Good teaching

[Johnnz]

We have recognised that a small group can easily become somewhat detached from other Christian influence. We have taken steps to minimise that happening.

We utilise talks by good teachers and scholars, attend special lectures at Christian campus, I read widely and we all take turns at leading a study of some sort. We probably get a better variety than at most churches and we have not cut ourselves off from a wide range of good teaching from reliable sources.

How do other house groups ensure good teaching?

John
NZ

 

[JM]

These folks [ Christ Fellowship of Kansas City ] use catechisms and confessions of faith. I've often wondered how Elders are trained and church discipline practiced in house churches, where is the doctrinal standard? If you say the Bible it only begs the question as to what the Bible teaches and as soon as you tell me what the Bible teaches you have giving an answer to a question...just like a catechism.

Where is the doctrinal standard?

jm

 

[wanelad]

The House Church movement here in Brisbane is fairly intertwined and often have mixed meetings keeping the influences from other groups flowing

http://www.housechurchbrisbane.com

 

[ezeric]

Using our 'home fellowship' as an example.
We allow 2 things (encourage these 2 things).

1) That the gifts of the SPIRIT be in operation (some have encouraing words, others a song, another a teaching).

2) Nothing is too sacred to discuss. If something is on someone's heart to share, let him share it and at the same time, the rest of the group 'test everything'.

Some topics are HUGE, and we are not afraid to talk about it, and pray into for the LORDS guidance, and at the same time, not expecting to be given the 'truth' over the subject necessarily 'right away'. Some topics may take a year or more to properly digest and mediate on - so patience is a key.

We often have someone bring something the LORD's been leading them, or some book or magazine or preach'n /teach'n that gets discussed.

-eric
The Exchanged Life

Well, my brothers and sisters, let's summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Question:
Can we trust the SPIRIT of GOD to actually lead us this way?

 

[timf]

How do other house groups ensure good teaching?

1. Do not worry about not having every answer. For example do the unsaved suffer in hell forever? The answer is we do not even know if forever is the end of time or time unending. The Greek word Aion is used most often for "the age". We can only go so far with the information we have in the Bible. We need to not go further in order to support some doctrine.

2. Keep teaching related to questions that are asked. This helps keep the teachers attention on serving the needs of others rather then tempting him into lecturing others in what he feels they need or showing off what he has learned.

3. Never stray from truth. It can be quite tempting to want to endorse what people have accepted to gain their support and approval. However, such compromise quenches the Spirit and the book of Galatians shows what happens.

 

[KenE]

I am in a small home group in a small town in Southern Africa. Even here the mainline churches seem to have 'lost the plot'! There is virtually no evangelism; teaching is twisted to keep the flocks as spiritual cripples; compromise abounds and those who do not like the Word run after every manifestation or flesh-satisfying experience!
This is the truth!

I was fortunate to have had a thorough discipleship experience and greatly value the need for 'rightly dividing the Word of Truth'.

We ABSOLUTELY do trust the Holy Spirit to lead and teach us! (I'm not sure how this could be a serious question??)

We have also been blessed by the teaching DVDs of Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio and Francis Chan. We find their teachings to be solidly Bible-based, practical and effective in understanding how God has presented His Word to teach us valuable principles to live by.

We may not be many in number, but we know that the Kingdom is best built one living stone st a time. God's favour is apparent in opening doors and creating opportunities to be salt and light.

We have no problem visiting new or out-of-town churches and rely on each other's giftings to stay clear of danger or backsliding.

 

[Episaw]

Question:
Can we trust the SPIRIT of GOD to actually lead us this way?

If we can't, what is the point? The scripture says that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. Not some truth but ALL TRUTH.

I think that this question indicates how much man has been duped into believing that truth is not knowable unless you have an ordained clergy to get it and reveal it to you and that you have to have denominational dogma as a yardstick for knowing the truth.

Because too many pastors need to be needed, they don't want people hearing from the Lord and bypassing them so they make themselves the arbiter of all truth, which is blasphemy if what the scriptures says is true and it is.

I believe the question should be "what is to stop us letting the Holy Spirit lead us into all truth?"

Answer. Man made rules and religion and nothing if we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are.

 

[Norah63]

Getting a lot out of these posts. Having been in three house groups, and not in any right now. It just seems like one man leads and every one else goes along.
I long for more interaction of all believers on every teaching. Also need for the confession of faults to keep humble and responsible before others. To bear one anothers burdens is more than getting a need met with money.
Gifts of the spirit will follow in a body that is in order.

 

[Episaw]

How do other house groups ensure good teaching?

A very good question. There seems to be a perception in the church that is not a church unless there is a defined structure with stated beliefs and paid clergy that you can't fulfil the role of being church unless you have a defined structure, stated beliefs and paid clergy.

Nothing could be further from the truth for the simple reason Jesus did not say that all men will know your are my disciples if you have a defined structure, stated beliefs and paid clergy.

He said and we seem to avoid this, "by this shall all men know that you are my disciples that you love one another."

Love sees the best in everyone and is not conditional. Acceptance is not based on wearing the right clothes, saying the right things, having spiritually correct doctrine and being a clone of the leadership.

It seems to me in my studies of the home church scene worldwide that they are more concerned about taking the words of Jesus to heart and loving one another than they are about being spiritually perfect.

In today's post modern society which is destroying lives and creating broken images and broken homes, the greatest need is for the church to get switched onto unconditional love because nothing less will convince people that the church is serious about being a spirit filled, Christ exalting church.

Demanding doctrinal correctness is guaranteed to keep those outside the kingdom away from us. Having said that, I know there are going to be people who will say that doctrinal correctness is essential.

In our home fellowship we are doctrinally correct. We preach Christ crucified, risen and ascended (just like Paul). Get that right and people switched onto a loving God and love them to death and you haven't got much to worry about.

Question. What would be your response if two homosexuals came into your meeting holding hands? Be honest.

 

[Norah63]

After a number of years of home groups, it has just lost it's luster. No gifts in operation, but they are wanted. I really appreciated what ezeric had to offer. ( cor.14:26) It says it all. And that does not happen in all home groups.
And YES we can trust the Spirit of God to lead us this way! Let it be dear Lord.
In the future when all church buildings are closed, the real praise will begin.

 

[ezeric]

Question. What would be your response if two homosexuals came into your meeting holding hands? Be honest.

Had something close to this coming to our fellowship a year ago.

It was a mother, who was a nominal christian but of course still loved
by our precious LORD!

She had a relative (cousin I think, if memory serves) that was inquiring
of her about GOD and of course churchianity and religious christianity was all she really knew.

Anyway, the question was asked if this gay (cousin) would come (with or without) their 'partner', what would our stance be and outcome as we saw it.

First off, we are 'SON preachers' not 'Sin preachers', so not matter the sin, JESUS is the answer! And we focus on JESUS and GRACE and not each others sins. Saying that, we are quick to realize that it is GRACE that saved any of us, and the same GRACE that enables us to stand, so we are all screwed up, selfish, scum bags that received this 'gift' of righteousness, that the LORD only gives.

Sin is sin.
But the SON sets Free! Hallelujah!

So, we would accept them, like anybody else and how else can they ever here good news? They are still entitled to the 'Good News' aren't they?

I mean, the Good News isn't just for us 'in crowd', becaused I read that its lavished on the insignificant, and child, and lost, and burdened, and blind and weak!

So, we would share JESUS and GRACE and at the same time, have(hopefully)our spirts opened to the SPIRIT to lead us into all truth (Truth is JESUS, so more of JESUS) to this 'couple', to understand real love and real forgiveness and real power over sin.

It takes time.

There is also a difference between someone who is:
1) Living a life, but doesn't really know its even sin. (which could be this case too, I never did find out).
2) Another who knows its wrong, and really deep down wants to change but can not.
3) And still others, who insist they are right, and want to promote that lifestyle.

So, I don't know if that helps much, but that was our response and the mother thanked us for giving her a Grace answer, and didn't hear that answer from the 'institutional church' she was 'on and off' part of.

The cross is for everyone.

JESUS friend of sinners.

-eric

The Exchanged Life