Hebrews Book Group (IBSL531 Intro to New Testament)

Theme/s:

Women and agency

ability and
things done.]
Key text:

Contextual Bible Study 1- 1

[AGENCY refers to the action, medium or means

by which something gets done OR the
authority to take action and get

Hebrews 11:1-3, 6, 31; (Joshua 2:1-24; 6:17-27)

Background
This Bible study was organized when the Hebrews Book Group of IBSL531 Intro to New
Testament was invited by an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity officer to facilitate a Bible study for the
female employees at their Omega World Center in Decatur, Georgia. This Bible study addresses
themes dealing with the agency of marginalized human beings with failures and shortcomings.
Step 1.
Start the Bible study by welcoming everyone, and opening with prayer.
Step 2.
Read the key text in the Bible translations used by the bible study participants. Ask a participant
who has a strong, loud voice to read the text. Other participants may follow along if they have
their own Bibles. Encourage participants to listen carefully.
Step 3.
Ask everyone present the following question:
1. What is this text about?
This question should be discussed by the participants as a whole group. Write the responses
offered by participants so that they are visible by everyone. Allow time for this; it takes time for
participants to realize that you really do want to hear what they have to say! Once participants
realize that you are serious, as they watch you record their responses there will be an avalanche
of responses.
Step 4.
Divide the participants into small groups. Ideally, there should be about four to six people in
each group. Each group should have a piece of paper, a Bible and a pen or pencil. Write
Questions 2 and 3 so that they are visible by all.
2. Who are the main characters in the story and what do we know about each of them?
3. As a small group, prepare to re-tell this story by drawing a picture or doing a drama.

Hebrews Book Group (IBSL531 Intro to New Testament)

Contextual Bible Study 1- 2

For Question 2 each group should summarize their discussions on a sheet of paper.
Step 5.
The small groups should then each report back to everyone on their discussions and present their
creative retelling of the story.
Step 6.
After the report back the participants should return to their small groups. Write Question 4 so
that it is visible by all.
4. What is the untold story of Rahab who is the key agent in this story?
Try and be creative in telling the untold story. For example, write a letter from Rahab to her
family, compose a poem, sing a song, etc.
Step 7.
At the end of the story time, each small group should report back to the big group. Each small
group should tell their version of the untold story of Rahab to the larger group.
Step 8.
After the stories the participants should return to their small groups. Write Questions 5 and 6 so
that they are visible by all.
5. What untold stories in your context does the telling of this story bring to your memory? Tell
your stories to each other in your small group.
6. What will you do in response to the Bible study? For example, how will you plan to bring
these untold stories into the public life of the church?
Step 9.
The small groups should then report to everyone on their discussion and answers. Write each
groups plan of action for all to see. Some stories may be too personal to share in the whole
workshop. Encourage the small groups to keep such stories within the small group.
Step 10.
Bring the Bible study to a close. You may wish to do this by leading all in a prayer, thanking
God for bringing the untold stories to the attention of all present, and asking God to help all as
they begin to tell the untold stories around them.