The Question of Breakouts

A breakout session is defined as “a small group session, held during the main event and formed to focus on specific subjects relevant to the gathering.”  In a retreat setting, we have main sessions taught by the retreat speaker. The main sessions are attended by everyone and geared toward the entire group. Then, if the event schedule allows, we develop breakout sessions in order to target specific groups or interests.  Here are a few breakout suggestions:

• Most often, for us, we do breakout geared toward the ladies’ situation in life–married, divorced/widowed, single, teen.  Spiritually, all the women will profit from our main sessions.  But in practice, married women face very different issues from single women or teens.  So we like to provide a time geared to those specific needs.
• Breakouts sessions encouraging women in “the basics” – prayer, Bible study, and fellowship can be very popular. We have used topics such as:  How to Study Your Bible (beginner or advanced); Memorizing Scripture; Keeping a Prayer Journal; Intercessory Prayer; Discipleship; Friendship.
• Another breakout option is to do a craft, as that can be an enjoyable and relaxing activity for women in their free time.  Ideas could include a craft or hobby project (scrapbooking, photography) or a missions project that could be completed and then used in outreach.