I would challenge you to study the web sites of several churches you know and those you consider to be leading examples of ministry today and see what the main focus is on. See how long it takes you to find the information about a Sunday School or Small Group ministry. If you find the information how compelling is the presentation? The same can be said about visiting most church campuses today. You will immediately be impacted with what that church sees as a priority if not most important.
Most likely you will find great emphasis on creating an environment that is much like that of any mall or club you might go to. There will be much emphasis on what the next big "show" is going to be or on how high tech this ministry is with all the trappings of a community gathering place such as your local Barnes and Nobel or Starbucks. NOW HERE IS WHERE YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION there is nothing wrong with much of this IF you also see highlighted WHY YOU NEED TO BE IN A SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY and HOW TO GET IN A SMALL GROUP.
Discipleship and Bible study go hand in hand and seem less and less of a focus in our churches. The focus of the Great Commission is on evangelism and discipleship and growing the Kingdom of God. Large churches set the pace for smaller churches and the entertainment/arts model is forcing many churches to lessen if not drop their ministries to small group Bible study and real discipleship. This isn't about the pettiness of who is first or second in priority, it is about what is God's first priority. Read the Great Commission again and see what emphasis is placed on the arts. God gives us talents and abilities and arts are to be used like all such gifts for His glory but I fear our focus of adoration has become the arts themselves more than effective tried and proven means to evangelize and disciple those in the family of God towards spiritual maturity.
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