Are Online Bible Studies A Good Substitute For Going To Church?
Q: Is it okay to do church online if the church hurt you? I keep being told that I have to go to church, but I feel closer to God doing online studies. Is it acceptable to rely on online church or Bible studies if past church experiences have caused deep hurt, and what are the risks or limitations of doing so?
A: Ideally, every believer is a participant in a local body of believers, and that contributes to their growth and discipleship as a Christian. Ideally, that’s the case. But we know that’s not possible for every believer. There are a lot of different reasons why that’s not possible.
We do know that belonging to a church is the ideal. Because it is the ideal, I think that you need to work on getting past these hurts or finding another congregation in which you don’t associate those same hurts. Either way, in moving forward, you need to pursue the ideal in the Christian life.
Yes, I think online ministries can be a blessing and can help. But ultimately, they don’t replace the ideal of an in-person congregation. Think about the fruit of the Spirit. Each one of them relates to relationship with others, and supremely in the body of Christ. It is very difficult to develop the fruit of the Spirit in isolation, just sitting at home doing Bible studies. How are you going to be patient and longsuffering and kind and gentle and all those other things when you’re not in fellowship with others?
I’m no longer employed as a pastor by a congregation, but we are still part of a local church. I think it’s important, and not just important symbolically. It’s important for us in our Christian life. I can’t fathom having a healthy walk with God apart from being part of a fellowship of believers.