What are the Weekly Scripture Reflections?
Every Sunday, Abiding Way posts reflection questions based on readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. These questions are prepared by teachers, spiritual directors, and pastors as a tool for small group discussion or personal devotion. They are available in blog form on the Abiding Way website and also as a PDF download.
What is the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL)?
The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year cycle of Scripture readings used in many Protestant churches. Over the course of the three years (labeled “A,” “B,” and “C”), suggested readings follow the liturgical calendar of the church year while providing selections from the Hebrew Bible, the book of Psalms, the New Testament Epistles, and the Gospels. Although primarily a tool for planning worship and preaching, we have found through the years that the RCL is also a wonderful tool for guiding personal and small group Bible reflection. For example, using the gospel texts to follow the life and ministry of Jesus as we journey from Advent to Easter is particularly meaningful, and the season of sequential readings from the Old Testament also gives us insight into the major stories of the Hebrew people.
How can we use the RCL with our small group?
There are a number of options open to you based on personal preference, but here is one common way the RCL is used to guide small group Bible study:
Members of the small group read all four* Lectionary readings in preparation for the small group discussion.
Depending on the season of the church calendar, one particular text is chosen for discussion each week. Groups typically stay in the Old Testament or the New Testament for significant stretches of time, switching at natural breaking points in the story or when a special season of the church year begins.
At the beginning of the small group meeting, the Psalm is read as a preparation for prayerful conversation. Following the reading members sit in silence for a time, reflecting on the words they’ve just heard. On the occasions when the Psalm reading doesn’t seem conducive to setting a prayerful mood, one of the other texts can be substituted.
After the opening prayer time, the chosen text for discussion is read aloud.
Members of the group reflect aloud on the text, often using prepared discussion questions.
As part of the discussion, members are encouraged to share thoughts on how the other Lectionary texts for the week offered additional insights into the discussion text.
As you conclude, choose one of the four texts to guide you into a time of prayer together.
*During certain seasons of the church year, the RCL provides two options for Old Testament readings. One offers a progressive journey through the Old Testament story in a semi-continuous manner, while the other provides Old Testament readings that link thematically to the gospel readings. Both are good options. If your group focuses on gospel readings from Advent until Easter, the semi-continuous readings often provide a good opportunity to engage the Old Testament narratives or prophets for the summer months afterward.