Some Counsel To A New Gathering Of Christians
New Assembly Form Of Meetings
[Letter adapted to avoid names and personal references]Dear brother:
It seems good that you have found a suitable building for the group meeting in your home, as the public are more likely to come in there, I suppose. A large sign out front: Bible Meetings On Sunday, might be good. I would avoid putting a name on the building, as people will then call you by that name as some new sect, and I know you wish to be scriptural and avoid being a denominated sect. Being simply those seeking to go on as a scriptural assembly and Bible-only, with all others universal, we should avoid names and titles (for the Church in the world is nameless and without a hierarchy, we see). Two or three Elders who are well grounded in Bible study can take the lead, but allow all the brothers also gathered to share in the studies.
Until you are established as a recognized scriptural assembly among that fellowship gathered worldwide, which I spoke of, you should not have the emblems and "break bread", as we have discussed earlier. It would not be good to be proceeding as an independent assembly now, assuming all the responsibilities God has given. I am not telling you what to do or setting rules, brother, but I know you want to be true to the Word as you begin a testimony there, and I would much like to see you avoid independency, but gathered with all of us universal in many cities and countries. We also hold Bible conferences in some cities at times. Feel free to write me as you have further questions and concerns, and I urge you to visit the sound site at Biblecounsel.net to learn more of what God intends for His testimony in the world.
You asked about meetings. I would suggest you continue what you have had in the past in your home ---children & adult Bible classes; prayer meetings; gospel meetings. Our meeting hall has a large sign out front that says: Christians Gathered To The Name Of The Lord Jesus Christ -- All Are Welcome. A small sign by the door lists the various meetings and names of some brothers and telephone numbers.
We begin on Lord's day at 9:30 A.M. singing children songs from our song book --chosen mostly by the children, then the children recite the weekly memory verse they have learned from Messages Of The Love Of God (a Sunday school paper provided weekly by Bible Truth Publishers). We give each child a paper to take home. That will get the gospel into a home if the parents don't come with them. A brother sometimes speaks a few words to the children as an object lesson. About 10 A.M. the children then go into a classroom (or corner of the room with a sister for some Bible lessons, if no other room is available), and the adults commence a progressive Bible study each week. Sisters usually teach the children of different ages. The Sunday school is, of course, not shown in the Bible as part of a scriptural assembly, except is a provision for the children present as the adults have a reading.
Our endeavor is to be fully in accord with the Word of God, and especially Acts 2:42 at the beginning of the Church universal. We here all take a short break after the reading time for coffee and snacks, then commence the Lord's supper at 11:00 A.M until noon with singing some songs of praise and thanksgiving, reading of appropriate verses, and much prayer as we remember the Lord in His death for us. It is a time of worship and mostly silent meditations rather than preaching. A gospel and reading meeting is held at 6:00 P.M. for about an hour and a half --dividing the time for each. Wednesday evening is our prayer meeting time. Some assemblies also add a reading/study meeting then (45 min. for each).
This is generally our way, which varies a little with various assemblies. If this raises questions, feel free to let me know. Please continue to "search the Scriptures" and pray about all the things we have shared about a proper scriptural gathering, and keep in touch as you wait to see what the Lord will show you all. -RLD: 1/09
New Assembly Form Of Meetings
[Letter adapted to avoid names and personal references]
It seems good that you have found a suitable building for the group meeting in your home, as the public are more likely to come in there, I suppose. A large sign out front: Bible Meetings On Sunday, might be good. I would avoid putting a name on the building, as people will then call you by that name as some new sect, and I know you wish to be scriptural and avoid being a denominated sect. Being simply those seeking to go on as a scriptural assembly and Bible-only, with all others universal, we should avoid names and titles (for the Church in the world is nameless and without a hierarchy, we see). Two or three Elders who are well grounded in Bible study can take the lead, but allow all the brothers also gathered to share in the studies.
Until you are established as a recognized scriptural assembly among that fellowship gathered worldwide, which I spoke of, you should not have the emblems and "break bread", as we have discussed earlier. It would not be good to be proceeding as an independent assembly now, assuming all the responsibilities God has given. I am not telling you what to do or setting rules, brother, but I know you want to be true to the Word as you begin a testimony there, and I would much like to see you avoid independency, but gathered with all of us universal in many cities and countries. We also hold Bible conferences in some cities at times. Feel free to write me as you have further questions and concerns, and I urge you to visit the sound site at Biblecounsel.net to learn more of what God intends for His testimony in the world.
You asked about meetings. I would suggest you continue what you have had in the past in your home ---children & adult Bible classes; prayer meetings; gospel meetings. Our meeting hall has a large sign out front that says: Christians Gathered To The Name Of The Lord Jesus Christ -- All Are Welcome. A small sign by the door lists the various meetings and names of some brothers and telephone numbers.
We begin on Lord's day at 9:30 A.M. singing children songs from our song book --chosen mostly by the children, then the children recite the weekly memory verse they have learned from Messages Of The Love Of God (a Sunday school paper provided weekly by Bible Truth Publishers). We give each child a paper to take home. That will get the gospel into a home if the parents don't come with them. A brother sometimes speaks a few words to the children as an object lesson. About 10 A.M. the children then go into a classroom (or corner of the room with a sister for some Bible lessons, if no other room is available), and the adults commence a progressive Bible study each week. Sisters usually teach the children of different ages. The Sunday school is, of course, not shown in the Bible as part of a scriptural assembly, except is a provision for the children present as the adults have a reading.
Our endeavor is to be fully in accord with the Word of God, and especially Acts 2:42 at the beginning of the Church universal. We here all take a short break after the reading time for coffee and snacks, then commence the Lord's supper at 11:00 A.M until noon with singing some songs of praise and thanksgiving, reading of appropriate verses, and much prayer as we remember the Lord in His death for us. It is a time of worship and mostly silent meditations rather than preaching. A gospel and reading meeting is held at 6:00 P.M. for about an hour and a half --dividing the time for each. Wednesday evening is our prayer meeting time. Some assemblies also add a reading/study meeting then (45 min. for each).
This is generally our way, which varies a little with various assemblies. If this raises questions, feel free to let me know. Please continue to "search the Scriptures" and pray about all the things we have shared about a proper scriptural gathering, and keep in touch as you wait to see what the Lord will show you all. -RLD: 1/09
