Study of Scripture
Who We Are
Study of Scripture
We are a community based in Woking and surrounding areas who meet primarily in homes during the week to study scripture (Genesis to Revelation). We also meet on Shabbat (Sabbath, Saturday) mornings to share in a larger communal study alongside prayer, musical worship, and to eat together.
We learn mostly through questions that are a gateway to discovery. When reading the text, we consider the history and cultural context and expect God to speak to us through our study.
We are looking for the threads connecting passages into the larger story of God and humankind. We are on a journey of exploration and make space for our personal understanding to develop and grow. We desire to embrace lifelong learning, as followers of God, without knowing all the answers. We try to encourage discussion, avoid dogma, and to listen to one another, respecting each-others opinions, recognising and embracing our intrinsic diversity. We seek the wholeness and well-being (shalom) of each other and the Community, encouraging the bringing forth from within the good seeds that God has planted in each one.
The Parasha
We follow primarily a reading cycle through the 5 books of the Torah (Genesis - Deuteronomy) called the "Parasha", and have found this to be foundational in unlocking our understanding of all scripture. On Shabbat mornings we also focus on other parts of scripture. We sometimes invite various teachers who help with our Hebraic understanding.
Gatherings
As well as gathering for Shabbat morning we share a meal together Friday night welcoming in the Shabbat. We also meet to celebrate the mo'edim (appointed times or festivals) of Leviticus 23 and come together on the beginning of each new biblical month for a time of musical worship.
Yeshua
We embrace Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah (Christ) as our only way of salvation and the goal to which the whole of scripture points. Taking inspiration from Luke 24:27 and Matt 5:17, we seek to see Yeshua in all scripture.
How It Began
Although we did not realise it at the time, our walk together began in 2007 when six of us started to meet weekly to study scripture, seeking to understand its Hebraic roots, and to apply it to our lives. Since then, God has enlarged that small group into several who meet weekly in various homes.
Leadership?
We have drawn from the community a number of people who we call a steering group to help enable the community to function. They provide support to mid-week study groups, oversee community activities, Manage Communications and oversee the finances (gifts from the community).