Welcome 8 min → Our Story & Restoration DNA 18 → ROUND 1 (15) → The Seven Statements 25 → ROUND 2 (15) → What Holds Us Together 9. Targets, not laws — move on my cue.
ROUND ONE · YOUR STORY · 15 MIN
- What's your story with Forum — what brought you here, and what's kept you coming back?
- What do you think it means to be a member of a local church? Have you been a member elsewhere (if so, what did it involve)? "Covenant, not consumer." Does that reframe how you've thought about belonging to a church?
- What is your faith background, and how does it align with or deviate from our background? Are you familiar with the Restoration Movement? What questions does it raise?
Purpose: every voice in early — stories before doctrine. Tip: run Q1 as a go-around; your own answer brief and second; about 5 min per question.
ROUND TWO · OUR BELIEFS AROUND A TABLE · 15 MIN
- Which of the seven is easiest to affirm wholeheartedly? Which is hardest, or raises a question?
- Where have you seen doctrine used to divide? Why might a lean confession matter?
- Baptism by immersion is part of how we receive members. Where are you in your own baptism story?
Purpose: honest first reactions to the seven statements, doubt said out loud safely. Tip: "I'm not sure yet" gets a thank-you, not a fix — note the name for the one-on-one.
- Go-around on Q1 — every voice speaks in the first five minutes.
- "There are no wrong answers here" is the tone I set — protect it at your table.
- "I'm not sure yet" on doctrine is "an honest starting point," not a problem to fix today.
- Quietly note who's hesitant or mid-baptism-story — that's your follow-up list.
- You keep time: three questions, ~5 min each — regather promptly when I call the room.
- Can't answer it? Say so, take it to me, and follow up before Session 2.