This was one of the comments of our group when we have been listening and speaking with each other around the place of the Bible in our lives.
In the weekly Renewal Group of st. marks community we have been chatting about the ways we let ourselves read the bible - practically; when do we read it in the day or the week? For some early in the morning before work and for others, whose partners are not churchgoers, last thing at night when their partners are watching telly still. For some, we read a book in one sitting, for others a chapter a day or once a week. We have tried to do this honestly and without guilt-tripping each other. Some work, others are retired, others are on shifts, others care for grandchildren. Our lives and our reading of the bible take different forms but we try and gather each Wednesday 7-9pm in a flat where a woman of 88 offers us a space and hospitality. We know we are in the presence of a wise woman and a Wise Spirit is with us through the Bible and to interpret it together. We share tea at the beginning for 10-15 mins and really listen to each others past week. We don't give too much advice and then we read the bible and speak and listen together for God. It is not rocket science but we feel like God is setting us on fire!
Recently we were each asked to name an example of when the Bible and its interpretation has made a difference in our life and in what ways. We shared that what we say to people about the Bible makes a difference - speaking in worship and in everyday life but especially in relation to the death of a person we love. The words we use from the bible have sometimes been used as if to help but they have harmed or not been real.
So this took us on to: in what ways do words of the Bible harm or help?
This was one of our renewal groups reflections over the past couple of weeks when we have been doing some work on what we make of the Bible - things that hinder or nurture our ordinary spiritual life with God in the world.
We shared that when people reach out to us and we to each other after the death of someone we love words ARE important to us. What we say about God, Jesus, death and the Bible do matter and do make an impact - positive or negative. When we say we listen FOR the word of God in worship we could also say that we listen in daily life too - for Gods word that is spoken and unspoken. Someone said "Not all words from the Bible are Gods" Another person said "We have to be very careful what we say" Words which were significant to us but which needed more exploration in worship and in relation to the Bible are: forgiveness - do we feel it, how does it happen, power - there are different kinds in our lives and God's power - how may this word affect us, sin - there was much talk about this word, about its meaning and about using other words thesedays since it comes with a package of holier-than-thou, hellfire and bible bashing.
And back to the question of an example of when the bible & its interpretation has made a difference & in what ways...people shared not only about death & Psalm 23 but also about divorce & asked what on earth are we to make of Jesus' teachings on it, of separation and living together, of the place of forgiveness in the context of abuse of power, of children, of knowledge. We had many more questions and issues to raise with God, to put to the Bible and to share with each other and pray through. We said that it was good to pray about and through them but not to do this passively, expecting God to act only through our silent & spoken prayer together. We are expectant as a group for the Spirit's guidance in our exploring and growing together with the Bible. We continue to struggle with these issues and come back to them again and again in relation to interpreting the Bible in our personal and collective lives.
After our day with GEAR (Group for Evangelism and Renewal of the United Reformed Church) there were several supernatural happenings in our congregation. One person had a dream, one had a vision whilst in worship which they shared with elders, one brought a word of wisdom for people in our congregation who are in roles and relationships of care and asked us 'who cares for the carers?' and one group has stopped using the building making opportunity for st marks to explore further community ministries! The Spirit continues to flow and in ordinary 'normal' ways we continue to flourish as a group of God's people in Wythenshawe. With our weekly gatherings with the Bible these things connect us to the Catch the Vision process we are moving into about the life of the URC in relation to Bible & Spirituality. Yes, the process has been topsy-turvey but we are in it and so we can make opportunities to enable discipleship of Jesus flourish. There is really no way around it except for with the bible, prayer & each other! Again, not rocket science but certainly I think it is a far cry from where local URCs are at present and radical changes are needed in our URC social life to more properly give space to get with the Bible again, and again. Anyway, off one of my hobby horses now!
The picture above is John 1 in arabic script. In the Reformed tradition of things we can be very wordy but this visual form (I don't read arabic so hope it is the correct way around) helps me to be more aware of giving shape and form to the Word not only more words!
