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People will get the most out of Foundations21 if they are part of a small group (ideally 4 to 6 people). We recommend that the group meet at least once a month, or more often if desired. Individual group members work through the material at their own pace and in their own time, while the group meeting enables face-to-face engagement with others, providing opportunities for accountability, support and encouragement. A DVD provides ten-minute video introductions to each of the Rooms, which the group can watch together, while questions are provided online to help stimulate discussion when the groups meet. 'What has God been teaching you through Foundations21?' is always a good starting point for lively conversation!
One of the benefits of a Foundations21 group is that each member of the group shares the common experience of making their own personal journey of discipleship through the material, following the pathway they choose for themselves. Each member will bring insights, discoveries and questions to share with one another in the group. However much or little time a group member has been able to spend on Foundations21, everyone will always have something to bring to the group meeting. And if they've only been able to look at the material very briefly this time, they can always revisit it more thoroughly when they do have more time available. Between each meeting group members can continue to share their progress with one another if they wish, using the email facility within Foundations21.
A Foundations21 group might choose to work together through the same Room (theme) for a given period (for example, a month), and then plan to meet to discuss and share what they have discovered. Alternatively, a group might choose to be more of an accountability group, with members deciding instead to explore different Rooms (themes) but still meeting on a regular basis to discuss and share what they've learned. In this instance their focus as a group is on supporting and encouraging one another in their respective discipleship journeys and being accountable to one another. A third type of group will be one formed to support new Christians, following on from Alpha, Emmaus or other similar courses. In this instance a group might comprise a combination of new and mature Christians exploring discipleship and learning together.
Foundations21 could also be used by a number of individuals who are dispersed and therefore unable to meet up in person but nevertheless can keep in touch with one another, sharing insights, discoveries and questions, via email and telephone. The common factor is the shared experience of the Foundations21 discipleship journey and working through the same material. Foundations21 enables you to email others from within the website itself and thus share the assignments you complete, the reflections you write and so on, to the extent that you wish to. For some this could be an important way to enable those whose work, travel or family commitments mean that they can't get along to a small group on a regular basis to stay connected with others.
'People's working lives are more and more pressured, but Foundations21 enables a group to explore together at their own pace - but meeting up to discuss their experiences and questions.'
Fiona Stewart-Darling
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