preparation for what came next.
This retreat is not about escaping your life.
It is about allowing God to strengthen you for the life He has called you to live together.
Couple Discussion
When you have both completed your individual reflection time, come back together and discuss the following:
- How would you describe the pace of our lives right now?
- Where have we been thriving?
- Where have we simply been surviving?
- What are you hoping God does in our marriage during this retreat?
- What would make this retreat truly meaningful for you?
- What distractions or expectations do we need to release this week?
