|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: Weekly bible study - help
|
poileplume
Shipmate
# 16438
|
Posted
Sorry to be missing for a few months but have we had problems (parochial not personal I hasten to add). However, the revolution started last Thursday.
As part of the January uprising, we are introducing weekly bible studies with immediate effect. About time too you will say. However they are going to have to be run by the two wardens and the lay preacher, no help from the priest. So may I beg your help please about church bible sessions?
The problems are 1) we have no previous experience, 2) it is going to be lead and organised by the laity, no help for the priest 3) we are bi-lingual – French and English.
The congregation is intelligent, educated, but not that versed in theology. We are best described as liberal, modern, Catholics.
Does anyone know a good web site that will suggest passages from the bible that includes commentaries that the leaders can use to prepare, in case the spontaneous discussion dries up? I say web site as we have to translate any material into English and French, so an electronic source is ideal
Also does anyone have any suggestions, like to share experiences etc. – any contributions would be very, very, gratefully received. We are a bit nervous.
--------------------
Please note I am quite severely dyslexic
Posts: 319 | From: Quebec | Registered: May 2011
| IP: Logged
|
|
Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
|
Posted
There is a series called Neighborhood Bible Studies which is very good for groups that are just starting Bible study.
There are separate booklets for each book of the Bible. The emphasis is on thinking about and discussing what each passage actually says. There is a series of discussion questions for each section.
Leadership is rotated among the participants; since only the actual words of the passages are discussed, no expert knowledge is required.
After a group has studied a fair number of books this way, the technique gets old hat, and it's time to try something else. However, this is an excellent way to begin.
Moo
--------------------
Kerygmania host
---------------------
See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
|
Posted
We started a fort-nightly study group many years ago, after discussing it with the minister who responded "the congregation won't want to do anything like that". It was only a few of us, and I had prepared and led study groups at university and previous churches. So not exactly the same situation. We found that the first thing to do was to get used to talking about something other than the weather or Mrs Smith having a hip replacement. Without any previous groups like that in the church we needed to learn that we all have something valuable to add, that there's no such thing as a stupid question, that no-one has all the answers, that we learn better by listening to each other and questioning what's said rather than listen to someone presenting answers to questions we may not be asking.
What we did was look at the lectionary passages for the Sunday just gone (ie: usually what had been preached on) and simply talked about them, what things didn't we understand etc. We didn't usually stick to the passages, and generally the discussion covered a lot superficially. It gave us somewhere to start, and that's what was needed.
--------------------
Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
fletcher christian
Mutinous Seadog
# 13919
|
Posted
I wouldn't be worrying too much about not having any help from the priest. In a way it presents a good opportunity for shared study and insight. When a priest or cleric is present at such things, in my own experience when a question is asked, everyone turns their head and stares hard at the priest/cleric - which I imagine is a slightly unnerving experience!
--------------------
'God is love insaturable, love impossible to describe'
Staretz Silouan
Posts: 5235 | From: a prefecture | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
|
Posted
They are also far less likely to speak freely, possibly because they are frightened of giving a "wrong" answer.
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
|
Posted
In churches I've been in where study groups have existed with the blessing (and, indeed, encouragement) of the minister the minister didn't attend, let alone lead those groups. Because they recognised that a minister in the room inhibits the functioning of the group. It allows things like "listen to what the minister says, and then agree" and "I don't want to say the wrong answer and get corrected by the minister". In those cases the minister was available to assist leaders prepare for the meetings, and in other ways support the groups.
--------------------
Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
poileplume
Shipmate
# 16438
|
Posted
Let me summarise my understanding, as they say.
The gist is that we let the congregation get used to talking, listening and sharing before we attempt anything more advanced. Sounds sensible to me… learn to walk before you attempt to run.
This is great stuff, so if you have any other reflections would you post them please. I am sure I am not the only one who would appreciate them.
--------------------
Please note I am quite severely dyslexic
Posts: 319 | From: Quebec | Registered: May 2011
| IP: Logged
|
|
IconiumBound
Shipmate
# 754
|
Posted
The previous bits of advice I would heartily second. The key is to listen first, teach third.
Also I am impressed with the amount of interest and curiosity there is in the press and other media on religious questions like "Is the Bible true? I would suggest by beginning with questions like these from new group; let them ask the questions.
Posts: 1318 | From: Philadelphia, PA, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
|
Posted
We started our group having found a couple of others interested, and then made an announcement in church that we'd be meeting Tuesdays at 7.30 and anyone interested should see us. The first meeting was for those who came to share what they were wanting from the meetings. Did they want to work through a book, follow the lectionary readings, look at a theme, something different each meeting? The group itself then set the agenda.
--------------------
Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
What Alan said - find a few interested peeps, and start from there. Don't worry about input from priest/pastor/leader, if they happen not to be keen! For those in the C of E or other churches following a lectionary of some sort, the Sunday readings can make a good beginning.
We started a monthly Home Group/Bible Study a while ago which quickly fell flat on its face (no blame to Father, I hasten to add!). Never mind - such things are of God, and will flourish, no matter what, if it is as He wills.......
Ian J.
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Aravis
Shipmate
# 13824
|
Posted
How about using a book of meditations on Bible passages as a starting point for reflection?
I suggest Michel Quoist "Prayers of Life" as it's widely available in English but was originally in French (not sure of French title) so presumably you can get it in both, and everyone will have something in their preferred language. He was (is?) a liberal Catholic priest so the content should be about right. All the meditations in "All of life would become prayer" start with a Bible passage.
There may be suitable materials available from Taize.
Posts: 689 | From: S Wales | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
tessaB
Shipmate
# 8533
|
Posted
I lead a small group bible study once a week and have done for a few years. I have found Lifebuilder study guides very good with people just starting out in study as there are hints and help at the back of the book. They also cover a wide range of books of the bible or themes. Women of the Old Testament was very well received by a women only group I once led.
--------------------
tessaB
eating chocolate to the glory of God
Holiday cottage near Rye
Posts: 1068 | From: U.K. | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Eutychus
From the edge
# 3081
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Aravis:
I suggest Michel Quoist "Prayers of Life" as it's widely available in English but was originally in French (not sure of French title)
It is simply Prières.
--------------------
Let's remember that we are to build the Kingdom of God, not drive people away - pastor Frank Pomeroy
Posts: 17944 | From: 528491 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Dal Segno
al Fine
# 14673
|
Posted
Your local christian bookshops should have a wide range of different types of bible study books, ranging from thin, simple lists of questions to think about to detailed commentaries about individual books of the Bible, suitable for priests preparing sermons.
From many years of using these books, the one thing to watch out for is the type of booklet that asks leading questions. That is, a booklet that has a list of questions designed to lead the group to the One Correct Answer, where the One Correct Answer is the one that fits with the theological bent of the author. These stifle rather than encourage discussion. Whenever I've had one of these foisted on me, my group has generally veered well away from the One Correct Path by question four, ditched the rest of the questions, and then had an interesting and wide-ranging discussion about various interpretations of the passage.
--------------------
Yet ever and anon a trumpet sounds
Posts: 1200 | From: Pacific's triple star | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Horseman Bree
Shipmate
# 5290
|
Posted
The idea of having nice little books that gave leading questions in line with the author's view pretty well killed our Bible study group...
Plus it didn't help that the priest never quite stopped talking
--------------------
It's Not That Simple
Posts: 5372 | From: more herring choker than bluenose | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
|
Posted
Over the last few years my friend D and I organised some study groups at church (for Lent and Advent generally though we did have other times too). D arranged the food and I thought up various topics for different sessions, eg., we looked at the historical background & context of Mark's gospel; examined 1st century Jewish expectations of the Messiah; looked at the Nativity stories in Matthew's gospel; did a study on St Francis's life in our Environment Month; and so on. The clergy were not involved though once or twice one of them turned up, but discussions were good and (I hope) people enjoyed them and discovered at least something new.
--------------------
Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Dal Segno
al Fine
# 14673
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Dal Segno:
From many years of using these books, the one thing to watch out for is the type of booklet that asks leading questions.
To clarify: what I meant to say was "the one thing to avoid like the plague is"
--------------------
Yet ever and anon a trumpet sounds
Posts: 1200 | From: Pacific's triple star | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Adeodatus
Shipmate
# 4992
|
Posted
A problem I've noticed with a lot of Bible study courses is that they start out without much idea of what they want to accomplish. They might say, "Let's do 1 Samuel" ... but do what with 1 Samuel?
You can draw a number of dichotomies. Do you want to be more analytic, or more devotional? (Or, do you want to nurture people's knowledge or their prayer?) Are you going to be broad-brush or microscopic? Is "the Bible says..." going to be the start of a conversation, or the end of one?
Again, at the end, how are you going to evaluate the course? The teacher has to learn from each course so that the next one will be better. (And remember, it's hard to get anyone to say anything critical to your face, harder still to get them to say anything complimentary behind your back.)
--------------------
"What is broken, repair with gold."
Posts: 9779 | From: Manchester | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Dal Segno:
From many years of using these books, the one thing to [avoid like the plague] is the type of booklet that asks leading questions. That is, a booklet that has a list of questions designed to lead the group to the One Correct Answer, where the One Correct Answer is the one that fits with the theological bent of the author. These stifle rather than encourage discussion.
Oh yes. Another thing that really gets on my nerves is when the study guide doesn't make the life application points clearly. Sure, some groups can get there themselves, but in my experience it's awfully easy and tempting to stay at the surface level of what the Bible passage means, without really considering how our lives should change as a result.
It feels to me like keeping God at arms length, while convincing ourselves that we've done something fruitful and edifying because we've 'had a Bible study'.
--------------------
My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
| IP: Logged
|
|
poileplume
Shipmate
# 16438
|
Posted
Thanks so much, we launch next Sunday. Thanks especially for the avoid the commentaries that allow only for one answer. I will certainly watch out for that.
What do you think about how we start of the session?
Go straight in after serving coffee?
Have a short pray, then go for it?
Hold a short service?
Keep us in your prayers, as mentioned in the OP we are declaring the revolution. Taking back control by the laity. The problem is that we are one of only a handful of French Anglican churches in the west, so we have no history or pattern to model ourselves on. It’s very much Guide me Oh Thou Great Jehovah, every step is into uncharted territory. Talk about blind faith…
Posts: 319 | From: Quebec | Registered: May 2011
| IP: Logged
|
|
CJS
Shipmate
# 3503
|
Posted
https://gotherefor.com/
Well road tested weekly Bible study materials that you can freely customise given your theological position would be different to the authors. Plus access to all sorts of other useful resources for people 'just starting out'.
Hope it all goes really well.
Posts: 665 | From: Sydney | Registered: Nov 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by poileplume:
What do you think about how we start of the session?
Go straight in after serving coffee?
Have a short pray, then go for it?
Hold a short service?
Hope this isn't too late but here's what I find helpful in this sort of meeting:
- Make sure everyone at least knows each other's names. Maybe do a little icebreaker exercise if you think that would help your specific group to become more comfortable (I know some people hate icebreakers!)
- I like a brief period of quiet prayer before starting a study session. I find it helps me focus on God and keep in mind that the point of the session isn't to come up with clever ideas and win the arguments!
- Think in advance about how you're going to manage the conversations. There's bound to be someone who wants to say a lot, and another person who is reluctant to pipe up. What (if anything) will you do to limit the verbose people and encourage the quiet people?
- As I said upthread, I think it's vital to ask the 'So what?' question; how will we live differently, what might we change in our lives as a result of what we've been talking about. Without this, there's a danger that people will go home having simply had a nice, mentally stimulating conversation (which is fine in itself, but is a missed opportunity I think).
All the best with your new venture!
--------------------
My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view
