Bible study
Have you ever thought of joining a Bible Study Group, or even of studying the Bible daily on your own?
Perhaps you feel you cannot afford the time.
Perhaps you fear being locked in a room with a group of solemn aspirant theologians.
Perhaps you think you are well versed in the significant events of the Old and New Testaments and require no further knowledge than that which is offered weekly at St Mary's or the Community Centre.
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Well, none of these doubts are true! |
There are three groups in the parish, two meet weekly (one in the afternoon, one in the evening) and one meets monthly on the second Thursday in the month. None lasts for more than 1½ hours, and the one I am associated with can have so much fun that someone decorating St. Mary's Community Centre doubted whether we were studying the Bible at all. But we were and, to quote Frank Acott who leads the Thursday House Group, "relating our Lord's words to our daily lives means sharing our experiences, our difficulties and our beliefs. Sometimes to learn to help each other to understand the teaching can be fun as well as at times serious."
There is great joy to be had in coming across unfamiliar passages, or being offered a sudden insight by other members of the group, or being reminded of a forgotten fact. How many of us remember that Zacharias was struck deaf and dumb for challenging Gabriel's announcement that "thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John?" (Luke 1:13.) Just before Reverend Yvonne left, we were reading Julian of Norwich and, although we occasionally found Julian difficult and repetitive, none of us has forgotten her great words of comfort "All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well."
So do give Bible Study some thought. As Derek and Anita Sorrell say of their group "We do not see ourselves as Bible experts, so we very much appreciate everyone's input." And if you would prefer to study the Bible in peace on your own, Christine Small (01233 631272) can obtain Bible Reading Fellowship and other study guides pitched at various levels of study.
Tim Evers
Contact the group leaders
| Thursdays at 8.00pm - Frank Acott | 01233 650373 |
| Tuesdays at 2.00pm - Tim Evers | 01233 632671 |
| 2nd Thursday in month - Anita & Derek Sorrell | 01233 628066 |
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