Weekend Retreat
Overview
Introduction
The purpose of the BNL Weekend Retreat is to give participants the opportunity to experience the BNL process in the comfort of a restful, shared weekend away.
Goals
The main goals of the BNL Weekend Retreat are:
Rest
Relaxation
Connection with God and people
An opportunity to walk through the BNL process in its entirety
Time to share and reflect on the experience with others
Location, meals, & cost
A BNL Weekend Retreat takes place in a donated or rented space, facility, or vacation spot. Attendees share responsibility for purchasing and preparing meals ahead of time, or the weekend may be catered. All costs are shared among participants.
Prayer & devotional times
The weekend includes scheduled times of prayer and spiritual devotion, including Saturday morning before the main session, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning.
Friday evening
Arrival, dinner, & free time
Attendees arrive on Friday evening or by 9:00 AM Saturday morning, which marks the start of the main session. Those arriving Friday evening either have dinner en route or go out for a group dinner upon arrival. The rest of the evening is free for socializing and settling in.
Saturday
Breakfast
On Saturday morning, attendees gather for breakfast and then meet at 9:00 AM to begin the day’s events.
Opening activity (approx. 15 minutes)
Welcome & Check-in
The morning begins with a brief Welcome and a time of Check-in. Check-in is a simple but important moment where each person has the opportunity to engage with the group and be heard. Participants introduce themselves and share one brief thought—a highlight from their week, an opening comment, or a hope for the morning (one of these, not all three). The emphasis is on brevity and presence, with each person offering just a sentence or two. There is typically no cross talk or discussion during this time, allowing each voice to be fully heard and received. A simple “Thank you” from the group acknowledges each contribution before moving on. Anyone who prefers not to speak may simply “pass.” If the group is larger, consider breaking into smaller circles of four to eight.
Opening Prayer/Devotional Time (approx. 15–30 minutes)
Following Welcome & Check-in, the group begins Opening Prayer/Devotional Time. This may include any of the following (or other elements), at the group’s discretion:
An opening piece of music (played or performed) or a song sung by the attendees.
An opening prayer offered by the group leader or an attendee.
A reading or story from the Bible or other sacred text.
Reflection questions related to the reading:
Question 1: What part of the reading stood out to you?
Question 2: What does that part teach you for your life?
Note: For groups larger than eight, break into smaller groups of four to answer the questions, then reconvene. Invite three people to share their insights with the whole group.
The Lord’s Prayer, spoken by the group.
A closing piece of music (played or performed) or a song sung by attendees.
Main session: The BNL process (approx. 1 ¾ - 2 hours)
From there, the group moves into the main focus of the morning: the BNL process. After a short overview, participants spread out to quiet, private spaces—indoors or outdoors—to work through a full set of BNL worksheets, focusing on one area of their life. Those who are new to the process may remain for a few extra minutes of guidance before joining the others.
Group sharing (approx. 40 minutes)
The morning then shifts into a time of group sharing. Participants are invited to share their experience of the BNL process, again either as a whole group or in smaller circles. Anyone who prefers not to speak may simply “pass.” After everyone has had an opportunity to share, the conversation may open more freely for group discussion.
Closure (approx. 5 minutes)
Closing comments
As this part of the retreat comes to an end, the group moves into a brief time of Closing comments. Similar to the opening check-in, each person is invited to share a final thought—just a sentence or two—to “check out” of the experience together. The tone is simple and attentive, with no cross talk or discussion, and each contribution is acknowledged with a “Thank you.” Anyone who prefers not to speak may simply “pass.”
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.
Lunch & free time
Lunch happens any time after 12:30 PM, followed by afternoon free time. Free time allows attendees to rest, relax, take walks, socialize, exercise, or simply enjoy personal reflection.
Afternoon hors d’oeuvres, social time, check-in, and group sharing
At 5:00 PM, attendees gather for Hors d’Oeuvres & Social Time, which transitions into Check-in and Group Sharing.
This part of the weekend begins with 15–20 minutes of informal social time.
Afterward, the group comes together and transitions into Check-in.
Each person is invited to briefly share a highlight of their weekend so far, or offer an opening comment.
Following check-in, attendees transition to Group sharing.
The group discerns and chooses a focus for sharing. It could be a theme that emerged during the morning session, a particular step in the BNL process, or another topic the group feels drawn to.
Each person shares their personal experience or reflections related to the topic.
After everyone has shared, the floor opens for whole-group discussion.
Sharing and discussion end no later than 5:45 PM, followed by Closing comments.
The entire session concludes by 6:00 PM (groups may extend time if desired).
Dinner & free time
Dinner occurs any time after 6:00 PM, followed by additional free time for rest, reflection, or informal connection.
Vesper service
The evening concludes with a Vesper Service beginning at 9:00 PM, followed by Communion with God.
The vesper service includes the following:
An opening piece of music (played or performed) or a song sung by attendees.
An opening prayer offered by the leader, an attendee, or shared as an “additive” prayer.
In an additive prayer, the group leader or an attendee begins by offering a sentence or two. Each participant then adds a sentence or two, building on what others have said. Anyone may “pass” if they wish. The prayer concludes when the group leader says, “Amen.”
A reading or story from the Bible or other sacred text.
Reflection questions:
Question 1: What part of the reading stood out to you?
Question 2: What does that part teach you for your life?
Note: For groups larger than eight, break into groups of four to answer the questions, then reconvene. Invite three people to share insights with the full group.
Communion with God
Following the vesper service, the group moves into Communion with God, a quiet and reverent time of shared spiritual focus.
The group leader participates alongside everyone else.
The leader reads two opening readings, plus an account of the first communion as recorded in Scripture, to provide context and grounding for the ritual.
(The full text of these readings is included in the Weekend Retreat Leader Guide.)
Participants are invited to kneel or remain seated for the duration of the communion.
Communion is shared.
Bread and wine (or alternative) are passed from person to person:
Bread is received first, followed by wine and/or a non-alcoholic alternative.
Each person partakes as they feel comfortable.
(A simple recipe for unleavened bread is included at the end of this page.)
The group leader and attendees say Lord’s Prayer together.
The group leader offers the following blessing over the group:
“The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make His face shine upon us and be gracious to us. The Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace.”
Those who have been kneeling are invited to take their seats.
There is a closing piece of music (played or performed) or a closing song sung by the attendees.
Sunday
Breakfast
Attendees begin the day with Sunday morning breakfast, followed by Prayer/Devotional Time.
Prayer/Devotional Time
Prayer/Devotional Time on Sunday morning begins at 9:00 AM and follows the same format as Saturday morning:
An opening piece of music (played or performed) or a song sung by the attendees.
A spontaneous prayer offered by the group leader, an attendee, or shared as an additive prayer (described above).
A reading or story from the Bible or other sacred text.
Reflection questions related to the reading:
Question 1: What part of the reading stood out to you?
Question 2: What does that part teach you for your life?
Note: For groups larger than eight, break into smaller groups of four to answer the questions, then reconvene. Invite three people to share their insights with the whole group.
A closing prayer, offered by the group leader, an attendee, or shared as an additive prayer.
A closing piece of music (played or performed) or a song sung by attendees.
Weekend closure
Closing comments
As the retreat comes to a close, the group moves into a time of Closing comments. Similar to the opening check-in, each person is invited to share a final thought—just a sentence or two—to “check out” of the experience together. The tone is simple and attentive, with no cross talk or discussion, and each contribution is acknowledged with a “Thank you.” Anyone who prefers not to speak may simply “pass.”
The Lord’s Prayer
The weekend concludes with the Lord’s Prayer. Participants may stand or remain seated and say the prayer together. Those who prefer may simply listen.
Lunch & departure
After Sunday morning activities, attendees prepare for departure, enjoy any leftovers for lunch, and then head home.
Printable Version of Unleavened Bread Recipe (PDF)
Unleavened Bread Recipe
1 cup unbleached, sifted flour
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 teaspoons water
Mix thoroughly to form non-sticky dough for rolling. (Note: If the dough is too dry and doesn’t hold together, add tiny amounts of water until it does. Too much water will make the final product dense and hard.)
Roll between wax paper (to 3/16-inch thickness) and cut in circles using a water or wine glass like a cookie cutter.
Bake at 350° F for 18 to 20 minutes until golden.