As part of
one of my New Year’s resolutions, I joined a bible study group at my church.
Four
studies were offered: The Mass, The Timeline of the Church, Mary, and The Book
of Revelation. Which do you think I chose? Your humble author, devourer of
science fiction and weird esoterica such as Nostradamus, and aficionado of
historical mysteries? That’s right; I signed up to do a deep dive into the
Apocalypse.
We meet on
Monday nights from 7 to 9. So far I attended two sessions. We’re working with a
study guide published by Ascension Press. The classes start with an hour
reviewing the questions from the workbook out loud; these vary from simple
listings of the various items we read in the current chapter to speculation on
what God is speaking to us through them. Then we watch an hourlong recorded
presentation by the author of the study workbook. It covers not only the text
of the Book of Revelation, but the historical, cultural, biblical, and
spiritual context of the themes we encounter. There are about 25 of us in the
group, one-third men and two-thirds women, ranging in age from mid-30s to one
in her late 80s. I’m about the median age. So far I’ve found it warm,
welcoming, and extremely interesting and informative. I expect to be an expert
in the final book of the New Testament when the study ends in ten weeks.
In the
days leading up to the first class I felt a little weird. The last college
course I took was nearly thirty years ago. Apart from a few classes for my IT
certifications around the turn-of-the-century and my eight-week H&R Block
tax preparer course in 2016, this is my first foray into formalized group
learning in a long while. I must admit, auto-didact I claim to be, there’s
nothing like a group setting to hold one’s feet to the fire. Plus, I am
learning from my classmates. All are nice people, all are the sort of Catholics
who put their faith into practice, so I quickly overcame any nerves midway
through the first session.
Already I
am loaded with stats and trivia. But I am wondering whether I would share that
here or, if so, how much and what exactly? While recapping every session might
be overkill, I think I’ll post some “highlights” midway through and an
evaluation when it finishes at the end of March. And maybe some odd or
inspiring things I come across here and there. There is a “homework heavy”
aspect to the preparation before a sessions (15-20 minutes daily), so I don’t
want to burn myself out. I am, after all, still reading other non-religious
books voraciously, as well as working and parenting full time, walking as much
as possible, etc.
I’ll have
to give it some thought. But I’ll definitely post something, and continue to
write and publish here when the spirit moves me.
Happy (End
Times) readings!
