What to buy for a faith course

A faith course needs more than Bibles and worksheets. Plan the serving items, coffee supplies, lunch equipment and presentation materials before the course day, especially if the venue has no kitchen stock. Buy or collect one Bible, notepad, pen and name badge holder per participant, then add serving and seating supplies for the full group. Check dietary requirements before shopping so the lunch buffet and drinks are ready for everyone.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 36
Buffet tablesqty 2
Registration desk
Lectern

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 40
Breakfast platesqty 40
Bowlsqty 40
Glassesqty 45
Coffee cupsqty 40
Knivesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Spoonsqty 40

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphone

Course materials

Biblesqty 36
Notepadsqty 36
Ballpoint pensqty 40
Flip chart
Flip chart sheets
Markersqty 2
Name badge holdersqty 36

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Wayfinding signsqty 6
Name badgesqty 40

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Broom setsqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- White bread - 3 loaves
- Whole grain bread rolls - 40 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Egg salad - 4 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Lentils - 2 kilo
- Rice - 3 kilos
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Yogurt - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack

Tips

Prepare one Bible, notepad and ballpoint pen for each participant, plus a few extras in case someone arrives without registering. Keep the teaching materials together so they can be laid out before registration opens.
Allow one dinner plate per person for lunch, one breakfast plate for lighter items, and one bowl per person if soup, cereal or another bowl-based dish is served. Add at least 10% extra tableware for late arrivals and replacements.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill the drinks in advance and check whether the venue has enough glasses, coffee cups, kettles and thermos flasks.
Set aside one name badge holder for every registered participant and prepare several blank badges. Keep the holders at the registration desk, rather than placing them on tables where they can be missed.
Test the laptop, projector, projection screen, speakers and microphone before participants arrive. Bring the presentation materials and flip chart markers to the presentation table, and keep spare flip chart sheets nearby.

Frequently asked questions

How many Bibles and notepads do I need for a faith course?: Plan one Bible and one notepad per participant, with one ballpoint pen for each person. Add 5 to 10% extra copies and pens so late registrations or forgotten supplies do not interrupt the course.
How much tableware should I buy for a faith course lunch?: Use one dinner plate, fork, knife and glass per participant, plus one breakfast plate and bowl if the menu requires them. For a group of 30, prepare at least 33 place settings to cover unexpected guests and replacements.
How many coffee cups and thermos flasks are needed?: Provide one coffee cup per participant and enough capacity for the first break without waiting for another brew. For 30 people, prepare at least 33 cups and use several thermos flasks if the coffee station is away from the lunch buffet.
When should I buy supplies for a faith course?: Buy shelf-stable teaching materials, tableware and name badge supplies at least 3 to 5 days before the course. Purchase or chill perishable food and drinks the day before, after dietary requirements have been confirmed.

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