as promised, here are some thoughts about being a gathering facilitator.

i love bible study. even as a non-Christian participating in a bible study i loved finding depth and meaning in the words, understanding the ideas being expressed in the subtexts and contexts surrounding each verse. of course, like river tam i got caught up in details and failed to see the big picture, the reality of what it means to have God’s revealed word in your hand.

since becoming a Christian i’ve kept that passion for finding interesting kinks and challenging readings of passages, of looking at something and going ‘now God what do you mean there?’. when studying in community, it’s even better. i love having the insight of others, i enjoy the ensuing discussion and conversation. so it was natural that i would have an opportunity to lead bible studies and facilitate a group, and now i am doing that again.

sometimes though, the hardest part is getting people to be involved. our group has been meeting together for roughly 9 months now, and somehow we are still having a hard time starting honest conversation about scripture. i’m not sure what to do about it. the text we’re working with is isaiah; an abbreviated study of each of the major sections. it’s a text with complications, writ large with the promise of God coming to rescure his people. somehow, we are unable to have meaningful discussion, though we know one another our answers are guarded and our questions kept silent. i’m not sure where God is speaking to people in our group, where he is speaking to susan and i as we try to guide the (minimal) conversation, and where the passion is to be found.

but i want to see that happen and i will be praying and working towards that goal as we continue through the summer and into next year.