Bible Study: Called to Healing

A Bible Study series for Friends in the weeks leading to our Annual Sessions (July 6-7), and centering the Sessions theme: Called to Healing. Bible study has been an ongoing, vital part of PYM Annual Sessions. This year, we’re moving some program elements of Sessions to the time before and after the summer gathering.

In the four week summer series, four facilitators will use varying modalities and methods for exploring healing in scripture, including through the writings of early Friends on Bible passages. Friends only need to register once (see below) to attend any or all of the sessions.

Wednesday, June 5, Facilitator: Michael Edmonds
The Bible provides consolation and inspiration for nearly a third of the world’s population.  But it also reveals a violent and divisive history. More pointedly, the Book of Revelation has been called the most violent book in all of canonical literature across all world religions. Yet both George Fox and John Woolman called out John’s Revelation specifically for providing them “many great openings.” An interesting symbol frames the text of scripture from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation: the “Tree of Life.” In today’s session, we’ll explore this symbol’s appearance throughout scripture, from its roots to its leaves, and attempt to discern if and how Judeo-Christian scripture suggests “healing of the nations.”

Wednesday, June 12, Facilitator: Marty Smith
Healing, Pain, and Faith — There are 37 reported miracles of healing in the Gospels, most in the Gospel of Mark and slightly fewer in Matthew. During this Bible study we will be looking at Matthew and Mark for the healings which Jesus and his disciples performed for the body, but also for the soul and Spirit. In particular we will look at Jesus’s admonitions following those miraculous events. There will be a time of sharing about our own healing, how you helped heal someone, and the resources you used to bring about these healings.

Tuesday, June 18 (note different day of the week!), Facilitator: Nikki Mosgrove
Called to healing! Am I my Friend’s keeper? What happens when the Light in you no longer recognizes the Light in others (in your faith community)? Text: Matthew 18:15-20, The Message Bible translation.

Wednesday, June 26, Facilitator: George Schaefer
Called to Healing through the lens of early Friends and their experience of scripture. This session will focus on Matthew Chapter 18 and the spiritual and practical understanding of the role of community in healing from conflict among early Friends.

Zoom registration for the series!

Please register using the link, and you can join any of the four sessions as you are led and able: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvfuiupjkpE9xEs4pisDULGT9KnwFxpzzL 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the sessions, and you will be sent a reminder each week.

Questions?
Please reach out to Melinda Wenner Bradley, Director of Program and Religious Life, mwennerbradley@pym.org