Dr. Carolyn Johnson's most popular topic choices are listed below. However, requested themes are also accepted and encouraged. Regardless of the topic or theme, be assured that the message will be firm in God's Word and will be presented and shared in a clear, sometimes convicting, but always encouraging manner. A main summary, goal(s) and possible decorating ideas are also available for each theme and can be made available at the time of deciding the speaking topic for your event.

All topics and outlines below © 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson.  All content is the sole intellectual property of Dr. Carolyn Johnson. Use of these themes, topics, titles, descriptions and/or session titles is prohibited without prior written permission from Dr. Carolyn Johnson.

RETREAT THEME 1:

EXTREME MAKEOVER From the Inside Out

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verses:

II Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Psalms 51:10 (NIV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Session Titles for Extreme Makeover From the Inside Out:

1. The Home Edition Practical Applications for Women (Genesis 29)
2. Regal Problems, Royal Solutions God’s Perspective on Life’s Challenges (Matthew 5)
3. The Biggest Loser Losing Excess Baggage (Matthew 18)
4. Faith Lift A Life of Worship & Service (John 4)

RETREAT THEME 2:

LEGACY: WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verses:

Psalms 119:111 (NIV) Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a (MSG) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today: I place before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, He is life itself . . .

Deuteronomy 32:7 (MSG) Read up on what happened before you were born; dig into the past, understand your roots. Ask your parents what it was like before you were born; ask the old-ones, they'll tell you a thing or two.

Session Titles for Legacy: What We Leave Behind:

1. Looking at what Eve Left Behind Consequences & Redemption (Genesis)
2. Looking at what Rebekah Left Behind Fear & Peace (Genesis)
3. Looking at what Jochebed Left Behind Trust & Faith (Exodus)
4. Looking at what A Nameless Mom Left Behind Hope & Promises (Judges)

RETREAT THEME 3:

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verses:

I Peter 1:14-15 (MSG) As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Session Titles for It’s a Jungle Out There:

1. Soul Survivor (Hebrews 11:1-3)
2. Influence in the Jungle (Hebrews 11:4-39)
3. Escaping the Jungle (John 4)
4. Amazon.Calm (I Peter 1)

RETREAT THEME 4:

OUR GLORIOUS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

Colossians 2:2 (NIV) My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-4 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Session Titles for Our Glorious Riches in Christ Jesus:

1. Getting a Faith Lift (Hebrews 11)
2. Claiming Your Inheritance (Ephesians 1)
3. Knowing Your Net Worth (Ruth)       
4. Enjoying Heaven Today (Matthew 5:1-10)

RETREAT THEME 5:

THE PRINCESS CONNECTION

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

I Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Session Titles for The Princess Connection:

1. Chosen to be a Princess (Genesis 29)
2. Royal Problems, Regal Solution! (Matthew 5)
3. Kingdom Living (Matthew 6)
4. Royal Living (I Peter 1 or Isaiah 6)

RETREAT THEME 6:

THE JOURNEY OF HOLINESS (or IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE)

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

Leviticus 19:2b (NIV) Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

I Peter 1:15-16 (NIV) But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Session Titles for The Journey of Holiness (or It’s a Wonderful Life):

1. Starting at Ground Level (David)
2. One Old-Testament Man (Naaman)
3. Two-Touch Miracle (Jesus)              
4. Three Men & a Baby (Moses, Isaiah, Peter & Jesus)

RETREAT THEME 7:

THRIVING Instead of Surviving (or LIGHT, FAITH, ACTION)

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verses:

Philippians 1:6 (NIV) Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 11:28 (MSG) A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.

Philippians 1:9-11 (MSG) So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

Session Titles for Thriving Instead of Surviving (or Light, Faith, Action):

1. From Fear to Freedom (Joshua)
2. From Compromise to Resolved (Daniel)
3. From Destruction to God’s Reflection (Rahab)
4. Reflecting the Jesus in You (Barnabas, Ananias & Sapphira)

RETREAT THEME 8:

YOUR TRUE IDENTITY       

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

Matthew 5:48b (MSG) “. . . Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

Session Titles for Your True Identity:

1. Identity Theft (Genesis 1-3)
2. Our ID (Genesis 29)
3. Identify Yourself (Ephesians 1)
4. Life Locked (I Peter)

RETREAT THEME 9:

IMMEASUREABLY MORE (or BREAKTHROUGH VICTORY) (or SEASONS OF YOUR LIFE)

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verses:

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us

II Corinthians 2:14-16a (MSG) In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life..

Session Titles for Immeasurably More (or Breakthrough Victory):

1. Living Intentionally 
2. Living Expectantly
3. Living Gloriously                                            
4. Living Victoriously

Session Titles for Seasons of Your Life:

1. Spring
2. Summer
3. Fall
4. Winter

RETREAT THEME 10:

UNPACKING MIRACLES and Living in Them

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

John 14:12 (NIV) Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Hebrews 2:4 (NIV) God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

Session Titles for Unpacking Miracles and Living in Them:

1. Taking the Plunge (John 5)
2. Two-Touch Miracle (Mark 8)
3. Four Miracles of Significance (Mark 4-5)
4. Seven-Step Miracle (2 Kings)

RETREAT THEME 11:

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

Psalms 37:3-7 (NIV) Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Session Titles for This Changes Everything!:

1. Trusting in the Lord (Psalms 37:3 with Rahab)
2. Delighting in the Lord (Psalms 37:4 with Hannah)
3. Committing to the Lord (Psalms 37:5-6 with Jochebed)
4. Resting before the Lord (Psalms 37:7 with Paul in Prison)

RETREAT THEME 12:

INTENTIONAL LIVING (or WOMAN2WOMAN) (or HATTITUDE)

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

Romans 15:5 (NIV) May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.

Session Titles for Intentional Living (or Woman2Woman):

1. Woman2Woman with Eve
2. Woman2Woman with Sarah
3. Woman2Woman with Leah
4. Woman2Woman with Hannah & Mary

Session Titles for Hattitude:

1. A Creative Hat (Eve)
2. A Powerful Hat (Sarah)
3. A Had-a-tude Hat (Leah)
4. The Designer Hattitude (Hannah & Mary)

RETREAT THEME 13:

PRAYING (or A FRUIT-FILLED LIFE) (or A FRUITFUL LIFE)

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

Psalms 66:19 (NIV) but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.

Session Titles for Praying:

1. I Bless Your Name (Our Father . . .)
2. Through Tough Times (Thy kingdom come, Thy will . . .)
3. Total Surrender (. . . forgive us our debts as we . . .)
4. Keys to the Kingdom (For thine is the kingdom . . .)

Session Titles for A Fruit-Filled Life (or A Fruitful Life):

1. God’s Presence
2. God’s Promise
3. God’s Provision
4. God’s Purpose

RETREAT THEME 14:

TOTALLY DEVOTED ... but running on empty!

(A Leadership Retreat)

© 2000-2015 Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Theme Verse:

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Session Titles for Totally Devoted ... but running on empty!

1. Running on Empty (Moses)
2. Called by Name (Samuel)
3. Leaving the Comfort, Embracing the Call (Isaiah)
4. In the Name of Jesus (Peter)