bright idea, or big mistake?
I spent my Saturday evening at a Waffle House with Marcus Bigelow from Stadia and Bobby Harrington from Harpeth Community Church and Church Coaching Solutions, discussing a potential book project scheduled for early next year. You had no idea the writer’s life was so glamorous, did you?
In addition to lots of talk about church planting, the conversation included a discussion of small groups. I’ve shared my views on this before; while these groups might (might) be pleasant, they seem artificially intimate and spiritually shallow.
Except for one exception. Several years ago I joined a group of women who decided to read through the Bible together in one year. That was it: no purchased curriculum, no videos, and no summers off—just a dozen women, ranging in age from 24 to 64, who followed a reading guide during the week and met each Monday night to discuss what they’d learned.
In the process, these ladies spontaneously, naturally did all the things small group members are always being encouraged to do—prayed for each other, delivered hot meals after the birth of a baby or death of a loved one, and developed friendships. Older ladies informally mentored the younger ones, moms of small children sought advice from more experienced mothers, and single gals banded together to find roommates or spend holidays together.
Even better, the group members grew spiritually. In addition to welcoming women of all ages, the group welcomed women of every faith background and maturity level. Some had Bible college degrees, while others had never read the Bible. But everyone read the assigned chapters (most weeks), everyone attended Monday night gatherings (most weeks), and everyone ended the year closer to each other and to God. The group has grown so big it’s spun off at least two other groups and some ladies are on their sixth or seventh year. (If you want to learn more, check out Diane Stortz’s Christian Standard article here. Diane and I both participated in the group its very first year.)
So I’m sharing all this with Bobby, and we’re talking about the many advantages of this kind of relational discipleship and its promise for small groups in the future, and suddenly I had an idea. What if I invited the women in my apartment complex to this kind of Bible study? I could hang up a few signs in December inviting them over for a short, no-commitment gathering to get more information, then launch the group in January. Together we’d pick a night that worked for the majority, I’d provide the reading guide and some hot drinks, and we’d see what happened.
I’m still kicking this around, and I’d love to know your thoughts. The group I describe above literally transformed several women from baby Christians to spiritual warriors, “just” by providing a safe place to read and discuss the Bible. It’s simple, low-cost, and allows God’s Word to do the work.
But it’s a big commitment for me, not long after I’ve acknowledged my need to say no to some things. I don’t really have time for it. I don’t really know any of my neighbors. And I don’t know what I’d be getting myself into.
Maybe that’s why I should do it.
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Jennifer Taylor
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I LOVE that idea. I had a similar experience here in Cincinnati. It was very “organic” and didn’t feel artificial like most other small groups I have been in.
i definitely think you should at least try.
the most successful small groups i’ve ever been a part of have been the ones where we threw away the material and went straight for scripture and looked for how it related to our lives.
man look at the ragtag crew commenting on this one.. you sure you want our input? haha
Apparently people who have spent time in Georgia think this is a go. Perhaps I should wait ’til a Northerner weighs in.
Philly agrees with Georgia. Go for it!
Hey, I almost got to know more of my neighbors than ever just by waiting in a long line with them to vote this morning. Kind of sad that it took an election. Maybe a Bible study in the apartment complex here, too? Whose got time? Nobody. Who probably needs to make time? Everybody.
As busy as you are – this might make you say “No” to more work. It will keep you in TN and get you out from behind the computer once a week. I say go for it. Just this week I heard about a new chronological bible – that seems like a great way to read through the bible in a year! Can I join in from CA?
Southern California likes it too! I think the “NO CURRICULUM” approach is great! Love to hear how it goes
Do you have any idea how much you have encouraged me?!
You go girl and let God provide the time since He’ll provide the study material. It’s such a blessing to watch God do the growing while all you do is obey and provide the drinks.
Love ya, Beth
Hey Jen, I just read this post. Love it!! I hope you will give it a try at your place and let us all know how it develops! I thank God at least twice a week that I got into that original group!–Diane
This has been an encouragment for me to take a leap of faith and move forward with a /next step/ toward getting a group together in my neighborhood. Would you be willing to connect with me via e-mail to answer a few questions about this?
Sure Linda. You can reach me at Jen@seejenwrite.com.
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