Diocesan Bible Study 2025: James and 1 & 2 Peter
Diocesan-wide Bible Study for 2025 - An Invitation from Bishop Read
During the 121st Annual Council of the Diocese in February, I will invite our people to continue the tradition of a diocesan-wide Bible study throughout the year. This tradition was begun by the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge and continued through the episcopacy of the Rt. Rev. David M. Reed. I am happy to carry this formation tradition into the present time. During 2025 I am inviting the diocese to study the letters of 1 & 2 Peter and James.
My reasons for choosing these particular books of the Bible are both practical and theological. On the practical side, we as a diocese have studied most of the 27 books of the New Testament with the exception of these three letters and the Letter to the Hebrews. It seems like a good practice for us to complete our survey of the New Testament together.
Secondly, the epistles of Peter and James were composed around the last decade of the first century. The Christians to whom these letters were addressed were experiencing a shift in their relationship to the culture and community around them. Some of these Christian communities were small minorities within larger populations that were indifferent to their beliefs. For some, the society in which they once belonged now considered them unwelcome. While there was no empire-wide persecution of Christians at the time these letters were written, Christians in some places were being marginalized in their communities. The authors of these letters offer pastoral instructions and encouragement to followers of Jesus attempting to live faithfully in a rapidly changing era.
We find ourselves in similar conditions today in West Texas. The place of the Church in society is changing rapidly. We have much less influence in our communities than we enjoyed during previous decades. Many people in our communities are indifferent to our practices and beliefs.
My prayer as we read, mark, learn and inwardly digest these scriptures is that we will find in them inspiration, wisdom, instruction, and the power to follow Jesus faithfully and gracefully in our day. And I pray that as we study together, we will hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us through the words and perspectives of our sisters and brothers in Christ.
+David
The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D.
Bishop of West Texas
Christian Formation Committee Announces Resources for James and 1 & 2 Peter
The diocesan Christian Formation Committee has put together Bible study recommendations for James and 1 & 2 Peter for Adult groups based on their ease-of-use for Formation leaders (i.e. low prep and planning to high prep and planning). These recommended studies can be used during Sunday school, mid-week formation, or anytime a church gathers to study the Bible together. For bilingual or Spanish-speaking congregations a few resources “En Español” are listed below. For children and youth the Christian Formation committee is in the process of writing a 5-week study on the book of James which will be available at the end of January.
Plan on visiting the Christian Formation booth at council to hear more about these resources and visit the St. Mark’s Bookstore booth to purchase a book on James or 1 & 2 Peter. If you have any questions about how to use these resources in your congregation feel free to reach out to Director of Christian Formation Suzanna Green at formation@dwtx.org.
Low Prep Resources:
The Letter of James study written by Rev. Julie Hoplamazian includes a 1-page reflection on a passage from James and a set of questions for each week. The reflections are short enough that you can read the Bible passage and reflection and have time to discuss the questions all in one hour making this a great low-prep Bible study choice for your congregation. The Bible project videos on each of the three books of the Bible we are studying in 2025 are a great concise overview of each book. You could use one video a week along with the provided discussion questions for a 3-week low prep study for adults or youth in your congregation:
Medium Prep Resources:
The NT Wright and Elsa Tamez books are great for groups and facilitators who are willing to do a little more prep work before each study session. The NT Wright books each include 9 study sessions although the 1 & 2 Peter book also includes one chapter on Jude. There are suggestions for group use and for group leaders included in each book. Elsa Tamez’s book includes discussion questions at the end of the book. The Bible project guides contain a lot of resources that could add greatly to a study of James and 1 and 2 Peter and stretch over the course of a few weeks but require a facilitator to go through the material ahead of time and put a study together.
High Prep Resources:
The Rev. Jamie George has put together an amazing guide for individuals and groups that want to do a deep-dive into James. This resource includes daily reading and reflection and outlines for group leaders for a once a week discussion time. It would be a great resource for seasoned Bible study groups or groups that want to start a daily Bible study practice. For group facilitators that want to put together their own study on James or 1 & 2 Peter we have also included a few recommended commentaries to use to research and plan a class on one or all of these books.
