BOOK OF FAITH: Open the Scriptures. Join the Conversation
The vision for the Book of Faith initiative is this:
That the whole church become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the Word.
WHERE SHALL WE BEGIN?
A Survey on Use of Scripture for Use by Groups
This Assessment Resource was prepared by Norma Cook Everist in collaboration with professors of Christian Education at the eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the students and faculty of Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. It was published in Diane Jacobson, Mark Allan Powell and Stan Olson, Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study. (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 2008) 111-120. It has also been on the ELCA web site.
For Use in Group Conversation
Because this survey can be used in a variety of settings including not only congregations, but schools campus ministries, camps, etc, we shall use the term “Faith Community” to refer to each of these settings.
Responses are primarily for this faith community’s insight, wisdom and growth.
An opportunity to share insights beyond this faith community is given at the end.
Use this survey in connection with the “’Where Shall we Begin?’ for Individuals” survey to gather a picture from the whole faith community. Discuss the individual responses and use this “Group Conversation” survey in study group, committees or council meetings. Be sure to include people of all ages and of differing backgrounds, newcomers, and old timers, people deeply involved in activities and those on the edge. This can be used in any and all groups in the faith community.
WE BEGIN BY REMEMBERING
1. What opportunities to study the Bible together were there in this faith community in past years? (Check all that apply)
______ Sunday morning classes _____ for children _____ youth ______adults
______ Vacation Bible School
______ Midweek classes _____ for children ______ youth ______ adults
______ Use of the Bible in youth confirmation ministry and adult instruction
______ Classes for specific groups What groups? _____________________
______ Ecumenical groups
______ Other
2. As a faith community share experiences of good Bible study, e.g. certain classes, teachers, confirmation ministry, at camp, on retreat:
3. Share with each other disappointments you have had as individuals or as a faith community in past years in regard to study of the Bible:
4. Tell stories of how the Bible was used in times of crises and what that meant to you:
5. Thinking back over the years, what methods for studying the Bible were used in this faith community in years past? (Check all that apply)
______ Teacher read the story as we listened.
______ Pastors/teachers lead discussions about the Bible
______ Pastors/teachers giving lectures about the Bible
______ Some people had unhelpful or unhealthy encounters with Scripture.
______ We had very little study of Scriptures in this faith community
______ Students filled in workbooks
______ Students memorized verses from the Bible
______ People did dramatic readings and acted out Bible stories
______ Other memories __________________________________________________
6. Over the years what do you recall were the attitudes toward and impressions of the Bible in the life of this faith community?
WHERE WE ARE NOW?
1. What various versions of the Bible are represented in your congregation?
_____ New Revised Standard Version
_____ Revised Standard Version
_____ The Good News Bible
_____ King James Version
_____ New International Version
_____ Other Version: ___________________________
Group activity and conversation: For a gathering of the whole or a committee, council, study group, etc, ask people to bring Bible they have. Put them all out on the table and explore the collection. Have people share how they use their Bible. Have them tell stories of when and how they came to have that particular Bible.
2. What opportunities for Bible reading and study does this faith community now offer?
______ Sunday morning classes _____ for children _____ youth ______adults
______ Vacation Bible School
______ Midweek classes _____ for children ______ youth ______ adults
______ Use of the Bible in youth confirmation ministry and adult instruction
______ Classes for specific groups What groups? ______________
______ Church Library with bible study resources
______ “Lay School of Religion” model in the conference, or local area
______ Ecumenical groups
______ Neighborhood Bible Study outreach
______ Other: ______________________________
3. What diverse methods of Bible reading and study does your faith community use ? (Check all that apply)
______ Presentation of a the Bible through story, lecture, film, PowerPoint etc.
______ Discussion of the meaning of Scripture in small groups.
______ Forums that begin with global issues or topics from daily life and move into Scripture study
______ Telling Bible stories
______ Study of Scripture in choir or worship planning groups.
______ Memorization
______ Use of art, crafts, music
______ Dramatization of Bible stories
______ Bible Study over the web
______ Spiritual direction and praying the scripture
______ Pastoral care and peer support groups reading scripture together
______ Other __________________________________________________
4. What sources from the world around influence the way people in this faith community think about and interpret the Bible?
_____ Popular Books Examples: ____________________________
_____ Radio broadcasts Examples: _____________________
_____ Friends, family and co-workers
_____ Television, movies and DVDs, Examples: __________________
_____ Internet/Worldwide web
_____ Other? _________________________________________
5. What opportunities are there for education for those teaching the Bible?
_____ Growth in understanding the Bible and Lutheran Theology
_____ Growth in understanding stages of faith development through the life cycle
_____ Growth in skill in using of a variety of bible study methods
_____ Growth in how to help people connect the Bible with their ministry in daily life
_____ Growth in sharing scriptures with people new to the faith
_____ Growth in use of the Bible in youth and adult catechism classes
6. What is the range of biblical interpretations are present in this faith community?
______ The Bible is inerrant and is be read a literal truth.
______ The Bible is the Word of God.
______ The Bible’s historical accuracy is questionable in many places.
______ The Bible a guide book for moral living.
______ The Bible is a book of interesting stories.
______ The pastor determines and teaches the Bible truths.
______ Scripture interprets Scripture.
______ The Bible speaks directly about moral issues today.
______ The Bible predicts current events or events in the future.
______ The Bible is the book of the faith community for study and discernment about discipleship in daily life.
______ The Bible is open to multiple interpretations and even contains ambiguities
______ In the Bible is about the human predicament and God’s unconditional love
______ Other?
7. What Bible study classes is the pastor(s) teaching?
8. What classes are other rostered leaders teaching?
9. What classes are lay people teaching?
10. What do we know about Bible interpretation in other Christian denominations? How do they use the Bible?
11. What do we know about the sacred texts of other faiths?
For group conversation:
A) Invite Christians of various denominations to gather to talk about the ways they use the Bible. Converse about differences or similarities in biblical interpretation within your faith community and among the various church bodies.
B) Invite people of varying religious faiths to gather to share your sacred texts. Discuss basic texts that are the center of your faith with one another.
WHAT NEEDS DO WE HAVE?
1. Is there a safe environment for people to talk about their varied, even contradicting views about what the Bible means? What are these places? What is still needed?
2. Are people able to speak about their faith using biblical language to/with members of their families? People with whom they spend their week? With a stranger? What would further equip people to be able to do this?
3. Do people feel sense of guilt, or shame at their inability or past unwillingness to study the bible? What would help them move beyond these feelings?
4. Are people able to study the bible in such a way that that they are able to relate it to their daily lives and daily ministries? What methods and resources would help them?
5. On a continuum is this faith community basically energetic or apathetic about study of scriptures?
Apathetic _____________________________________________________Energetic
What would help this faith community become more excited about reading and studying the Bible?
6. Are people able to study in ways that help them really be inside the texts, to hear, see, smell, taste what is going on with God and God’s people?
7. Are people studying the Bible together in ways that strengthen and equip them for carrying out God’s mission? What is needed?
Group conversation: Create an open opportunity talk in depth about what they believe is the calling of this faith community for mission in the world. Some may express the need to share God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Some may talk about concern for the earth. Some may emphasis care for the poor. Some may want to be equipped more fully for working for justice and peace. How does their study of Scripture foster this or not? What is needed?
7. What is needed so that people in our faith community become more fully equipped to be teachers of the Bible?
_____ We have enough teachers now and they have sufficient teacher training.
_____ We have more teachers than we have people wanting to come to classes.
_____ We need more teachers.
_____ Parents, godparents and grandparents need help in teaching the bible.
_____ Our teachers need basic education in how to design a class and use various methods of engaging the Bible at various stages of faith formation
_____ Our teachers need ongoing study in bible and biblical interpretation.
_____ Who is needed to teach the teachers?________________________
_____ Other ________________________________________
_____ We need more teachers for
_________ young children
_________ youth
_________ young adults
_________ middle and older adults
_________ Other groupings. What are they __________________’
8. How might the pastor(s) role in teaching the Bible be enhanced?
9. What roles in teaching the Bible by other rostered leaders are needed?
WHAT DO WE ENVISION?
Group conversation: Give each person time to sit quietly and either write or think about dreams they have for the future. What would this faith community look like if all members were reading the Bible daily and each person was part of a group Bible study on a regular basis? Envision a faith community in which each person had numerous opportunities for Bible Study at his or her life stage. Take time to share those dreams with the group.
1. What would it take to have some of those dreams become reality? Discuss:
Who would be involved? Who would be leaders?
What gifts do we have among us in this faith community?
What Bible study opportunities do we now have that we should affirm and support? What new opportunities should we plant to start?
When should we start them? Right away? After some exploration and planning?
When and Where should they be?
How will we do this? How can we build on the gifts we now have among us in this faith community? What educating and equipping will be necessary?
Under girding all of these questions: Why do we study the Bible? Why do we want to study the Bible together even more?
2. What difficulties do you envision?
_______ People won’t come.
________People will disagree.
________People will say they will come and start and then won’t continue.
________People will become more divided over social issues based on different interpretations of the Bible.
________Other
3. Some ideas to put the visions into practice: (Be bold!)
A. “There are not enough people coming to our Sunday morning Bible study now”
Then, start two more. People may need a variety of methods, times, places.
B. “People don’t find the Bible relevant to their daily lives.”
Then, go to the places of daily ministry where people are. Walk with one another, speak the “languages” that workplace. Start with the questions people ask in the midst of their daily lives.
C. “We need to emphasize evangelism more than education”
Then, begin a Bible study in the neighborhood. Perhaps work together with ecumenical partners. Reach out to share the good news and share the Scriptures to help people grow in that Good News.
D. “People are so divided over social issues and it all ends up in disagreement over how we interpret Scripture.”
Then, begin a class on various ways to interpret Scripture. Listen well to each other.
E. “We need Bible study for our youth more than we need it for adults.”
Then, start classes for adults. Youth need to see adults questioning their own faith, digging deeply into Scripture, and growing strong in their ability to speak about God. Use these growing adults as mentors and guides and teachers of children and youth.
Role play your own worries and statements of resistance. Role play your own bold visions of what to do and where to start.
4. Envision specifically some areas on which to concentrate. Check the ones which would be helpful in your faith community. You may want to number them to prioritize your list
______In the neighborhood and workplace
______ In family settings
______ In small groups
______ In faith forums
______ In specific group groups, e.g. church council, grief groups, Women of ELCA, men’s breakfast, marriage preparation…….
______ In greater awareness of and participation in Scripture in liturgy.
______ In artistic forms of encountering Scripture (art, music, drama….)
______ In congregational or inter-congregation Bible study on the Web
______ In continuing education for more advanced study of scripture
______ In synod, conference or cluster events
______ In congregational or multi-congregational teaching education events
5. Graced by the Spirit, envision how this faith community might be described five years from now:
People loving Scripture and hungry to hear and read more
A consistency and faithfulness in continuing study
People not debilitated but energized for mission and ministry
People enriched and equipped for leadership
Individuals using the Bible more regularly for personal prayer
A safe environment where people not fearful but open to
various meanings in a scriptural text
People able to use their biblical knowledge to question, learn, and teach
A community able to claim and use their Lutheran theology
A community able to fluently speak about its faith in Jesus Christ
Other______________________
We trust this inventory has been helpful to your faith community.