Navigating Fellowship in a Time of Shallow Teaching : Debbie Martin

It’s a struggle to find a church where you can fully trust the message, the pastor, and the leadership. Time and again, when I join a Bible study, a new church, or some type of Christian group, I encounter people who follow teachers, speakers, or authors whose messages aren’t biblically sound.

This has been a personal struggle for years—one that often discourages me from getting involved. I’ll join a Bible study, start to connect with people, and then realize that the teaching isn’t rooted in Scripture. It’s disheartening, and it limits how I can truly connect with other believers.

Just the other evening, I attended a church group where the worship team sang a song that I do not believe is biblically sound. As a result, my entire worship experience felt tainted. My mind started racing as to the core values of this group I am attending.  I reached out to the pastor afterward to express my concern, and I am currently awaiting a response. It’s moments like these that leave me conflicted—I want to worship freely, yet I also want to ensure that what I’m singing and hearing aligns with God’s truth.

Along with the disappointment comes frustration—and sometimes even anger. Why don’t people do their research? Why don’t they study the Word for themselves or question what they’re being taught? I want to connect. I want to study Scripture with others yet the constant need to stay discerning makes me hesitant to join new groups.
Of course, I still read the Word on my own. I have trusted books and teachers I’ve vetted carefully. But we’re called to fellowship, and for me, that very calling has sometimes led to deep frustration.

I’ve noticed that as your faith deepens and you grow closer to Christ, your circle often becomes smaller. I’m at peace with that. I’m blessed with a few strong believers around me—but very few mentors. And that leaves me wondering: how can we find sound, solid teaching without feeling so weary from having to vet everything ourselves?
Life is already exhausting. The thought of spending hours researching whether a Bible study or church is biblically sound can feel overwhelming. Often, I end up stepping back and not joining at all.
So what’s the answer? How do we navigate this tension—wanting fellowship but craving truth? How do we stay discerning without becoming discouraged?

I long to help others grow in biblical understanding, but I also recognize that it’s not solely my responsibility to educate every group I encounter. Still, I believe many believers share this struggle—and perhaps talking about it honestly is the first step toward finding balance between discernment and connection.

As we read in Acts 17:11 this is not a new idea. The Bereans remind us that God never calls us to follow blindly. He calls us to test everything against His Word, to seek truth diligently, and to do so with humility and grace.
Verse reference:
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
— Acts 17:11 (NIV)
As I have learned through this and continue to learn, as faithful believers, we must pray for discernment without letting bitterness harden our hearts. God calls us to love truth more than comfort and to cling tightly to His Word when confusion surrounds us. I trust that the Lord will, in His perfect timing, lead me to a fellowship rooted in Scripture and centered on Him alone. It’s not an easy road, but I know I have company.