Hi, you know, as I read through the answers that others have given so far, I find it interesting that the guys mostly answered the strictness of learning the ways of church and the Scripture, while the women focus more on interaction and shared dependability.
“Active”ities
If you’re asking from a teaching point of view, in my own experience, I’ve learned that both sort of work hand-in-hand – in the sense where you teach the Word of God, and back it up with experiences.
For instance, I learn best when applying what I’d learned. So if we’d just gone over a passage where the Bible talks about the importance of caring for the widows, the orphans, and the poor, a good way to follow that up would be with a local mission trip where we were challenged to apply what we’d learned, and then reflect together on our experiences, difficulties, blessings we’d observed, etc. And yes, discussions are best when we’re among people we trust, which is where small groups (or “growth groups”, as some churches call them now) would come in well.
Application to Your Point
When I write sermons and youth lessons, one thing I’ll often put at the end is challenges for them to take on that week, and if in small groups, I’d then ask them about their experiences with those challenges.
So it’s important for disciples of Jesus to experience the Word, but it’s also important for them to know the Word.
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