Home Meetings

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Bro. Bill Clifton wrote 
> My in-laws have been a part of a home service for 10+ years and love
> it...and I am getting a few families together for weekly group
> discussion/bible studies ( upto 4 families now ) is this what you are
> talking about??

Yes, this is the kind of thing along with what Brother Brown said:
[snip]
> I am now working with Bro. Jack Yonts (formerly UPC home missions
> director) in Schaumburg IL (Chicago Metro area).  We have prayer
> groups that include a Bible lesson before the prayer time.  These meet
> in saints' homes.
>
> Both of the times I have been involved in home meetings like this,
> there has been a minister, or ministerial candidate present, even if
> he was not the teacher.  The pastor has stressed that these are not
> services, nor substitutes for services, but in addition to services.
> As such, there is a lesson, but not preaching.  There is prayer
> requests and prayer.  

I see home-based fellowship/Bible study meetings as a biblical 
precedent.  Though I do not see it universally practiced.

"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, 
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat 
with gladness and singleness of heart,"    (Acts 2:46 KJV)

"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased 
not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."    (Acts 5:42 KJV)

"And when he had considered the thing, he came to the 
house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was 
Mark; where many were gathered together praying."    
(Acts 12:12 KJV)

"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, 
but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and 
from house to house,"    (Acts 20:20 KJV)

"Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute 
my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia 
unto Christ."    (Romans 16:5 KJV)

"The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla 
salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is 
in their house."    (1 Corinthians 16:19 KJV)

"Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, 
and the church which is in his house."    (Colossians 4:15 KJV)

"And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, 
and to the church in thy house:"    (Philemon 1:2 KJV)

We Apostolics claim strict adherence to the Word of God, 
yet we build bigger and bigger buildings and have less 
and less personal fellowship.  Perhaps this is just a pet 
peeve of mine, but I really wonder about it.  Sometimes 
I feel starved for fellowship.  I would love to invite others 
from the church to my home but my husband discourages it. 

Years ago, when I was just getting 'into' the Church, I drove 
by a building which had some simple but profound words 
over its door, it read "Christians Meet Here".  I was so 
moved, I had to stop and go inside.  It was just a church, 
I don't even know what kind, but it was the thought that 
stuck with me.  Sometimes I feel that what we need more 
than grand worship palaces are simple places where 
Christians can meet.

My prayer is that I could open my home to such a meeting.

Kathy Dimick
Falkville, Alabama
kdimick@colsa.com
kedimick@hotmail.com
http://members.tripod.com/~coffeepleaz/index.html

"For to me to live is Christ"