CYCLING through Pollok Country Park on a frosty November morning is a pleasure. On my way to work each day, I can choose the quicker main roads, or the more leisurely footpaths along the winding river, past the highland cattle, the great house, over the motorway, and then through Corkerhill and Cardonald to Braehead.
On those nice days when I’m not in a hurry, it’s a time I treasure; to think about the day ahead, to reflect on
things that have happened or conversations I’ve had, and simply to enjoy the views and the environment. Some days I get bogged down in the routine. It may include less encouraging news, challenging meetings, or just boring things I’d rather not be doing. I find that spending some time doing something out of the ordinary, experiencing beauty, and doing things together with other people, can all be positive ways of refreshing myself and my understanding of the world.
When Lesley announced a bible study course, I was a bit apprehensive, because I’ve never done one before. I do like to think about things, but I haven’t memorised passages from bible, and even listening carefully to a
whole sermon can be a challenge. I’ve been to some house groups, and religious meetings of various types. And I spend every day dealing with business documents and issues. But the bible seemed like a serious thing, and I wasn’t sure I was serious enough for it.
The bible study group was a friendly circle, that I felt very much at home with right away. The first evening was mainly an introductory game, judging our attitude to famous bible stories by walking around the room. It was surprisingly fun, and got us to open up our own ideas, explaining why we made each choice.
In the second class, we moved on to reading a chapter from one of the least known books of the Old Testament: Nehemiah. But even there, we found topics to discuss, opinions to share, and biblical translations to understand through both modern and traditional words. The story that begins even there at the start of the book, incorporates a wise and generous king, a caring official, a destroyed city, and a people
in need of help.
It was a surprise, and another kind of pleasure, to find that reading and discussing a chapter of the bible had hidden depths, but ones that we could understand better as a group. That even apparently dry old books like Nehemiah can be interesting. And that a great knowledge of the bible is not needed before you start.
It’s really about exploring ones own understanding and belief. Listening to other people, and asking questions or making a point when you wish, to move that forward. Personally, I find it much more accessible than listening to a lecture. And by being in a small group, I feel more comfortable talking than I
would, even to my neighbour in the same pew in church on a Sunday. I look forward very much not just to the next Bible Study, but to a range of smaller and more interactive events in the life of the church.
Roger Spooner
