If you’ve not participated in one you’ve likely seen and heard of book review groups. These are groups who individually read a book then come together to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the book and its author. These can be good groups with good outcomes especially if you are reading books of educational purpose as leadership, self-control, business practices or Bible related books.
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In the church we have Bible study groups, Sunday School and discipleship groups. I heard a statement today that made me think, “Are our Bible study groups more like book review clubs or truth learning ventures?” Then I expanded that question to… “Is your Bible Study Group a book review club or a community?”
Reflecting biblical community
Our church Bible study groups should reflect biblical community more than just a once-a-week meeting to discuss a Scripture section. That discussion of Scripture is paramount, yet is it building stronger Christians or mere trivia buffs?
To produce endurance and enhance the spiritual growth of a believer requires components that come through community. In biblical community we find the following:
Core beliefs — Members hold to the same core beliefs and biblical practices. This was modeled beautifully for us through the Apostles and the early church. (first six chapters of Acts)
Mutual fellowship and support — Members help each other through practical needs, concerns and friendly accountability, reflecting God’s Love, grace, mercy. Believers, through faith support one another with prayer, encouragement, and offering practical assistance.
Engaging together in life — Not only one hour a week meeting, community is living life together, not in communal living, but doing things together to strengthen one another and building spiritual and physical bonds that transcend family and societal ties.
Serving together — Each person and every family has needs, not only physical needs but also spiritual and mental. You have strengths that others in your group do not. Others have traits, talents and gifts that you do not. When we come together to serve others we combine our gifts to serve Christ by serving others.
Designed for community
You were designed to serve in community.
Don’t be a book review club. Isolated, one hour per week Bible study groups do not build strong Christians. Building a biblical community within your small group does!
What will be your first step to increasing the biblical community in your life and the lives of your Bible study groups?
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by George Yates. George Yates is an organizational health strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.
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