Mid-week Study Group

[HisHomeMaker]

About a dozen members of my church community meet mid-week for fellowship and to discuss the sermon and the scriptures. A married couple who are a psychologist/counsellor and the other a university professor of modern languages always develops the discussion questions. We take turns hosting in our homes and another member leads. A priest is not present, however the priests receive copies of our discussion questions in advance and if there is any ongoing discussion on a topic via email they see it on the distribution list.We typically meet over decaf and desert at 7pm, start the meeting at 7:30 and end by 8:30 or 9pm after we have prayers for the people and say the grace together. I believe this may be based on a model some of our members experienced in the UK. Are you involved in anything similar? How does your group run? Any suggestions? I'm leading this week and wonder if there is any value in changing things a bit.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

About a dozen members of my church community meet mid-week for fellowship and to discuss the sermon and the scriptures. A married couple who are a psychologist/counsellor and the other a university professor of modern languages always develops the discussion questions. We take turns hosting in our homes and another member leads. A priest is not present, however the priests receive copies of our discussion questions in advance and if there is any ongoing discussion on a topic via email they see it on the distribution list.We typically meet over decaf and desert at 7pm, start the meeting at 7:30 and end by 8:30 or 9pm after we have prayers for the people and say the grace together. I believe this may be based on a model some of our members experienced in the UK. Are you involved in anything similar? How does your group run? Any suggestions? I'm leading this week and wonder if there is any value in changing things a bit.

We have a system of Home Groups or Pastorates. A regular member of the church family would be expected to belong to one of these. We have every flavour imaginable, but most people will belong to one where other people are at the same life stage. For example, we got involved in our group when our eldest children were babies and toddlers, so now our fellowship has moved on to the joys of university admissions.

Our curate has responsibilities for the groups and will put together a curriculum for anyone that wants it, but some groups do their own thing.

Some groups meet in one house, and others rotate. Some meet weekly, others fortnightly. Some start out with a meal, others just adult refreshments.

The features in common are friendship and prayer.

We don't do decaf!

 

[mark46]

This is similar to our approach. Some are formal bible studies; most are not. One of the priests occasionally lead a group for a few weeks; but usually these are led by two members of the church. Our rector's current challenge is to have more accountability groups and home bible studies.

We have a system of Home Groups or Pastorates. A regular member of the church family would be expected to belong to one of these. We have every flavour imaginable, but most people will belong to one where other people are at the same life stage. For example, we got involved in our group when our eldest children were babies and toddlers, so now our fellowship has moved on to the joys of university admissions.

Our curate has responsibilities for the groups and will put together a curriculum for anyone that wants it, but some groups do their own thing.

Some groups meet in one house, and others rotate. Some meet weekly, others fortnightly. Some start out with a meal, others just adult refreshments.

The features in common are friendship and prayer.

We don't do decaf!

 

[HisHomeMaker]

...most people will belong to one where other people are at the same life stage.

Three new groups have just emerged from other groups:

At-home Moms
Working Women
Adult Confirmation

I hear a new men's group is starting up, but it may be more social than for Bible study.

Our group is a real mixed bag. When I joined a year ago I was the only member under 50 years old, but now there are two more "youngsters", a thirtysomething couple. At 42 I have to say it feels great to be considered "young"!

 

[brightmorningstar]

We have a cell or network group arrangement, so the priciple is not just study but social, bible study and fellowship with elements of pastoring.
Study topics are given by the church, but we will are lead by the Spirit, sometimes we may not study but pray on specific things, or even just worship.
The cell groups also usually have social action ministries they run or support, such as to the homeless or youth work etc.

Yours sounds good as well.

 

[Shropshire Anglican]

These are fairly common amongst many churches in the UK, particularly Methodist ones. Many Anglican churches do not hold regular Bible meetings which I think is a shame.

My church holds one once a month and is led by our Vicar. It is a social-cum-Bible discussion group and it is something that I personally find very edifying.

 

[Aaron_Walker]

We have mid-week Bible study meetings through most of the year, usually led by a priest. They include prayer and informal chat, so they are a combination of a social gathering and a study meeting.

 

[MKJ]

We have a variety of study groups throughout the year. In the past few years they tend to be short-term groups, that meet for a limited period of time with a fairly focused topic. There are disadvantages to this in continuity and developing a tight-knit group, but we find a lot more people are ablr to participate.

We've had a fairly wide variety of topics, recent ones I can think of are: the 39 Articles; the meaning and elements of the liturgy; the Apostles Creed; Praying the Psalms with St Augustine; and even one group who watched movies based on Biblical stories and then discussed the stories.

We also have a youth group and mom's group who meet regularly on an ongoing basis. THe mom's group sometimes does fun things, and sometimes has a second run-through of one of the study group topics (complete with baby and toddler contributions.). I think the youth group is similar.

Different people lead our groups: sometimes the rector, sometimes a member of the congregation, or clergy from another parish. It depends on who has the time and the expertise.

I think the plan for the fall is to have a study group on icons.

 

[brightmorningstar]

The members of our church tend to meet socially during the week as well for several reasons. They may meet as part of mission/ministry, they may meet to support each other in difficulties.