Organizing a Simple Bible Sharing Group

What Steps are Basically Done in a Bible Sharing Session?

Bible Sharing
Bible sharing is different from bible study. Whereas the former is more
of a spiritual activity, the latter involves some kind of seminar or class-
room-type teaching. Bible sharing can be done by all kinds of people.
Though the group can be mixed in terms of ages and personal backgrounds,
there would be greater bonding if the group were composed of people who
are more or less of similar personal backgrounds. The advantage though
of a bible sharing group that is diverse in personal backgrounds is the
richness of insights and learning that each one can get from the other.
Due to the varied backgrounds and experiences of each one, there will be
added insights into every state of life, age, gender, or professional
expertise of the members included. For the bible sharing group that is
composed of people who have similar personal backgrounds, it may be a
kind of support group that can help each one be stronger in each one's
spiritual life.

Some suggestions for the steps in bible sharing
The following are some suggestions for making the bible sharing:
1. As regards the arrangement of the bible sharing session, the most ideal
set-up is to have an altar-type table in the middle of chairs that circle around
it. A cross can be placed in the middle and if there are flowers available,
this may also be put. An extra bible can also be placed on the table.
2. Before the bible sharing session begins, the members of the group can
select who will be in-charge of the reading of the bible passage; who will
be in charge of the opening and the closing prayers; who will be in-charge
of the music (to play via guitar or via CD); and other tasks that are needed
to prepare the physical arrangements in the venue.

3. These may be the flow of the bible sharing session:

• Opening song
• Opening prayer
• Reading of bible passage (usually the gospel for the day)
• Some moments of silence
• Each member of the group take turns in sharing which phrase or word of
  the bible speaks to him as regards his present experience
• There is a kind of 'prayer of the faithful' or intercessory prayer session
  where each member is free to raise up as many prayers as is needed
• Closing prayer
• Closing song
• Agape (whenever possible)

Bible sharing is bringing the word of Jesus closer to us
The objective of a bible sharing group is to make people aware not only
of the words of Scripture but also of the importance of applying it in one's
life. Though we hear the readings of the Sunday Mass in the Eucharistic
celebration every weekend and with the homily of the priest-presider helping
us understand what it means and how we are called to live it out, there is
a big difference when it is examined more closely in relation to one's life
and in relation to how other's also live it out in their lives. Bible
sharing is like being as close to Jesus as we can get, for Jesus Himself
said, 'whenever two or three are gathered in My name, there I am'.

Dennis-Emmanuel Cabrera
February 9, 2005 - Ash Wednesday

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