An Evaluation of the Little Rock Scripture Study Series

The resource reviewed in this entry is the Little Rock Scripture Study series. There are multiple courses available on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, as well as some thematic studies on topics such as the infancy narratives of Jesus and women of the New Testament. These studies are intended for small groups of about 8 to 12 adults. They require both individual study and communal sharing within the small group. The objective of these resources is for adults to gain a deeper understanding of the books and themes contained in the Bible.

The program is structured around daily personal scripture study which includes reading the selected passage(s) from the Bible and the commentary that goes with them. Then, the participants reflect on what they have read, asking themselves what the Scripture passages says, means, means to them, and what they are going to do about their understanding of the Scripture. Then, the participants answer a set of questions that are intended to help them further reflect on what they read. Once a week, the participants meet with their small groups to discuss the results of their personal reflections. The course of study concludes with a wrap-up lecture which is intended to clarify the themes of each of the daily lessons.

In the excerpt from Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning, Fowler describes six different levels of faith that people progress through. For various reasons, some adults will be at different levels of faith development. The Little Rock Scripture Studies can be used with people who are at many different levels of faith development. This resource provides an opportunity for those at a lower stage of faith development, such as the Mythic-Lateral or Synthetic-Conventional levels to engage the Scriptures in a way that they may not have done previously. The Little Rock courses engage the participants in looking at the broader picture of the Scripture, including the historical context, use of literary devices, intention of the author, and application of the Scripture to the participant’s life. This can help the person in the lower levels of faith to begin to reflect critically on the stories from Scripture that they have heard repeatedly, and to begin to identify and apply Scriptural messages to their own lives.

The Little Rock courses also have the ability to prove meaningful to those participants who are at a higher level of faith development. While some of the questions and information provided in the commentary may seem to be simple, if the participants are able, they can make as much out of it as they want. There is room to go beyond the printed resource. It would also be beneficial to the small group of adults engaged in the course to have a few individuals who are at a higher level of faith development than the majority of the group. This exposure to a different way of understanding can help the other members of the group to progress in their own faith development.

Overall, The Little Rock Scripture Study series appears to be a good resource for adult faith formation. It has the potential to engage people at multiple levels of faith development. As with any resource, there is the possibility that it will not be used to the fullest of its potential. Or that the participants who are at a lower level of faith development will not be able to engage in a discussion with those at a higher level. It is also possible that the participants who are at a lower level of faith development will feel intimidated by and have a difficult time connecting with the material. Most likely all of these problems can be alleviated through appropriate small group facilitation.