Does anyone here belong to a small neighborhood group where men and women gather during the week to read Bible verses and pray for one another? I am currently part of a men's group, which can range from five to ten or more of us per meeting. The first part of the meeting is spent introducing ourselves and sharing our journeys to Christ. Following that, we discuss our weekly highs and lows. The final 30 minutes are dedicated to reading and discussing Bible verses.
In truth, it feels more like a support group than a Bible study. Driving home, I often feel as though I've just left an AA meeting. While it's beneficial, I had hoped for more Bible discussion and less personal storytelling. And while I like that people are honest about their struggles, I miss the deeper biblical engagement.
I desperately want to find a group which applies Biblical texts to current events, but there never seems to be an opportunity for such discussions. Our readings focus on living according to the Lord's ways, with little connection to political or social issues. And when I sense the slightest opportunity to do so, I get the feeling like it wouldn't go over well. Like it would be such a large transition from the light-hearted stuff we usually talk about, that the others wouldn't know what to do with it. My sense is that no one would be willing to call out the elephant in the room because there is this unwritten agreement to be positive when discussing scripture. And how can you be positive talking about draconian laws and invasions by other cultures into native homelands?
Maybe an outside book is the answer. If anyone knows of a good book by a Christian author that could spark these discussions, I'd appreciate the recommendation. Maybe that would give us a better excuse to bring up things like the societal upheaval in the UK.
I often sit there during these meetings and wonder what others will think of me if I bring up these heavy topics. Others might be doing the same. And maybe that's why no one opens their mouth about these things; because they are just as worried as I am about the repercussions of doing so.
I'd love to hear about others' experiences in their small groups and what you talk about. Are your groups co-ed or men only? I've been in co-ed groups before and enjoyed them, but my current church doesn't seem to offer any. So for now, the men's group will have to suffice.
In truth, it feels more like a support group than a Bible study. Driving home, I often feel as though I've just left an AA meeting. While it's beneficial, I had hoped for more Bible discussion and less personal storytelling. And while I like that people are honest about their struggles, I miss the deeper biblical engagement.
I desperately want to find a group which applies Biblical texts to current events, but there never seems to be an opportunity for such discussions. Our readings focus on living according to the Lord's ways, with little connection to political or social issues. And when I sense the slightest opportunity to do so, I get the feeling like it wouldn't go over well. Like it would be such a large transition from the light-hearted stuff we usually talk about, that the others wouldn't know what to do with it. My sense is that no one would be willing to call out the elephant in the room because there is this unwritten agreement to be positive when discussing scripture. And how can you be positive talking about draconian laws and invasions by other cultures into native homelands?
Maybe an outside book is the answer. If anyone knows of a good book by a Christian author that could spark these discussions, I'd appreciate the recommendation. Maybe that would give us a better excuse to bring up things like the societal upheaval in the UK.
I often sit there during these meetings and wonder what others will think of me if I bring up these heavy topics. Others might be doing the same. And maybe that's why no one opens their mouth about these things; because they are just as worried as I am about the repercussions of doing so.
I'd love to hear about others' experiences in their small groups and what you talk about. Are your groups co-ed or men only? I've been in co-ed groups before and enjoyed them, but my current church doesn't seem to offer any. So for now, the men's group will have to suffice.
