Community Groups
Fundamental to church is the gathering of God's people to worship Him. There is no substitute for corporate worship: the ministry of the Word and sacraments. Yet there are also many commands in Scripture about how people in the church are to relate to each other, and it's a beautiful picture.
We see this in the many "one-another" passages of Scripture:
• This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
• Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
• Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10b)
• Greet one another with a holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12)
• Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
• Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
• Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
• And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)
• As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)
There are no less than 50 of these “one another” verses in Scripture. They speak of community and living out God’s instructions for the church. One of the ways we seek to be faithful to these commands is through Community Groups. Building community is a key component of life in the church. If we are going to learn, grow, live, and serve together, we need to know one another. This means intentionality in spending time together in a variety of contexts. Community Groups better enable us to find this connection and to love and serve one another in tangible ways as the people of God.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a Community Group?
A community group at Forestgate is a small gathering of individuals, led by a qualified leader, who meet together regularly for the purpose of connecting in friendship and growing together in Christ. Many groups are organized around a common life stage or geographic area.
Why join a Community Group?
The fellowship of believers is one of the primary ways we experience the grace of God and grow in Christ. Outside of Sunday mornings, community groups offer the space to know others and be known by them. As we live out the “one another” commands of Scripture, we find a place not only to connect and fellowship but also to serve and invest in the lives of others.
What do Community Groups look like?
A community group at Forestgate usually includes 10-20 members gathering weekly or monthly for Christ-centered fellowship. Each group has the ability to adjust to their members' needs but generally the format includes time to talk about God’s Word, encourage one another in our pursuit of Christ, pray for one another, and often enjoy fellowship over a meal. Beyond that, our groups come in various shapes and sizes, meet at different times and frequencies, and gather in different places around the Colorado Springs/Monument area. While some group leaders enjoy hosting and opening their home, other groups may have a separate host family. In this way we share our respective gifts with one another.
How do I get involved?
To assist you with learning more about our current community groups and how to get involved, contact our Community Group Ministry Team at community@forestgate.org. In the meantime, our weekly Bible study groups for men, women, and youth are a great way for anyone to begin building deeper relationships at Forestgate.