What Is Wrong With Small Groups?

[TCGreek]

For example, we read in Acts 2:46 how the believers met both in the Temple and in their homes--of course, these home-meetings were divided among the members and not all of them meeting at one home.

"And every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart" (Acts 2:46, HCSB).

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

Hi 2Tim,

I wish not to be confrontational, but I must ask a few questions:

You don't have to be worried about me assuming you are confrontational just because you have a different view and ask questions of me.

1. What was the purpose of the meetings?

It was a book study on marriage written by Dennise Rainey.

2. Were they biblical?

Yes

3. Did the meetings achieved the purposed goals?

Yes

 

[TCGreek]

You don't have to be worried about me assuming you are confrontational just because you have a different view and ask questions of me.



It was a book study on marriage written by Dennise Rainey.



Yes



Yes

I think we might be talking about two different things here?

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

I think we might be talking about two different things here?

Really? Then please tell me a couple things:


1. Tell me how a small group of people are different in the home than they are in SS.

2. Why do you assume that there is a lack of your percieved qualities in a SS setting.

3. What are the overbearing limitations that prevent a small group seeting in SS.


And answer this question as well. Why would you draw a difference between the two based on what I said without giving explanation?

 

[Jerome]

We called them cell groups until recently too. Then we had a few say it sounds like something with Al Quiaida. LOL!! So now they're LIFE Groups. DON'T like that - I'm used to cells!

Actually, the "cell group" terminology originated in the early 1900s in the Marxist/Communist movement. The church borrowed it later:

"In 1966, former Communist Douglas Hyde wrote an influential book Dedication and Leadership: Learning from the Communists, in which he urged Christians to adopt Communist cell group methods to recruit, inspire, and train new members." p. 265, Twisted Scriptures: Breaking Free from Churches That Abuse by Mary Alice Chrnalogar (Zondervan, 2000).

 

[North Carolina Tentmaker]

Now I have aquestions for the pastors who think small groups are great.
1. Would you, as pastor, regularly participate in a small group discussion in your church?
2. IF so, would you allow youself to be corrected by someone who has a different opinion than you?
3. Would you "spill you guts" and be accountable to others in the group as you suggests others should?
4. Or do you think you should be above such vulnerability?

1. Yes, I have and will in the future.
2. Yes, of course. Sometimes I will agree and change my position, sometimes we will continue to disagree. Depends on the issue and what scripture says.
3. Of course, and I have many times.
4. No one should be above vulnerablity. The pastor is just a man.

 

[TCGreek]

Really? Then please tell me a couple things:


1. Tell me how a small group of people are different in the home than they are in SS.

1. Now we are addressing the size of a SS vs a home-gathering. For example, I view Dr. David Jeremiah's TurningPoint and he usually broadcast some of his Sunday school lessons, where he is addressing thousands of his members. How can that be comparable to a home-setting?

2. Why do you assume that there is a lack of your percieved qualities in a SS setting.

2. I have experienced both, so I'm speaking from experience--there's a difference.

3. What are the overbearing limitations that prevent a small group seeting in SS.

3. What do you mean by "overbearing limitations"?

And answer this question as well. Why would you draw a difference between the two based on what I said without giving explanation?

4. For starters, the fellowship dynamic of a small group is not experienced in a SS. A SS is designed to instruct not fellowship on a koinonia level.

 

[annsni]

4. For starters, the fellowship dynamic of a small group is not experienced in a SS. A SS is designed to instruct not fellowship on a koinonia level.

I agree. In our small group, there is not a teacher, but what I'll call a "facilitator". DH, as the small group leader will usually lead it but OFTEN he'll pass it on to some of the other men who are in the group. Of course, once the talking part of the group has started (usually after a worship time, crowd breaker or whatever - of COURSE after food), we'll review the message from Sunday then begin talking about it and figuring out how to apply the message. I love this idea because then you're not just listening to a message but then hashing it out, asking questions, giving ideas, etc. We usually have awesome discussions and have challenged each other, encouraged one another and prayed for one another. After that, we usually break men in one room and women in another room for prayer time so that we can share more comfortably.

In our old church, Sunday School classes were more of a teaching time - like a class. Yes, you could ask questions and such but it wasn't encouraged that everyone would share with each other like we do in the small group. In the small group, there's much more sharing of ministry than a Sunday School class would.

I see a big difference in the two but maybe some do Sunday School differently than we used to.

 

[drfuss]

Had a bad experience in one, I think?

drfuss: Not me, but I have heard from others that have had a bad experience. I have no problem contributing to the discussion. However, I do get tired of some "experts" who know little about the Bible acting like they know a lot.

On the other hand, my wife would refuse to attend a small group where she would be expected to contribute because she is timid and does not want to be put on the spot. And no, she has not had a bad experience either because if she happens to get in a small group, she does not participate. We attend a 30 to 50 size class where participation is optional.

It appears that some of you don't appreciate that people are different. If you keep pushing small group participation, soon you will only have small group people in your church. Is that what you want? Here I thought a pastor would want to minister to everyone in the church. Silly me.

 

[webdog]

The home is just geography and has nothing to do with the relationsips between people.

There is no diference between SS and home meetings. and to answer your question, yes. I held one for six months in my home.

Why did the believers meet in HOMES in Acts 2? Do you share a meal in SS? Do outreach?

 

[dan e.]

Had a bad experience in one, I think?

drfuss:However, I do get tired of some "experts" who know little about the Bible acting like they know a lot.

It appears that some of you don't appreciate that people are different.

Maybe that's the problem. You view other contributors as competition, and not fellow believers that are pushing on in their journey.

I think you've misunderstood if you have the impression that people are required to participate. Although I think you underestimate if you think people won't open up when placed in the right environment. THis is the point...for the family of God to open up and grow with each other, and often from each other.

 

[Amy.G]

We do not have small group study at our church, but I wish we did. Our SS class is like a small group study though and our "teacher" is really the leader of the discussion. We do a verse by verse study and discuss everything. It never lasts long enough for me. One hour is just not enough.
There are some that do not participate in the discussion and this is fine. No one is forced to speak if they don't want to. I have learned so much more in this type of setting than one in which the teacher is the only one doing the talking.

 

[webdog]

drfuss: Not me, but I have heard from others that have had a bad experience. I have no problem contributing to the discussion. However, I do get tired of some "experts" who know little about the Bible acting like they know a lot.

It sounds like the problem runs deeper than these "others".

On the other hand, my wife would refuse to attend a small group where she would be expected to contribute because she is timid and does not want to be put on the spot.

Who puts anyone on the "spot" during SG? I've never seen it in the 4 different groups I've been in. It's open discussion. Why would your wife "refuse" to contribute? My wife is shy too, and that is not really an excuse. Again, it sounds like the issue runs deeper than what you are letting on.

It appears that some of you don't appreciate that people are different. If you keep pushing small group participation, soon you will only have small group people in your church. Is that what you want? Here I thought a pastor would want to minister to everyone in the church. Silly me.

NOW we know who TCG was talking about
The great thing about SG is the very facts you mention...people are different!
What does a pastor ministering to everyone have to do with anything? You think a church should be set up as a dictatorship where the ONLY learning comes under the dictator? Please, let me know what church you attend, as I will stay as far away as possible.

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

1. Now we are addressing the size of a SS vs a home-gathering. For example, I view Dr. David Jeremiah's TurningPoint and he usually broadcast some of his Sunday school lessons, where he is addressing thousands of his members. How can that be comparable to a home-setting?

That is how they do it in one particular setting. This is not normative.

What do you mean by "overbearing limitations"?

You seem to imply that there is no condition in which a SS can be a small group setting. What are the limitations in your view that inhibit this from being true.

For starters, the fellowship dynamic of a small group is not experienced in a SS. A SS is designed to instruct not fellowship on a koinonia level.

I have been in a large church setting (11000 members) and a small church setting. In each case it was.

 

[webdog]

We do not have small group study at our church, but I wish we did. Our SS class is like a small group study though and our "teacher" is really the leader of the discussion. We do a verse by verse study and discuss everything. It never lasts long enough for me. One hour is just not enough.
There are some that do not participate in the discussion and this is fine. No one is forced to speak if they don't want to. I have learned so much more in this type of setting than one in which the teacher is the only one doing the talking.

Amy, you ever bring it up to leadership to start one in your church? You can start small with a sign up to see who would be interested. It really is a wonderful tool for any church, and you would not need to eliminate SS either.

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

Why did the believers meet in HOMES in Acts 2? Do you share a meal in SS? Do outreach?

because they did not have a formal building to meet in.


Sunday school classes gather to get and give instruction, fellowship through the sharing of meals and taking trips to places together like The Holy land Experience, a Gaithers concert etc.

Outreach has been a part of every SS class I have ever seen or been a part of. In fact the original purpose of SS was specifically for that reason.

SS can be whatever setting the group wishes. It has no limitations. And again meeting in homes is just geography. I am neither for it or against it.

 

[dan e.]

Sunday school classes gather to get and give instruction, fellowship through the sharing of meals and taking trips to places together like The Holy land Experience, a Gaithers concert etc.

Maybe this SS controversy is just a generational thing.....:laugh:

 

[webdog]

because they did not have a formal building to meet in.

Really?


Act 2:46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

 

[drfuss]

Maybe that's the problem. You view other contributors as competition, and not fellow believers that are pushing on in their journey. That is not a problem with me. I go to the class to learn more about God and the scriptures. I really appreciate it when someone comes up with a good point or a different sound point of view. However, you may have a point about others being on a different part of the journey.

I think you've misunderstood if you have the impression that people are required to participate. Although I think you underestimate if you think people won't open up when placed in the right environment. THis is the point...for the family of God to open up and grow with each other, and often from each other.

And I think you are not being realistric when you think everyone will open up in the right environment. I know it would make life earier for pastors if everyone were the same in this area, but they are not. I am just trying to give you a realistic laymen point of view. Of course, what do laymen know? We are just the ones you are trying to manipulate into small groups.

 

[reformedbeliever]

Maybe this SS controversy is just a generational thing.....:laugh:

:laugh:............ bad boy! :thumbs: