How to Do House Church: Part 2

This blog is the third in a four-part series about house churches. Check out the last blog here.

Last post, we introduced the three-thirds process, a method many missionaries use to disciple and lead house churches. This house church method is especially useful for small gatherings, something churches around the U.S. are opting for in lieu of large gatherings as the country tries to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The first part of the three-thirds process, Look Back, aims to align the church members’ hearts with God through worship, care, accountability, and biblical reminders.

This post, we will explore the second part of the three-thirds process, which focuses on an element central to all church services: Bible study.

Three-thirds: Step two of three

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” (Deuteronomy 11:18)

The second part of the three-thirds process is called Look Up. After a time of worship and looking back on the previous week, it is time to look up toward God, the reason for gathering together.

This portion of the three-thirds process can be broken down into three components:

1. Discover: With whatever Scripture the group chooses to study, take time to immerse the church members into the text. Read the Scripture twice individually, re-read the passage again as a group, and then practice retelling the passage without looking.
2. Observe: Dissect the Scripture and ask the following two questions: What does this reveal about God, and what does this reveal about people? It is important to only base answers on the selected Scripture. Try not to pull from elsewhere in the Bible.
3. Apply: Now that the group has become familiar with the Scripture and made observations about it, ask how this can be applied to life. What will you do in response to God’s Word? Be sure to think of a tangible action step, something the group can hold you accountable to the following week.

In the three-thirds process, Bible study does not fall on an individual pastor teaching from a pulpit; it is interactive and involves each group member. Doing Bible study in this way helps build community among believers and allows them to sharpen and challenge each other, encouraging the individuals to dive deeper into the Word.

For Scripture to study related to current world events, check out this blog about how God carried His people through times of uncertainty.

As we wrap up the three-third process next week, we will have a clear picture of how to practically do house church during a pandemic.