Physical places often shape our identities, relationships and faith. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it,” Paul writes. Part of what this means is that faith doesn’t just reside in our thoughts or emotions. Faith resides in our whole bodies, and how our bodies “live and move and have our being” in the sacred places where God encounters us. In this Fall 2023 Gather Bible study, written by an ELCA missionary living in Jerusalem, we’ll explore what holy places mean, not only for the Holy Land of the Bible, but for each of us, wherever we may be.
September 2023
Holy places: Home
Home can be the place we lay our head and the people we call family. Home can be our community or homeland. Home is also found wherever we truly and fully belong. This month, we consider the complexity and the promise of “home” through the stories of Israel’s exile, the ministry of Jesus, and the promises of Revelation.
Watch video for session one, “Holy Places: Home.”
October 2023
Holy places: Sanctuary
For thousands of years, physical spaces have been set apart for individual prayer and community worship. “Sanctuary” is one word for such spaces. Throughout history, “sanctuary” has also referred to spaces of safety and refuge. If God is everywhere, what is the importance of sanctuary? What can Jesus’ teachings and Paul’s correspondence with the early church teach us about what sanctuary looks like today?
Watch video for session two, “Holy Places: Sanctuary.”
November 2023
Holy places: Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage, a journey to a sacred place, is a spiritual practice with a long history in Christianity (and many other religions). In the Bible, pilgrimage is not only about the destination, but also about the “holy place” of the journey itself. Considering the journey of the Magi, the walk to Emmaus, and Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, we’ll ponder how pilgrimage can inspire, challenge and transform our faith and our lives.
With war going on where Meghan and her family lives, how are they doing? Are they in any danger?
Hi, Janet. Thank you for your message of concern. Here is an update on the Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni: https://www.gathermagazine.org/we-have-felt-the-power-of-your-prayer-gather-bible-study-leader-continues-work-in-jerusalem/
When ca I download the November Bible Study of Holy Places?
Hi, Cindy, you can download session three of the Bible study here: https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/November2023_HolyPlaces_BibleStudy_reduced.pdf
Session 1 Holy Places under the Home Bodies
It refers to Hebrews 3: 1-61
Hebrews 3 goes thru verse 19
What should it be, thru 16 or a different Hebrews chapter
Hi, Nancy! Thank you for contacting Gather magazine. The article had a misplaced comma on page 19 of the Sept/Oct issue. It should have read: Hebrews 3:1-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.
It sounds like aa Bible study that will touch us all. I am looking forward to it.
Will there be an introduction video like there has been in the past that we can use for kicking off the study.
Hi, Catherine! Thank you for reaching out to Gather. We just posted the video for session one. You can access it here: https://www.gathermagazine.org/
Thank you for the fall overview. Our Bible study program has a fall kickoff in October to avoid conflicts with the Triennial and to enable the participation of our seasonal neighbors who return from their northern summer residences.
Will there be videos for the Fall studies too?
Hi, Nancy! Yes, we will have three videos for the Fall studies. You can access the first vide here: https://www.gathermagazine.org/
Thank you so much!
When will we receive the Sept issue. I need to know for setting Bible study dates
Hi, Marge,
Thank you for reaching out to Gather magazine. The Sept/Oct issue is set to arrive in homes the last week of August. Here is a description of the study: https://www.gathermagazine.org/fall-2023-bible-study-holy-places-by-the-rev-dr-meghan-johnston-aelabouni/
Wishing you all the best,
Cindy
Sounds wonderful!
Hi, Marge,
Thanks for reaching out to Gather magazine. The September/October issue is set to arrive in homes the last week of August.