What Happens On A Chrysalis Weekend?
What Happens After A Chrysalis Weekend?
Before it becomes a butterfly, a caterpillar goes through a growth stage during which it is called a "chrysalis." On the surface it may not look like much is happening, but the delicate chrysalis process changes the fuzzy caterpillar into an awesome butterfly with wings of intricate designs and intense colors. The chrysalis process symbolizes how Christ can transform you into something beyond your dreams. It happens when you grow beyond yourself, opening your life to Jesus' power and love.
"Chrysalis" is the name chosen for the youth and young adult version of The Walk to Emmaus, its parent movement, because it symbolizes the spiritual growth that is essential between adolescence and adulthood. That growth is as crucial for youth as the cocoon is for the caterpillar. It is that precious time of nurturing a person's faith for discipleship.
Chrysalis "Flights" (for 10th through 12th graders) and "Journeys" (for young adults, ages 19-24) are three-day events. This three-day spiritual renewal time provides an opportunity for you to learn more about faith, to experience Christian love and support, and to make new faith commitments. The point is to inspire, challenge and equip you for a closer friendship with Christ and for Christian action at home, church, school, and community.
Chrysalis lifts up a way for you to enjoy Christ's friendship and love and to be Christ's friend and partner in the world. The three days focus on God's grace, your experience with Christ as friend, what it means to be the body of Christ, and giving love to a needy world.
What Happens On A Chrysalis Weekend?
You'll spend three days with other people your age in worship, prayer, fellowship, creative expression, recreation, singing, and discussion. You'll experience the love of God through prayers and the acts of service from a loving support community. Think of it as three days for you to discover or re-discover you spiritual self, to analyze and realize who you are in Christ.
You'll hear 15 talks that focus on the needs of maturing youth or young adults, offer the message of the gospel and the friendship and example of Jesus Christ. Each day, speakers present topics with life examples, followed by discussion, reflection, and creative expression of how these messages can encourage your personal faith.
Here's the basic schedule of events for a Chrysalis weekend (with talk names in quotations):
Arrival Day
Fellowship until all have arrived
Introductions and Music
Video Presentation
Day One (Die With Christ)
Chapel Service
Breakfast
"Ideals"
"God Designed You"
Lunch
"Faith"
"God Loves You"
Dinner
"Prodigal"
Day Two (Rise With Christ)
Chapel Service
Breakfast
"Communication Through Prayer"
"Christian Growth Through Study"
Lunch
"God's Gift To You"
"Marriage"
"God Sustains You"
Dinner
Day Three (Fly With Christ)
Chapel Service
Breakfast
"Christian Action"
"Single Life"
"God Empowers You"
Lunch
"Priesthood Of All Believers"
"Next Steps"
What Happens After A Chrysalis Weekend?
Just as a butterfly begins the exciting exploration of the world around it, after Chrysalis you will continue to explore the dynamic friendship God offers you through Christ.
Following the tree-day event, you are invited to become intentional about your faith through local church participation, small group studies, and interpersonal sharing groups. These activities provide the fellowship and support for serving and giving love to your community and world. Chrysalis invites you to build upon your experience the rest of your life, to spread your wings every day.
Chrysalis is for the development of Christian youth who:
wish to gain a fuller understanding of God's love;
may have questions about prayer, study, and Christian action;
understand that being Christ's friend, or a Christian, involves responsibility;
are open to dedicating everyday life to God.