Connecting
Midrash
Midrash is a time for folks to gather together and discuss a book, a movie, or another cultural experience. We will look at what these things say to us -- both as followers of Christ and as members of our contemporary world. If the discussion centers on a book, CD, or movie, you are encouraged to have read, listened to or viewed it (unless noted) before we get together for discussuion. You can find information on upcoming Midrash events on the calendar.
Game & Movie Night
Frequently Jacob's Well hosts an evening for people to gather informally to watch a movie or play board games in a common room. These events are opportunities to form new relationships or share experiences with friends. Typically, we provide beverages and you bring whatever you want to munch on and share. Occasionally we will have theme nights such as a chili cook-off or a taco bar, so keep your eyes on the announcements to be informed. All are welcome, so come join us next time!
Community Compass
Community Compass serves as an introduction to the nuts and bolts of Jacob's Well for those who would like to know more about our community. This gathering is very dialogical, with time for Q and A at the end. It's a chance for newcomers to the community to meet the staff, fellow compass-attenders, and share a bit about the journey that brought them to Jacob's Well.
We hold several Compass classes per year. Look for information on the website or in the announcement regarding upcoming dates.
Community Dinners
At Jacob's Well, we believe that some of the best life is lived, and some of the best conversations are held around a dinner table. Community Dinners provide an opportunity for participants to gather in a host home with 8-10 other people and share a meal. Community Dinner groups are often assigned by neighborhood, so not only do participants get a chance to meet other folks within the Jacob's Well community, they are literally meeting their neighbors.
Community Dinners are hosted at least twice per year. If you'd like to host a dinner, or if you'd simply like to attend, keep an eye on the website or the announcement sheets for information regarding upcoming dates.
Triad Fellowships
“Where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
Triad Fellowship is a group of 3-5 people of the same gender that meet regularly to speak the truthfully to one another, discuss scripture, and for prayer. Triads are elegantly simple: they can meet anywhere (in a home, coffee shop, restaurants) and there is no need for a leader, as the group members decide the time and place of the next meeting, and which Scriptures or topic to discuss next. This is an effective way to develop a vital Christian life by creating space in time to pursue a deeper relationship with God and authentic spiritual friendships with others.
Triads meet together weekly or bi-weekly for about an hour to “speak truth to one another” in order “provoke one another toward love and good deeds.” The idea is that the fellowship of such groups contributes to the ongoing formation of our character in keeping with the way of Christ found in the scriptures. Each week Triads choose a portion of scripture to read or other topic to engage with at their next gathering. A very basic way to engage this as pioneered by Neil Cole is that each person should read about 20 to 25 chapters of scripture a week, so if they choose a shorter book of the bible, you may read it 5 or 6 times that week. If it is a long book, you might only read it once. The idea is to get a broad picture of the scripture, and to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through it. Alternatively, the members can choose to go through a book chapter by chapter or alternate with different articles or other topics related to faith and character formation.
You can set up a Triad Fellowship on your own if you’d like! Your first step is to pray about it. Ask God to show you whom you should partner with, and then be receptive to his guidance. Sometimes that means someone will approach and ask you to form a group with them, or perhaps God will direct you to invite someone. Second, talk to them about joining with you. Ask if they would be willing to commit to a regular weekly meeting time with you, and if they feel they can be honest with you about their life. You also need to know if those things are true for you. Do you feel as if you can commit to this other person? Can you be honest with them?
You can download a short overview to guide you in forming a Triad Fellowship here: