Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
In the secret forest meeting, “after the gospel is explained” the next question is not only about surrender to Christ but also “Are there any needs… seed or tools… who has extra?”—what does that order reveal about early Anabaptist assumptions about what a worship service should include, and what would it expose about our churches if we tried to practice that today?
Another way to ask: In the forest meeting, right after the gospel they asked who had needs and who had extra to share. What does that show they thought church gatherings should include, and what would it reveal about our churches if we did that now?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The order suggests early Anabaptists assumed worship includes immediate, practical care for material needs as part of responding to the gospel, not as an optional afterthought. If practiced today, it would expose whether our churches treat economic sharing as normal discipleship or as separate from “spiritual” worship.
- Russell describes a secret meeting “at night in a forest,” showing the seriousness and risk involved.
- He notes the sequence: “after the gospel is explained,” they ask for surrender—“Does anybody want to give his life to the Lord?”
- “The next thing they do” is needs assessment: “Are there any needs? Does somebody need seed or tools to start their garden…?”
- It becomes communal sharing: “Who has extra seeds and who has tools?”
- Russell’s key interpretation: “This was actually part of the worship service, the need to help each other out.”