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THROUGH THE EYES OF ANOTHER
What happens when small groups of ordinary readers from
different contexts read the same Biblical story and get involved in a dialogue
about its meaning? Experience has taught that this way of reading the Bible
frees it to do its job as an agent of God’s liberation, conversion, and
reconciliation. Seven groups from
Other than the willingness to complete the whole process, there are no preconditions or requirements for participation in a reading group—in other words, all voices and participants, with their particular gifts and perspectives, are welcome and valued. What’s expected is that ordinary readers will read a text together as they’re used to, then enter into (written) dialogue with a partner group. Groups at KRMC included our seven geographic area groups and the senior high school Sunday school class.
Step 2: the process of reading begins Both groups read and discuss the biblical text (Luke 23:32-43) separately. This phase of the project can include anything each group finds meaningful as it approaches the text: worship, drama, silence, visual arts, discussion, etc. The key is engagement with the text in the ways that make sense to the group. For us, the reading process was spread over 4 Sunday morning education hours. It began with us creating a profile of ourselves (i.e., anything you want the partner group to know about us) that became a part of the reading report we sent to our partner groups.
Step 3: the exchange begins As soon as the reading process wass finished and a reading report wass created, the exchange began—i.e., reading groups send each other their reports. KRMC reading groups completed step 2 in early October and group reports were mailed out in November and early December.
Step 4: through the eyes of another With the report of our partner groups in hand, we read the text again, but now through the eyes of another group. Some things we considered:: what are the similarities and differences between each group’s visions of the text? What role might culture or religious tradition have played in these similarities or differences? How is God speaking through the text, through the partner group, and through the juxtaposition of each group’s work? Recorders again kept notes of our observations, questions, discoveries, etc. and created a response to our partner groups.
Step 5: interaction and rounding off After having looked at the text “through the eyes of another,” we sent our partner groups a second report of their conversations or questions. This report included responses to the other group’s comments, answers to each other group’s questions, and other communication that seems appropriate and life-giving. The study groups finished meeting again in January and responses were sent to partner groups the end of February.
For more information about intercultural Bible reading, see www.bible4all.org
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