Pastor doesn't want members praying or reading bible together

If the pastor is worried about false doctrine being discussed in small groups, it smells a little suspicious to me. False doctrine is more often found in the large congregation over the small groups.

Continue on in your bible study, if your pastor has a problem, I strongly urge you to find a different church. It is unbiblical and flat out wrong for anybody to tell you not to worship the lord. His concerns are self centered and he is in the wrong.
 
I would advise..first showing the pastor that nobody is teaching its just studying the bible together in small group setting.
If he still cant see thats all you doing, then I would think about leaving this church. Well, not think about it, just leave. This does not bode well.
Does he mind that you go online and ask other christians who dont belong to this church?
 
pavilion103 said:
We basically select a verse (rotate around the group each time), read a commentary, give our thoughts and then discuss the verse. We get everyone's thoughts. Then we talk about things that come to mind and pray together at the end.

No one is teaching. It's just our thoughts on the verse. We discuss how it might apply to our lives too.

We could all read it at home first (verse and commentary) and discuss but I don't know what the difference would be.

It's annoying because we love the Word and it's all we want to talk about. I don't see why there should be a restriction on close friends passionately discussing the Word.

If one person was hosting a private mini service with a sermon a group I would understand the validity of the concern. But it's moreso discussion than teaching. And among close friends.
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What you are doing is completely what the Church is all about! You are not in rebellion, nor undermining your pastor...I commend you for being upfront with him and apprising him of what is happening, but then he should have encouraged you! Instead his flesh is feeling threatened and he is trying to box you in.

We have forty to fifty such groups in our church that we call C-Groups, and other churches call them cells, or growth groups or small groups...they are a basic building block of the churches, and they are the way in which new believers enter the churches!

You are not being independent, but doing the work of Christ, the work of the Church, and God will bless it---Holy Spirit is your Teacher!. Out of your group could easily flow some excellent teachers and leaders your pastor would be grateful to call upon one day! Be outward focused, by inviting unsaved friends and family members in and see how the Lord will multiply you! You will be a blessing to your church!
 
Lift up and pray for him. For the Lord to give him utterance and to lead and guide him. And to bless him with much godly wisdom and revelation knowledge. Find scriptures in the Bible to lift him up and encourage him. Maybe this can be the topic or focus of your next small group meeting. :) and i can guarantee that he will benefit from it. And God will be pleased!
 
I have two questions.
1. What are some verses about testing a pastor/teacher's instructions against scripture?

2. Are there any circumstances in scripture where believers are prohibited from praying or discussing the Word together?

I guess I want to be crystal clear because I will likely discuss this with leadership. I want to make sure I have scriptural support. Thanks
 
pavilion103 said:
I have two questions.
1. What are some verses about testing a pastor/teacher's instructions against scripture?

2. Are there any circumstances in scripture where believers are prohibited from praying or discussing the Word together?

I guess I want to be crystal clear because I will likely discuss this with leadership. I want to make sure I have scriptural support. Thanks
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1. Acts 17:10-12
That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

2. Nope!
 
Be a berean and see if these things are so...thats in Acts.
Do not give up meeting together...thats in Hebrews
Also in acts, the early church fellowshiped and broke bread DAILY.

Im sure someone else can give you the specific bible references or just google.
 
When beleivers are prohibited from praying and discussing the word..its the work of the enemy...in the OT there was a famine of Gods word in the land of Israel...and I think Hosea mentions that without knowledge the people perish. Then in Ezra I think it was they found the books of law hidden away and brought them out so everyone could learn again.
 
pavilion103 said:
What do you think if we are simply discussing a verse? Giving our thoughts? If anyone has any further questions or seeks clarification they can research or speak to a pastor.

I feel that if more people spent time doing this rather than watching the football or TV it would be a great use of time.

Is it ridiculous to suggest I record conversations so the pastor has access to it?! Seems extreme.
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If he is curious, invite him to join you. If he doesn't like to be on equal footing with everyone else as a participant, then there is something wrong. Pentecostal preachers are usually open to the Holy Spirit speaking through the members of their flock.
 
pavilion103 said:
I have two questions.
1. What are some verses about testing a pastor/teacher's instructions against scripture?

2. Are there any circumstances in scripture where believers are prohibited from praying or discussing the Word together?

I guess I want to be crystal clear because I will likely discuss this with leadership. I want to make sure I have scriptural support. Thanks
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Scripture the pastor may be using to be concerned with:
2 Timothy 2:
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

But on the other hand:
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

How can you put on the whole armor of God without knowing the Word? To stand against the wiles of the devil, you must study and practice with the Word.
 
I like the last post because all the believers catching up at this study have been Christians for between 2 (one person) and around 10 (the rest of us) years.

Surely in that time the church should have taught good doctrine so as believers know the Word and individuals should be well equipped in their private study.
 
Regarding 2 timothy..

The resurrection is already past?! Dont seem people who call themselves christians or spiritualists still teach that..there are ppl in heaven already?!
As far as I can see theres nobody rising from the graves entering heaven in their glorified bodies...and people who contact the dead and ask them to intercede prey on those who are left behind...
 
Lanolin said:
Regarding 2 timothy..

The resurrection is already past?! Dont seem people who call themselves christians or spiritualists still teach that..there are ppl in heaven already?!
As far as I can see theres nobody rising from the graves entering heaven in their glorified bodies...and people who contact the dead and ask them to intercede prey on those who are left behind...
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Can you tell us what this has to do with the topic?
 
pavilion103 said:
Pentecostal church. Godly man. Congregation of 400 roughly. Sunday and mid week service.

It seems like he is so concerned about the risk of no false teaching that we can't even meet outside of church in small groups. If it's casual over dinner it's apparently ok talking about God (if it happens to come up) but studying in a group of a few close friends, reading the bible etc, isn't ok. He said we shouldnt be praying in small groups because it constitutes a prayer meeting.

Doesn't make much sense to me. Seems very silly. All we want to do is study the Bible and pray and talk about God together.

I don't want to be disobedient but I also don't want to stop studying the bible with people. Not sure why such close policing is being required. Surely all believers should be able to meet and study the bible, especially close friends.
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It's unbiblical to tell people not to come together to study scripture. Anyone could possibly believe false doctrine studying by themselves. Ask if he thinks it's ok to study Gods word by yourself. If he says no, then he's acting in this particular issue like the devil. If he says yes ( probably will ) then tell him then, that there's no difference in studying with more then one person then. I understand he's worried about false doctrine coming up but to deny coming together for God is ungodly fear. It's not of God.

The situation reminds me of the Pharisees who rebuked Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. As all your trying to do in this bible study is get closer to God. For him to rebuke you and say it's wrong is tantamount to Phariseeism. You study in your group without condemnation for there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus :) remember, God knows your heart not your pastor. And God knows your doing this for the Godly reasons :)
 
pavilion103 said:
A group of 4-5 of us in our church catch up regularly and do mini bible studies by reading the Word and talking about it, followed by a time of prayer.

Recently I told the pastor about this great time and they said they don't want people catching up in this way outside of church. This is incase false doctrine is discussed. I'm quite confused because I thought that catching up reading the Word and praying together would be exactly what the church would encourage!

What are people's thoughts. I believe in authority and submission. I also believe that this is ridiculous to be honest. Is here scripture or any thoughts on this issue? If a pastor discourages people from meeting like this, does his "command" apply in a Biblical way? Thoughts?
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Frankly you are in the real church when you meet like that. The pastor sounds like a misguided soul who wants his authority... I'd run and keep your little group. That's how were supposed to meet I believe not in megachurches to hear one man. Let the Holy Spirit work on your group and obey Him, not man. God bless!
 
Roads said:
There are a lot of questions here about what a pastor's role is, and what the purpose of a weekly assembly is, and generally, what it means to be the church, as opposed to attend a church. It sounds like it's time for your church to start asking the hard questions and rethink its traditions and assumptions about these things. It's a hard discussion to have, but it's not healthy to avoid it either.
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I agree. (y)
 
In my walk ive met a few shady christian characters using church as a means to lord it over people. They may be professing christians but they acting like complete pharisees. This sounds like what this pastor is doing.

Such people, turn away. They are being used by Satan.
 
Well, I think there's been a unanimous answer to the query! I often think of Malachi 3:16 these days: "Then they that feared Jehovah spoke often one to another; and Jehovah observed it, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name." It pleases God when we talk about Him and His things, He notices that. He takes note of it. Malachi was prophesying at time of widespread decline and indifference to the rights of God, even among those who were outwardly His people - much like the time we're in now. When outward profession is common and inward reality less so, God takes note of those who fear Him (in a right sense) and think upon His Name. Even the simplest conversation about divine things is better than a conversation about worldly things.
 
pavilion103 said:
A group of 4-5 of us in our church catch up regularly and do mini bible studies by reading the Word and talking about it, followed by a time of prayer.

Recently I told the pastor about this great time and they said they don't want people catching up in this way outside of church. This is incase false doctrine is discussed. I'm quite confused because I thought that catching up reading the Word and praying together would be exactly what the church would encourage!

What are people's thoughts. I believe in authority and submission. I also believe that this is ridiculous to be honest. Is here scripture or any thoughts on this issue? If a pastor discourages people from meeting like this, does his "command" apply in a Biblical way? Thoughts?
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RUUUUUNNNNNNNN!

That's my first impulse; better yet get better clarification from the Pastor. If he insists that reading the Bible on your own and THINKING is a bad idea; then RUUUUUUUNNNNN!

The Church has every right to verify what the Pastor is saying is Biblical.
 
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