Thursday, September 29, 2005

Old Testament Flashbacks

I'm not a big fan of bible studies.

I've tried a couple of different studies in a variety of settings and I have rarely felt challenged or inspired. I think it's pretty safe to say that I am neither blessed with extraordinary brain power, nor am I particularly learned in all things biblical. So that isn't the problem.

The problem is this. I just don't like those canned studies where you read a verse(s) and then beat the darn thing to death trying to pick out whatever the study guide author intended for all of us to pick out. I guess I prefer questions that are more open ended and maybe that's why I enjoy the parables of Jesus so much, because to me they seem so open ended.

Right now, I'm participating in an evening bible study at a neighbor's home and we are examining the book of James. Previous to this study, I hadn't spent a whole lot of time in James, so when I sat down a week ago and read the book (it's blessedly short), I almost felt like I was having an Old Testament flashback. This book has some pretty stern stuff, very plainly written and I think it fair to say that I wasn't grooving on James a whole lot...

The book of James starts out like this: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
NIV James 1:2-3

See what I mean? I guess I'm just not spiritually evolved enough to consider my sorrows and trials pure joy. I think I'm more like that bruised reed Jesus talks about in Matthew 12:20. Should I suppose that Jesus will restore me by heaping more trials? Does Christ require still more perseverance from me?

I don't think so.

I think the only thing Jesus requires, is that I share this journey with him, and that I let him shoulder the sorrows of life so that I may discover life's deeper joys.

Yes, well now I'm digressing from my original point, aren't I?

I guess I just thought that a bible study should be more engaging, more exciting somehow. Maybe my expectations are the problem here too?

Oh well, on a positive note, the other people in this bible study were each fairly open in admitting that they experience a variety of problems in their lives. I found that refreshing. After all, we church folk seem to excel in looking good...and if we mention our problems at all, it's always in the past tense. We say things like, "Oh yes, I struggled with that once too...."

I also liked that at the end of our evening together, the people who prayed didn't ramble on and on with flowery prayers that always sound good but in actuality say nothing at all. That was refreshing too.

So, while I may not have been quivering with theological excitement the entire evening, it wasn't a complete waste of time. I think I'd be very much out of my depth in theological waters anyhow, so it's probably best that I not go looking for those particular troubles to sharpen my faith.

Bible studies, who needs them?

Me. I'm raising my hand. I need them and I'm praying:

God, dear God, please give me a teachable spirit.

I need that too.

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