 BIBLE STUDY
The following was preached in every parish church in England at the Reformation in the 16th century in the Homily called “A fruitful Exhortation to the reading of Holy Scripture”:
To a Christian there can be nothing either more necessary or profitable, than the knowledge of holy Scripture, forasmuch as in it is contained God’s true word, setting forth his glory, and also man’s duty… Therefore as many as be desirous to enter into the right and perfect way unto GOD, must apply their minds to know holy Scripture.
Our Church continues to be convinced of the merits of individuals taking the Bible (off the shelf!) into their hands and reading for themselves the story of God's love in our creation, redemption and sanctification. It is one of the chief means given by God to aid us in our growth into full Christian maturity. A daily pattern of reading the Bible is suggested each week on our Worship Schedule page. We also offer the possibility of studying God's Word written together in Bible studies.
February - March 2012
The Book of Genesis: We consider this great book of Creation and Fall and the beginning of the redemption God promises through a descendant of Eve through the line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It has since ancient times been read during Pre-Lent, to recall our original creation as we reflect in the coming season on our re-creation that Christ brings about by His passion, death and resurrection. The Bible Study is held at the Chaplain's apartment next to the church at 8:30pm, mostly on Thursday nights. Contact the chaplain for directions if you would like to attend. In eight weeks we look at:
February 9:
The Creation (I) (1:1-2:3)
February 16: The Creation (II)
(2:4-end)
February 23: The Fall (3-4)
March 1: The Flood (6-9)
March 6: Abraham and Sarah (12-23)
March 16: Isaac and Rebeccah (24-28)
March 22: Jacob (29-36)
March 29: Joseph (37-50)
PREVIOUS BIBLE STUDIESMarch - April 2011
The Book of Exodus: We considered this great book of deliverance, which has since ancient times been read during Lent, as a kind of figure of the deliverance that Christ brings about by His death and passion. It is also full of wisdom about the spiritual ascent. In five weeks we looked at the call of Moses, the plagues, the Passover, the Exodus and journey to Sinai, the Commandments and the Tabernacle.
January 2011
The Gospel According to St. Mark: We considered a chapter of St. Mark's Gospel each Thursday night during this Epiphany season and reflected on Christ's revelation of himself and the reactions it caused in the opening chapters of the Gospel.
November 2010
Overview of the Old Testament in Four Sessions: The Law; The Writings; Wisdom Literature; and The Prophets. Each Thursday night in November we looked at one of the four main divisions of the Old Testament "in the light of Christ", meaning, in light of his subsequent appearance and praying for the light of His Spirit to guide us i.e. from a Christian perspective.
From the Preface to the Great Bible (the first official translation in English) by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in the mid 16th century:
But still you will say I cannot understand it. What marvel? How should you understand, if you will not read, nor look upon it? Take the books into your hands, read the whole story, and that you understand, keep it well in memory; that you understand not, read it again, and again. If you can neither so come by it, counsel with some other that is better learned. Go to your curate and preacher; show yourself to be desirous to know and learn, and I doubt not but God - seeing your diligence and readiness (if no man else teach you) - will himself …with his Holy Spirit…illuminate you, and…open unto you that which was locked from you.
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