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In time of war an army often posts sentries around critical areas. When more than one sentry was sent to an outpost to guard an army from surprise, it was sometimes called a picket or a sentinel group. In Viet Nam they were called Forward Observation Posts or FOP’s.
In ancient Israel, cities were often fortified; at the gates there were watchmen or elders to guard the city from unwanted intrusion. These groups were vital to the well-being of a city. They city depended on them; and they depended on one another. The members of these gateway groups became close friends.
In the church of today, there are many leaders who are calling for the re-institution of these gateway groups. Some believe that they will make the difference between the success or failure of any given local church. There are no hard and fast rules. But as a guideline for the formation of these groups it has been suggested that they have these 7 simple things in common:
1. Be comprised of a small group of (usually) men or women. The group should generally be limited in size to not less than 3 but not more than 5 people. Though, in some cases, a group of 3-5 couples can function as an effective Gateway group.
2. Be committed to meet together regularly (usually weekly or bi-weekly) for one year. Often a healthy re-shuffle at the end of a year is good for all concerned.
3. Select a moderator by consensus to keep you on track
4. It is expected that confidentiality be maintained in the group.
5. As a meeting format it is suggested that the group read together a chapter from a book (the Bible is perhaps the best) with a view to asking the following questions:
a. What is God saying to you?
b. What have you been doing, what are you doing, and, what will you do about what God is saying to you?
c How can we support you in your resolve? (hold one another accountable.)
6. “Rejoice with them that rejoice, weep with them that weep” (Rom 12:15)
a. What has brought gladness or praise to you since we last met?
b. What has brought sorrow or shame to you since we last met?
7. Conclude your time together in prayer.
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