One objection I get, when dispelling the notion that we need some anointed 'authority' or such at every church meeting or bible study, is "You'll have HERESY and CHAOS if you just let the ignorant masses of people read for themselves!!"
Having led and participated in over 400 bible study meetings, maybe visiting over 100 different groups, in nearly every denomination. And of those 400, less than 10 times did it seem to be getting off doctrinally. And of those, only two, or three times, did it seem to be anything close to cultic or unbiblical. I've heard over a thousand odd takes on scripture when in a bible study group, but of those nothing really that couldn't be reasoned through to a correct or satisfactory agreement, generally. Generally there is someone in a group that has enough grasp of scripture, and pushes back (if I dont). But even if nothing is said, its hardly ever a life or death over doctrine issue. I had to let my own pastor make a mistake or two just last week in our mens bible study, you cant argue over every point, and these different takes are generally fairly slight.
I am an Evangelical theologically, theology is in my DNA, I strive to teach correct doctrine, and I am hyper dogmatic about my beliefs - Yet I enjoy, and really like to hear other people express their ideas and views of scripture (thats why I've heard so many different takes on scripture). And if it's my group, I want to know where their understanding is at, and what they are thinking about the subject. Still, I am just a disciple communing with other disciples. Gods Word is the Authority.
The best bible study I participated in was a theological debate style group where the only doctrine of agreement was that you agree that:
'The Bible is Gods Word, and that you had to make all your arguments from scripture'. Cultists bail almost immediately, and the rest of us get to hash out our thoughts with some really great conversations ...
So what I'm saying is: I believe the notion that - there will just be chaos and heresy - is a heresy in itself.
That argument created the rift of Clergy/Laity, the hierarchy and institutions, and the dark ages of christianity.
Let Gods Word , His Scriptures, be our Authority and let live.