{"id":2064,"date":"2022-02-25T01:38:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T01:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/2022\/02\/25\/community-bible-study-in-the-hampton-roads-church\/"},"modified":"2023-06-02T06:58:08","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T04:58:08","slug":"community-bible-study-in-the-hampton-roads-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/community-bible-study-in-the-hampton-roads-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Bible Study in the Hampton Roads Church"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In April 2020, I gathered a small group of men together to study the stanzas of Psalm 119 on weekday mornings. Over the months that followed, our group continued to meet, taking turns to read a passage of scripture and talk about it. Our readings included the Psalms, the parables of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount, and the book of Hebrews. Meeting every weekday for communal Bible study helped us stay spiritually focused and connected during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hampton Roads Church adopted this form of community Bible study using a New Testament reading plan in 2021, and many new groups were formed. We’ve continued these group discussions with a reading plan in the Old Testament for 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these groups, we take time to read a passage, discuss it, then pray. This \u201cread, talk, pray\u201d format is similar to a haverim <\/em>study group, a teaching method practiced in some synagogues. The Hebrew word haverim <\/em>means \u201cgroup of friends,\u201d from the root Hebrew word haver <\/em>(\u05d7\u05b8\u05d1\u05b5\u05e8\u200e, Strong\u2019s number H2270), which is translated as \u201cfriend\u201d in Psalm 119:63 (NIV) and as \u201cpartner\u201d in Proverbs 28.24. In a synagogue, haverim <\/em>study groups typically break into pairs to study a passage, then come together to discuss it with the full group. This teaching approach provides scriptural insights through a \u201cgroup of friends\u201d taking time to read, talk and pray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Each morning we start our session with a reading from the Scriptures. While the main purpose of the scripture reading is to introduce our discussion, there\u2019s also value in hearing the Word read out loud. When we hear the words of Scripture read by others, it helps us to focus on the words and the message. We hear how the Word energizes and brings out emotions as others read it aloud. We don\u2019t get to experience this by reading the Bible in a personal quiet time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After reading the day\u2019s passage, the haverim <\/em>discusses it. In our group, we\u2019ve used various Bible translations, and also refer to commentaries and other Bible study resources. The differences in words chosen by translators and thoughts provided from commentators have helped us better understand the message or theme of passages, and have fueled our discussions. Talking about the passage helps us to hear what others are learning from the Scriptures and to gain new insights and convictions. I\u2019ve often left our morning sessions with new insights or renewed conviction to better obey and follow God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our haverim <\/em>sessions, we also reserve time to pray after we read and talk. Our prayers include the convictions we\u2019ve gained, but also include prayers for our families, God\u2019s church, our character, and other needs. Praying together strengthens the bonds of fellowship within our haverim <\/em>“group of friends.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on haverims and resources for starting your own group, please see bentonblog.com<\/a>. For the Hampton Roads 2022 Old Testament Reading Plan, see hamptonroadschurch.com<\/a>. I\u2019m happy to talk about our haverims <\/em>and how to start one in your congregation – I can be reached at tombenton.hrc@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In April 2020, I gathered a small group of men together to study the stanzas of Psalm 119 on weekday…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":2065,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[54],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-2064","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-study","tag-north-america"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20220222_142616.jpg?fit=1920%2C1440&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"dtadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/dtadmin\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-xi","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4812,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/caribbean-south-and-central-american-church-leaders-connect-at-miami-school-of-missions\/","url_meta":{"origin":2064,"position":0},"title":"Caribbean, South and Central American Church Leaders Connect at Miami School of Missions","author":"dtadmin","date":"December 14, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"January 2019 marks the 10th annual Miami School of Missions. 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