LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "Cell Groups:Maladroit Change of Subject":
The more I have been around lay led Bible study, the more I believe the study should be led by called and ordained preachers of the Word. Even a vicar would qualify since he is called and has a much higher degree of education so that he can keep classes on course. So many times I have seen non-called, non-ordained men lead and they just are not equipped. The discussion skews and you hear conjecture and opinion and 'what it means to them'. If the text doesn't say something, then why must we feel the need to add to it? Especially when the text is plain or the study notes (if you have a good study Bible...which everyone should have) explain a seemingly hard passage. Private study should be on-going in the home everyday if possible. That is why Luther wrote the catechisms. But formal...and even the informal (which in a sense are formal)gatherings should be pastor led. That is what Sunday's are for...worship and study of God's Word by those who are qualified. Spend the rest of your week being salt and light to your neighbors, friends, acquaintances and co-workers.
***
GJ - Lutherdom now suffers from seminary faculties who cannot or will not teach justification by faith. The Sausage Factory graduates despise the Book of Concord, because they have been taught that the Confessions are boring, irrelevant, and antiquated (unlike the Enthusiasm of Groeschel and Stanley?).
Therefore, it is scary enough letting those bozos (I almost wrote boozos) teach the Word. But to turn loose the laity? No one needs to predict the results. Just visit the Fox Valley circuit. They have had lay-led cell groups for decades, started by Steve Witte (Church and Change founder, president of the portable Asian seminary). Witte has his drive-by DMin from Gordon Conwell, the crown jewel in the WELS educational system.
And fill our hearts with Fuller fire.
