tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588328928227524790.post7440360945357319425..comments2023-07-09T19:59:16.047+01:00Comments on Journeys of heart and mind: Groups of six to twentyChris Jefferieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07024046243018838005noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588328928227524790.post-14263552134872033962012-09-04T18:12:05.010+01:002012-09-04T18:12:05.010+01:00Yes, the house gathering does encourage and recomm...Yes, the house gathering does encourage and recommend that all participate in a smaller 2-3 person group for more in-depth accountability and private accountability, Chris. If fact, they encourage it with someone outside the group even with a new follower of Jesus if you can. <br><br><br>I have found that taking the pressure off any one group providing "everything" leads to more satisfaction and richer diversity in belonging to multiple types of groups. <br><br><br>For me though, it's all about the group(s) providing a springboard to daily missions in my community. <br><br><br> BethB.E. Fosterhttp://organicspirituallife.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588328928227524790.post-58288682054455280732012-09-03T19:35:23.712+01:002012-09-03T19:35:23.712+01:00It's interesting to hear your list of difficul...It's interesting to hear your list of difficulties with the larger group, Beth. But it's clearly still useful and it sounds as if the one on one sessions with your friend fill those gaps for you. Do you think it would be helpful if ALL the people from the larger group were meeting in twos and threes?<br><br><br>Perhaps we all benefit from opportunities to meet in groups of various sizes. I know I do! Maybe we shouldn't expect too much from any one particular scale of interaction.<br><br><br>Thanks for stopping by to comment,<br><br><br>ChrisChrishttp://blog.scilla.org.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588328928227524790.post-78507157403990903122012-09-02T21:57:00.860+01:002012-09-02T21:57:00.860+01:00Hi Chris, The discipleship group I am part of has ...Hi Chris, <br>The discipleship group I am part of has a house gathering. At any given meeting could be 10-20 people. The pros: always a small group, always have personal time for conversation, always have a meal together, intimate time to sing a song or two with just an acoustic guitar, not a sermon but a time from the Word (typically about Jesus or about discipling), anyone who wants to participate in conversation during the teaching time can share or ask questions, plus more. The cons: too many to have really private conversations, no serious accountability, can't typically have a moderate conversation with everyone each time, & toddlers and younger are sent to another room so as to not disturb the gathering. <br><br><br>I find that I look forward to going because each person is valuable as part of the body of Christ. Additionally, I meet with a friend (not part of this house gathering) for accountability and serious conversation regularly for balance. Both of these provide a wonderful launchpad for me to stay in step with Jesus in my community.B.E. Fosterhttp://organicspirituallife.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com