On the farm several generations of a single family lived in close proximity to each other. They were a clan; they had relationships with each other. In this rural setting everybody was your neighbor, and here you could practice confrontational evangelism with success. This partly accounts for the effectiveness of the protracted meetings in the early 1900's.

The move from the farm to the factory caused families to become separated. In going to the industrial areas of the nation to find work, many had to move miles away from their parents and grandparents on the farm. In the cities these country people were strangers and became isolated in their own neighbor-hoods. They lost their personal relationships. Confrontational evangelism does not work as well with strangers; thus, the demise in the effectiveness of gospel meetings and other formal meetings of the church in reaching the lost.

We have now moved from an Industrial Society to an Informational Society where the major occupations are made up of people dispensing information (lawyers, accountants, bankers, preachers, etc.). The problem remains unchanged however; people are still isolated in their own neighborhoods. They are lonely and need relationships. Small group Bible studies help meet this need as well as the spiritual need.

Different designations are used for small groups. LIFE can be used as an acrostic meaning "Living In Fellowship Bveryday." Some refer to small groups as "Neighborhood Bible Studies" (NBS). In Davenport, Iowa, we referred to our meeting as Monday Night Bible Study, and it was still effective. It's not what you call it, but what happens when you come together as a small group that is important.

Small groups form naturally with a host family, a group leader, and core members. Everyone within the group works together to get those who are lost to their weekly meeting. Obviously, those who visit must be followed up during the week. We have always limited these sessions to one hour but then allowed time for refreshments and fellowship following the study.

Small groups meeting informally to study the scriptures are at the very heart of Jesus' purpose for coming into the world to reconcile man to God and man to man (II Cor. 5:18; Eph. 2:11-18). The Neighborhood Bible Study may be referred to as "relationship evangelism" or "friendship evangelism."

Remember, "people don't care how much we know until they know how much we care." The Neighborhood Bible Study is a way to show people that you really care. When they are convinced you care you can share what you know without being offensive.