Christians: would you be interested in a Bible Study?

[HoneyandRum]

Calling all Christian believers!

Do you think we could do a scripture study together right here? All traditions and denominations welcome that are Trinitarian (believe and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Because of the nature of this forum I'm not sure of a format that would would work well. Do you have any suggestions? Rather than a whole book of the bible which could take a very long time (!) maybe we could choose some passages, chapters and verses and work through them gradually? I would suggest we pick scripture from one of the Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke or John).

Everyone could make comments with reflections perhaps on or from their own Christian tradition and community.

This would be a place for fellowship, encouragement, gentleness and understanding as sisters and brothers in Christ. To help each other grow in faith, understanding of the scriptures and of each other's faith traditions in a respectful and loving manner.

This would not be a thread for debate on belief in Christ and the nature of faith and religion.

About me: I am a Catholic, as Catholics we hear scripture at every Mass (which can be attended daily and you will hear different scripture proclaimed every day). The first half of Mass is called the Liturgy of the Word and we hear readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, a Psalm and a reading from one of the Gospels. When the Gospel is read the congregation stands and blesses themselves to hear the words of Jesus. When the Gospel reading concludes the congregation will say "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ" before being seated. The priest will then preach at this time reflecting on the Word of God before we move into the second half of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The Catholic church reads the same readings for that day all over the world (unless it is special feast day in a local community, for example St. Patrick's day in Ireland and the readings may be chosen for the feast). If you follow all the readings you will read the entire bible every three years.

It would be very interesting to hear your experience with and love of scripture.
"Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers they shall be recognized as children of God". Matt 5:8-9

[niminypiminy]

I'd like to join in too. This is a wonderful idea, and a way for us to come together from across different Christian traditions and denominations.

I'm CofE, and in the church I'm in we also have a liturgy of the word and then liturgy of the sacrament, with readings from the Old and New Testaments and then from the Gospels. I'm pretty sure they will be the same as your readings, HoneyandRum as we follow the Common Lectionary as does the RCC. One idea that might work is to choose the Gospel passage from the Sunday to comment on each week. But that might not work so well for people from other traditions.

Or we could choose one of the Gospels and work through it? This year, if you are a lectionary church, you'll be hearing a lot of Matthew, so we could either do that or do something else for a change! Another idea is that we could take one of the Psalms each week. But I'm happy whatever we do.

[Wolfiefan]

I'd love to read with you. I attend an Anglican Church (I'm sad to say I only go when my health and life permits me!)

[stressedHEmum]

I would love to join in. I'm Church of Scotland, so from a very different tradition to you all (except Dog). For instance, we only have Communion 4 times a year in my church, with an extra on early on Easter morning and one on the Thursday of Holy Week.

We have 2 readings on a Sunday, usually an OT and an NT, sometimes an NT and a Gospel. I don't think that we follow the same lectionary to the RC church, but don't quote me on that. Our services are pretty much a hymn sandwich with a sermon in the middle, either taken loosely from the text or whatever Sunday it happens to be on the church calendar or, sometimes, around something topical that is happening in the world.

Am happy to go with whatever format others decide. As an idea, I ran an Advent study based on using bits of scripture to discuss relevsnt themes like giving and receiving.

[minniemagoo]

I'd be happy to join in. I was raised Catholic but now we are members of a Presbyterian Church so probably the most relaxed in terms of following a set schedule of Bible Readings in Church. We have one reading a week (also a hymn sandwich), and follow the format of reading through a book or part of a book. Usually though not always Home Group studies for those that wish to go will be on this and be an extra opportunity to explore what we cover on Sunday.
We have communion once a month, only for those old enough to profess their faith so over 16s ish.
Currently I go to 2 Bible Studies/Home Groups a week. One is multi denominational, the other is a church group. We are doing 2 totally different studies at the moment. One is a study on Romans and the other a womens study on Identity which I have to admit I am enjoy much more from the goodbook company.
As we are a mixed bunch we should just be aware that there are 7 Old testament books in the Catholic bible not in the 'Protestant' bibles but that still leaves a lot to cover

[lostblonde86]

Would like to join to please, been brought up Christian how ever lost my path a bit....

[thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts]

I'd be interested. I'm C of E as well.

[madhairday]

Count me in too. We were actually talking on the prayer thread about starting some kind of bible study thread. I am CofE but fairly low down the candle ;) We tend to have one reading and one Gospel, don't tend to follow the lectionary but happy to look at lectionary readings for this thread. We could also take a theme (eg women in the bible) and look at different passages. I'm doing the ten commandments at present with my bible study group, the Just Ten series by J John which is great and relates it all in a very accessible way to life today.

Looking forward to discussing :)

[thanksamillion]

I'd be interested.

[HoneyandRum]

Hello everyone, what a great response. I was very interested to read madhairday that you were talking about the same idea on another thread, as I hadn't read it - so that feels like a confirmation, like a few of us were having promptings of the Holy Spirit. Niminiypiminy's idea of using the Lectionary readings for each Sunday could be a simple way to get going and then we could revisit it at a later date depending how we get on? I looked at the Gospel reading for Sunday and of course it is The Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas. The name Candlemas comes from the Catholic tradition of blessing all the candles to be used during the year on this feastday. There would be plenty to unpack and discuss if we use the Gospel for each Sunday each week.

If you are interested the passage would be Luke 2:22-40. What do you all think?

I like the idea of staying with the Gospel for a while so we can reflect on Jesus, His life and words together.

[Loobingler]

Hi, I'd like to join in. I'm Anglo Catholic

[Loobingler]

Sorry posted too soon! Yes I think sticking with the Gospels for a while is a good idea, I've been trying to read the Bible alone but would prefer to read and study it in a group.

[Tuo]

I'm in!

[Gingerdodger]

I would be interested too. (RC).

[ZingSweetApple]

great idea!

[cloutiedumpling]

Count me in (C of S )

[stressedHEmum]

Hello, fellow CoS person.

Embarrassingly, I didn't know why Candlemas was called that. I've learned something new already.

The bit I like best about that passage is that Mary and Joseph gace 2 doves as their offerings. It shows that God came to the poorest in society, not the rich or the important, but ordinary, working, poor people. The Kingdom is for everyone - God seeks out the poor and vulnerable and comes to them. I know what I want to say, but I can't think how to say it just now. I'll be back (I bet you're all waiting with baited breath)

[GingerCurl]

I'm a bit late - I have been away from MN for a couple of days - but, count me in!

[HoneyandRum]

As we have a crowd now and no objections with following the Lectionary shall I start a new thread called Bible Study week 1 and the passage? As it seems we're raring to go, thank you stressedHEmum! Maybe we could go Tuesday-Tuesday so that if anyone hears the passage used on Sunday or has any more inspiration after church can still have time to add their thoughts?

Can't wait personally as I love to hear everyone's reflections and inspirations. I'll give it till the evening and start the new thread.

[cloutiedumpling]

Sounds good to me

[minniemagoo]

Sounds good, be sure to post a link here :)

[AMumInScotland]

I'll join in too, at least from time to time. Actually, we did this before for a while, maybe a couple of years ago, but it sort of drifted off.

The common lectionary gospel readings sounds like a practical starting point at least - if we get to the stage that it seems'samey# we can vary it!

[madhairday]

Good plan :)

[cheapskatemum]

I'm interested! Typical, don't go on MN for a week & miss new, interesting proposal. Love the "blessed are the pure in heart..." quote. I'm trying to be a peacemaker at my church at the moment.

[HoneyandRum]

Cheapskatemum please check out the thread for this weeks's Bible Study (No1) - I do not know how to successfully create a link but hopefully someone else will kindly help us out!