We have been having evening Bible Study in our congregation for about the last 13 or 14 years. At first we had it on Tuesdays, and then we moved it to Mondays, and then we finally settled on Thursdays. The change was always because of my work schedule it seems. But, over the years, we have looked at all kinds of passages of scripture, and raised all sorts of issues in our discussions. But, one thing has happened consistently in our Bible Study - at some point, someone asks a question that really matters to them about how to life a faithful life in the middle of all the real challenges of life. And, the group joins in, starting to ask the same question or ask it out loud in a little bit of a different way. And, we share experiences: often funny, some sad, some with a touch of anger still, and some full of insight and hope. But, in contrast to almost every group discussion I have been a part of in my life, there is no competition involved. There is no one trying to "one-up" the last speaker. I have never seen or been a part of anything like it. And, time after time, when I have been about ready "to throw in the towel" in life, I come away from these Bible studies refreshed and ready to try again.
There is a level of honesty about the struggle to live in faith that just cuts right to my heart each time.
It is like we become one in this thinking out loud that we do, in this sharing of life through words and laughter and stories and questions and attempts at answers. And, we never know where the real helpful word will come from. But, it comes. Whereever two or three are gathered in this Spirit, the Word comes, the Word made flesh.
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