Couple's Vision Retreat - Part 1

Have you ever heard of a vision retreat? Do you have a failing marriage? a good marriage? lots of kids? no kids? grandkids? It really doesn't matter, because the retreat is geared for the couple and whatever season of life they are in.  

In summary a vision retreat is a time when you and your spouse get away from the usual, the kids, the house, etc... 3-5 days is best. Balance your time between discussion and relaxing fun, and make sure to never leave a discussion unresolved. You will cover things like core beliefs, child training, finances, etc... 

My husband and I just came home from our first vision retreat, You can find the details on this post. 

Here is a book I recommend written by Jimmy and Karen Evans. It is a workbook with 1) Ways to prepare for the vision retreat 2) Step by step questions for the vision retreat. You can buy the ebook and just use a notebook to record your answers or buy the hard copy and write it in. 

Buy the book here

The booklet starts broad with the title:

 "Defining the broader vision for your marriage - what is our family vision and philosophy?" 

Asking questions like:

• Why did God put us together?

• What has God called us to accomplish this year? 

• What are the major ethical and moral standards that we want our family to live by. 

It continues into Family traditions  and values with questions like:

• What are our family's most deeply held values and beliefs?

• What are our gifting and passions as a family?

• What things (events, activities, commitments) tend to create the most stress in our household schedule? How can we lower that stress?

A third section cover children and grandchildren: 

• How can we transmit our values to our children?

• What memories of family life would we like our children to hold dear?

The second half of the book is Goals, Plans, and Vision:

Each page has a) goals b) plans/actions c) vision, for topics such as spirituality, service to God with our time/talents/ treasures, intimacy, finances, work/careers, time management, extended family relationships, etc... 

After you complete these larger goals (and of course the first section of the book) you summarize it all into a family vision statement. You condense it one more time with a motto and find a verse to bring it all together. 

Conclusion:

I've only given you a few questions from each section. It is a very thorough workbook and as I'm sure you can see will generate some very lengthy discussions. Jimmy Evans even walks you through having arguments during your retreat -  because we know that  no one agrees on everything. The ultimate goal is to have a vision retreat about one time each year to layout your goals for the upcoming year and also to talk through the present years achievements and failures. 

have you ever been on a vision retreat? would you ever consider one? how do you think your spouse would react?

Sarah