Latin America Study Group Meeting
The following is a transcript of the opening presentation:
Hello, my name is Wilson León Naranjo, Director of the Study Groups Committee of Urantia Association International.
It is a great pleasure and a source of real happiness for me to participate in the leadership of this wonderful committee. Its work is especially important because study groups play a significant role in the dissemination and understanding of the teachings of The Urantia Book.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve as President of the Urantia Association of Bogotá, President of the Urantia Association of Colombia, and Latin America Continental Coordinator for Urantia Association International.
I have also gained extensive experience with study groups. I have facilitated more than five or six groups and have participated in and developed approximately seven training workshops for study group facilitators in Colombia and other Latin American countries. Currently, we are also working with education committees to develop workshops for the training of study group leaders.
Study groups are extremely important to the work of dissemination. As we are reminded in the Publication Mandate, these groups are places where leaders and teachers can be developed. They provide an environment in which we can deepen our understanding of the teachings and explore fundamental questions about who we are, where we come from, and where we are going.
Study groups are places for sharing, learning, discerning, and listening to the perspectives of others. They give us an opportunity to express our own ideas and understanding and, importantly, to share our personal experiences. Through this revelation, we can reflect on our lives and learn how to become better people.
Study groups also help us build relationships with people in our communities and with readers in other cities and countries. They create opportunities to participate, connect, and develop a genuine spirit of fraternity.
Ideally, everyone should have the opportunity to participate in a study group. Studying alone can be valuable, but when we join with others, the possibilities for learning and growth are much greater.
There are already more than 500 study groups around the world. One of the goals being pursued together with Urantia Foundation and Urantia Association is to grow that number to more than 1,000 study groups. I fully support this goal and want to help make it a reality.
An important part of this strategy is the creation, development, and long-term sustainability of study groups. It also involves working collaboratively with other committees that serve new readers. Activities such as book fairs can provide opportunities to meet people who are discovering The Urantia Book and invite them to participate in study groups, learn more, and eventually contribute themselves.
Study groups also help us identify future leaders and teachers—people who can support the continued dissemination of the teachings in the years ahead.
Together with the Education Committee, we are designing a workshop specifically for study group facilitators. In this workshop, we will explore what it means to be a facilitator, what qualities are needed, and the inner sensitivity and commitment involved in serving others and supporting the revelation of The Urantia Book.
We will also explore different approaches to conducting study groups: how to handle various situations, how to be creative, and how to use resources effectively so that each session can be engaging, enjoyable, and meaningful.
Most importantly, we want participants to leave the workshop with a personal challenge and a practical project: to consider how they can create a new study group or help someone else establish one.
I warmly welcome everyone to participate in this work.
I sincerely reaffirm my commitment and my loyalty to the strategy of strengthening and expanding study groups around the world.
Thank you, and welcome.