I'm curious about everyone's opinion on small groups.
It seems like most churches I look into nowadays, there's always a focus on small groups where you meet in someone's home and maybe there's about 6-10 people who attend.
Seems like most churches who have this focus on small groups, do not have ministries that offer bible studies at church locations.
I understand the idea of putting church back into the community but I wonder if anyone ever thought about the other side of it...
If you're a new person attending a church, just how comfortable are you supposed to feel going to someone's house who you don't know to study the bible? And what if you don't feel comfortable or even welcome? You don't go again - but then you see the person at church - just awkward?
On the other hand, when the church offers bible studies within its own doors, it seems a little less intimidating b/c you are not going to someone's home. If you don't enjoy the study, you don't have to worry too much that you hurt someone's feelings if you don't come back.
I am not saying that there's something "wrong" with either approach. I am just wondering why it seems most churches are moving towards only small groups vs having internal bible studies AND small groups.
For me, it honestly makes me want to look elsewhere for fellowship b/c I just don't feel comfortable going to someone's home when I don't know them. I have been in small groups before but only after meeting people through bible studies within the church doors.
Me - just thinking again and looking for thoughts and opinions. (No judgments, please.)
It seems like most churches I look into nowadays, there's always a focus on small groups where you meet in someone's home and maybe there's about 6-10 people who attend.
Seems like most churches who have this focus on small groups, do not have ministries that offer bible studies at church locations.
I understand the idea of putting church back into the community but I wonder if anyone ever thought about the other side of it...
If you're a new person attending a church, just how comfortable are you supposed to feel going to someone's house who you don't know to study the bible? And what if you don't feel comfortable or even welcome? You don't go again - but then you see the person at church - just awkward?
On the other hand, when the church offers bible studies within its own doors, it seems a little less intimidating b/c you are not going to someone's home. If you don't enjoy the study, you don't have to worry too much that you hurt someone's feelings if you don't come back.
I am not saying that there's something "wrong" with either approach. I am just wondering why it seems most churches are moving towards only small groups vs having internal bible studies AND small groups.
For me, it honestly makes me want to look elsewhere for fellowship b/c I just don't feel comfortable going to someone's home when I don't know them. I have been in small groups before but only after meeting people through bible studies within the church doors.
Me - just thinking again and looking for thoughts and opinions. (No judgments, please.)