Weekly Practice 1/5/26
After doing this week’s practice, try to share your experience with a friend.
Scripture
John 15:1-8 NRSV
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Practice
Rethinking our relationship with the Bible
This week, watch or listen to this episode from Practicing the Way’s “Rule of Life” podcast: Scripture 01: Rethinking our relationship with the Bible. Then, reflect on the following questions:
How do you read the Bible? As an instruction manual? As a source of inspiration? In some other way?
How does the concept of the Bible being “human and divine literature” sit with you? Is this a new idea? Is it challenging? Uncomfortable? Encouraging?
Try some other translations
As you reread (yes, try to read it more than once) and meditate on John 15:1-8, check out some other Bible translations. The one above is the New Revised Standard Version. Your own Bible is likely something different. Reading different translations gets us out of overfamiliarity with the Scriptures, can give us new insight into a passage, and reminds us to approach the Bible with humility and curiosity. Here are a few recommendations:
