3 minute read
The Thursday Evening Bible Study: DRAWING CLOSER TO THE WORD TOGETHER
The Bible can be one of the most intimidating aspects of the faith. After all, there are 73 books telling everything from the story of creation and fleeing into the desert to Jesus’ life and death and the establishment of the early Church.
For attendees of Deacon Jerry Mattox’s Thursday Evening Bible Study, the Bible is one of the most captivating and exciting parts of the faith. While some Bible studies follow a curriculum, Deacon Mattox and the group follow their wonder and delve deeper into certain subjects or stories. Surprisingly enough, most consistent attendees are converts to the faith — their previous religious experiences or lingering questions provide a fascinating lens through which they ask questions and ponder Scripture.
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“One of the coolest things about Deacon Mattox’s Bible Study is his consistency,” says Helen Maxey, a weekly attendee of the study. “He loves to delve into the group’s questions and when he does not know the answer, he comes prepared the next week after conducting thorough research on the question. He really tries to leave no stone unturned when it comes to people’s curiosity of the faith.”
The group meets weekly from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Halpine Room at Holy Family. Each week they begin with evening prayer and then dive into where they left off the previous week. Deacon Mattox uses the liturgical season to guide their goals when possible. With the exception of a break during the summer months, holidays, and other special events, this group regularly meets each week. In fact, it is that consistency that makes this Bible study so appealing to Helen and her husband, Tim Hankins, who have been steadily attending Deacon Mattox’s Bible Study going on four or five years.
“When we are making plans with friends or family and they suggest Thursdays we always decline” Helen says. “I always say ‘I’m sorry, it’s Deacon Mattox’s class on Thursdays and we are already booked.”
So if the idea of joining a Bible study like this piques your interest, Tim and Helen want you to know the door is always open. They promise the experiences will not only deepen your faith but also provide another opportunity to engage in the greater community.
“Most Catholics know the basic breakdown of the Bible,” Tim says. “They know about the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Gospels. From the knowledge I’ve learned attending weekly, now I can have a conversation with my Baptist friends.”
