---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know that those who esteem these little…"
description: "\"I know that those who esteem these little organised associations to be the churches of God, see nothing but mere meetings of men in every other gatheri..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/john-nelson-darby-16880_associations_i-know-that-those-who-esteem-these-littl_799753.jpg"
---

#  I know that those who esteem these little organised…

![“I know that those who esteem these little organised associations to be the churches of God, see nothing but mere meetings of men in every other gathering of God's children.” quote by John Nelson Darby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/john-nelson-darby-16880_associations_i-know-that-those-who-esteem-these-littl_799753.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/john-nelson-darby-16880_associations_i-know-that-those-who-esteem-these-littl_799753.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/john-nelson-darby-16880_associations_i-know-that-those-who-esteem-these-littl_799753.jpg)

> “I know that those who esteem these little organised associations to be the churches of God, see nothing but mere meetings of men in every other gathering of God's children.”

[John Nelson Darby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-nelson-darby/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Organized religious groups often become mere social gatherings, losing spiritual depth and true fellowship.

**In simple terms:** Churches can become just meetings.

Key Takeaway

Seek authentic community beyond formal structures.

Themes

religion community spirituality

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

theoretical inspirational

When to use this quote

- church attendance
- small group study
- interfaith dialogue
- online worship
- spiritual retreats

Key Concepts

institutionalism authentic fellowship social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- What defines a truly spiritual gathering?
- How can groups maintain depth while growing?

A Different Perspective

Formal structures can provide support and continuity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Associations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/associations/) [Associations Churches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/associations-churches-6125444/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Churches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/churches/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Every](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every/) [Gathering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gathering/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-children/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [Meetings Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings-men-1026276/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mere/) [Mere Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mere-meetings-6125445/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Organised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organised/) [Organised Associations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organised-associations-6125446/) [Other](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/other/) [See](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/see/) [Those](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/those/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/)

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> ['Pomegranate,' started with my imagining a bullet going through the fruit and causing it to bleed. My initial associations were with pomegranates in old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ori-gersht/pomegranate-started-with-my-imagining-a-bullet-going-through-the/)

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## More by John Nelson Darby

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