What began as a mission to nurture the faith of one church has developed into something more meaningful for the greater community. The Covenant Bible Study – a community-driven exploration of the Bible – started Sept. 9. Eight groups now are meeting in six locations across New Castle County, reading the Scriptures and connecting with God and each other through discussion and prayerful study.
About 130 people are participating, including 19 group leaders and nine clergy from six congregations. Leaders facilitate group discussions and all contribute to the group’s growing understanding of the biblical concept of the covenant God established with his people.
The Covenant Bible Study is comprised of three blocks: “Creating the Covenant,” “Living the Covenant” and “Trusting the Covenant.” Each session includes eight weeks of daily Bible readings and weekly discussions. Week-long breaks are scheduled every four weeks, allowing participants to reflect and prepare for the next four weeks.
With many different meeting times and venues, there are many opportunities to flex a schedule. A person could miss a regularly scheduled class if something prevented them from doing so, but could still participate with another group on a different day.
Feedback from group leaders has been positive.
The Rev. Elizabeth Lyman, who is one of the leaders of the group meeting at Concord Presbyterian Church, said she finds the conversation to be “lively and thoughtful,” and she is also enjoying her exploration of the Common English Bible (the study Bible recommended by the program), reporting: “I haven’t used it before and it is a great resource.”
Diane White, who is co-leading with the Rev. Edwin Estevez at Grace United Methodist Church, says there is a “great deal of discussion around the questions posed in each lesson” and that she “loves having participants from other denominations.”
It’s not too late to join us at the table!
— Christy Snow
Times and locations
- Sundays: 1 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
- Mondays: 1:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 7 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church
- Tuesdays: 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
- Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. at Hillcrest-Bellefonte Methodist Church, 1:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church and 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
- Saturdays: 7 a.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church