Community & Fortification Groups

There is great benefit to meeting together in large groups, but there is something invaluable about seeking God in smaller groups.  If any of you do not have (or would want more) small group community, we have 2 particular opportunities for you at The Rain.  We call them Community Groups and Fortification Groups.  Below is an explanation of each and a link for you to sign up to join (or get more info).

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Reason:
Community is built around almost everything in our culture: sports, education, fashion, music, beer.  What are you building your community around?  Might I suggest that you build it around the word of God, the Holy Scriptures?!  In them God has revealed to mankind His personality, His purposes, His promises.  In them we find the meaning of our existence, the way of salvation, the reason for suffering, satisfaction for our souls, and much more.  I know of no better thing to build community around than God's holy word.  How enriching it is to come together with other like-minded brothers/sisters and study what He has said.  This is a community built upon the rock.  This is the point of a Community Group.

Vision:
Community Groups are small groups of people (5-15) that meet on a weekly/biweekly basis (depending upon the group) for the purpose of building community in Christ thru the studying of His word together.

Expectations:
In these groups you can expect to be: (1) Diligently studying the word of God, (2) Purposefully applying what you learn, (3) Growing deeper in fellowship with like-minded believers, (4) Seeking answers to your questions about God and the Christian life, (5) Whatever else God might lead you guys to!

Application:
Sign up to join a Community Group (or just to receive more information) here!


FORTIFICATON GROUPS

Reason:
Sometimes we can hide from other Christians, even behind the Word of God.  We can study the Scriptures and talk about them and do ministry while not opening up to anyone about our personal needs, fears, sins, joys, etc.  This intimate, personal connection is vital to the Christian walk.  We must not only spend time studying God's word, we must ask ourselves if we are, in fact, really living it.  And we need others to ask this question of us as well.  Sanctification is a group project.  This is the point of a Fortification Group.

Vision:
Fortification Groups are small groups of people (3-5) that meet on a weekly/biweekly basis (depending upon the group) for the purpose of strengthening one another in Christ thru the sharing of life together.

Expectations:
In these groups you can expect to be: (1) Sharing evidences of God's grace in your life, (2) Sharing requests for grace so that others might be praying for you, (3) Holding one another accountable in the areas each needs it most, (4) Confessing sin, (5) Ministering to the group from what God has been ministering to you, (6) Seeking answers to your questions about God and the Christian life, and (7) Whatever else God might lead you guys to!

Application:
Sign up to join a Fort Group (or just to receive more information) here!


"WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE"

There are a few main differences between a Community Group and a Fortification Group:

(1) Emphasis

Community Groups will usually be more study intensive (either through a book in the Bible or a book about the Bible).  There will obviously still be time for personal connection and prayer among group members, but the goal is to build community in Christ thru the studying of His word.

Fortification Groups put the emphasis upon the individuals in the group and how each is doing in his/her walk with Christ.  In these groups the purpose is to connect personally and share about one's triumphs, struggles, devotions, questions, etc.  The Word of God will obviously still play a major part in these discussions but the goal is to strengthen one another in Christ thru the sharing of life together.

(2) Size

Community Groups are more open-ended small groups.  Meaning: they can be anywhere from 3 to 15 people.  They can be much larger than a Fortification Group, but they can also be about the same size.

Fortification Groups are restricted to 3-5 people per group because most of their value comes from the intimate, personal connection that happens (which is somewhat lost when the size of a group increases).

(3) Flexibility

Community Groups will generally meet on a night of the week at someone's home.  Because they are generally larger in size, there is not as much flexibility in regards to the time and place of meetings.

Fortification Groups have more flexibility in this area.  Some people have met up in between classes on campus or at coffee shops.  Because they are smaller in size, the time and place can be more customized to fit the needs of the individuals within the group.