Friends are such a monumental blessing in our lives. The focus of this friends retreat theme is to take the time to acknowledge those friends who have made a positive difference to us.
Another goal is to also realize how we can impact others with our friendship. After renewing our spirits with the reminders of the joys that friendship can bring, we can take that home with us and put God’s love into action.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S RETREAT THEME: WHERE FRIENDS GATHER
Welcome to one of our free Christian women’s retreat theme ideas, Where Friends Gather. In this post, you’ll find thoughts, ideas, recommended scriptures, activities, songs, and more.
Feel free to use the ideas you need and leave the rest…or use them all. 🙂 As always, if you have ideas to add, please comment in the comment section below the post or send an email to julie (at) lovingchristministries (dot) com.
Related Post: Free “Fall in Love with Jesus” Christian Women’s Retreat Theme
Where Friends Gather Suggested Scriptures:
Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Find more scriptures about friendship in the post 20 Bible Verses about Friendship. You can get a free download of all 20 verses.
Where Friends Gather Upgrade Bundle
Buy the Where Friends Gather Theme Bundle by clicking HERE or on the image below.
- step-by-step directions
- an opening prayer
- a theme-specific speaker’s outline and notes
- additional scriptures plus scripture prayer cards
- table talk cards
- small group discussion questions
- individual reflection questions
- NEW icebreaker bingo cards
- NEW “Priceless” Original Skit (5-6 minute theme-specific skit)
- and more:
Where Friends Gather Icebreakers:
If I Were:
Use the If I Were Icebreaker from Icebreaker Ideas to warm-up the crowd, get them sharing, and help them begin to focus on the theme. (P.S. You’ll find many more great icebreakers on that site, too).
Icebreaker Question:
Think of a special friend who has impacted your life and summarize a little bit about that person and something that person has done to enhance your life.
Games/Activities:
Speed Friending
Follow the instructions for Speed Friending on the Christian Camp Pro site. This activity allows participants to interact one on one which gives them a chance to know each other better (and possibly make a new friend(s)!)
Icebreaker Question:
Have each person count off using numbers one through four. Using the corners of the room you are in, have the ‘numbers’ move to their appropriate designated corner. Ask each group to select a ‘leader’ and then provide that person a pre-planned list of questions regarding the meaning of friendship to discuss and answer.
Related Post: Free “Joy in Jesus” Christian Women’s Retreat Theme
Where Friends Gather: Small Group Discussion Questions:
1. What makes a ‘good’ friend? What makes a ‘bad’ friend?
2. Think of a time a friend has hurt you. How did you respond? Was the situation resolved with a positive outcome or not? Share if you feel comfortable.
3. Have you ever hurt one of your friends? What long term effect did it have on her/him? On you? How can you improve as a friend?
Where Friends Gather: Crafts:
Friendship in a Jar
Have everyone come together to prepare this jar of yummy tea for a special friend in their life.
Card Extravaganza
Provide blank cards and a variety of decorative items to prepare greeting cards for the attendees to take home and give to friends.
Where Friends Gather: Suggested Music:
Friends by Michael W. Smith (listen to it on YouTube here)
What a Mighty God We Serve (listen to it on YouTube here)
We Gather Together (listen to it on YouTube here)
Where Friends Gather: Door Prize Ideas:
Decorative block/sign that has “Friend” or a saying about friendship on it
Decorative pillow that has “Friend” or a saying about friendship on it
CD of Christian music like Michael W. Smith, The First Decade
Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for blessing all of us with the friends in our lives. Thank you for allowing us to gather here together to acknowledge those friends and to be reminded on how we can be better friends ourselves. Please fill us with the desire and determination to take what we received today, both knowledge and emotions, home with us in order to glorify you. Amen
If you liked this post, you might like these others about Christian women’s retreat themes:
101 Retreat Theme Ideas for Christian Women
Free – Joy in Jesus Retreat Theme
Free – Fall in Love with Jesus Retreat Theme
Where Friends Gather Upgrade Bundle
Buy the Where Friends Gather Theme Bundle by clicking HERE or on the image below.
- step-by-step directions
- an opening prayer
- a theme-specific speaker’s outline and notes
- additional scriptures plus scripture prayer cards
- table talk cards
- small group discussion questions
- individual reflection questions
- NEW icebreaker bingo cards
- NEW “Priceless” Original Skit (5-6 minute theme-specific skit)
- and more:
Want to remember this? Post this Where Friends Gather Women’s Retreat Theme to your favorite Pinterest board!
Andy says
Hi Julie, fantastic article and thanks for including our post on Speed Friending! It truly is a fun way to get to know people quickly. I’ve enjoyed playing it as well as hosting it.
Julie Pfeifer says
Hi Andy! Such a fun activity. Thank you! And thank you for taking the time to comment. Blessings to you! ~Julie