How would you deal with this?

[PenguinBear]

Our church expects us to attend weekly bible study classes in small groups.

I have a very full on job etc and find it very hard on a week night to go. Sometimes I just have too much on and other times i am just too tired. It's 30mins there and then 30mins back plus 2 hours for the study. That's a lot on a week night. Most of the people who attend live much closer and no one else travels from our village so I can't share lifts.

Some people have been a little 'off' with me at church and one of the staff has 'spoken to me' about the importance of going to weekly bible study as well as on a Sunday.

What would you say/ how would you handle it?

If attending the bible study classes are required for you to be part of this church, and the leaders are being "off" with you because you are finding it hard to comply - I would be having a good hard look at whether you still want to be part of the church.

If you do, perhaps you can suggest a change of venue to be closer to you, or a second smaller group that can meet at a different person's house each week, meaning that you don't need to travel each week. Perhaps a shorter more frequent study group would help? One that can fit into a lunch time two or three times a week, or a couple of lunches and a shorter evening? If you can come up with some practical suggestions it will at least show that you are willing!

If you don't think you want to remain part of this church, then you can start looking around for a new church, maybe one close enough that you don't need to travel so much to do the extra church activities.

Being all supportive and practical I would suggest having the Bible Study at your house as that means it is easier to get to. I did this when the children were very small. They had to take us as they found us with small children type mess. I do remember saying to them one night 'here is the kettle, here are the biscuits and shut the door on your way out as I'm off the bed' but I get the sense that this wouldn't go down too well with your church.

Being a bit more real. It is pretty unreasonable to expect everyone to attend mid week Bible Study. It isn't just those who work full time who must find this hard. So maybe time to look for another church.

I go to a housegroup most weeks and get a lot out of it. Are you feeling pressurised to go to a group? Personally, I wouldn't be too happy about that. I go to a group, but it is very much my choice and there is no pressure. Do the groups follow a programme? We quite often follow a bible study plan that lasts for a month or longer, so if someone misses a week or two they can catch up at home. Perhaps you may be able to attend on a part time basis and catch up at home?

How far away from yor home is the church itself? Are you expected to attend every Sunday? Are you happy about that? Do you feel you are coming closer to Jesus through the church? Or the study group? Do you feel supported by your church family when tou 'tow the line'?