Thread: Attraction of the term "Bible Study" Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by IconiumBound (# 754) on :
 
I have heard that the use of the term "Bible Stdy" is off-putting to younger (gen X or millenials). Our parish is currently using "Biblical Studies" which doesn't seem to be much of a change.

I am wondering if "Bible Discussions" might be a title of wider attraction?

[fixed title typo]

[ 07. December 2012, 13:27: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :
 
I think "discussion" is an improvement over "study", but I have to confess I'd be inclined to avoid either, personally.
 
Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :
 
Is there any indication as to why "Bible Study" is thought to be off-putting?

Maybe it's a lack of imagination on my part, but I (and I'm Gen X) don't see the perceived problem. Can't say I'm much taken with Biblical studies or Bible Discussions as an alternative title - just seems to be trying to hide what's going on behind a different title.

[ 07. December 2012, 13:30: Message edited by: kingsfold ]
 
Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :
 
I presume it's because it sounds boring. Disclaimer - apparently I'm generation X as well.
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Could it be that people don't like the nouning of verbs and vice verca?

Discussion is a noun, study is a verb. Unless it is a room.

Gen Xers don't really go for abstract nouns either. Titles such as "Faith and Worship" are even worse, and should be avoided at all cost. But I'm a boomer, I can say these things.
 
Posted by Holy Smoke (# 14866) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
Could it be that people don't like the nouning of verbs and vice verca?
To be correct Newspeak, it should be "bible studying", the active participle suggesting a vibrant, action-packed, inclusive experience, rather than just sitting round a boring old table discussing bible passages.
[Big Grin]
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
I believe I'm officially Generation Y so maybe I don't count... but I think for many the issue might be Bible bit rather than the study bit.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by balaam:

Discussion is a noun, study is a verb. Unless it is a room.
In other words, a (long-established) example of the nouning of verbs. (Which itself is an example of the verbing of nouns)

'Bible study' tends to put me off because I visualise earnest young evangelicals carrying floppy-backed black bibles. But of course it doesn't have to be like that and probably usually isn't. 'Lectio Divina' is a rather different slant on it, but an even more puzzling, if not offputting, name. 'Studying the Scriptures' does what it says on the tin. Why not just be honest and call it what it is?
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
I have never been in a church that has advertised "bible study". They have always promoted "house groups", "home groups", or "cell groups".

And all of them included biblical study, and all of them involved more than biblical study. This may just demonstrate the tradition I'm from, but they never had difficulty drumming up the numbers.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
I really don't care what its called, but when the lectionary has such WTF Advent passages as Luke 21:25-28 and pew-loads of people not knowing which end of it to pick up first, then we certainly need more of it.

If we change Bible Study to something more meaningful, does that mean we need a parallel committee to rename Study Bible?

quote:
Originally posted by kingsfold:
I'm Gen X
Really. And, here's me thinking you were an old fart.
 
Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :
 
quote:
posted by the Silent Acolyte:
Really. And, here's me thinking you were an old fart.
Not chronologically speaking. Attitudes - quite possibly [Smile]
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
Gen X *are* old farts.

So sayeth this sheep, who's on the cusp between Y and Millenials.

My problem with "Bible Study" is I envision a workbook with fill in the blanks and no room for questions and/or struggling with the text and then I'm kindly escorted to the door and asked never to return.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
We're having some mild success with "Beer and Bible", held monthly in the pub over the road from the chuch. Mostly we just read a passage aloud, taking turns to do a chapter or so at at a time, followed by a small amount of discussion. It an be an eye-opener. You notice different things when you read aloud, and when you read more than just a minimal lectionary snippet. A whole short book - so far we've done Mark, Ecclesiastes, and Esther in one evening each - or a 10-20 page section of a larger book - we're read chunks from Isaiah, John, and Acts.

quote:
Originally posted by IconiumBound:
Our parish is currently using "Biblical Studies" which doesn't seem to be much of a change.
Means something different. "Bible Study" is more or less informal reading the BIble together and talking about it. "Biblical Studies" is an academic discipline.


quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
Could it be that people don't like the nouning of verbs and vice verca?.
If they hate the whole English language, what hope is there for them?

quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
'Lectio Divina' is a rather different slant on it, but an even more puzzling, if not offputting, name.
When I first heard of it - on this very website - it sounded just like what we always used to call "Bible Study". Or one version of it anyway.

quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
My problem with "Bible Study" is I envision a workbook with fill in the blanks and no room for questions and/or struggling with the text....
Then they are doing it wrong!

[ 07. December 2012, 15:33: Message edited by: ken ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
'Lectio Divina' is a rather different slant on it, but an even more puzzling, if not offputting, name.
----
When I first heard of it - on this very website - it sounded just like what we always used to call "Bible Study". Or one version of it anyway.
One version of it, yes. But with the emphasis on prayer rather than intellectual understanding. (Not that there is a conflict; just a question of emphasis. The question to be asked is, 'why are you doing this?')

[ 07. December 2012, 15:37: Message edited by: Angloid ]
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
My main form of prayer each day is Lectio Divina. I have in the past participated in and run Bible Studies which have an explicitly pastoral goal and include prayer but which are not prayer per se throughout.

I am also involved in Biblical Studies as an apprentice scholar (finishing up a Masters with an idea to going back for a Doctorate). I wouldn't do it if I thought it wouldn't help the Church's mission which is necessarily pastoral (as well as prophetic and priestly), but it's not a pastoral activity in the way leading a Bible Study is. Similarly, I wouldn't do this work if it didn't feed my prayer life, but it's not prayer like Lectio is.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
But, to actually answer the question, in my little world of Midwestern Catholicism, "Bible Study" attracts various, overlapping groups of people:

-- People that want to study the Bible together;
-- People that want to be involved in some Adult Faith Formation activity (pretty indifferent as to what) and this fit their schedule / is the only thing going;
-- People that want to get to know people in their parish and think that this would be a good way.

Changing the name of it (one former parish had "scripture studio") tends to change the number of people from the first group you get, but does little to alter the second two.

When I've set these up, though, I do like to put some words before "Bible Study." I've done "St. Paul Bible Study," "Lectionary-based Bible Study" and "Christmas Stories Bible Study." A decent number of parishes around here do Advent or Lent Bible Study. There are also the pre-made programs, like "Great Adventure Bible Study" that some places do.
 
Posted by Og, King of Bashan (# 9562) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
'Bible study' tends to put me off because I visualize earnest young evangelicals carrying floppy-backed black bibles.
Bingo. This is exactly what I picture, and what I have experienced the few times that I have been invited to a "Bible study."
 
Posted by Bostonman (# 17108) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
I believe I'm officially Generation Y so maybe I don't count... but I think for many the issue might be Bible bit rather than the study bit.
As a Millennial, I'd say that's exactly accurate for my generation.
 
Posted by FooloftheShip (# 15579) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bostonman:
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
I believe I'm officially Generation Y so maybe I don't count... but I think for many the issue might be Bible bit rather than the study bit.
As a Millennial, I'd say that's exactly accurate for my generation.
...and for old farts like this Gen X-er

(mint sauce, mint sauce, come and get your tenderising mint sauce - transforms ageing mutton magically!! [Razz] )
 
Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
As someone from the middle child generation, stuck between whining baby boomers and gen X and part of neither world, I have never liked the term "bible study" nor have I enjoyed any meeting where this is the label. The meetings are usually about some esoteric piece of OT history that strains to be applicable in the present, or some glowing faces talking about how they've become glowing inside as well due to the shine of Jesus via various flaming miracles.

Better have been issues oriented studies. Like "how to pray", "what means liturgy", "name your heresy and you'll be okay anyway".
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by no prophet:
As someone from the middle child generation, stuck between whining baby boomers and gen X and part of neither world, I have never liked the term "bible study" nor have I enjoyed any meeting where this is the label.
I'm from that same in-between generation and am fine with the term and the activity. Surely some interesting and possibly edifying conversations can come up while considering the readings of the day, why they're being read today, and what they mean now.

To me, "Bible study" sounds serious, substantive, and central to what a church can offer. At its best, that is.
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
Study is a noun. For example, if you define any -ology term, you're going to start with "The study of..." Maybe there's a pond difference. We North Americans are rather pragmatic with our language.

quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
My problem with "Bible Study" is I envision a workbook with fill in the blanks and no room for questions and/or struggling with the text and then I'm kindly escorted to the door and asked never to return.
Although this isn't my own understanding of the term, it's what I expect people to hear in it. Especially people who didn't grow up in church, or who aren't as geeky about things churchly and theological as I am.

I like what ken refers to - "Beer and Bible." And I'm not a beer drinker! The association of beer being what people drink when they're kicking back and being themselves suggests that people can express their own opinions and so forth.

Then again, in my experience, Bible study or similar meetings can wind up with one person in the group trying to push their personal reading of the text, pet heresy, or general stupidity on everyone else. I experienced something like that when some folks from a fringe Pentecostal group or other showed up regularly at a Bible study at an Episcopal church. I don't think they were actually aware of it, either - I doubt it would've occurred to them that people didn't read the text exactly as they did!
 
Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 
Study as a noun meaning "mental effort in the acquisition of some kind of learning; attentive reading of a book, etc. or careful examination or observation of an object, a question, etc." dates to circa 1300. If it is a nouned verb, it was nouned over 700 years ago. Time to get over it.
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Bloody eighth century modernizers. They'll be claiming the earth goes round the sun next.
 
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on :
 
Out congregation uses the term, "Adult Learning Community." We not only study the Bible but we have used the time to discuss issues and other topics. At this point I am leading a series called Animate Faith. While I think the series was intended for a younger -- college age -- crowd, my senior citizens group is enjoying it too.
 
Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
I'm with Beer and Bible as the way to go. I'd have to stay in town overnight though.
 
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on :
 
We had a weekly Men's Bible Study at a local bar once. Only we didn't bring any Bibles. Good fellowship, though.
 
Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 
When I first moved here, I started worshipping at the nearest church to my flat. After a few weeks I asked the minister "does the church have a Bible study group?". His immediate response was "no one would want to join a Bible study group". Which I found very strange, other churches I'd been to all had Bible study groups that were reasonably well attended. But, at the time, there were a lot of other good things at the church and I stayed.

Many years pass, I get married and have a son and we raise the question again, this time talking directly to some other members of the congregation. We set up a group meeting in our flat, and get 2 or 3 others coming regularly every other week. We had some tea and biscuits (an equivalent to beer?), read a short bit of Scripture and chat more or less about it, then have some prayer and more tea.

We then moved church (3 times now!) and although the group kept running for a while it soon folded. But, with a new minister and increasing links between 3 local URC churches we're hoping to get going again in the spring (so mainly elderly people don't need to come out at night in the snow and ice) inviting people from the 3 churches.
 
Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :
 
We have "Bible Study" but it's a group that all of us discuss it always and we look at bits all over the Bible, connected to what we're studying. Once a year we get one of the vicar's etc to give us another talk, which is usually not discussion but them just telling us all sorts of information, and some also insist we have communion at the end of the session.
 
Posted by IconiumBound (# 754) on :
 
Many good replies, Thanks. Some of the responses have caused me to think that the possibly off-putting of "Bible Study" is not the "study" but the "Bible". Could it be that we have many people who are afraid of what they might find if they really listened to the words of the Bible? Ignorance, certainly but perhaps more from the gut ancestral feelings that only the clergy have the authority to speak about the written word.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by IconiumBound:
the gut ancestral feelings that only the clergy have the authority to speak about the written word.
Or just as likely a fear that they will be challenged.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
One of our postgrads is asking us to run a 'Bible argumentation group.'
 
Posted by FooloftheShip (# 15579) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by IconiumBound:
the gut ancestral feelings that only the clergy have the authority to speak about the written word.
Or just as likely a fear that they will be challenged.
Or just as likely a fear that they will be power-texted to death by the power-hungry who want to tell them how to live.
 
Posted by Eleanor Jane (# 13102) on :
 
I'm gen X and I think it totally doesn't matter what it's called, it matters what it's like. Even in a very large church, I think people are primarily attracted and retained in small groups by people (especially the group leaders).

With a small group, I'm looking for people I can relate to (and who are interested in relating to me), intelligent discussion (not a sermon, but a chance to discuss in some depth). I also need folks who are within the realms of what I believe. If they are coming from totally different view points, it's too difficult to get anywhere in discussion, even if we're both being very open minded and I'm not very.
 


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