Meeting Format

The format of meetings will vary, but the following are typically included in ongoing groups:

I. OPENING PRAYER (5 min.)

Can include praying for a grace – asking for the gift the group is seeking through the meeting.

II. SHORT CHECK-IN (5 min.)

This is meant to be brief. Each person shares how s/he is doing at the moment. S/he will have more opportunities later in each meeting to expand upon what s/he has shared. The following are a few suggested questions for group leaders to choose from. Please choose only one.

• How are you doing right now?
• How do you feel as you come to this meeting?
• What were some of your high and low points of the week?
• How has God been present/active in your life since the last meeting?

III. FOCUS EXERCISE (40 min.)

Includes reflection, extended prayer or activity, and sharing. The sharing usually goes through two rounds:

1. Personal Sharing: members share their experiences or prayers during the exercise;
2. Listening deeper: after the first round of sharing, each person briefly reflects back to the group their experiences of the first sharing. This might include reflection on the following questions. Choose one.
• What has struck you as you have been listening to others share? Do you notice any patterns or commonalities?
• How have you been feeling throughout the meeting? Comforted? Anxious? Curious?
• Is there anything you would like to share after having heard another person share?
• What do you take away from this meeting?

IV. MOVING FORWARD (5 min.)

• Wrap Up: thank members for their openness and participation.
• Action: the heart of CLC spirituality is growth. Every week, we suggest one concrete action for group members to pray about and/or act on.
• Housekeeping: discuss any business
• Announcements: topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events

V. CLOSING PRAYER (5 min.)

This could include petitions for each other or special concerns.