Scripture

Scripture

Scripture

Friends do not consider any scriptures, including the Bible, to be the final Word of God. Robert Barclay cautioned that the scriptures are inly a declaration of the source and not the source itself. Friends believe in “continuing revelation” arising from ongoing communion with the Living God. This expands our sensitivity in relationships with on another and likewise our knowledge of the universe.

Excerpted from PYM Faith and Practice, 2018

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. 

John 13:35

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. 

Mark 12:29-31

 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:35

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Luke 10:25-37

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;
 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
 Righteousness will be his belt
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

 The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
 The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
 They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:1-9

Reflect and Respond

How to Use Grounding Quotes

Here are some suggestions for exploring the introductory essays, texts, and videos in the Grounding section of each topic.  Be creative and consider using different processing techniques over time in order to spark the various learning styles of your participants: discussion, personal reflection, artistic expression, music, worship sharing, creative writing, and deep listening.

Friendly Bible Study

The Friendly Bible Study process applies to Scripture as well as other materials. This process is good for a group of newcomers and old-timers, allowing participants to speak about what is exciting and what is problematic about the text.

Find the Truth

Choose one idea or sentence that rings true for you.  Share with a partner an experience you have had that relates to that sentence/idea.

What Do You Notice?

Shorter variations might be:  What one phrase or idea sticks out for you?  Sit with it for a few minutes and see what rises for you.  Now journal/share with a partner.

Art Response

Draw or doodle in response to this text.  Allow yourself to be Spirit-led – what color do you want to pick up, and how do you want to use it?  This is not art for to view.  This is exploration and expression.  Alternatively, invite participants to make a visual or 3D response to the text using art materials such as clay or play dough, magazines for collage, paint, mural paper, pipe cleaners, objects from nature (acorns, feathers, grasses, flowers, seeds, bark), or building blocks or Legos. 

Visit the Text in Worship

Sit in worship with this material.  Let it work on you.  Try not to “think” about it – just let it sit on your lap and soak in.  Now, turn to your partner and share something about your visit with this text.

Journaling

Write your reaction to the text, how it applies to your life today, what you’re grappling with, or what you’re grateful for.  Use one of the General Questions for Reflection (below) or free-write.  In general, journal writing is kept confidential.

Set it to Music

If you have a group that is willing to be creative, break into small groups and ask each group to write a tune for the quotation or an excerpt (or assign a different quotation to each group).  Tunes are a great way to “memorize” quotations so that they will stick with you.  Check out Timeless Quaker Wisdom in Plainsong for some beautiful examples.

Homework

Share a quotation, introductory essay, QuakerSpeak video link, or set of quotations with group participants.  In preparation for the next Spiritual Deepening group session, give the participants some “homework” to do.  This could include:

• reflecting on the text during their daily spiritual practice or during Meeting for Worship
• journaling about their response to the text
• rewriting the message in their own words
• writing a prayer about the topic
• finding a song, object, or image that represents to them the theme of the message
• creating a piece of art that illustrates their response

As part of your next group sessions, invite participants to share or report back on their homework assignment.

Worship Sharing

Settle into worship and invite participants to speak into the silence and share their thoughts about a query.  Craft a query directly related to the text or choose one of the General Questions for Reflection (below).  A more detailed description of worship sharing can be found on our Worship Sharing Guidelines page.

Lectio Divina

Treat the quotation as a holy text and pay attention to how it speaks to you.  Learn more about the Lectio Divina process. 

Group Brainstorm

Ask a question that will elicit one-word answers or short phrases.  On a flipchart paper, record the responses as participants share.  Consider questions such as: What word stands out to me in this text? What feelings arise in my body as I consider this message?  What question do I want to ask Spirit about this message?  Invite participants to comment on what they notice about the brainstorm list.

Writing Prompts

Invite participants to briefly contemplate the quotation and then respond to a writing prompt.  Create a prompt specifically related to the text or choose one of the General Questions for Reflection (below).

Pair-Share or Triads

Divide the group into pairs or sets of three to discuss the quotation.  Return to a large group and share any themes that arose.

Group Discussion

Ask a question directly related to the text or choose one of the General Questions for Reflection (below).

Make it Personal

Rewrite the quote in your own words or to reflect contemporary society and language.

General Questions for Reflection:

How is the Divine/Truth/Love speaking to me through this text?

What experience in my life reflects the message of this text?

What do I have to learn from this message?

What resonates with me in this quotation?

What stands out to me in this text?

What surprised me about this message?

What questions arise about my life as I contemplate this message?

What canst thou say?  (What do I have to say in response to this message?)

What feelings arise in my body as I consider this message?

An image that comes to mind as I listen to this quotation is…

Where is the growing edge for me around this issue?

If I could rephrase this message in my own words, I would say…

This Truth tastes like… (smells like… sounds like… feels like… looks like….)

In relation to this topic, I used to be.…., but now I’m ……

I’d like to ask Spirit / the Universe / God / the Inward Teacher ……. about this message.

The point on my spiritual journey when this idea has been most alive in me was…

Download How to Use Grounding Quotes (PDF)