This document outlines the sessions and content covered at a Men of RPC Retreat held from March 11-13, 2016. Session I focused on defining interruptions, exploring the anatomy of interruptions, and looking at examples of Jesus being interrupted. Session II discussed brain science related to interruptions and decision making, and presented a Bible story example. Session III centered around engaging the 10 steps process, the two greatest commandments about love, and concepts of independent vs. interdependent selves. The overall goal was to help participants understand and positively respond to interruptions in their lives.

1. MEN OF RPC RETREAT
Brasstown Valley Resort, March 11-13, 2016

2. SESSION I -
DEFINITIONS, MORE COWBELL, AND JESUS INTERRUPTED
Ball Game
Rapping
Ground Rules

3. MEN OF RPC RETREAT
Brasstown Valley Resort, March 11-13, 2016

4. SESSION I -
DEFINITIONS, MORE COWBELL, AND JESUS INTERRUPTED
3 goals for Session I -
1) Define an Interruption
2) Explore the Anatomy of an Interruption
3) Looking at Jesus Interrupted

5. SESSION I -
DEFINITIONS, MORE COWBELL, AND JESUS INTERRUPTED
Interruptions Are…

6. SESSION I -
DEFINITIONS, MORE COWBELL, AND JESUS INTERRUPTED
What are some examples of
interruptions you have experienced?

7. SESSION I -
DEFINITIONS, MORE COWBELL, AND JESUS INTERRUPTED
Level 1 - Minor - easily shaken off
Level 2 - a notable inconvenience - require
significant attention
Level 3 - Life-altering - demanding full
attention

8. SESSION I -
DEFINITIONS, MORE COWBELL, AND JESUS INTERRUPTED
Define an Interruption
3 Basic Responses:
1) Ignore It
2) Tolerate It
3) Embrace It

9. SESSION I -
DEFINITIONS, MORE COWBELL, AND JESUS INTERRUPTED
Group Exercise - Explore Gospel Examples
1) Classify the Interruption (Level 1, 2 or 3)
2) What is being interrupted? A routine? A teaching? another
interaction or conversation?
3) With what quality does Jesus respond? Kindness?
Annoyance? Understanding?
4) What is the result of the interruption? What is changed or
communicated?

10. SESSION II -
FOREBRAINS, JACK NICHOLSON, AND A BRUISED
DONKEY

11. SESSION II -
FOREBRAINS, JACK NICHOLSON, AND A BRUISED
DONKEY
1) Mind our Minds - A little Brain
Science
2) 10 Steps
3) Numbers 22

12. SESSION II -
FOREBRAINS, JACK NICHOLSON, AND A BRUISED
DONKEY
Create your own interruption
Pick a Bible Story
Receive 2 characters
create a dialogue between the two characters where one
keeps interrupting the other, and include the Bible story in
some way
Pick 2 people to read/act it out for the group

13. SESSION II -
FOREBRAINS, JACK NICHOLSON, AND A BRUISED
DONKEY
Reptilian Brain - Basic
functions of body, fight or
flight, spatial awareness
Mammalian Brain - social
awareness, processing
emotions, competition
Forebrain - rational & logical
thinking, self awareness,
imagine and think in future
terms.

15. SESSION II -
FOREBRAINS, JACK NICHOLSON, AND A BRUISED
DONKEY
1) Experience of lack, dissatisfaction
2) Think about the future
3) Desire something we imagine will satisfy us
4) Imagine scenarios that will lead to desired satisfaction
5) Attach emotional response to anticipated satisfaction
6) Create a plan for achieving/obtaining desired satisfaction
7) Take action and implement plan
8) Achieve desired satisfaction
9) Experience momentary happiness/satisfaction
10) Experience dissatisfaction when experience is over

17. SESSION II -
FOREBRAINS, JACK NICHOLSON, AND A BRUISED
DONKEY
The Story of Balaam
Numbers 22:15-35

18. SESSION II -
FOREBRAINS, JACK NICHOLSON, AND A BRUISED
DONKEY
1) Experience of lack, dissatisfaction
2) Think about the future
3) Desire something we imagine will satisfy us
4) Imagine scenarios that will lead to desired satisfaction
5) Attach emotional response to anticipated satisfaction
6) Create a plan for achieving/obtaining desired satisfaction
7) Take action and implement plan
8) Achieve desired satisfaction
9) Experience momentary happiness/satisfaction
10) Experience dissatisfaction when experience is over

19. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES

20. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
Focus of Session III
1) Engaging 10 Steps
2) 2 Great Commandments
3) Independent v. Interdependent

21. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
1) Experience of lack, dissatisfaction
2) Think about the future
3) Desire something we imagine will satisfy us
4) Imagine scenarios that will lead to desired satisfaction
5) Attach emotional response to anticipated satisfaction
6) Create a plan for achieving/obtaining desired satisfaction
7) Take action and implement plan
8) Achieve desired satisfaction
9) Experience momentary happiness/satisfaction
10) Experience dissatisfaction when experience is over

22. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
Levels of Interruptions -
Level 1 - Minor - easily shaken off
Level 2 - a notable inconvenience - require
significant attention
Level 3 - Life-altering - demanding full attention

23. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
There is something significant at stake, even in the little
interruptions…
Option #1 - Achieve, Prove, Accomplish, Escape, Obtain,
Acquire, Self-Satisfaction, Compete
Option #2 - Give Away, Sacrifice, Forgive, Embrace, Heal,
Listen, Selfless Satisfaction.

24. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
A happiness sought for ourselves alone, no
matter how hard we try, can never gives us true
joy…There is a false momentary happiness in
self-satisfaction, but it always leads to sorrow
because it narrows and deadens our spirit. True
happiness is found in unselfish love, and this love
is only limited by our willingness to share it.”
-Thomas Merton

25. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
Matthew 22:36-40
“You shall love the LORD your G-d with all your heart, with
all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest
and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.”
The rest is just Midrash.

26. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
The Two Selves
The INDEPENDENT self -
the EGO, individuality, isolation, willingness,
approach of scarcity, guarded, maintains distance,
self-interested, oppositional thinking, I-it and I-You
Relationships

27. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
The INTERDEPENDENT self
The self understood in the context of community,
connection, embracing others, compassion, approach of
abundance, authentically other-interested, seeks intimacy,
self-sacrifice, non-dual thinking, I-Thou relationships

28. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
If you can’t handle a Level 1 well, then
how do you expect to handle a Level 3?

29. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
When we experience an Interruption, how can we respond in a positive,
healthy way?
1) Notice our emotional AND physical reaction.
2) Notice and acknowledge any resistance that comes, but don’t give it the
wheel
3) Be aware of our tendency over-attach to desired future satisfaction
4) Remind ourselves that we are not at the center - 2 Commandments
5) Be mindful of our INTERDEPENDENT self - connection to other
6) Acknowledge the interruptor, not the interruption and ask “What might I
be able to learn as a result of this interruption?”
7) Respond with compassion towards the situation/interruptor, and then ask
them what they desire to communicate.

30. SESSION III -
WALMART GREETERS, TAKING 10 STEPS, TWO SELVES
“You shall love the LORD your G-d with all your heart, with
all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest
and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.”
The rest is just Midrash.