What Is Wrong With Small Groups?

[dan e.]

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.

First of all, I am being realistic. When people are connected with other believers, you'd be surprised what the Holy Spirit accomplishes. Just because someone is shy and timid doesn't mean they never feel comfortable making comments.

As for your "laymen" point of view...you don't need to talk like that. I'm not one to have the "caste" system point of view that views pastors being high up, and everyone else below. If you are a believer in Jesus, you are a minister who is in some way "pastoring" people, whether you recognize it or not.

I'm in agreement with webdog and guessing there is something else going on with your situation.

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

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

It may be. But that is about as far as it goes.

 

[TCGreek]

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.

Now, that is what I'm talking about. This is a great testimony of the true results of a proper working small group setting.

 

[TCGreek]

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,

We just have to let the Scripture speak. :thumbs:

 

[TCGreek]

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

Great questions, Webdog.

 

[TCGreek]

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








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.




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

I direct your attention to Webdogs comments on Acts 2--they are really good on this issue and answer the objections you have brought.

 

[drfuss]

Webdog writes:
NOW we know who TCG was talking about
The great thing about SG is the very facts you mention...people are different!

drfuss: We must not be communicating with each other. My point was people are different. Some want to be in small groups and others do not want to be in small groups.


Webdog writes:
What does a pastor ministering to everyone have to do with anything?

drfuss: The pastor should also minister to those who do not want to be in small groups.

Webdog wirtes:
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.

drfuss: I have no idea what the above has to do with anything in this discussion. Where you came up with that from what I wrote is beyond me.

From your comments, it appears that you assume that if someone has a difference of opinion on SG's, that person has a wrong motive.

You pastors seem to be so sold on SGs that you don't want to consider another view.

 

[reformedbeliever]

Webdog writes:
NOW we know who TCG was talking about
The great thing about SG is the very facts you mention...people are different!

drfuss: We must not be communicating with each other. My point was people are different. Some want to be in small groups and others do not want to be in small groups.


Webdog writes:
What does a pastor ministering to everyone have to do with anything?

drfuss: The pastor should also minister to those who do not want to be in small groups.

Webdog wirtes:
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.

drfuss: I have no idea what the above has to do with anything in this discussion. Where you came up with that from what I wrote is beyond me.

From your comments, it appears that you assume that if someone has a difference of opinion on SG's, that person has a wrong motive.

You pastors seem to be so sold on SGs that you don't want to consider another view.

We have considered the other view too long.

 

[Joe]

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.

If the idea makes your hair stand on end as it does mine, then that's not a good way to start. Everything that takes place in a small group will then be misinterpreted. I am with you, I prefer a larger group.

 

[TCGreek]

If the idea makes your hair stand on end as it does mine, then that's not a good way to start. Everything that takes place in a small group will then be misinterpreted. I am with you, I prefer a larger group.

I guess you would have gone to the Temple gathering and forgo the house gathering (Acts 2:46)

 

[Joe]

Probably so. I admire those that can thrive in small groups, good for them.

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

I direct your attention to Webdogs comments on Acts 2--they are really good on this issue and answer the objections you have brought.

Look I don't have anything against small groups. I think they are great. I don't care dor Dan. E view of it as it is rather EC and very skewed biblcially.

However it is blantantly false to say that what is accomplished in the small groups in homes cannot be accomplished in SS. That case has not been made. And there is no biblical madate to meet in any particular geogrpahical area. Home or church building. Geography doesn't define it or make it better or worse. Its just geography.

 

[dan e.]

I don't care dor Dan. E view of it as it is rather EC and very skewed biblcially.

sheesh...I was just teasing about the Gaithers.

 

[webdog]

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.

I'm not a pastor, so I'm not trying to "manipulate" (why do you keep using that word?) anybody. Fact is, it's a wonderful discipleship method for believers. If you don't like it, fine, but please quit with the "manipulate" wording, as it doesn't fit in this discussion.

 

[TCGreek]

Look I don't have anything against small groups. I think they are great. I don't care dor Dan. E view of it as it is rather EC and very skewed biblcially.

However it is blantantly false to say that what is accomplished in the small groups in homes cannot be accomplished in SS. That case has not been made. And there is no biblical madate to meet in any particular geogrpahical area. Home or church building. Geography doesn't define it or make it better or worse. Its just geography.

1. There are obvious benefits to be had in a SM that a person doesn't experience in a SS.

2. Personally, I believe that the early Christians met in homes by designed--they were able to share that common meal and experience that personal fellowship.

3. When they needed to meet publicly, then did, as seen in Acts 2:46.

We cannot dismiss these small groups gathering in homes as merely cultural.

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

sheesh...I was just teasing about the Gaithers.

I wasn't trying to pick at you. Since I was agreeing with small groups I wnated to seperate myself from some of what you said. It wasn't said with a confrontation in mind. We just disagree.

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

1. There are obvious benefits to be had in a SM that a person doesn't experience in a SS.

I have yet to see one mentioned.

2. Personally, I believe that the early Christians met in homes by designed--they were able to share that common meal and experience that personal fellowship

What is your scriptual support?

We cannot dismiss these small groups gathering in homes as merely cultural.

I have seen no evidence to suggest otherwise. It is neither inferior or superior to SS.

 

[dan e.]

I wasn't trying to pick at you. Since I was agreeing with small groups I wnated to seperate myself from some of what you said. It wasn't said with a confrontation in mind. We just disagree.

Got it:thumbs:

 

[reformedbeliever]

One of the advantages to SG over SS is that in most small group churches, you have the opportunity to visit a small group almost every day of the week. Some people attend more than one small group. Some people thrive on fellowship and study of the Word daily. SS only offers one day a week.

 

[webdog]

I have yet to see one mentioned.

Casual environment (for those who have to wear suits to church on Sundays)
Not limited to Sundays only, or a specific time of day
Ability to go someplace fun to fellowship occasionally on SG night (good luck leaving the church building to go bowling or something during SS)
Food
For the most part, the group decides on the study...the church doesn't decide the study for you. Our group has parents with younger children, so we decided our study would focus on raising children God's way, by reaching their heart (Ted Tripp).

What is your scriptual support?

Besides Acts 2?

I have seen no evidence to suggest otherwise. It is neither inferior or superior to SS.

Oh, I think you see it...but will not concede to it.