Home study groups -- from house to House

We get these tidbits in Scripture we get these images, snapshots of what the church was like in the first century and based on what we see there we can learn some things. If we want to experience what the church was like, we won't find it in just our own imagination but rather by first looking back at the New Testament. 

We've also got to understand the church today will not look exactly like it did back then; it can’t. They are coming from a different place, a different time and we have different cultural expectations and a reality. Just because the church won’t be identical doesn't mean that we are not the real church, or even that we are not Biblical, it is just the realization that we will not do the exact things that they did. 

All that being said, we see that the early church as often in each other's homes, and not just for small talk or to watch the big game. They had another purpose in mind for their meetings. Look at Acts 2:41-47: "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." 

They began a habit right from the beginning of sharing life together, of opening their homes and lives to one another. Together they praised God and the result was that each day more and more people joined this sharing of life. 

We all know how easy it is to live isolated from those around us, and as technology increases it seems easier all the time to stay within our own bubble. We now have to make concerted efforts to get back into a life-sharing relationship with those around us, not just from the church, but with our friends and neighbors as well. 

Home study groups are about sharing this life together. It is about opening our lives up to one another to reconnect and share together in the Christian life rather than trying to go it alone. It is about inviting those who have never experienced the gospel of Christ to belong with a group of believers to see what a difference Christ truly makes in those who believe in and follow Him.