I attended the last session of the Men's Bible study at St. Mark's RC Church on Tuesday November 15, 2011. The study lasted eight (8) sessions. The group consisted of five other men besides me. The group will resume in late January 2012 for another 8-10 week session (depending) on the subject.We used the Little Rock Scripture Study program which consists of the old Collegeville Bible Commentary Old Testament Series #19 and a "Study Guide" (see picture at left). The "Study Guide" is typical for LRSS: merely a series of 15-17 questions for each session. The questions deal with a combination of fact, feeling, and theology. There is also a DVD with a video lecture (15-20 minutes) for each session.
While I have enjoyed attending these sessions for the past few years and the members of the group are great, I have been frustrated with the LRSS format, the lack of interest by the parish, and the meager number of sessions.
Eight weeks is barely enough to scratch the surface of the Book of Job. I think it is typical of a RC bible study to go quickly so that the people don't have time to think about what is really there. The fact that only five (5) men of this large suburban parish participate is a telling indictment of the interest of this community to learn the Word of God. It is not very attractive that this "faith community" can only devote about 16 weeks a year to Bible study.
Even though the group has ended their study of Job, I am continuing my own study. I have resumed a slower, more careful reading of the (RC) New American Bible translation of Job, along with Marvin Pope's Anchor Bible edition, and the Bible Net translation. What's missing is the interaction with other men and their important and provocative insight.