• Overview
• Preparation
• Study Session
• After the Study

Overview

Over the last few years, members of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew have approached me at various times asking for my suggestions regarding the shape of the weekly Bible study. In the most recent discussions (in Jan. 2004), several brothers asked me to offer some written guidelines for the study, incorporating my suggestions for study resources and the general shape of the study leader’s presentation.

The following outline forms my response to that request. While I think adherence to the suggested guidelines will nurture more consistently fruitful discussions, they should not be construed as being written in stone, nor should they squelch divinely inspired innovation. They simply reflect my years of experience in leading such studies in various settings: what has seemed to work, and (implicitly) what has not.

My prayer is that they will help enliven that important part of our Saturday mornings, giving us each a holy nugget of inspiration to take with us to our homes and our vocations.

The Reverend Donald D. Binder, Rector

I. Preparation

a. Praying, Reading & Reflecting

i. The week before you are scheduled to lead the study, pick up the designated study guide either from the brother who led that week’s study or from the top of the BSA filing cabinet (back corner closet in the annex).

1. For the present study on Hebrews, we are using the volume Hebrews and James by Frances Taylor Gench.

2. Feel free to make use of other study resources as well, especially from among the selection available at the bookstore of Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria.

ii. Before undertaking your study, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in illuminating the Scripture to you.

iii. In order to orient yourself to the overall purpose of the particular book of Scripture we are studying, read through the introductory pages of the study guide.

iv. Then, read through the chapter of Scripture, writing down your first impressions.

v. After this, read through the pages associated with your assigned chapter.

1. Some sections in the guide may cover verses adjoining your chapter, since the author’s outline will not always correspond with biblical chapter breaks.

vi. Jot down the major points highlighted in the guide about the chapter: its themes, arguments, images, references to other biblical texts, etc.

vii. Write down how the verses in the chapter speak to you personally.

viii. Write down any connections you find between the chapter and contemporary issues.

b. Outlining your Introductory Statement

i. Length of Comments

1. Keep in mind that your introductory statement should ideally be about five minutes in length, leaving 10-15 minutes for discussion.

a. On occasion the introduction may be somewhat more lengthy, though still leaving sufficient time for group discussion.

ii. Expository Comments

1. From your notes, pick out the most important background material and themes to highlight.

a. Unless you are assigned the first chapter of a book, the background material need not be too extensive; it should simply give context to the chapter.

b. Likewise, highlight two or three of the most important themes or points being made in the chapter.

iii. Integration of Personal Reflections

1. Follow up the exposition of the important themes with a personal reflection, which may involve a personal story, a current event or a tie-in to a recently read book or article.

iv. Development of Discussion Questions

1. Write three or four open ended discussion questions (questions involving more than a “yes” or “no” response) to pose during the group discussion period.

II. The Study Session

a. Reading the Passage

i. After the Director indicates the group is ready to begin the study, take the lead in reading through the assigned chapter, verse by verse, around the table.

1. Alternatively, you may wish to make a few comments on the background of the chapter before beginning the reading.

b. Introductory Comments

i. After the reading has concluded, present your background and thematic comments, as well as your personal reflections.

ii. Conclude your comments by posing one of your discussion questions.

c. The Discussion

i. Help facilitate the discussion by recognizing individuals wishing to speak, by summarizing various comments and occasionally interjecting your own thoughts.

1. Try to involve as many people in the discussion as possible, especially recognizing those who have not yet spoken.

ii. As a particular avenue of discussion ebbs, pose another of your discussion questions.

d. Concluding Summary

i. As the study time draws to a close, give a quick summary of what was learned from the discussion; alternately, thank everyone for their contributions.

ii. Lead the group into the closing devotions.

III. After the Study

a. Either pass on the study guide to the person scheduled for the following week, or leave it on top of the BSA filing cabinet.