Some Examples of Participating in the Bible

I use the term “participatory” to describe the method of Bible study that I teach. To be more precise I might say that’s the umbrella concept under which I teach any number of different methods, while urging people to also find their own.

When people first hear the word “participatory” they either say “huh” or quite often think of a study group in which each person participates in the study. That is a form of participatory study. But I’m subtly altering the use of the term. I use it to refer to becoming a part of the Bible story yourself.

There are many ways to do this. I like to do it through stories, such as those I post on my Jevlir Caravansary blog in poetry and short stories. I don’t claim these are professional. What they do is help me express the feeling of a Biblical passage or of the time and place it happened.

Recently I’ve been starting to follow David Ker’s Cyber Psalms. His latest one is Cyber Psalm 37. These Psalms are an example of “participating in the Bible” though I’m certain David didn’t work on them because of any method I proposed. I’m just claiming them as a useful example. My idea is hardly original. It actually has substantial echoes of lectio divina in it.

My challenge to any Bible students out there is to find the method that lets you personally get inside the story. Much of this isn’t about exegesis; it’s about getting on board. Of course, the ultimate getting on board is getting out and active accomplishing the gospel commission. That’s one aspect of the final stage of the method as I propose it–sharing. Your approach doesn’t have to be the same as anyone else’s.

My pastor today, preaching on Pentecost, commented that if the Holy Spirit gets hold of you he may send you around the world, or he may send you across the street. Saying yes to that call to get involved is participating, becoming part of the story.