What is Tirosh?
Tirosh is a unique retreat experience designed for teens. During the three days of learning, sharing, and Christian growth, teens learn what it really means to be a Christian. They experience the joy of building and being part of a genuine community with their peers
and adults. During the three day Tirosh, the teens hear
talks by other teens, adults and clergy. Other activities include singing and games. At no time during the Tirosh is a teen called upon to do or say anything they do not wish to volunteer. We respect the individual.
The meaning of Tirosh
In Old Testament times God’s promises of blessings were accompanied by a promise of grain and new wine. Many times grain and new wine were the “first fruits” offered as tithes to God. Jesus broke bread and blessed the wine at the first communion.
The symbolism of new wine has rich meaning in
both the Old and New Testaments. It is associated with abundant
blessings and new life in Jesus Christ. Tirosh (te roshe) is the Hebrew word for new wine. It is used forty times in the Old Testament as a symbol of God’s blessings and new life in Him. The word Tirosh appears in sixteen books of the Old Testament from Genesis to Zechariah and it is always associated with God’s grace, abundant blessings, and the offering of “first fruits” to Him.
What happens at Tirosh?
The Tirosh retreat begins about 8 am of the first day of the retreat and concludes at approximately 7 pm on the third day. Participants spend three days with other teens in worship, prayer, fellowship, recreation, singing and discussion. Tirosh is a place to experience the love of Christ through the prayers and acts of service of a loving support community.
Participants hear talks given by youth, adults and pastors focusing on the needs of maturing youth and offering the message of the Gospel and the friendship and example of Jesus Christ. Five talks are given each day followed by discussion and reflection on how the messages are helpful to personal faith. Friendship with Jesus is explored to help you live your faith with family, friends and community. Boys and girls attend at the same time, but they are in separate rooms for talks, discussions, and sleeping. Meals, recreation and singing are joint activities.
What happens after Tirosh?
Following the three day retreat, participants are invited to live out their faith through local church participation, small group studies, and interpersonal sharing groups that provide the fellowship and support for giving love to a needful world. The invitation is to build upon the Tirosh experience for the rest of their lives, rising to a new day, every day.
Sharing groups
Grouping, as it is commonly called, is an informal weekly gathering, of two or more teens, who share their faith in Jesus Christ.
Each person shares his life in the areas of prayer, study and action. By spending time each week in this fashion, teens lend support to one another and sustain apostolic enthusiasm for the most central person in their life – Jesus Christ.
The Harvest
The Harvest is a larger group than sharing groups. It is a gathering of all the Tirosh community to socialize and share ones life in Christ, building a Christian community on a wider basis. Harvests are scheduled on a bimonthly basis by the Via de Cristo/Tirosh committee, the administrative arm of the Southern Arizona Lutheran Tirosh or individual churches participating in Tirosh.
Who Can Attend Tirosh?
Tirosh is open to any youth from 9th grade to the age of 20 who has a desire to increase their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Are You Interested?
We invite you to experience the joy of a Tirosh retreat through the outpouring of God’s love in His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
For Information or Applications
Contact the Via de Cristo/Tirosh representative at your home church, your pastor, or youth director. You may also contact your parish representative Pre Tirosh coordinator at your place of worship
Southern Arizona Lutheran Tirosh – S.A.L.T. A part of the Southern Arizona Lutheran Via de Cristo Movement