I rediscovered the joy of reading Scripture, in all its intricacy and complexity, within a community of students in my New Testament Greek class.
Scripture comes alive in community and discussion with others. Like those of you who take part in a Bible study group, I was one of many engaging the multitude of possibilities flowing from the text, presenting my ideas, encountering those of others and learning from my mistakes. My classmates and I were vulnerable together, rejoicing in our successes and laughing through our (many) failures. Over the course of the year, we learned to embrace our strengths and lean on one another in our weaknesses.
Studying the Bible together means growing alongside a community of friends. It’s failing boldly and trying again. And more than anything else, it’s rejoicing because Scripture always seems to slip through my fingers just as I’m about to understand it. And this reality is a constant reminder of my total reliance on God’s goodness and grace.
This message is excerpted from a Women of the ELCA blog by Hannah Hawkinson. You can read it here. Today we celebrate Pentecost; and remember Columba, who died in 597; Aidan, who died in 651; Bede, who died in 735; renewers of the church.
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