Section 163:7a-b
An Indispensable Witness

For Further Reflection and Discussion

1. Read Doctrine and Covenants 163:7a–b aloud. To which phrase or concepts are you most drawn? Why?
    
2. Briefly describe a time when you found yourself spiritually, in Corrine Ware’s words, “adrift and lost.” What helped you navigate through the time?
    
3. What do you think often makes the use of scripture problematic for many people in the church today? For yourself?
    
4. The author holds that D. and C. 163:7a–b offers the church a “third way” of relating to scripture: a way between the “Scylla” of book-worship and domination, and the “Charybdis” of emptying scripture of its value and authority. How do you think this paragraph from D. and C. Section 163 can help the church use scripture in a positive, healthy way? How might this paragraph aid you in your relationship to and use of scripture?
    
5. In what way has scripture been indispensable in your journey of Christian discipleship?
    
6. The author states, “It is good to question whether we can rightly say we believe in scripture (since it’s not God); but unless we believe through scripture, the object of our faith may be only a pale reflection of our own values, a god harmless to the status quo.” What do you think is the difference between “believing in” scripture and “believing
   through” scripture?
    
7. In the author’s concluding remarks, he outlines the “more excellent way” of using scripture in the church today that he believes D. and C. 163:7 is calling us to. How might this outline differ from some of our past and current practices of scripture use? What would have to change for our worship and discipleship practices to use scripture in the ways this article advocates?
    
8. In what way is your congregation’s life together a “visible interpretation of scripture”? What would change if the text your congregation was an interpretation of was Luke 4:16–21?

Discernment Activity

There are many ways to encounter scripture. In this article we have been reminded of the critical importance scripture has for our lives. We are challenged to encounter scripture, but to do so with our intellect, our willingness for study, and our prayer—in other words, our Spirit-led intention. Take time to encounter the living Word. Prepare for Sunday worship in this way:

• Find the lectionary scriptures designated for next Sunday. They can be found on the Community of Christ Web site (www.CofChrist.org) under “Worship Resources.”
• Select a scripture from the lectionary to study and pray with for the week.
• Spend some time each day in prayer with the selected scripture. Read the scripture through a couple of times. What part of the scripture draws your attention? After a period of silence and reflection, read the scripture again. How does that word or phrase speak to your current situation? What might God be trying to say to you through the scripture? After a period of silence and reflection, read the scripture again. Enter into a time of oral prayer—talk to God (either silently or aloud) about what is on your heart and mind; listen for God’s response. When the words fall away, simply rest in God’s presence and love. At the end of your prayer time, offer a word of gratitude to God for this time together.
• If you are one who spends time in journaling, write down what comes to you in this prayer experience each day.
• Sometime during the week, find a couple of scripture commentaries. Read what various scholars have written about the historical events and the author’s theological conclusions related to your chosen scripture.
• At Sunday worship, see how this prayer and study time enhances and strengthens the worship experience. Notice when something is said that connects to your prayers during the week.
• How is Christ inviting you to live out this encounter with the Sacred Story?

—Discernment practice by Donna Sperry