Is there a DOCTRINE in the house?!!
One of my favorite things about Organic Church groups is the diversity
of the attendees within each group. Though I’m certain there are exceptions,
we’d have to look long and hard to find a Methodist House Church or a
group that consists exclusively of Episcopalians, for example. Our own
Texas group has included Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans and Pentecostals,
former as well as active members.
Sadly, I HAVE heard of groups that began bickering about this or that and
wound up splitting, weakening, or closing down their group. Of course,
in each case, these were American groups.
BELIEVING “RIGHT” THINGS
If religion hinges upon one’s belief of the “right” things, one must begin by
choosing whether or not what a particular group has to say actually
resonates well with us. Though a philosophy may be “right” whether we believe
it or not, perception is reality - WE still have to decide whether their “take” is
right…right? It’s only THEN that we will CHOOSE to believe.
Where Christianity is concerned, how can one determine what’s “right”
with so many man-made doctrines to choose from? Even if we find one
that appeals to us, who’s to say that it’s the “right” one?
Let’s face it; all that goes on in any church, mosque or temple is that
the leader will expound upon their group’s doctrine in an effort to
strengthen those already affiliated or create converts from those who
may still be seeking.
Is a House or Simple Church group any different?
DOCTRINE OF JESUS…OR SOMETHING ELSE?
There are three kinds of doctrine mentioned in the Holy Bible:
1) The doctrine of demons.
(1 Timothy 4:1-3) “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times
some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and
doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own
conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be
received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
2) The doctrine of men.
(Mark 7:6-8) “He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah
prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘ This people honors Me
with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they
worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of
men _ the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things
you do.”
3) The doctrine of Christ.
(2 John 1:9) “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine
of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ
has both the Father and the Son.”
There it is! THAT alone is the standard of Christian doctrine; the
teachings FROM Jesus TO all those who choose to follow Him. Over
thirty times the Scriptures make some reference, some variation, to
following Him; only ONE to being “born again.”
Hmmm. I believe God was trying to tell us something.
When your group gets together, and you hear things being taught, you
have every right NOT to buy every can of peas on the shelf! What can
we do? We can filter what we hear through the Scriptural teachings of
Jesus Christ, that’s what. The Berean Christians were described by Paul
as being “of more noble character” than the Thessalonians (Acts 17:11)
because they were not only eager to receive his message, but also
searched the Scriptures daily to see if what He was teaching was true.
Teachers, likewise, would do well to focus what’s being TAUGHT on
that which King Jesus gave us to teach.
THEOLOGY JESUS-STYLE
When I was suffering from the effects of an “incurable” spinal disease,
seemingly spending every waking hour trying to get comfortable, I one
day felt led to cut and paste all the words of Jesus from BibleGateway.com
…an exercise I STRONGLY recommend, by the way. Odd as it might
sound, the end result was that it changed my theology.
Next, I divided all those teachings by subject. What did Jesus say
about Peace, Love, Children, Forgiveness, Fear, the Church, etc? As
time went on, I called the study “Jesus Said It” and ultimately was led
to teach this study to high schoolers, collegians, business people and
the elderly. The groups included individuals from every mainline
denomination but, because we were reading the words of OUR Jesus,
never once has a fight broken out.
JUST ASK!
If your group would benefit from the “Jesus Said It” study, just ask!
Better yet, make your own version by searching for verses on a
particular subject.
To ensure a more interactive version of this study, lately, I’ve been
cutting these verses into strips and placing them in an envelope from
which everyone draws a strip. Everyone in the group takes turns
reading the verse on their strip while the group discusses what
Jesus said in that verse. Typically, we’re seated around the table
with the remnants of our meal before us. Even the youngest person
in our group can participate (age 11) as the only criteria is the ability
and willingness to read.
As a Workplace Chaplain, I’ve used some semblance of this exercise
in conference rooms all over Texas.
So, is there a doctrine in YOUR house? If there is, I hope it’s the
Doctrine of Christ our King.
Hit REPLY and type “JSI” in YOUR Subject Bar if you’re interested
in the “Jesus Said It” study. WARNING: It may change your theology.
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
A servant of God
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