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Use the following Bible studies in:
- Existing Bible study classes or study groups
- Ecumenical groups
- Sessions
- Committees
- Groups called together at this time to study Scripture
- Peace parties
These Bible studies use the Kaleidoscope Bible Study Process
designed by Eric H. F. Law. They make use of a process that
Eric developed and named "Mutual Invitation."
In Mutual Invitation, the facilitator speaks first. Upon finishing,
the facilitator invites the next person to speak. That person
has the opportunity to speak or to pass or to pass for the moment.
Whatever the person chooses, she has the opportunity to invite
the next person to speak. The process continues until everyone
has had a chance to speak.
It is important to use the language of invitation in this process.
Doing so emphasizes the sharing of power. If you "call"
on me to go next, you have taken the power to choose me. If
you "invite" me to go next, you have extended the
power to me, and I have the opportunity to take it and respond
or not. I also have the opportunity (power) to offer an invitation.
If a group member chooses to pass for the moment, be sure to
offer him or her the opportunity again. You may ask a speaker
questions for clarification only.
This model of study may differ from Bible studies in which
you have participated in the past. We do not do historical analysis.
We do not try to convince other participants of our point of
view. We listen. We listen to the Scripture and we listen to
each other. We listen and others listen to us. Listening
and being listened to are gifts that we too rarely experience.
They are also critical gifts we need to share with each other
as we seek to live together within the diversity that God creates.
These studies are designed for a small group. Six to eight
is an good size although the group may have fewer participants.
When the group gets larger than eight, the length of each study
may exceed an hour.
Each study focuses on one Scripture passage. The passage is
read three times. Each reading is followed by a moment of silence.
After the silence, discussion takes place using Mutual Invitation.
After the first reading, participants identify a word or phrase
or image from the passage that speaks to them. After the second
reading, participants respond to questions specifically written
for that passage. After the third reading, participants respond
to the question: "What is God inviting me to do, be, or
change through this passage?"
- The facilitator should be familiar with the process.
- The facilitator should be familiar with the Scripture passage
and the
- Reflection Question(s) for the session being led.
- Each participant needs a copy of the Scripture passage and
the
- Reflection Question(s) for the session being led.
- Name tags may be needed as it is important for people to
speak to each other by name.
At the first session, distribute the Respectful Communication
Guidelines. Provide an explanation of them, such as:
For effective communications, a group needs a common set
of ground rules that all group members agree to keep. Here
is a set of guidelines designed by Eric Law that we will use
during this Bible study.
Briefly go over the Respectful Communication Guidelines. Ask
participants if there are other guidelines they would suggest;
then ask participants if they can agree to use the Respectful
Communication Guidelines during the Bible study.
At future sessions, remind participants that the Respectful
Communication Guidelines remain in effect. Review them if necessary.
The Kaleidoscope Bible Study Process, the Respectful
Communication Guidelines and three Scripture
passages with questions for reflection follow.
Books by Eric H. F. Law:
The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb. St. Louis, MO:
Chalice Press, 1993.
The Bush Was Blazing but Not Consumed. St. Louis, MO:
Chalice Press, 1996.
Inclusion: Making Room for Grace. St. Louis, MO: Chalice
Press, 2000.
Sacred Acts, Holy Change. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press,
2002.
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