Nazareth Meeting Format
Nazareth’s unique discussion format and emphasis on generosity and hospitality are the driving forces behind the ministry. The schedule below outlines a typical Nazareth meeting. It provides guidelines for Hosts to facilitate meetings. While every meeting should follow this basic format, it is amazing how different every meeting can be.
Our example meeting starts at 6:15PM. To start at a different time, simply use the minute lengths of each meeting phase to calculate a new timeline based on your preferred start time.
Nazareth’s unique “Round Robin” format
The round robin format that is used for the majority of the evening is crucial. It ensures that each person—shy or talkative—has a chance to share, and it prevents the conversation from being dominated by anyone. The “no crosstalk” guideline helps keep the sharing from devolving into a discussion, a therapy session, or an advice and feedback forum. The “pass” option means that sharing is welcomed but not forced. It also gives the person time to consider his or her response, should he or she decide to share at a later time. The rotation of who chooses the icebreakers results in a lively combination of funny, serious, light, and deep moments. All of the above combine to make Nazareth an experience of Christian community that a wide variety of people can engage in and enjoy.
Guidelines for round robin format
At the start of any group discussion, the Host chooses who starts. People then go around the circle in order
People should limit their response to a single insight or idea in order to leave time for others
No crosstalk. People should refrain from responding to others and simply listen instead. This prevents the group from “fixing”, giving advice, overspiritualizing pain, arguing, or adding more.
The Host is part of the group and should answer questions and model how to share and pray for others.
BEFORE THE MEETING: MAterIALs YOU’ll need
A printed copy of one of the Sunday Mass readings, selected by the Host.
A copy of the book The Complete Book of Questions: 1001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion.
A copy of the Cheat Sheet.
Guests Arrive
6:15 p.m.
15 minutes
Welcome your Guests to your home. Each Guest should bring an appetizer, entree, side dish, or dessert to share.
Pot Luck Meal
6:30–7:30 p.m.
30 minutes
Enjoy dinner together to start off the evening.
Check-in and Icebreakers
7:00–8:00 p.m.
60 minutes
Host opens with prayer and welcomes new members. Reviews guidelines for new members. Makes announcements (if any). Check-in question:
“On a scale of 1-10, 10 being ‘Great!’, how are you doing and why?” (Round Robin format)
3 questions (depending on time) from 1001: The Complete Book of Questions. Host asks someone to select a question. That person will also select who starts and in which direction.
(Round Robin format)
Note: Guests may “pass” on responding to a question at any time.
Lectio Divina
8:00–8:20 p.m.
20 minutes
Hand out printouts of the upcoming Sunday Mass readings.
Host selects the first reader, and three people in a row read the Scripture.
The fourth person begins sharing on the Scripture by sharing thoughts on the passage. Sharing continues around the circle in round robin format.
Prayer as a group
Host asks someone to begin the group’s prayer time, consisting of a short petition or prayer of gratitude from each person in turn. As the group goes around the circle, people may “pass” instead of offering a prayer out loud.
Focused intercession for one member of the group
The Host asks if anyone in the group would like prayer from the entire group for a particular need. (In the interest of time, it is best to field one such request per meeting.) If someone has such a prayer need, the Host will ask to lay a hand on the person’s shoulder. The group gathers around and asks for the Holy Spirit to meet the person’s need. Anyone can add a prayer, image, or word from the Lord that comes to mind.
After all have had a chance to offer a prayer, the Host offers a general closing prayer for the whole group.
Birthdays
After the closing prayer, the Host asks if there are any upcoming birthdays in the group. If so, sing happy birthday!
Prayers
8:20–8:30 p.m.
10 minutes
The group eats dessert together in the main meeting room, or more casually, with people mingling in smaller groups.
Dessert and Fellowship
8:30–9:00 p.m.
30 minutes
Out of respect to the Innkeeper and his/her family, the evening should end right on schedule, to give them time for cleanup.
Evening Ends
9:00 p.m.
MEETING cheat sheet for quick reference
6:15 Guests arrive
6:30–7:00 Pot luck meal
7:00–8:00 Check-in and Icebreakers
8:00–8:20 Lectio Divina
8:20–8:30 Prayers
8:30–9:00 Dessert and Fellowship
9:00 Evening Ends