oh my goodness....this is getting pathetic. Are people really that opposed to small groups? What, are you afraid nobody will gather in silence to hear your lectures anymore!?
Why don't we break it down further, and let's debate the word "were" in the phrase "were gathered". I think we can solve the problem then, if not, we can continue to break down the word into its letters "w e r e"...blah blah blah.
AMEN!!!
It's so true.
In a larger church, it's so easy to get lost but in a small group, there's still the ministry to each other in a way that you just can't get in a larger setting.
As you would notice, Acts 2:42-47 is a summary text of what the early believers engaged in---they met to share a common meal and of course to pray and share the Word.
Someone forgot to tell you people that anytime there is a change in a Baptist church..... it is next to blasphemy!
Even if that change is reverting back to an earlier time when the church may have been the correct example.
:praying:
1. Here are some texts that you might want to consider:
"Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house" (Col 4:15).
"To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:" Philemon 1, 2)
2. Now, here are two houses churches in Colossae.
Do you suppose that there were more such gathering in Colossae?
Of course, there were more.
Ok, I didn't think so..... but wanted to make sure.
Sometimes sarcasm is hard to recognize in this electronic medium.
To be shot by another Calvinist would be horrible...... dying of friendly fire.
:laugh:
Remember web, they were suggestions but they were suggestions that stemmed from churches who were almost torn apart or nearly ruined because of small Groups.
So there is a balance to know what to expect and judge what is needful.
Not true at all brother! In fact in every case (church that is) where it is done there is a greater trust in their SG leader and the Pastor in them as well.
Do most do this, I'm not sure, but those I know who do have had great responces for it.
But again, they are only suggestions.
Then someone didn't understand that small groups (or cell groups) are 'voluntarily' joined.
The SG leaders and Pastor encourage the mixing up of the groups, you do not 'assign' people to groups.
This helps keep cliques and the 'our 4 and no more' groups from forming so easily.
Don't let your small groups BECOME church, was about not letting the people think that this gathering for bible discussion is now our church. Small groups are people OF a church body getting together in more personal groups to better meet the individuals needs (in all manner of areas)
But I know some where the SM leader was held to have more authority than their own pastor and some of the group began not attending church anymore but called the SG their new church.
Alan, I have a question about this, if it's ok. Do you know....doesn't the bible say where three or more christians are gathered in my name it is a church? So they are technically not doing anything wrong per se, because it could be considered a church?