SOUNDING OUT:
Home Bible Fellowships

  As I reflect back over my nearly sixty years I’m so thankful for the privilege I have had of doing so many different things in my life. My exposure to so many different things has aided me so much in helping people with God’s Word. Experiences ranging from the Detroit ghetto to an Indiana farm, from an Ivy league school to boot-camp in the Army, from being alone in a new place not knowing anyone, to living with a wonderful wife and 6 kids and 500 hundred other people in a huge building, from being in a controlling cult to enjoying my freedom in Christ with a wonderful household of believers, have all given me insight and background for helping people.

  But of all the things and experiences I have ever enjoyed, nothing has had the profound impact on me as a simple home Bible fellowship. Since 1968 when I committed myself to meet with a friend everyday in my freshman year at Harvard until now there is nothing that compares to the impact of a simple home Bible fellowship on my life.

  The Word of God is so absolutely wonderful. It has brought such deliverance to me and my family, I cannot begin to document it. The small groups meeting informally and regularly in the home to explore God’s wonderful matchless Word were such wonderful environments for growth and opportunities of service.

  I’ve participated in healings of colds and cancer, of broken bones and broken hearts, spiritual captivity and spiritual new-birth. It still astonishes and amazes me what God can do with a small group of believers, unencumbered with religious tradition and legalism, and committed to God and one another. God’s Word works when we work it. God’s grace leads the way and signs, miracles and wonders follow His Word.

  God’s Word never returns void, and when likeminded workmen pursue it in a family atmosphere of intimacy and love growth occurs that is unparalleled to anything else I have ever seen or heard anywhere. I’d like to encourage you to find a convenient intimate home Bible fellowship in your neighborhood. If you cannot find one, why not start one.

  No one has to be the lone ranger. There are many materials available to help you get started. Our family has moved more times than I’d like to count, and each new area we had successfully started home fellowships. My wife is the best I have ever seen at talking to people and making them feel loved and comfortable. After all God promised that if we plant and water, He will give the increase. The Body of Christ is so big and so varied that I’m sure you can find a place to call “home.”

  I’ve spent years sharpening my skills at stimulating, encouraging, and facilitating home-based Bible fellowships, but that doesn’t compare to the thrill and excitement of simply walking by the spirit and letting God lead the way.

  The ministry of reconciliation is our right as God’s kids. The family of God has all the resources necessary. God has provided everything we need for our grand adventure except our freewill decision to proceed. When Peter was given the opportunity to walk on water, he had to get out of the boat himself, and when he did he gained a new intimacy and communion with God that he had not know before. Sure, we may be faced with many challenges, but when we hear the invitation, “Come.” We still must get out of the boats we’ve been sitting in.

  One thing I have learned in the over 35 years I’ve had a personal relationship with God is that, “What He has promised He is able also to perform.” The home family fellowship provides such a fruitful and productive arena for acknowledging not only what we have personally in Christ, but also our responsibilities collectively in the Body of Christ. We are members one of another, and I know of no better place to learn about that than a sweet fertile home Bible fellowship. My prayer for all of us is from Philemon verses 3-6:

  Phillips Brooks said of the Bible:

  The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks through his telescope, then he sees worlds beyond; but if he looks at his telescope, then he does not see anything but that. The Bible is a thing to be looked through, to see that which is beyond.