The meeting format or the process a house church uses to run a meeting is sometimes a very loose affair.
Many house churches are made up of people who have left the traditional or institutional church and want to put it as far away from them as possible.
I have even been criticised by some regarding the meeting format presented on this site, as they feel it is too structured, or too much like the format used by the institutional church.
If that is so, it is merely by coincidence rather than design. This format has been designed based upon the guidance of the scriptures. It has been developed based upon what the scriptures identify as what the elements of the meeting should be like, not what some of the institutional churches may or may not be doing.
And I will add that any house churches who run a very loose meeting that does not follow the guidance of the scriptures needs to stop and consider their own approach and test it against what the scriptures say. If the elements identified in the scriptures are not being followed, then the house church meetings are not being run correctly. This is especially true where the meetings are very loose and lack any structure, as the scripture says:
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33)
A meeting without structure or that is allowed to meander where it will without following the instructions of the scripture is a confused meeting. And I have visited such house churches and come away both confused and not particularly upbuilt from the meetings.
This meeting format
As an overview of the meeting format used on this website, these are the elements of the Weekly Meeting sessions.
Admin:
1. Ensure mobile/Cell phones are on mute or switched off
2. Ensure you have the bread and juice ready for the Communion/Breaking of Bread service
- Opening Prayer
- Songs/Choruses
- Testimonies (How has the Lord helped you this week).
- Announcements and Notices
- Bible Reading:
- Audio Bible Teaching Message
- Communion/Breaking of Bread Service
- Operation of Spiritual Gifts.
- Anointing with oil for the sick
- Prayer Requests for those who have needs
- Closing Prayer
Scriptural basis for this format explained
I will now explain each of the elements in this format, and how they are based upon the direction and guidance of the scriptures. These are the scriptural background for why each item is included.
The “Admin” section
First, the “Admin” section ensuring phones are turned off and the communion bread and juice are made ready is based upon the scripture already quoted above in 1 Corinthians 14:33. God is not a God of confusion and meetings we hold to praise and worship His name should also not be confused. Furthermore, Paul states at the end of 1 Corinthians 14,
”…all things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Opening and closing prayers (Items 1 and 11)
Prayer should form part of any meeting in the name of the Lord. It is His church and it is important that we communicate with God asking His guidance on our meetings, and thanking Him after meetings for His guidance and for being present. It is evident that prayer formed a large part of meetings in the early church, for we see that they often came together in prayer, seeking these things just mentioned.
23 When they were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them (Acts 4:23-24)
And;
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (Acts 12:12)
And again;
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away; 13 and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)
And again;
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:41-42)
Singing songs and choruses (Item 2)
The next section of the meeting in point 2 is “Songs and Choruses.” This is about the need to praise and worship the Lord, and in some churches it is actually called “Praise and Worship.” However, there are many ways we can praise and worship the Lord that are not done by singing songs and choruses, and I personally feel that by naming this part of the meeting “Praise and Worship” gives a false message. It makes it seem as though that is the only time that the church praises and worships the Lord. The truth is that the whole service should be one of praise and worship.
Singing is often employed in the praise and worship of the Lord as these scriptures indicate.
All the earth worships thee; they sing praises to thee, sing praises to thy name. (Psalm 66:4)
And;
And Hezeki′ah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. (2 Chronicles 29:30)
In the New Testament church, singing was also often employed as we see in these scriptures.
What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn… (1 Corinthians 14:26a)
And;
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20 always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. (Ephesians 5:18-20)
We see also that Paul and Silas were singing to the Lord and praying when they were wrongly imprisoned, and this form of praise lifted their spirits and had the effect of calming the other prisoners who listened to them.
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25)
We also see evidence of the Lord Jesus and His disciples singing together. After the Last Supper they sang a hymn before leaving the place they were in to go out to the Mount of Olives and the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was betrayed by Judas.
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:26)
So, it is evident in many settings, and in the church meetings also, that singing was employed as a mechanism for praising and worshipping the Lord.
Testimonies (Item 3)
When we come together as a church it is for many purposes. But one of the key reasons we come together is to lift one another up and to encourage one another, as this scripture says:
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-24)
This is a powerful scripture and one that reminds us of the importance to meet together as a church and not try to stand alone. How can we be encouraged and stirred up to love and good works unless we come together?
And the testimonies of how the Lord is working in our day to day lives, often in the most mundane ways, is a powerful encouragement to others.
When we put our lives in His hands, trusting Him and leaning on Him for daily guidance and support, He provides it. Many times I have heard people testifying of the most amazing things, and I have been uplifted by their words of encouragement. I recall some testimonies of how the Lord has worked in my own life in both big things and small.
For example, I recall a time when I was repairing and replacing the thrust race in the clutch of a car I had many years ago, where the retaining nut had rusted on. I tried and tried and could not remove that nut…until I prayed and asked the Lord to help me. And then miraculously in just a minute or so after praying, the nut came loose and was removed so that I could replace the clutch plate.
A small thing? Not to me at the time, but in the grand scheme of things it was nothing. Yet it was evidence of the Lord being with me and helping in the mundane things of life. And giving a testimony like this, of how the Lord answered my simple prayer, can encourage others to also ask for the simple things needed from day to day.
There are also the big things too. I am the first person in the world to survive a particular blood disease I was born with that has killed everyone who had the disease before they reached puberty. No one had ever survived this disease, but the Lord was merciful to my parents who prayed for me as a child and here I am today, seventy years old at the time of writing this, and still alive and kicking. Praise the Lord! I could also add that I am a cancer survivor, I have been hit by cars several times, and many other things, and the Lord has protected me through all of these things.
This is why we have testimonies in church, so that others can hear of the ways the Lord is working in our lives, and we can hear how God is working in their lives, and we can all be mutually strengthened and encouraged, especially when they are going through low times.
Announcements and Notices (Item 4)
This fourth item also fits into the points about everything being done in an orderly fashion and removing confusion, as stated in the verses above from 1 Corinthians 14:33 and 40.
Many house churches rotate meetings between the houses of different members. So, it is important that there is advance notice of when and where meetings will be held. If this is not done in an appropriate manner, members can be confused as to where and when the next meetings might be held and it can be a confusing situation.
Likewise, there may be any number of other things affecting the running of the house church, and these too can be announced to all while they are present.
Bible reading (Item 5)
One of the most important things we need to do as a church is to read the Bible. It is from the Bible that we learn the ways of Jesus and how to live lives that are pleasing to God.
Sadly, one of the great problems I have seen when visiting some churches in my travels, is that reading the scriptures does not happen and even bringing Bible to church is not encouraged. Some preachers were also not using the scriptures much in their talks and sermons, and this is a serious problem for the church. It is clear that they have missed this most important point about the need for and reason why we read the scriptures.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
We saw also that Jesus read the scriptures when He visited the synagogue early in His ministry.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; 17 and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21)
Paul also wrote to Timothy about the need to publicly read the scriptures to the people in the church where Timothy was working.
Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13)
This is why we read a section of scripture in house church meetings at every opportunity when we meet.
Bible Teaching Message (Item 6)
Learning the word comes by the teaching and preaching of the word. Within the church, God has established His ministers and provided the five ministry gifts to do the work of teaching the members of the church.
11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. (Ephesians 4:11-14)
We see from this that it is the will and plan of God that He provide gifts to the church for the purpose of building up the body of the church until they come to maturity in Christ. We see this in action in the early church as the members of the church were taught and ministered to by the Apostles.
41 So those who received his word were baptised, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:41-42)
It was the Apostles who taught in the early church, but as we see from the gifts of God to they church, they are not the only ones who teach. The pastors, teachers, and evangelists also have teaching ministries and they do this work as well. The following scripture shows that Elders may be teachers as well.
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17)
Teaching and preaching the word of God are a big part of the purpose of coming together as a church, and that includes house churches as well. I have heard that some house churches come together mainly for relationship building rather than teaching the word of God. But we must remember that the most important relationships of all are the ones we have with God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are to worship correctly, we need to learn from the word what is good and right in the sight of God, so that we can live and act accordingly.
We also need to increase our knowledge of the word of God because it is by doing that our faith grows too.
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
So, let us not neglect this most important reason for why we are to come together. It is to listen to the words of the Lord being preached so that we can learn and grow in His word.
Communion/Breaking of Bread Service (Item 7)
This item is required for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, Jesus Himself told us to break bread in this way to remember what He had done for us when He died.
19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22:19-20)
Jesus tells us in verse 19 to “Do this in remembrance of me.” This was an instruction from the Lord instructing us to come together to break bread to remember that Jesus gave His body for us. Likewise, we should drink the cup to remember that His blood was poured out for us as the blood of the New Covenant to bring the covenant into effect.
There is much more that can be added concerning the symbolism of this process of breaking the bread, but suffice to say for now that we are instructed to do this by the Lord Himself. We also see other scriptures telling us to do this as part of our meetings.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
And;
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
Breaking the bread and taking the cup are an important part of the worship of the Lord. We are even instructed not to do it incorrectly or flippantly in 1 Corinthians 11 and the perils for doing it in a wrong manner. So, following the process described in the Weekly Meeting formats should overcome that possibility.
Operation of Spiritual Gifts (Item 8)
This one may be difficult for some house churches and churches in general, but it is specified as something that can/should happen in meetings. The key scriptures to read regarding this are in 1 Corinthians 14. Most of this chapter is about the operation of the spiritual gifts, especially speaking in tongues and prophecy, and most of the chapter is about doing this in an orderly manner in the church meetings.
26 What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:26-33)
We see in verse 26 that it is appropriate for members of the church to use or exercise the spiritual gifts they have received from the Lord. This includes speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues where those gifts have been given.
We also see in verses 27 to 32 that two or three prophets should be allowed to speak if the Lord gives them a word for the church.
The only way these spiritual gifts are able to operate in a house church, or any other kind of church, is if the people in the church have received the Holy Spirit and received these gifts from the Lord.
If you or your church have not received these gifts, then seek them by first asking God for the Holy Spirit and praying to receive the Holy Spirit, and then praying for the gifts to be manifest in your house church. Not everyone will receive all of the gifts, but the Lord will appoint His ministers to receive what is necessary and to utilise those gifts for the benefit and growth of the church.
Anointing with oil for the sick (Item 9)
The Elders of the church have been given instruction to carry out the anointing with oil for various purposes, one of which is for the healing of the sick.
13 Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:13-15)
It is up to individuals in the church who are unwell to seek out the Elders of the church to lay hands upon them, anointing them with oil, and praying over them for healing. This instruction and authority was given to the Elders of the church to exercise for the benefit of the members of the church.
Now, you can argue that we are not instructed to necessarily do this as part of the weekly meetings, but it is an opportune time to do it since all of the Elders will typically be in attendance at the weekly meetings. This makes it easier for both the person who is ill and the Elders to come together for this purpose.
Prayer Requests for those who have needs (Item 10)
It is during the weekly meetings when people meet together that there is a good opportunity to identify any needs for prayer that a person, group, or family might have over the coming week (or beyond). There are also instances in the Bible where people came together specifically to pray for different needs.
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and told that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are mad.” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.
It is evident that the people in this example were meeting together to pray for Peter’s return. What is also surprising is that they did not believe their prayer would be answered as quickly as it had, as they were in utter disbelief when Peter showed up at the gate.
Prayer is a powerful part of the whole of the Gospel, so it should be incorporated into the meetings at every opportunity.
Which brings me to the last point that I have already covered with the first, the closing prayer. It is always appropriate to give thanks for the Lord when we are worshipping His name, and as such this is the right way to close our meetings.
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, the format used for the weekly meetings on this website were not developed randomly. Nor were they copied from what the traditional or institutional churches do.
Every part of the meeting format is based upon the scriptures and it is a sound way to ensure the church runs correctly and in an appropriate manner.