40 Minute Weekend Retreat

A couple of weeks ago I had the joy of welcoming 14 ladies into my home as we ran our first ‘at home’ ladies retreat.

The idea came about following a weekend away with two friends to study the book of Joel. We’d left that weekend pondering locusts and comparing diaries, setting a date and sending out invites.

I had chosen one of the 40 minute studies from Precept Ministries that I thought would appropriately link into some of the major themes that were being covered by the current sermon series at church and assigned leaders from my weekly small group to lead each chapter.

The weekend was designed for study, worship, fellowship and prayer and provided a perfect introduction to inductive study to those who’d never done it before. It also provided the perfect opportunity to train up new leaders in an environment where they could learn from each other.

I allowed 1.5 hours for each session which meant that a session could be covered at a good pace but allow time for ministry and adequate breaks. Providing those spaces between sessions meant that God was able to minister to all the participants without feeling pressured or rushed, and He did.

It was such a powerful time together with testimonies of God’s grace and provision being shared with each chapter of the study. A passion for God’s word was kindled and left everyone hungry for more.

If you’re thinking of something similar here’s how I structured the weekend.

• Friday

  • 6:30pm Dinner (included)

  • 7:30pm Session 1

• Saturday

  • 9:30 arrive

  • 10:00am Session 2

  • 12:00pm Session 3

  • 1:30pm lunch (included)

  • 2:30pm Session 4

  • 4:30pm Session 5

  • 5:30pm finish

  • Dinner out (at own expense)

• Sunday

  • Attend church

  • 1:00pm lunch (included)

  • 2:00pm Session 6

  • 4:30pm finish

As a suggestion, Here's what we did for meals:

Friday dinner was an easy slow cooker meal, Saturday lunch we got catered from a local café with sandwiches and cakes. Sunday lunch was soup, rolls and cake.

Our price was set at £20pp which included the study book and some meals.

Resources:

- 40 Minute studies by Precept Ministries