First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

Discussion Questions

It is remarkable to think that the early Christians were predominately illiterate. However, this did not prevent them from studying Scripture.

What kind of environments are you creating to help people gather together to corporately study God’s Word?

We observe a number of practices for the study of Scripture in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers. Some seem to read Scripture allegorically

or use metaphors to communicate the meaning of Scripture. Others encourage diving deeply into the letters of Paul. All seem to encourage the corporate nature of study. How do you practice studying Scripture together? It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that the study of Scripture was a discipline of love in the early church. As you study Scripture, how do you use what you learn to compel you to a deeper love for God and others?

Corporate study was necessary in the early church due to the issue of illiteracy. But illiteracy did not mean ignorance. In fact,

the idea of corporate study of God’s Word has great rewards in fellowship with other believers as well as in discovering insights you have not considered before. What practical things might you do to gather believers together to study Scripture?