This is a great question: "How do they avoid heresy if their leaders do not have a lot of biblical training?" Here's an excerpt of the answer from my chapter in teh book Motus Dei: "Brief reflection demonstrates that theological education does not necessarily prevent false teaching. In the Protestant denomination in which I was raised, for example, I heard numerous sad stories of (and sermons from) pastors whose faith was, in my opinion, less biblically sound after seminary than before. Abundance of theological knowledge can be very useful but doesn’t guarantee ability to stimulate healthy biblical faith in others. Many modern heresies come from theologians with doctorates from seminaries. Heretical movements often arise from a teacher so talented that his or her followers develop the habit of uncritically accepting and repeating whatever he or she says. Notable examples would include Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, and Mormonism. Historically, many heretical groups have been named after the gifted teacher who effectively taught erroneous interpretations. Examples would include Apollinarism, Arianism, Sabellianism, Marcionism, Montanism, Henricians, and Pelagianism. The leaders of movements nurture sound biblical faith through interactive study and application of God’s Word. Every disciple is trained to grapple with the Scripture and its application for themselves. They are also trained to ask one another “Where do you see that in the Bible?” This constitutes one of the best preventions for heresy. Movement leaders also generally have some connection with the global and historical body of Christ. This provides points of comparison and safety in the broad interpretation and application of Scripture within the movement. To avoid false teaching, disciples in CPMs also consistently apply the “one anothers” of Scripture, providing mutual accountability in the way of the Lord. They make a regular practice of living out verses such as: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another” (Col 3:16); “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thess 5:11); and “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Heb 3:13). Many Christian leaders assume correct preaching becomes correct theology of listeners. However studies show that to be false (Weber 2018). Listeners in the pew never have to confront their wrong theology. In CPMs, believers wrestle with God’s word at a deeper level than just hearing it. In small group discussion about the Bible, issues tend to rise to the surface more quickly. People either grow in sanctification or they leave. One research project concluded: “No significant patterns of heresy were found among those dozen movements” (Sergeant, Loc 2730–41)."
The leaders of movements nurture sound biblical faith through interactive study and application of God’s Word. Every disciple is trained to grapple with the Scripture and its application for themselves. They are also trained to ask one another “Where do you see that in the Bible?” This constitutes one of the best preventions for heresy. Movement leaders also generally have some connection with the global and historical body of Christ. This provides points of comparison and safety in the broad interpretation and application of Scripture within the movement.
To avoid false teaching, disciples in CPMs also consistently apply the “one anothers” of Scripture, providing mutual accountability in the way of the Lord. They make a regular practice of living out verses such as: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another” (Col 3:16); “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thess 5:11); and “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Heb 3:13).
Many Christian leaders assume correct preaching becomes correct theology of listeners. However studies show that to be false (Weber 2018). Listeners in the pew never have to confront their wrong theology. In CPMs, believers wrestle with God’s word at a deeper level than just hearing it. In small group discussion about the Bible, issues tend to rise to the surface more quickly. People either grow in sanctification or they leave. One research project concluded: “No significant patterns of heresy were found among those dozen movements” (Sergeant, Loc 2730–41)."