Faithlife updated with new features!

My question then becomes how is Faithlife.com different from setting up a group on Facebook? Last Summer the ladies of our church did a number of Bible studies using a closed group on facebook.  The group was set up and each lady had to request entrance or be invited  into the group, once it was granted they could see everyone's comments on the day's study. It was patterned after a project by another church call, "Good Morning Ladies". The facilitator would post the day's passage for study  and each member had an opportunity to comment on it while reading any previous comments. At the end of the study they had a complete day by day record of everything that was discussed and comments they had made. 

What is the expected results of all of this?

There are some advantages & disadvantages of both. Facebook isn't designed for "creating community among church oriented groups." On the other hand, if someone uses "social media," chances are they already use Facebook. Faithlife, on the other hand, isn't designed for "keeping in touch" with friends across the country or for "networking." It is designed to assist a "real" group of people (such as an existing small group). As you found, something like that can be done with Facebook, although privacy can be a bit of an issue if you aren't careful. 

Another advantage of faithlife is community notes. If you are studying a book together, you can add notes to your ebook that other will get to see (if they so choose). 

Many objected to being on a network where they themselves could not control who would hear what they said. Unlike a class setting where everyone can see everyone and you know exactly who is going to hear what you say and you can see their reactions as you speak.  

That is an advantage of Faithlife over Facebook. Facebook does everything they can to break down privacy walls. In Faithlife, a group can be closed.

Others didn't have time between work, family and other church functions. It almost became like "homework" to some. Others enjoyed the interaction but many felt it was a burden to them. Those that felt it was a burden almost all said they preferred a class room setting instead.

Still others felt uncomfortable expressing their thoughts. And since this was online no one knew when they were actually participating which made it impossible to draw them in by asking direct question until they felt comfortable to do it on their own.

I think there is definitely a generational and cultural issue here. I am 36 and am "in between." I have some cousins in their mid 40's who don't "get" social media. I have other cousins who are in their 20's and they post daily. My female peers seem to post much more frequently than do my male peers. My "urban" peers post more frequently than do my "rural" ones.

Of course, these are all generalities. One of my most frequent "Facebook Friends" to post is a woman in her 80's, who lives in a rural setting (near a large town).