Shared Praxis Bible Study

General Overview of the method:
Shared praxis is a way to start from where you are now, look at the bible and see where it fits into your life now. We need to know where we are in order to understand where the people in the bible are coming from. You also include how the bible has been interpreted before by the church. Thinking and feeling our interaction with the story helps us to understand the story better and where we are in the bigger picture based on the stories.

Age Level:
This is a good adult bible study but it could work well with youth groups as well. You have to discuss your experiences and think about different emotions that you felt during those experiences. It’s a nice discussion method for groups to use to openly discuss the bible and where we all fit into that.

Specific Materials/Supplies/Handouts Required:
o Preparation
o Bible
o Open mind
o The ability to be open

Step by step instructions for the model:
Have the class think about a time when they felt a certain way. Have the class discuss the times they have felt those ways. Have them talk about why they feel those certain emotions during those situations. Read the scripture for the day. Have the group describe how they react to the scripture and what the differences are between the scripture and your experiences. At this time you should read what a scholar has to say about the scripture. You would then have the class talk about the similarities and differences between the scripture story and your story. You then lead the class to make a faith statement to help you with your future and the future of the church.

Evaluation of the model (strengths/weaknesses):
The good thing about this method is that it combines life today with life back then. It involves a lot of discussion which is good but it can allow for getting off track. It requires a lot of research on the part of the teacher so if you’re not going to do the work don’t do this.