Primer Guide 1 (Existing Communities)
In Portland As It Is In Heaven, 2025
Take Communion
Read Mark 14v22–24
Facilitator Note: Take elements around to each person, saying “the body of Christ broken for you, the blood of Christ shed for you”, and pray for the table:
King Jesus, I thank you for each of the people at this table tonight, stepping out in faith in you and in one another. I pray you would bless this community, and our conversation tonight. Amen.
Family Prompt:
What's the highest form of potato and the lowest form of potato?
Read this Overview
Hey friends! I’m so excited to meet all of you, and excited for you—entering an existing Community is a great position to be in. It comes with its own unique challenges, but also a ton of unique upsides. We only place new people into Communities that are healthy, that have good leadership in place, and where the Community wants new people.
Let’s take another minute to introduce ourselves and share (briefly! 30 seconds or less!):
What’s your name, and how long have you been at Bridgetown?
Where do you live?
Who’s in your family (kids, etc)?
Exercise for tonight
Best Practices (15 minutes)
As I mentioned, coming into an existing Community comes with unique gifts. Establishing a new Community takes time, testing, and trial and error, but the Communities you’ll enter have patterns and systems that (mostly!) work, and leadership already established. All that said, there are a few best practices to keep in mind as you step in.
Meet with your leader or leaders first, even if it means delaying joining your group for a week. It helps SO MUCH to have a familiar face heading into a group, and they’ll give you a sense of the group and what you’re walking into. Spoiler: your leader will reach out to you to arrange this. When you meet, share your story, ask a ton of questions, and share any hopes or expectations you may have going into community.
Discussion questions:
What questions could you ask your Community leaders?
What are a few things you want your leaders to know about you?
Feel free to jot some ideas down!
2. Be Patient: Like in any social setting, it can take a little bit of time to feel like a “fit.” This can feel a little exaggerated if the group has been together a long time. So here’s the ask—be patient! Don’t hit the eject button because your first week was a little bit uncomfortable. Give it some time, come open and proactive, say yes to invitations that come your way. Be patient with the group. And, be patient with yourself as you get used to this new environment and new people and learn the culture.
Discussion questions:
Has there been a time recently when you were in a situation similar to this? What helped in the transition?
3. Be Proactive: Be proactive relationally. Invite someone to coffee or over for dinner, hit a movie, or go to an event together. Ask where folks sit at church! Remember, this Community wants you to join. They want to know you. You’ll likely be on the receiving end of these invitations, but don’t feel like you need to wait for people to ask—asking shows that you too want to be folded in.
Discussion questions:
What ideas do you have to make this transition smoother for yourself and your group?
4. Look for Gaps: While we put you in this group because they are doing pretty well, every community (every community!!) has gaps, blind spots, and things that are challenging for them. In your first month or two, watch and listen for spaces where you can serve the people around you, bless your community, help out your leaders, coordinate, etc.
Discussion questions:
How can you bless the community you are joining?
Additional discussion (15 minutes)
Facilitator Note: These questions are fairly open, and designed to fill the time you need
We have a few more questions to get us started but please know this is an open conversation - if you have more questions, concerns, or things you’re excited about, we’ll make space for that too.
Discussion questions:
What’s one thing you’re excited about following this conversation?
Have you ever been in a Community group before, at Bridgetown or elsewhere?
Is there anything from your experience that you’d like to carry forward?
What other questions, concerns, etc. are you holding?
