What's an Investigative Bible Discussion?
This is typically a 4-session weekly series of substantive Bible discussion around particular topics. Typically, it’s held at a local restaurant on a weeknight from 7:30-9. Facilitated by Navigators staff or trusted partners, topics range all over the place. Here’s a sampling of the choices offered in the past:
What’s up with Old Testament violence, such as when the Israelites took the “promised land”? Does that violence cause a problem for our understanding of God or Scripture?
What are practical tips for engaging in evangelism as a lifestyle?
How does the Bible define “church”? What’s the point of a church anyway?
How did the minor prophets critique their own culture and the cultures around them? How did this change when the Israelites were the majority/minority culture?
How should Christians understand the Bible in relation to science, including the creation account?
Sometimes we choose the topics, sometimes Lee and Becky, our able facilitators, solicit questions you might have. For each question tackled, they’ll send a summary sheet and "three interpretations" sheet the week before to help you prepare for the discussion. (Those are samples.)
Here are some guidelines for questions:
1. It’s limited in scope
Example of a good question: Was Jesus more stringent or more lenient on divorce than the Old Testament?
Example of a question we probably wouldn’t use: What is God’s design for relationships between men and women? (This is probably too broad to cover in one night.)
2. It relates to something within or about the Bible
Example of a good question: I’ve heard it said that God created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing). Does the Bible really back this up?
Example of a question we probably wouldn’t use: Why does the universe exist? (This is a fun theoretical question but exploring it may take us too far outside the Bible.)
Example of a good question: Why in the world did Paul command married women to cover their heads in 1 Corinthians, and are we supposed to follow this today? (We tackled this one already, tho! It was a great discussion about temporal customs vs. God's plan for us.)
Example of a question we probably wouldn’t use: Why do most societies throughout history treat men and women differently? (Again, this probably takes us too far outside the Bible.)
If no questions come to mind, this site might help drum some up for you--it's a series of short questions people ask pastor & theologian, Greg Boyd.
Our ultimate aim is to take what we learn and apply it to how we live the gospel in our daily lives and how we hold/speak/chat it up with friends, family and colleagues. We ask that you plan on prioritizing these four-week series gatherings if you join us.
These are very small groups, 6-8 people each. Does this interest you? Got questions about any of this? Contact Anne.