Balancing Teaching & Fellowship
in the Small Groups
Why must we understand the relationship between teaching and fellowship
1. It is a key to the growth of believers.
The genuineness of our claim to love God is tested by our love for our brother
Matthew 25:31 - 46; I John 4:202. It is a key to effective outreach
Consider how God chose to introduce the new church............
Acts 2 Languages provide a hearing for Peter's message
Acts 3 Healing the lame man provides a hearing for message to Sanhedrin
Acts 6 Caring for widows allows the word of God to increase
In reaching out; fellowship opens the way for new explanations of God's word
Small group leaders need to understand that:
1. Bible study provides a basis and a safeguard for fellowship
Sometimes we begin with Scripture and move toward "people needs"
"This is what the Lord says....." -> Now how does this apply....?
See Acts 8:5-25 Phillip in Samaria
2. Fellowship provides an oppportunity to search out what God says on any subject
Sometimes we begin with "people needs" and move toward Scripture
"How are you doing this week?" -> "What does God say about that?"
See Acts 8:26-40 Phillip and the Ethiopian man
Bible study emphasizes God's authority
Fellowship emphasizes man's relationships
The church needs quality time for growing in both of these.
Sunday morning activities of the whole church gathered provide quality time for the teaching
of the Word and limited time for fellowship.
Midweek small groups provide quality time for fellowship and limited time for the teaching
of the Word.
Those who work at trying to preserve a good balance between fellowship and Bible study should
remember that most people have a short attention span. Thus the first 30 minutes (plus or minus)
in the Sunday message or the small group meeting are the "prime time" of their concentration. If
this time is wholly devoted to introductions or entertaining features, the impact of the Word can
be greatly diminished as time passes.
The goal of this whole subject is not choosing between Scripture and fellowship, but having a proper
understanding of Biblical fellowship. The Word instructs & cleanses & equips for service.
Fellowship is the practical means by which this process goes forward in the local church.