Monday, April 26, 2010

Is going to bible study with a group of people at their house more like how the church was/is supposed to be?

People get together, and share food and stuff and read the word and ask questions and get answers. Isn't this how it was/supposed to be?





Not gigantic buildings?

Is going to bible study with a group of people at their house more like how the church was/is supposed to be?
Yes and no...





Bible studies in a home.. makes the atmosphere more informal, and you are more apt to have people ask questions more comfortably in a small group setting, than in a huge intimidating building. Depends what level a person is spiritually.





Again however, it isn't the place, it is the "heart" of those who gather to worship and praise the Name of Jesus. Where two or more are gathered..in His name... Jesus shows up!





Jesus never said, "Hey, let's go hang out at _______(insert a name) house." God knows our intentions, whether they are sincere or not. Whether we are HUNGRY (for righteousness) or not.





Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together IN MY NAME, there am I in the midst of them.





I remember when the church I attended was just in it's infancy. We gathered in a person's home. We then graduated to a strip mall in an exercise facility. I could have cared less where we gathered. I wanted MORE of GOD, no matter where we were.
Reply:In some ways yes. But there is something about corporate worship in a place set aside for that purpose (church, temple, tabernacle, etc.) that is very special and meaningful as well.





It doesn't have to be ornate and expensive, but it should represent the congregation's effort to give God their best, and it should be a place that shows reverence and holiness.





For years, my family attended a church that had outgrown the sanctuary, and was meeting in the multi-purpose family life auditorium in chairs not pews. We also had small group Bible studies in homes, and lots of fellowships and activities "relevant" to the various groups that attended. (Music programs, youth %26amp; children's ministries, etc.)





But there was something missing that I couldn't put my finger on until we moved and started looking for a new church home, and we discovered the beauty and serenity of a small country church singing traditional hymns, with crosses %26amp; pews and baptistries and other symbols of faith surrounding us. I think it is especially important when you have small children--they need to learn how to "act in church" and they won't get that at someone's home or even in some contemporary worship centers. They need to learn reverence for God %26amp; how to participate in worship--too many people today view church as just another entertainment venue and don't even know how to get their hearts prepared to worship.
Reply:well....thats how it started due to reasons largely to do with the fact that they "had" to because of persecution by the feds....church buildings per se came along around the 2nd century or so....lots of good books out there on church history etc.to read--go get some.......many today feel the need to go back to that pattern,usually calling it "small groups" etc...it does have a positive effect on many people especially those who aren't comfortable in big buildings with lots of people they dont know......the small group is intimate,quick to get to know each other, you can discuss church,and church stuff with a greater degree of freedom......as a result, many of these attendees have acclimated into the church assemblies with more ease......sorta like basic training for larger church groups.Even though the early church didnt do it for these reasons, the intimate gatherings had an effect.....and who knows, the church(and thats the people-not the building)might find itself under the same persecution some day(dont ever say "it cant happen here")and may "have" to meet like the first church, for the same reasons,so practice never hurts.
Reply:Absolutely Tiger (although that should be Lion of Judah).


Even before books were selected as a collection to become the Bible as we know it today, Christians gathered at individual homes to "break bread" and worship. The immediate followers of Jesus and their offspring for several generations thereafter, did not build churches in which to worship. Man decided to build churches. Even the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath does not specify/require attending a church building. It has been the priests, pastors and preachers that have mandated attendance at a church as THE house of worship...and not just any church but their church (denomination). However, if you don't meet with others at a home to praise the Lord on the Sabbath, it would suffice to attend a church of God.
Reply:I think it's supposed to be more like the home Bible study with a good dose of AA mixed in. It really should be a support system - not just social support, but support for real change. A support for letting go of the guilt and shame and embracing a proactive, thoughtful life - free from addiction or idolatry of any kind.
Reply:I would think it would be better than these mega churches who do not teach the bible.


They are advertisers, who turned religious because when they sell something they have to back up their product.


With religion who can come back from death and say "you did not get me into heaven, your selling a bad product.


I want my money back"
Reply:Very much so. The word that is rendered 'church' in scriptures really means 'assembly'. Paul may times speaks of an assembly in so and so-s house. 'Christianity' is the 'Babylon' that YAHOSHUA is calling His followers to ' come out of'.
Reply:i think Church is just more of a ceremony. but yea it's more meaningful sometimes. you share with others. you learn from others. you heard other experiences. i think its great! but its still important to go to Church out of respect for God.
Reply:Actually, according to Acts, they all held things in common, and if they tried to own possessions for themselves, the Good Lord struck them down....according to the "historian" Luke anyway...(quotation marks added for sarcastic emphasis)
Reply:http://www.religionnewsblog.com/20958/ma...





Not always a great idea.
Reply:It is in part very much like it should be. There is nothing wrong with have large congregations. but much is lost in the crowd.





This is one of the benefits of small churches.
Reply:that is how it started, and it is good to still do. It lets everyone be involved instead of just listening to a leader.
Reply:I say different strokes for different folks. Please keep in mind that Jesus was Jewish. Jewish Temples were and are quite grand. The Bible includes a description of Solomon's temple.
Reply:No, that's now how it was, because they didn't have a bible to read from yet.
Reply:I know that they had to meet in secret...and they probably did in certain homes.
Reply:yes


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