if you have formed specifically as a faith sharing group, rather than a prayer group, or bible study group (3 different things), the most successful format has been spending time with scripture, usually the Sunday gospel, with an (optional) resource. Most Catholic publishers have such a resource but it is not a requirement. you can also use a good spiritual devotional book, but if you are not careful it becomes a book club, not a faith sharing group.
one person reads the gospel and there is some silent time for reflection. then another person reads the gospel. allow a bit more time, then go around the group and ask each person to say one word, phrase or verse that speaks to them. at this time, they just repeat the word or phrase, no explanation or elaboration. when everyone has had a chance to speak (or pass), let a third person read the gospel again. this time, let each person have a chance to share a thought, emotion, response, reaction or reflection that has come to them through this scripture. this sharing is a bit longer but not more than a couple of minutes for each person.
this is where a facilitator comes in handy, because she can prevent one person from dominating the discussion, and make sure everyone has a chance to speak, and that the discussion stay on topic namely the week’s gospel.
that is why most spirituality or renewal programs like Renew or Disciples in Mission have facilitator training (and a resource). the purpose of the resource is to give an added teaching or guided reflection on the gospel, and to ask leading questions as discussion starters. after the group has been together for a while you may not need that.
the danger in doing this without a good resource, is that it becomes “the gospel according to Mary Smith and Alice Jones” rather than true faith sharing with the gospel.
you wrap up the session with a short spontaneous prayer from anyone who is not shy about doing this, which should include a brief time for silent prayer, and then leave.
agree on the format before you start. limit the session to one hour. start on time and end on time. agree on the schedule, weekly actually works better because people forget what week it is.
if you want time as a group for more prayer, do it after the sharing, and with an agreed format. When our intercessions started to take longer than the faith sharing, and became a bit too personal, we brought a pretty journal, wrote our intentions in the book before the session began, kept the journal, closed, on the prayer table with the bible and candle, and simply prayed briefly for all our intentions after the meeting. the person who was facilitiating each week kept custody of the journal.
don’t recommend food because it becomes a kaffee klatsch rather than faith sharing
