A Detailed Look at the Meeting Itinerary
The meeting itinerary is a powerful example of the Hazak model in action, prioritizing all aspects of a healthy spiritual community. The time limits for each segment are designed to keep the meeting focused and efficient, while the “no time limit” for Supplications emphasizes the importance of prayer.
- Thanksgiving (Max 5 minutes): The meeting begins with a focus on gratitude. Every member has the opportunity to share something they are thankful for. This simple practice sets a positive and humble tone, centering the group on God’s blessings from the very beginning. This aligns with the biblical call to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Breaking of Bread (Max 30 minutes): This segment is more than just a meal; it’s a time of shared sustenance and fellowship, mirroring the practice of the early church. There is a prayer of thanksgiving before the meal, acknowledging God as the provider. Sharing a meal is a powerful way to build relationships and break down barriers, creating a sense of family and unity. It’s a direct reflection of the “sharing in meals” mentioned in Acts 2:42.
- Introduction & Ice Breaker (Max 15 minutes): This time is dedicated to ensuring everyone, especially guests, feels welcome and connected. The ice breaker with simple questions helps members get to know one another on a more personal level, strengthening the bonds of fellowship.
- Praise and Worship: The itinerary includes both praise and worship songs. The distinction is key to the Hazak model’s understanding of approaching God. Praise is about acknowledging Him and His mighty acts, while worship is to Him, a posture of reverence and adoration. This segment shifts the focus from the members to God.
- Edification (Max 15 minutes) & Testify (Max 15 minutes): This is the core teaching and application segment of the meeting. The group engages in the Edification of one another by reading and studying a specific scripture. This is followed by Testify, where members share personal testimonies related to the scripture. This two-part process ensures that the teachings are not just theoretical but are being lived out in the daily lives of the members. It’s the practical outworking of the apostles’ teaching from Acts 2:42.
- Supplications (No time limit): This is a key and unique part of the Hazak Fellowship meeting. Members sit in the “hot seat” and receive focused, immediate prayer from the group. This segment reinforces the commitment to mutual support and the belief in the power of corporate prayer. By having no time limit, it prioritizes the spiritual needs of the members above all else, embodying the biblical principle of bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
- Thankful Thoughts (Max 15 minutes): The meeting concludes by returning to a posture of gratitude. Members express thankfulness for the fellowship and the events that just transpired. This helps to solidify the bonds of the group and reinforce the positive experience of being together.
- Planning: The final, practical step of planning the next meeting’s meal ensures that the momentum of fellowship continues beyond the current gathering.
The Impact of a Structured Meeting
This highly structured meeting itinerary ensures that the four pillars of Acts 2:42 are consistently addressed. It creates a space where every member is not just a passive participant but an active contributor to the group’s spiritual health and effectiveness.
This model shows how a group can be effective in itself by providing a consistent framework for spiritual growth and mutual care. When these individual groups are connected through the larger Hazak leadership structure, their collective impact on the community and even a city can be profound. They can pool their resources, coordinate their service efforts, and stand as a united front, living out the love of Christ for all to see.