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Is the simple church movement biblical? What is a simple church?

Is the simple church movement biblical? What is a simple church?
Restoration The Church Church

TL;DR:

Simple churches—small groups of believers meeting in homes—are biblical, but being small doesn’t automatically make them more “godly” than larger congregations. What matters is faithfully studying God’s Word, applying it, and fulfilling the mission of the church, whether in a house or a building.

what does the bible say?

The simple church movement, centered on small groups of believers meeting in homes, is biblical and reflects the early church’s practice of gathering wherever possible, as seen in Paul’s letters to the house churches of Prisca and Aquila (Romans 16:3-5) and Colossae (Colossians 4:15). While the intimacy and accountability of a small group can foster close relationships and diligent study of Scripture, size alone does not determine godliness; faithful exegesis, application of God’s Word, and commitment to the Great Commission are what truly define a healthy church. Simple churches can thrive when members actively seek truth, disciple one another, and live out the mission of the church. The biblical model of a church prioritizes spiritual growth, community, and mission over building size.

from the old testament

  • God often gathered His people in small, set-apart groups for worship, instruction, and covenant life. For example, the family and tribal units of Israel were instructed to teach God’s Word diligently to one another (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).
  • Faithful instruction and worship often occurred in households or small groups within the larger nation (Exodus 12:3–4, 21–27; Joshua 24:15).

from the new testament

  • In Romans 16:3-5, we read from Paul: “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.”
  • Ideally, a home church will welcome newcomers and reproduce as the group becomes too large for the facilities. If all the members are like Bereans and study the Bible diligently (Acts 17:11), the chance of erroneous teaching decreases.
  • In Colossians 4:15, Paul tells his audience to greet a house church.

implications for today

"Simple church" is another name for the concept of house churches. A house church is a small congregation (usually around 20) who meet in a home. Meetings vary in type and character, but they generally resemble small group Bible studies more than traditional church services. They may include singing, teaching, and eating together. Accountability and relationships are emphasized.

There is nothing inherently right or wrong with a simple church. Small churches are scattered all over the world simply because of a lack of believers who can meet in any given area. Many traditional church plants start by meeting in a home. What is wrong is the belief that the Bible only endorses simple churches. In reality, the church in Acts grew daily, as it was supposed to. And because of that growth, the Bible explains how local bodies of believers should be organized and led. Most biblical house churches want to see growth expressed in the reproduction of more house churches rather than building larger buildings.

As long as a simple church group includes members who take responsibility for seeking out the truth of the Scriptures and are as devoted to the Great Commission as they are to each other, the simple church concept can work.

understand

  • Simple churches in homes are biblical, but size doesn’t determine godliness.
  • Spiritual growth, Bible study, and following the Great Commission define a healthy church.
  • The simple church movement can be biblical, as long as the home or simple church seeks to honor God and follows biblical teaching.

reflect

  • How are you actively participating in a community that studies God’s Word and applies it faithfully?
  • How do you prioritize discipleship and accountability in your current church or small group?
  • How do you show you value the mission and spiritual growth of your church more than its size or structure?

engage

  • How can a simple church balance close relationships with sound biblical teaching?
  • What lessons from early house churches can we apply to both small and large congregations today?
  • How should we measure a church’s faithfulness today?

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