I don’t think anyone would argue that we’ve clearly entered the last days. Besides the downward spiral of government(s), schools, the media/news, the family and basic morals, the church is also suffering. And I’m not talking about “woke” churches. I’m talking about churches that still look to the Bible for insight—but barely. There’s been a subtle change regarding how churches approach the Bible. That is, today it’s a resource to add to your feelings and discussions.
I speak this from the perspective of a couple (us) who both have the spiritual gift of teaching. Unfortunately, we find that folks today don’t have the gift of listening, but rather of discussing, sharing and opening up.
So, let’s talk about home groups (also known as life groups, cell groups, fellowship groups), which have replaced midweek-service Bible studies in a lot of churches. In today’s care groups, it’s not essential that the group leader be a teacher. Just a discussion facilitator able to coax opinions out of people. It’s also not necessary that the study material be the Bible. A “how to” book written by a popular influencer will do.
I speak of nothing new. This has been going on for a few decades. Back in the 1990s, one of the home groups in the church I attended wanted to study the Bible, but the pastor would not allow it. He said only a pastor could lead an actual study of the Bible. Instead, the group had a choice of 3 or 4 topical books to read and discuss. When some friends, who had escaped that home group/church heard that I was going to that church, they prayed me out. God answered.
That was nearly 30 years ago. Today, home/care groups of fundamental churches are fundamentally more focused on thoughts, opinions, feelings and deep emotional sharing. Only Christ’s return is going to stop this. Churches overall are blindly too far afield.
Just for clear contrast, here’s the difference between a midweek Bible study and a home or life group.
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Bible Study |
Life Group |
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The topic is the Bible |
The topic is… a topic and/or current events |
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The source is the Bible |
The source is a book, video, article, handout, etc. with the Bible as a secondary source |
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The role of the leader is to teach |
The role of the leader is to facilitate discussion |
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The aim is to learn what God says. (Thus saith the Lord) |
The aim is soul care: for everyone to feel loved, heard and valued |
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Central focus: God and His word |
Central focus: Us |
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Bottom line: The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Ps. 119:130) |
Bottom line: A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. (Prov 18:2) |
The reason why churches will not revert back to Bible studies is that they sound too dry compared to the feelings- and self-focused nature of life groups. To get the most attendees, they must focus on the attendees.
But let me change gears here. When believers face Christ at the judgment seat, they will be judged for their works, whether they be good or bad and of what sort they are (gold, silver and precious stones or wood, hay and stubble 1 Cor 3:12). Remember that truth that God gave gifts to men, and those are for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry and the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12)? Doesn’t it make sense that our best works will be those in which we use the talents He gave us for Him and His purposes, like He expects us to do?
That whole concept is top of mind to me. So, here’s how the conversation could go when someone like me faces Christ at the judgement seat.
Christ: I gave you the gift of teaching. How did you use that?
Me: Well, lately, I haven’t had anyone to teach.
Christ: Couldn’t you find someone to teach?
Me: I would have loved to have taught a Bible study, but my church doesn’t encourage that. They want us to study “The Purpose Driven Life” in life groups.
Christ: Why didn’t you leave that church and go to one that would receive you and use you with your gift? As it is, you buried your talent!
I don’t want to face the Lord and have a conversation like that. How about you?
If you’re reading this and you totally get it as a layman, start praying that God will guide you to another church more in line with His focus, which is building His kingdom.
If you’re a pastor, and perchance you “get it,” start a Bible study in which you pick a book of the Bible, outline one chapter at a time, giving an outline copy to each group member. Over time, encourage them to come up with their own outline for the next chapter and come prepared next time to teach it. That’s exactly how the pastor/teacher of a Bible study I went to at another church did it. Through that process, I found I loved outlining chapters and sharing what I got from studying. It was confirmed, I have the gift of teaching.
Pastors, disciple your Bible study students in studying and teaching the Bible and see who God raises up as a teacher.
Churches, use your teachers—and not only as childrens’ workers. Teaching is a primary gift in helping saints to grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).
R&J Shee