CEdenfield Project Part 6

Insight Report

Christian Study Groups

For a little over a month now, our group has been studying Christian faith study. Research data has been divided in categories by the AEIOU method separating activities, environments, interactions, objects and users. The questions who, what, where, when, how and why have also been incorporated into each of the categories.

Our focus of study has been to find out what motivates Christians to study the Bible (scripture) and how it enriches or challenges their beliefs. Over the past few weeks we gathered information from secondary research, observations (fly-onthe wall, shadowing, and participatory), one-on-one interviews and an open ended short survey. We discovered that not all study groups study Bible, but also their faith (religious denomination) as it relates to it.

Cheryl Edenfield IDUS 711 Methods of Contextual Research Fall 2014 // Course Project 6 Professor Giselle Rahn

Working Wall

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Affinity Diagram AEIOU Perspective FACILITATORS

MEMBERS

READING

STUDY ACTIVITY

PRAYER DISCUSSION

STUDY GROUP

CHURCH

COMMUNITY

COMFORT SOCIAL

SCRIPTURE

OPEN BIBLE

OTHER MEDIA

DIALOGUE

PERSONAL RELATABLE

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FACILITATORS

Users

MEMBERS

STUDY GROUP

Our primary focus of study is the study group and the scripture that they study. The study group can be broken up in to two main categories: members and facilitators (or leaders).

Both members and facilitators belong to the congregations we studied. They represent a diverse range of ages, education backgrounds, ethnicities, locales (Pittsburgh, PA; Cleveland, OH; Statesboro, GA; Ft. Sill/Lawton, OK), and religious affiliations (Baptist, Catholic, and Non-denominational Christian).

Study group members tend to participate in this activity to learn and share with others of the same background.

We realized that the members were attending their study group to get more interpersonal discussion outside of weekly church attendance, which are one-sided sermons from the pulpit. Some study groups are small, closer and more focused. Other groups are large and more social.

We found that members of the study group don’t necessarily hang out together outside of church or Bible study meetings.

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There is an opportunity to…

• Increase study group attendance among congregation members.

• Expand the group study to non members of the congregation.

• Encourage members to build strong friendships parallel to the church community.

How might we…

• Gain interest from other congregation members to participate in a study group meeting?

• Gain interest from non-members of the congregation to participate in a study group meeting?

• Encourage members to get to know one another better outside of the study group?

Ideas • Increase communications to congregation members inviting them to attend study group.

“Most people attend (study group) to be fed spiritually. It’s amazing to find out how similar we are and to find it out when we study together.”

— Anonymous

• Encourage members of the study group to invite members of the congregation, newcomers and friends or family who do not belong to the congregation.

• Invite guest speakers or facilitators who can also bring more outside guests/participants and another point of view.

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Objects

SCRIPTURE

BIBLE

OTHER MEDIA

The materials used in the study groups were not just the Bible but other media as well. This includes other books, music, visual media and social media. This media are all used as extensions of learning and spiritual enrichment, and all tie back to scripture and the teachings of the Bible in one way or another. Food and drink are also present at some study group meetings, and are brought in as a means of enhancing the informality of the meeting.

Other books used for study are devotional, spiritual or faith-based.

Members are prepared for discussion by reading the material prior to a group meeting, or read passages together at the start of meetings. Visual media include slide presentations or printed materials distributed at meetings. Music is sometimes played during weekly group meetings at worship and prayer events, but not necessarily study events. Social media is used to share information about events, or to share other media links that directly relate to topics recently discussed (or upcoming).

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There is an opportunity to…

• Find or create more material to enhance Bible study.

• Make more study group materials available to all members of the congregation, and not just those who attend the study group events.

• Find ways to make food and drink not the center of activity that brings people to study group.

How might we…

• Select or create additional material is appropriate for study?

• Distribute material to the congregation(s)?

• Make the connection to scripture the center of activity that draws more people in to the group?

Ideas • Ask study group members and members of the congregation what topics they would like to study, and research what books/media will cover it.

“Make it (the Bible) a guide in everyday living.”

— Anonymous “It’s still the same today and tomorrow as it was 2000 years ago. The Bible becomes our guide to how we will do things in our life; our personal life and the life of the community.” — Anonymous

• Ask volunteers from the congregation and study group to work together with the pastor, and educational leader in the church, to find/create take home materials that relate to topics currently being studied.

• Encourage members of the congregation to take material that’s available to them when handed out at church.

Make material available for consumption in print and online formats.

• Separate the area for eating and socializing from the area for study and discussion.

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Activity READING

STUDY ACTIVITY

PRAYER DISCUSSION

Study activities include reading (prior to study group meeting and during), prayer, reflection, discussion and a social activity.

Members who participate in these events are seeking a deeper understanding of their faith through scripture, discussion, fellowship and faith sharing.

Bible study is geared towards achieving a spiritual life. Class questions serve as potential topics of discussion. A teacher or leader does not always facilitate discussions at study group meetings.

Study group members reported their goal is spiritual growth through the application of Bible readings in every day life. This gives them direction to live like Christ; walk the walk as told by scripture readings.

We found that events that included more social and fellowship activities had more attendees than those that focused primarily on book study.

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The progression of activities within a study group is: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Invitation/advertise meeting event (with reminder to read if it’s done prior to discussion) Attend event – bring a covered dish or other food/drink item Travel to event (sign in on arrival Social activity – small talk with other members Opening prayer Read passage (or reading is done prior to group meeting) Open for discussion with questions Dialogue Closing and prayer

There is an opportunity to…

• Branch learning activities out past a traditional book or scripture study.

• Expand spiritual activity.

• Shift the order, steps and activities that typically occur in a study group meeting.

How might we…

• Create activities centered on other media to provide more learning experiences and faith sharing among congregation members?

• Connect with each other, and with God, on a more spiritual level?

• Change the way we conduct study group meetings?

Ideas • Listen to Christian music, together or individually. Then come together to discuss how it relates to scripture, and how it moved us spiritually (if it did so or not).

“I wasn’t getting anything out of mass. I needed something on a more individual level.”

— Anonymous

• Take turns saying opening/closing prayers and relate the intentions of the prayers to the discussions.

• Ask members of the group to pray for one another outside of study group.

• Include a time for personal reflection where members pray in silence.

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Environment CHURCH

COMMUNITY

COMFORT SOCIAL

The study group environments are both physical and perceived.

In the physical, events typically happen in the church fellowship hall or a classroom.

Sometimes, study group meetings are more informal and members meet in someone’s home. In the classroom/ fellowship hall setting, members sit around tables. In homes, it varies.

Sometimes members sit in a living area, and other times it’s at a dining table.

The perceived environment is conducive to learning by feeling of comfort and supporting one another in the group.

Members are able to gain a better understanding of the Bible, other church members, their family and self as they come together and form their faith.

We found that the study group allows “removing of boundaries,” off topic

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discussion is allowed, and no judgments are made when experiences are shared.

There is a sense of community and each person depends on one another for support. There is more socializing, friendly non-study discussion related chatter, when there is food present at events.

There is an opportunity to…

• Expand the faith teaching and learning (physical) environments outside the physical confines of the church.

• Expand the faith teaching and learning (physical) environments outside the physical confines of congregation members’ homes.

• Expand the shared sense of community (perceived environment) of the study group to the congregation and the community at large as well.

How might we…

• Find new (physical) environments for the congregation to participate in spiritually enriching activity?

• Find or create new (non-physical)environments for the congregation to participate in spiritually enriching activity?

• Remove (perceived) boundaries so that others who do not belong to the group yet feel invited to attend?

Ideas • Gather together for events outdoors (park or picnic area), schools, library, recreational activities, or businesses (coffee shop, restaurant).

“I think everyone is open, welcoming, and makes you feel you belong.” — Anonymous “I try to take advantage of going to Bible study. I enjoy the fellowship with other women.”

— Anonymous

• Create an online community (portal) through the church website or social media where topics can be posted and members can interact through discussion online. For example, a Facebook group.

• Start sharing study group activity notes, discussions and event highlights with congregation members: - Church bulletin - Group newsletter - Church website - Social media

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Interactions OPEN

DIALOGUE

PERSONAL RELATABLE

There is dialogue that happens at Christian study group meetings that doesn’t happen in the same way at church. The goal is to be closer to others and therefore closer to God. Communication is open, personal and relatable. Interactions are social, educational and spiritual in nature.

Members meet new people and connect through common interest. We found that the social interactions in study group meetings creates an atmosphere where there is less pressure to talk or feel on the spot. This is facilitated by open communication. Open communication allows members to feel free to share personal stories without fear of being judged for what they may have done.

They receive encouragement from others to share their beliefs. While they listen and learn, they also learn how to talk about their own faith and beliefs. Each person’s perspective is verified, countered or supported by other members of the group whether or not they can relate.

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There is an opportunity to…

• Expand faith sharing and teaching outside of the study group.

• Create more social and spiritual activity that makes learning fun.

• Reach out to the congregation and encourage others to engage in study group activities.

How might we…

• Expand dialogue (faith sharing and learning activity) outside of the study group.

• Encourage others to join the study group and participate in faith sharing and learning.

• Come up with ideas to make social and spiritual activity appeal to members of the congregation (including current study group members).

Ideas • Encourage members to share their own personal experiences (with their faith and scripture readings) with others in the congregation.

“The main thing that happens in faith sharing is that you grow more… it becomes a venue to grow more in faith.” — Anonymous

• Encourage members to share their own personal experiences (with their faith and scripture readings) with others outside the congregation.

• Post a call for suggestions in the church bulletin, and make an announcement after church service, asking members of the congregation for ideas of what kinds of activities would appeal as it relates to Bible study.

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