Using the Bible in Groups [antikvár]

1 Why Small Grbups? / To open the Bible is to begin an adventure, a journey of discovery. This adventure has been going on for thousands of years as God has made himself known t(!) men and women, children and young people, calling them to a new and meaningful life rooted^nd centred in love. The Bible tells us the story of God's mighty words and actions. As we read and listen, we discover that we are invited to become participants in this great drama of redemption and forgiveness, of power and promise, of courage and comfort. To seek to know this story better and discover our own place in it, we study the Bible. And because this story is the tale of a people, a community of faith, we find it helpful to read with others - to study the Bible in groups. Positive change For nearly two thousand years Christians have been meeting together in small groups to study the Bible. Sometimes the meetings are disappointing. More often men and women have discovered a closeness to God and their lives have been transformed through their involvement with small groups of Christians. In a wide variety of settings and circumstances, from sanctuary to sitting room, in catacombs and gulags, Bible study in groups has been a major ingredient in the spread and vitality of the Christian faith. On the increase Throughout the world today there is a widespread increase in the variety and number of small Bible study groups. When western Christians were first able to visit China after the country had been isolated for many years, they wanted answers to many questions. Had the Christians managed to survive with the expulsion of missionaries, the shutdown of centres of worship and the persecution which was sometimes very harsh? The news from China today is^^taggering. Not only has the church survived, it has actually grown. How is this possible? Home fellowships! Christians in China by the hundreds of thousands have met in small informal home gatherings for worship, Bible study and prayer. In these settings they have found strength and 9