This brought up two different thought memories as I read it. The first was reading The Serviceberry this past month and how often Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the centrality of observational knowledge to Native American worldview and spirituality, much the same way that we go out in Wild Church to see what God's Creation has to share with us that day, what we can learn from the scripture of works, as it were.
The other memory that came up was of a sort of Bible study (and also a missionary group using this methodology that I considered joining after college) which I'm sure had a name I've long forgotten, but which focused on storytelling the Gospel. That is, instead of focusing on the written text, it asked us to take turns each week telling a story from the Gospel in a compelling way, making the audience feel like they were there in a real way. I distinctly remember I had the week of the Pentecost story and I looked up phrases in different languages and called them all out so people could get a sense of the chaos and the beauty of everyone speaking different languages all of a sudden.
I love the idea you shared of reading the story and then imagining yourself in the scene. It's been awhile since I've revisited the text, and this might be an interesting exercise for me. Thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love the idea of taking turns telling the gospel stories in your own words. What a creative way to learn the stories of the gospel. I was once part of a small group that did the same thing and it brought fresh in sight to each story. I so appreciate all your thoughts, Jaclynn, and we certainly miss you at Wild Church! Also, I love every word that Robin Wall Kimmerer writes!
I miss Wild Church too! The nearest one I found up here is over 1.5 hours away 🫤 I may still check it out sometime, or maybe if I keep looking I will find some sort of spiritual community in my area where I can get filled up. I have half a mind to start my own and see who comes... We'll see
Colette I love this so much!! I would love to be in your Bible study 💜🙏🏽
I am totally with you on the method. With so many diverse approaches and writers in here, I felt the need to explain my relationship to the Bible so I wrote this - see what you think!
Thank you for sharing your piece! I completely resonate with it and love the open approach. I find it fascinating that you have a science background. I grew up with a dad who was a scientist, but also a Christian, which I think has helped me to not cling too tightly to one interpretation of scripture.
Yeah exactly - when you let your right brain and left brain work together, Scripture just expands into unimaginable depths and the storyline stays intact. I love it. You described the experience so well.
I love the way you expand the concept of a “sacred text” to include our souls and creation. Our imagination and our stories seem so rich with the presence of God. Grateful that we have a text, a soul, and a million different settings to experience it.
This brought up two different thought memories as I read it. The first was reading The Serviceberry this past month and how often Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the centrality of observational knowledge to Native American worldview and spirituality, much the same way that we go out in Wild Church to see what God's Creation has to share with us that day, what we can learn from the scripture of works, as it were.
The other memory that came up was of a sort of Bible study (and also a missionary group using this methodology that I considered joining after college) which I'm sure had a name I've long forgotten, but which focused on storytelling the Gospel. That is, instead of focusing on the written text, it asked us to take turns each week telling a story from the Gospel in a compelling way, making the audience feel like they were there in a real way. I distinctly remember I had the week of the Pentecost story and I looked up phrases in different languages and called them all out so people could get a sense of the chaos and the beauty of everyone speaking different languages all of a sudden.
I love the idea you shared of reading the story and then imagining yourself in the scene. It's been awhile since I've revisited the text, and this might be an interesting exercise for me. Thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love the idea of taking turns telling the gospel stories in your own words. What a creative way to learn the stories of the gospel. I was once part of a small group that did the same thing and it brought fresh in sight to each story. I so appreciate all your thoughts, Jaclynn, and we certainly miss you at Wild Church! Also, I love every word that Robin Wall Kimmerer writes!
I miss Wild Church too! The nearest one I found up here is over 1.5 hours away 🫤 I may still check it out sometime, or maybe if I keep looking I will find some sort of spiritual community in my area where I can get filled up. I have half a mind to start my own and see who comes... We'll see
Oh fun!! I’m here as a support anytime if you decide to start one!
Colette I love this so much!! I would love to be in your Bible study 💜🙏🏽
I am totally with you on the method. With so many diverse approaches and writers in here, I felt the need to explain my relationship to the Bible so I wrote this - see what you think!
https://open.substack.com/pub/iamadamah/p/a-mystic-and-her-bible?r=21ap39&utm_medium=ios
Thank you for sharing your piece! I completely resonate with it and love the open approach. I find it fascinating that you have a science background. I grew up with a dad who was a scientist, but also a Christian, which I think has helped me to not cling too tightly to one interpretation of scripture.
Yeah exactly - when you let your right brain and left brain work together, Scripture just expands into unimaginable depths and the storyline stays intact. I love it. You described the experience so well.
I love the way you expand the concept of a “sacred text” to include our souls and creation. Our imagination and our stories seem so rich with the presence of God. Grateful that we have a text, a soul, and a million different settings to experience it.
I’m so grateful too! I feel like all the texts give us a fuller picture of the Divine.
Oh you already know how I adore Chelan Harkin!!!
I know! I found her through you. 😃I’m going to buy her book of poetry.
Worth every ounce!!
I could not love this more, Colette. I love the idea of seeing the human soul as a third stream of revelation. glory.