Resources for Developing
Small Christian Communities
Give this to your facilitators as a guideline to follow during their Small Christian Community meetings.
YOUR PATH:
WordBytes » Developing Small Christian Communities »
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Note: This format for SCC meetings — and all pages about developing Small Christian Communities — can be downloaded as a printable PDF set; scroll down to the order form at the bottom of the Table of Contents.
Meeting Duration: 1-1/2 hours, plus fellowship time with refreshments
START AND END ON TIME!
- Welcome everyone and introduce new members
- Be careful not to allow too much time gabbing and getting reacquainted; save that for refreshment time
- Opening prayer, asking God:
- to be present in the meeting
- to anoint each person’s mind and heart for sharing and learning
- to guide the meeting and keep the conversation on track
- to be with those who couldn’t make it or are late
- to fill everyone with the Holy Spirit, the teacher of truth
- and end by giving God glory and praise
- Read 1st scripture and commentary
- Faith sharing on that scripture; ask the members:
- What part of that related to you and your life?
- How does this help you with your daily life?
- What struck you the most? Why?
- And/or use questions given by the commentary
- Repeat #4 for 2nd scripture and Gospel reading
- Life Application just before meeting ends
- What goals do these scriptures give you for this week?
- How would you like these readings to change you?
- What would you say was the theme God gave us in this meeting?
- Closing prayer
- Summarize the main lessons learned in the meeting and thank God
- Ask God to help make these lessons take root in us and change us
- Open the prayer to petitions made by anyone who wants to offer them
- Offer up all unspoken needs and the needs of those not present
- End with the “Our Father,” a “Hail Mary” and a “Glory Be”
- Announcements
- Share whatever news is pertinent (upcoming retreat, info about a member who is absent, etc.)
- Assign who will bring refreshments next week (use predictable schedule)
- Fellowship with refreshments, which members take turns supplying
Order the weekly faith-sharing book, Breaking Open the Word of Faith >>
<< Return to Table of Contents of all SCC Resources
Suppose A SCC is meeting on a Sunday, do they read the scripture for thiis Sunday or for next Sunday
Smart question! The answer depends on the group. The group can choose to discuss that day’s readings, to get deeper meaning from what they heard at Mass. This is my recommendation. But if the group wants to discuss the next Sunday’s readings and use all week to reflect on them, that’s good too!
This makes so much sense and clarifies its purpose. Too much time without a clear purpose weakens the bond.