Forgive me if lots of my thoughts seem to wander toward our Ancient-Future Group Life conference coming later this month where we will serve almost 3,000 guests. This year my point leader session addresses major trends in the world of community and church life.
A big trend is the move from groups as a study center (Bible Study focus) to groups as a learning community (Bible Practice approach). I often hear people use the phrases Bible Study and Small Group interchangeably. And it can be confusing, because we all have different definitions for those terms. Let’s put it this way. Not all Bible Studies function like “small groups,” and not all Small Groups do “bible study” as a discipline. Some “Studies” are simply small classes, where a curriculum is followed or a teacher explains the Bible. This is worthwhile, but not a group. Jesus’ group, for example, appears to have done very little Bible Study as we think of it.
People often misunderstand Acts 2:42 where it says, “devoted themselves to the apostles teaching.” Many think this means Bible Study. Well, they had no bibles, and almost no home had a copy of the Torah. The OT Scripture was kept in the Synagogues or at the Temple. Scripture was read, repeated and memorized. Preaching themes were remembered. Then, as a matter of practice, people gave themselves to obey what they had heard. This was the focus of the early church until letters and gospels were circulated. Even then, no one had a Bible. So what did they do for all those years?
They heard the truth and worked together in community to put that truth onto practice. Teaching was done by teachers—groups (communities) practiced it, helping one another live the truth. I am all for Bible Study, but not at the expense of building a truth-telling, truth-practicing community. Bible Study is knowledge-centered, where people seek answers to questions. The purpose is to know the text. Small Group learning communities move beyond having “studies” toward building learning communities. The focus is knowing and encountering the author, Jesus, and becoming like him.
Jesus said, “It is enough for the student to become like his teacher,” not to acquire all the knowledge of the teacher. So real learning is about character formation in intentional, accountable community, where members are pursuing a way of life together shaped by the truth is practiced. I am reminded of educator Parker Palmer’s words. “To teach,” he said, “is to create a place (or space) where obedience to truth can be practiced.” I would call that a learning community—something that takes Bible Study to a whole new level. And it cannot be done without committed, intentional group life.
