How do you back out of a Bible Study?

Question

We have been in a Bible Study for over two years. Three of the couples have remained during a couple transitional periods. Recently, every time we get together, we feel like we aren't getting what we need out of it and it ends up in an argument with the group. Two of the couples want to back out, but don't want to offend the couple that is leading, as we want to remain friends. They recently switched days, which doesn't work well for many, but I don't want to make up excuses. What is the best way to do this? Is it okay to write a letter to them and send it to both? HELP!!!

Answer 1

"We have enjoyed spending time and fellowship with you. Thank you for all of your support and effort in hosting the (XXX) night group. It has been a wonderful experience for us. However, it is time for us to move on. We will very much enjoy keeping in touch and hope that we can get together again as our schedules allow, but we will no longer be able to attend the bible study on (XX) night. We appreciate your understanding and compassion. With love in Christ...."

Answer 2

You've got to be truthful, and you have to do this in person, on a day other than the day of the Bible Study. As others have said here, be prepared for hard feelings, and be prepared for contention, but don't be a part of it. Have honest, sincere answers to questions you think they might have, after your initial statement. Tell them what you've told us, that you feel like all you ever do is argue, and that while you've been with them through some transitional periods, with this latest transition to a different day, it's just not going to work for you. Be clear and repeat it, that you still want to be friends, and that you hope this in no way destroys your friendship. Remember to use tact, and to think of the other persons feelings above your own. Pray for help, and follow the answer to that prayer.

Answer 3

I am in the ministry and you know what, just because something is good doesn't mean you need to be part of it. That's where a lot of Christians reach the "burn out point." Many people think that because something is good they don't see why they shouldn't do it, but GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF GREAT. GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF GREAT. If you do not have enough time to do every thing that you have planned you would have to ask the question, would God ask you to do more things than you have time for. If you don't have time to do everything than He probably isn't asking you to do everything that is on your plate.

As far as backing out of the study only the Lord can direct you, but remember, when you ask God for direction give Him multiple opportunities to speak to you, such as the word, church service, or a sermon on the radio. If you go to the word through out the day you will start to hear a theme repeated again and again. This happens often no matter what your question is. Give God multiple opportunities to speak to you.

Take care.

Answer 4

I suggest that you take turns leading the bible study. If the same couple has been leading it all along, and it has always been held at their place; then it's not a very balanced group.
Maybe, getting everyone equally involved and rotating the host will make it a shared group-like it should be.

If they switched days without consulting everyone, they need an attitude adjustment. If you want to remain friends, do it quickly.

Answer 5

Attendance at Bible studies is voluntary. Bible studies exist for the benefit of the attenders to help them grow and mature. Leading a Bible study is a postion of service, not authority. However, leading a study does have the benefit of giving the leaders a forum to learn leadership roles and grow in maturity.
So, just don't show up and find a study that is more appropriate for your stage of spiritual growth. If someone asks, just say you wanted to move to a study that was more appropriate for your stage of spiritual growth. That's what everything else does.
If the leaders' have a problem with that, then they are hosting a study too much to fulfill their own needs, not to serve others' needs. In that case, they need to grow and mature a little more.

Answer 6

Well, it may be that you could tell them you have outgrown the bible study as it now stand and perhaps need to take a few weeks off to reevaluate what you are looking to get from bible study. Maybe you could take turns preparing a lesson and explaining what you got from it and then taking turns seeing what everyone else got from it. Remember, even the disciples argued amongst themselves often. if after trying these things does not work then you should be honest and tell your friends that you are taking a different path but that you wish to remain friends and maybe get together for simply friendship stuff. Cook outs and such.

Answer 7

the media as against the bible? o.k.. examining Bible truly is extra useful than observing marathon nonsense which includes American Idol.. particularly American Idol. That show sucks. you may study it a type of diverse motives and strategies, which includes for proposal or in basic terms for the literary value. you may study the context of the gospel and study divine proposal to the context of the time wherein it replaced into written. The media has various shows that present nonsense relating to the Bible. a number of them are tremendously outstanding shows, now, are not getting me incorrect. yet they are virtually constantly thoroughly erroneous. it quite is critical to do actuality checking approximately Dan Brown's wild theories, the Gnostic Gospels, the bible codes, and different crap. usually, for those decide on few who do no longer watch the historic previous channel too lots, the media serves to distract from the Bible. it is undesirable. Sorry, i haven't any rates different than: Revelation 13:a million "and that i observed a beast increasing out of the sea." i think of this refers to American Idol, because it sucks.

Answer 8

Some people back out for lack of understanding. Many people back out for hearing the same thing over and over and nothing new as seem to be helping them grow. Some people back out because they are looking for miracles out of reading the passages recommended in their times of need but nothing happened. Some people backout because of leadership problems.
If your Bible Study is always geared towards the greatness of Jesus Christ, then I have to remind you, that you can go around the world and you will always find that there is no group or organization formed in the name of Christ that is not spared from having divisions. True to the warning of Jesus Christ himself that He did not come to bring peace but division. The Christian religion itself have been divided a hundred folds what more would you expect of every movements and study groups formed in his name?

Answer 9

I always think truth will come out sooner or later. So tell the couple leading it now--that you love them, that you'll be happy to do this with them again (if that's true), etc., but you aren't getting anything out of it now because of the arguing. That way they know it's not them. The group can certainly be reorganized.

Answer 10

You could simply tell them they are getting in your way of your spiritual discovery.

It won't be an easy thing, as you are telling them that they are not helping you in your life quest. It sucks; it really does. If you aren't willing to make excuses, then you may have to hurt them.

Of course, you can tell them without hurting them. For example, do you feel it's your calling that you should study on your own? If you have that feeling, then tell them that.

I feel that spirituality is a very personal thing. Many religions will try to tell you that is false thinking. But then, those religions also pass around a collection plate and hope you can chip in for a new stained glass window. It's hard to take those institutions seriously when they have something to gain by your membership.

When people ask me why I am not a formal member of a specific church, I tell them that I do not allow any church to get in the way of my relationship with God. Likewise, you should not allow a Bible study group to get in the way of your relationship with God.

And if you spend your time bickering (as opposed to actual thoughtful discourse), then this Bible study does get in your way. You need to study on your own and let them study on their own.