In order to study the Scriptures, students in an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva (seminary) engage in discussions of the Scriptures with other students, called their haverim. They debate over interpretations and help one another to understand different passages. A haver is a "fellow disciple who earnestly desires to grapple with others over issues of faith--someone who wants to delve into God's Word, to be challenged and refined" (74). A group of haver is called a haverim and the gathering of students is called a havruta.
"Haverim need to learn to trust one another, openly expressing their thoughts and feelings, confident that what is shared within the group will not go beyond the group. They also must learn the art of respectful disagreement, challenging each other when necessary. Remember, debate was a normal part of the life of disciples, an essential way to learn" (75).
This is what I desire to build through this blog...a forum for discussing, debating, questioning, examining, exploring, and ultimately discovering the Scriptures in a new way, finding Jesus in the Scriptures. "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mat. 18:20). But I don't want to miss the point...it's not about our study or the insights that God gives. "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (John5:39-40) I think it's ultimately about finding new life in Jesus! (But I'd like to hear what you think about that, too.)
This sounds fun. What about we post cool things we discover in our study and have others give thoughts about that? I like the idea of studying a book.
ReplyDeleteIt should be very interesting...what is rolling around in each one of our minds!
ReplyDeleteI read this today: "We have always been tempted to overstretch our reach, to hyperextend, because Adam and Eve's affliction is ours as well: we want to be God. But why? Because we don't trust God. Our fear factor kicks in when we consider going without work, when we comtemplate actually viewing God as our Shepherd, who longs to lead us beside waters of rest, who eagerly anticiplates restoring our sould, who wants nothing more than to have us lie down in green pastures. Fear looms larger, more real on the horizon of our mind and reduces us to primal survival instincts: I must take care of myself. God won't pick up the reins if I sleep."
ReplyDelete