Six-Week Program for Small Groups

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Start and end time

Each meeting in the Begin a New Life (BNL) Six-Week Program has a clear start and end time and is divided into several parts. Unless the group decides otherwise, meetings are designed to run for one hour.

Opening activities (approx. 15 minutes)

Opening prayer

The meeting begins with an opening prayer offered by the group leader or another member of the group.

Reading(s)

Following the opening prayer, the group listens to one or more short inspirational readings. These readings are pre-selected for each week and are included in the weekly meeting outline.

The readings may be done by the group leader or shared among several participants.

Check-in

After the readings, the group moves into a time of Check-in. This is an opportunity to briefly hear from each person.

Each participant shares their name and offers either:

• One highlight from their day or week, or

• A brief opening comment

(Just one—not both.)

Check-in helps everyone begin engaging with the group. Anyone who prefers not to speak may simply “pass.”

To keep things moving, each person shares only a sentence or two. There is typically no cross talk or discussion during this time, though the leader may allow some flexibility. After each person shares, the group responds with a simple, “Thank you.”

If the group is larger than eight people, consider breaking into smaller groups of four to eight.

Group business

Next is a brief time for Group Business. This includes any announcements or decisions that need to be made.

If there is nothing to address, this portion is skipped. Like Check-in, it should move quickly.

Task for the meeting

Each week includes a pre-assigned task. Participants work on this during the week and come prepared to share their experience.

At this point in the meeting, the task is read aloud to the group as a way of grounding the conversation that follows.

Group sharing (approx. 30 minutes)

• The majority of the meeting is devoted to Group Sharing. This is a time for participants to reflect on and share their experience of the week’s task.

• The leader typically begins with a simple question:
  “What was your experience of doing the task this week?”

  • Often, this is enough to sustain the conversation. If sharing begins to slow, the leader may draw from a set of prepared reflection questions provided in the weekly outline.

• The leader listens attentively, discerns what may be helpful, and introduces additional questions if needed—choosing those that seem most relevant to what is being shared, without needing to follow a set order or use them all. This continues until the allotted time for sharing is complete.

Closure (approx. 15 minutes) 

Task for the next meeting

The leader reads aloud the task for the coming week.

Leader for the next meeting

If leadership is shared, the group decides who will lead the next meeting. This may be done on a volunteer, rotating, or assigned basis.

Closing comments

Each participant is invited to offer a final comment—a simple word or brief reflection.

This provides a way for everyone to remain engaged through the end of the meeting and to “check out” together. Participants may pass if they prefer not to speak.

There is no cross talk during this time; it is not a time for further sharing or discussion. After each person shares, the group responds, “Thank you.”

If the group is large, consider breaking into smaller groups. This portion should not exceed 10 minutes.

The Lord’s Prayer

The meeting concludes with the Lord’s Prayer. Participants may stand or remain seated and say the prayer together. Those who prefer may simply listen.