Love Wins?
Help Darryl decide if his group should study Rob Bell's attention-grabbing new book.
| Topics: | Bible study, Controversy, Curriculum, Discussion starters, Heaven, Hell |
| Filters: | Group Leader, Host, Lead, Member |
| Purpose: | Discipleship |
| Date Added: | May 02, 2011 |
Like many people in the Evangelical world, Darryl's small-group members have been paying attention to the hubbub surrounding Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins: A book about heaven, hell, and the fate of every person who ever lived. Several group members have read the book, but everyone seems to have an opinion about it.
And, as it happens, the group is about to finish a study on the Book of John, and Darryl has been looking around for curriculum ideas. It wasn't long before someone suggested that the group officially study Love Wins, and there are now several people who are interested in that idea.
Not Darryl, though. He has seen tempers flare more than once when people were discussing the book before and after group meetings, and he is more than nervous about what an extended exploration of the topic could do to the group's relationships. He believes that studying the book has the potential to cause a lot of damage. At the same time, he doesn't want to come across as authoritarian, and he doesn't want to ignore the wishes of the group as a whole.
What should Darryl do?
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As a small group leader, the leader can convey that at this point in time he does not feel it is the best study to address. He can even state that he, as the leader, is not prepared (mentally, spiritually, etc.) to study the book allowing freedom from sounding authoritarian. If the group presses the matter, it may be in his interest to address how the group reacts to the book when having in an impromptu discussion of Love Wins. This may be the better route altogether. In a manner of love, conveying how the book leads to heated discussions will allow the members of the group to assess their interactions of others. Also, the leader must keep in mind and convey to others that if small groups are designed for the outsider, would an outsider be able to be a part of this small group? Too, is the group prepared for those who may be of other faiths and beliefs attending their group to speak and express their ideas?
I have read the book, and I feel it would be a great choice for a sort term small group discussion group, if, as has been said, the group is mature enough to discuss material with which most will disagree. Bell asks questions many people ask, and his answers should be considered Biblically. It is a short book, and would not bear the burden of a long term study. I would love to be in the group discussing it!
Haven't read the book yet, only various reviews. Such a widely read book should be addressed in the safe environment of a group, if only to prepare them for the conversations they will have about it elsewhere. You know they're likely to read it anyway... or know someone who has. 10 to 12 weeks? I don't think so. The main thing my coach's ear notices in Darryl's dilema is his concern for the relationships in the group. A session reviewing their covenant, group agreement, or purpose statement would be helpful to prepare them for tackling the difficult conversations that may be raised by this study... and truly should be raised by many of their studies if they are learning to be honest and open. Ground rules of honesty and respect and confidentiality should be clear.
I agree with an earlier guest who commented that whether or not a small group should tackle the book depends on 1) the focus of the group and 2) the maturity of the group. Some of what Rob Bell says is so common in the world today that it would be easy for a babe in Christ to accept because they hear it so often. For such a person/group it might be best to simply review the main points in the book and follow that up with what the Bible has to say. I don't think there's any value in ignoring the book or its subject matter. Somehow it doesn't seem right that we should be supporting his ministry by purchasing the book.
Study the book only if your group is mature enough to deal with heresy. In a subtle way Love Wins turns orthodox Christianity. This book contains material the Bible tells us to expect as time draws near. Don't be mislead by those who are enamored with Bell's clever question. After reading the book, it is clear that the answers lead to his opinions. He admits he is not a theologian. It is clear he is not. He claims he is an evangelical while teaching the non-evangelical doctrine of universalism. For Bell, Hell is experienced now, not in the hereafter. Before taking issue with my remarks, please read the book slowly, answer his questions with his own words elsewhere in the book, and find the opinions of other evangelicals.
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