Student Getting Started Guide

Welcome to The Forge! This guide walks you through everything you need to get started — from creating your account to earning your first certificate.

Creating Your Account

Getting started is quick and free:

1. Visit the Sign Up page and enter your full name, email address, and a password.
2. Check your email for a verification link and click it to confirm your account.
3. Complete your profile by adding your phone number, campus, and a profile photo (optional).
4. You are now ready to browse and enroll in classes.

If your church uses CHmeetings, your account may already be pre-created. Check with your administrator for your login details.

Enrolling in Classes

Once your account is set up, you can enroll in available discipleship classes:

1. Browse the Classes page to see all available classes.
2. Click on a class to see its description, schedule, and available cohorts.
3. Select a cohort that fits your schedule and campus.
4. Click Enroll to register. Some classes may require admin approval.
5. You will receive a confirmation email with your enrollment details.

Navigating the Classroom

After enrolling, your class appears in My Classes. The classroom is your learning hub:

• Overview Tab — class description, facilitator info, and schedule.
• Modules Tab — the learning content organized by week or topic.
• Attendance Tab — your attendance record for each session.
• Assessments Tab — quizzes and assignments for the class.
• Community Tab — your cell group members and discussions.

Completing Modules

Each class is divided into modules. A module typically represents one week of study and contains multiple content blocks (readings, videos, activities, and discussion prompts).

1. Open the module from your classroom's Modules tab.
2. Work through each content block in order.
3. Some blocks require you to mark them as completed; others track automatically.
4. A progress bar shows your completion percentage for each module.
5. Once all blocks are completed, the module is marked as finished.

Modules may need to be completed in sequence — check with your facilitator about prerequisites.

Quizzes & Assessments

Assessments help you and your facilitator measure your understanding of the material:

Quizzes

• Found within modules or on the Assessments tab.
• Multiple choice, true/false, and short answer question types.
• Most quizzes are auto-graded and you see your score immediately.
• Some quizzes allow multiple attempts — check the quiz instructions.

Assignments

• Written or reflective assignments submitted through the platform.
• Your facilitator reviews and grades these manually.
• Feedback is posted to your assessment record once graded.

View all your quiz results and assignment grades from My Quizzes in the sidebar.

Tracking Your Skills

As you progress through classes, you develop ministry skills. These are tracked on your profile:

• Skills are assigned by facilitators or earned automatically through course completion.
• Each skill has a proficiency level (Beginner, Developing, Proficient, Advanced).
• View all your skills from My Learning → Skills.
• Skills persist across classes — they represent your overall ministry capability.

XP and Ranks

The XP system rewards your engagement and progress:

Earning XP

• Attend a session — earn XP for each session you attend.
• Complete a module — earn XP when you finish all content blocks.
• Pass a quiz — earn XP based on your score.
• Submit assignments — earn XP for completed work.
• Achievements — bonus XP for special milestones (first class, perfect attendance, etc.).

Ranks

As you accumulate XP, you progress through ranks. Each rank represents a deeper level of discipleship maturity. View your current rank, XP total, and progress to the next rank from your My Journey page.

Viewing Certificates

When you complete all requirements for a class (attendance, modules, and assessments), you earn a Certificate of Completion:

• Certificates are automatically generated when you meet the criteria.
• View and download your certificates from My Certificates.
• Each certificate includes the class name, date of completion, and your name.
• Share your certificates or print them for your records.

Community Features

Discipleship is not done alone. The platform provides community tools to help you connect:

• Cell Groups — you are assigned to a small group within your cohort for accountability and fellowship.
• Messaging — send messages to your facilitator, cell leader, or classmates.
• Journal — keep a private spiritual journal to record reflections and prayers.
• Notebook — take notes during sessions that are saved to your account.
• Community Page — see your cell group members, accountability leader, and cohort info.

Mobile App (PWA)

The Forge works as a Progressive Web App (PWA), meaning you can install it on your phone like a native app without going through an app store.

Installing on Your Phone

1. Open The Forge website in your mobile browser (Chrome on Android, Safari on iPhone).
2. Android: tap the browser menu and select Add to Home Screen or look for the install banner.
3. iPhone: tap the Share button and select Add to Home Screen.
4. The app icon will appear on your home screen. Tap it to launch.

Benefits of the PWA

• Full-screen app experience without browser chrome.
• Faster loading with cached resources.
• Push notifications for session reminders and messages (when enabled).
• Works on any device — phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.