scripture

I wonder if scripture is most formative when a community — not individuals in their “quiet times” — chew on and wrestle with the stories of God together? I dunno … sitting down alone with my Bible trying to hear from the Lord often seems so counter-intuitive to me, but sitting down with a group of trusted brothers and sisters with a passage and the Holy Spirit among us — now that’s powerful.

Am I correct in thinking that the “personal Bible study” idea would have been foreign to the ancient church? Wouldn’t most of the scriptural studies have been done in the larger community (with a formal reader, etc.)? How has the over-production and distribution of the Bible affected — positively/negatively — our view, absorption, and following of God’s word? Has it?