What Is Wrong With Small Groups?

[dan e.]

And you need to read verse 12:
many were gathered together praying

How does "many" equal a "small group"?

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.

 

[annsni]

The only way to maintain a healthy church after you reach a larger size is to have effective groups ministry.

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.

 

[dan e.]

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.

Apparrantly you don't need it as long as you have the glorious lectures of the master teachers.

 

[TCGreek]

And you need to read verse 12:
many were gathered together praying

How does "many" equal a "small group"?

How much is many, my friend? And what size should a SG be?

 

[TCGreek]

First of all I was speaking to the Acts 2:46 passage. And a meeting for prayer in a home does not support some mandate of small groups in the home 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.

 

[webdog]

And you need to read verse 12:
many were gathered together praying

How does "many" equal a "small group"?

How many were in Jesus' "small group"?

To me, that's the max number, but I've seen them with 4 member.

 

[webdog]

So let me get this straight. You are saying the the phrase "singleness of heart" tells us that they were doing all the things you believe a small group should be doing ie. scripture study, praying etc?

Isn't that what one heart and one accord entails, or am I missing something

 

[reformedbeliever]

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. raying:

 

[TCGreek]

First of all I was speaking to the Acts 2:46 passage. And a meeting for prayer in a home does not support some mandate of small groups in the home setting.

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.

 

[TCGreek]

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. raying:

Tell me! SGs reflect more the biblical model than SS. Is that blasphemous?

 

[reformedbeliever]

Tell me! SGs reflect more the biblical model than SS. Is that blasphemous?

No brother....... I hope you detected sarcasm in my previous post.

 

[TCGreek]

No brother....... I hope you detected sarcasm in my previous post.

RB,

I hope you understand that I'm not taking a shot at you---rather, I am echoing the same. :thumbs:

 

[reformedbeliever]

RB,

I hope you understand that I'm not taking a shot at you---rather, I am echoing the same. :thumbs:

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:

 

[TCGreek]

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:

RB,

How can I do such a thing, when I need you in my corner! :laugh:

 

[Allan]

Allan gave some good suggestions, but I would add that it might be overkill to meet with the leaders every week (or every other week). Monthly has worked in our Church.

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.

Also, the calls to members would show a lack of trust to the SG leader, IMO. Remember, the leaders should be chosen based on their gift mix.

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.

Our groups last a year, and I think quarterly mixing them up would do more harm than good. We are trying to garner an intimate setting where we can grow individually, as well as a group, and being together for only a few weeks does not allow for some to come out of their shells. Each group needs to be treated individually, as they are made up of individuals. One member almost left our church because they were "forced" to move to a group they did not want to go. Reason being, they had two younger children, and their group had younger children why their children bonded to. They wanted the fellowship for them as well.

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.

 

[Allan]

Agreed 80%..........lol. What is wrong with a small group becoming a church, if God is leading in that direction? That is the goal of our small groups. New church plants.
Other than that........ great information brother!

:laugh: That is not what I meant. :laugh:

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.

 

[Joe]

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?

 

[webdog]

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?

That verse is in regards to church discipline, not becoming a church.

 

[Joe]

I know about Matthew 18, but I thought it was in regards to the early church for some reason

 

[donnA]

from my expereince they turn into cliques, who chose who to exclude. games which I refuse to play.