I have been through several Bible Studies and I have been through studies in Church Doctrines, and Christian History which I found fascinating.

Bible study is about interpretation. A good Bible Study will take in the historical period, the context, and the content of the Book of the Bible that you are studying. There are the complexities of a Book's relationship to the other Books in the Bible and then there are the Books that were originally part of the Bible but were removed for some man-made reason. This goes beyond what most Churches will teach congregation and I find that you only find this type of in depth study that is untainted by doctrine in academia. I first found interest in Biblical Studies through a College Christian Studies course.

Some of the online courses done by non-theologians are disappointing because they are reflections of what the author wants the scripture to say, which is just another man-made doctrine.

You will not find a serious, scholarly work that drives a doctrine of sexual freedom. At least I have yet to come across one. So the best I can offer is a simple reflection.

We are Christians because of what Christ taught us, His parables and stories, the miracles He performed, how He treated people in this time, and the commands He did make upon us. Things such as the Great Commandment and The Great Commission. How He taught us to pray and the Lord's Supper. And of course, that He was resurrected.

So my suggestion to this group is simple.

Instead of a Bible Study, focus on a Christian Study. Study Christ, His parables, His wisdom, His behaviors and how He treated others. Our faith is rooted in the Book of Matthew, Luke, John and Mark and not in Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Malachi, and Lamentations. Don't get me wrong, each book of the Bible can lead to a fascinating learning experience. The Book of the Old Testament set up the story of Christ, but they are the basis of another religion, Judaism, and the Gospels are the foundation of Christianity.