Published May 18th, 2026

Welcome to The Church of Living Faith, a spiritual home in Chicago led by Rev. Milton L. Shelby, whose more than 35 years of ministry enrich our community with profound wisdom and compassionate guidance. Here, Bible study classes offer more than traditional scripture reading; they invite us into a metaphysical exploration of divine universal principles revealed in the King James Bible. This approach helps us uncover deeper truths about consciousness, character, and the sacred order shaping our lives. Whether you are a first-time participant or returning seeker, these classes nurture spiritual growth through thoughtful reflection and practical application. We gather as a family, embracing each other with openness and love, ready to journey together into the living word. In the sections ahead, we will share what to expect from these transformative gatherings and how to prepare your heart and mind for an enriching encounter with Scripture that speaks to everyday life.

Understanding Metaphysical Bible Study: A Unique Approach

We approach Scripture at The Church of Living Faith as a living text that speaks on several levels at once. Traditional study often stops at the historical story or the literal rule. Metaphysical Bible study asks, "What is this revealing about consciousness, character, and Divine order in us right now?"

Instead of only asking what happened to Abraham, Joseph, or Jesus, we explore what these names, places, and events represent within the inner life. We treat each story as a mirror. Outer details still matter, but we give equal weight to the inner pattern: fear and faith wrestling, doubt and trust trading places, love correcting ego, vision growing under pressure.

This approach invites self-knowledge. As we read, we ask questions such as:

• Where do we see these same attitudes, habits, and choices in our own thinking?
• What belief or fear in us matches this character or situation?
• How does this passage describe the movement of Divine Universal Principles through a human life?

We speak often of Divine Universal Principles - order, faith, love, forgiveness, sowing and reaping, cause and effect. In metaphysical study, we look beneath the surface event to see which principle is active, and how alignment with that principle brings peace, clarity, and wise action in daily life.

The story of Joseph is a central example. On the surface, Joseph is a young man sold into slavery, falsely accused, and later raised to authority. Metaphysically, Joseph pictures the part of us that carries spiritual vision and inner guidance even when our outer environment feels unfair, cramped, or hostile. His brothers' jealousy reflects destructive thoughts that try to bury vision. The pit, the prison, and the palace show stages of consciousness: restriction, reflection, and responsible power.

When we work with Joseph's story, we do not only admire his endurance; we trace our own journey from betrayal, to inner stability, to wise stewardship. We ask where we may have thrown our own "Joseph" into a pit - ignoring dreams, silencing intuition, or shrinking back from purpose - and how Spirit invites restoration.

Metaphysical Bible study is never abstract theory for us. We return, again and again, to how a passage speaks to parenting, work stress, healing old wounds, money decisions, and relationships. The question under every discussion is, "How does this truth take on flesh in our thoughts, words, and actions this week?"

This distinctive style sets the tone for what happens during class: open Bibles, open minds, reflective questions, and practical sharing. That rhythm - moving from the text, to the inner life, to everyday practice - shapes the flow of the sessions that follow. 

What Happens During a Bible Study Class at Our Chicago Church

When we gather for metaphysical Bible study, the room settles before a single word is spoken. Bibles open, notebooks ready, and there is a quiet sense that we are about to handle something sacred and practical at the same time.

Opening The Space

Rev. Milton L. Shelby begins by drawing our attention inward. Sometimes he reads a brief passage, sometimes he offers a simple affirmation drawn from Scripture. Then we pray, not as a formality, but as a way of aligning the mind and heart with Divine Presence. This opening reflection invites us to lay down the day's noise and bring our full selves to the text.

After prayer, we center in silence for a moment. We breathe, notice what we are carrying, and become aware that Spirit meets us right where we are. That stillness prepares us to hear both the outer story of the Bible and the inner message for our own growth.

Reading The Text Together

The passage for the day is read slowly, often in more than one translation. Rev. Shelby may point out a key word or phrase, then ask what stands out. We honor the historical setting and the plain meaning first. Names, dates, and places are not brushed aside; they form the doorway.

From there, we turn the key of metaphysical interpretation. We ask, "What does this place represent in consciousness?" or "What quality of mind does this character picture?" Traditional teaching and metaphysical insight sit side by side, not in competition, but in conversation.

Interactive Exploration And Questions

Discussion is not a lecture with a short Q&A at the end. Questions surface throughout. Someone may ask how a principle of sowing and reaping touches their work life, or how forgiveness in the text speaks to a family wound. Rev. Shelby listens closely, then guides the group back to the passage, drawing out patterns that reveal Divine order and inner movement.

Personal insights are welcomed, yet they are always weighed against Scripture and spiritual principle. We keep the Bible open while we talk, so the conversation never drifts too far into opinion. This rhythm creates a safe frame where honest struggle, doubt, and awakening can stand together.

From Insight To Practice

As the class unfolds, we move from observation, to interpretation, to application. We ask concrete questions: What does this show about our thinking? Where do we see this same fear, faith, or resistance playing out during the week? How might a single verse shape a decision, a conversation, or a habit?

Rev. Shelby's long experience shows here. He has a way of taking a deep metaphysical idea and setting it down in the middle of daily life: parenting choices, workplace stress, money concerns, and inner healing. The result is a discussion that is spirit-filled and grounded, mystical and practical.

Closing With Alignment

Toward the end, we gather what has surfaced. Someone may share a phrase they are carrying home. Another may name a pattern they are ready to release. We often close with a brief affirmation or prayer that seals the insight in consciousness: gratitude for the Word, for inner light, and for the community that surrounds us.

The flow is steady but gentle: quieting the heart, opening the text, exploring the inner pattern, and naming specific steps for daily living. That structure eases anxiety for first-time participants and sets the stage for considering how to prepare inwardly and practically for these times of shared study. 

How to Prepare for Your First Metaphysical Bible Study

Preparation for metaphysical Bible study begins long before you sit down in the classroom. We treat the time as sacred, so we prepare body, mind, and spirit to receive.

Mental And Spiritual Preparation

We encourage participants to set an intention the day of class. A simple prayer such as, "Spirit, show me what I need to see," clears mental clutter and invites guidance. Some spend a few minutes in quiet meditation, noticing their breath and releasing worry with each exhale. The goal is not a blank mind, but a receptive one.

Reading a short passage beforehand also steadies the heart. A psalm, a teaching of Jesus, or even the chapter that will be discussed creates a gentle point of contact. As you read, notice which word or phrase seems to glow. That small nudge often becomes a doorway during study, especially when approaching a metaphysical approach to Scripture for the first time.

Practical Items To Bring

We use the Bible as our anchor, so we recommend bringing a personal Bible, preferably the King James Version, if you have one. A notebook and pen serve as tools for catching insights, questions, and phrases that rise during discussion. Writing helps move truth from fleeting thought into anchored awareness.

Some also bring a small folder or envelope to keep handouts and written reflections together. Over time, this becomes a record of growth, a personal map of how the Word has met you in different seasons.

Arriving Early And Bringing Questions

Arriving a little early eases anxiety and honors the space. Those extra minutes allow you to find a comfortable seat, breathe, and greet fellow attendees without rush. Conversation before class often softens any sense of being new, and it reminds us that we are learners together.

We invite everyone to come with questions or themes already stirring in their hearts. Perhaps you are wrestling with forgiveness, direction, or fear about a decision. Write a few of those questions in your notebook. They do not need to be polished. As the passage is explored, you will notice where the teaching brushes against those real concerns. That awareness lays a strong foundation for the active participation and shared reflection that follow. 

Tips for Active Participation to Deepen Spiritual Learning

Active participation in metaphysical Bible study begins with how we listen. We listen with the ears, but also with the heart. We notice not only the words of Scripture, but the stirrings, resistances, and quiet "yes" that rise within. That kind of listening turns a class into an encounter with Spirit.

As discussion unfolds, we engage respectfully. We wait for others to finish, speak from our own experience, and hold space when someone shares a tender place. We may not agree with every interpretation, yet we honor the sincerity behind it. This mutual respect keeps the atmosphere safe for honest questions and fresh insight.

Metaphysical interpretation sometimes stretches old assumptions. When a familiar story is explored as a picture of consciousness, the mind may push back. Instead of shutting down, we notice that reaction and bring it into prayer: "Spirit, show us what is true, and what still serves our growth." Openness does not mean swallowing every idea. It means weighing each thought against Scripture, inner peace, and spiritual principle.

Writing during and after class deepens the work. We encourage participants to jot down key phrases, images, or questions that stand out. Later, perhaps that evening, a few minutes of journaling often uncover layers that were not clear in the room. We might write:

• What verse spoke most strongly, and why.
• Where we saw ourselves in the story.
• One belief, fear, or habit the passage brought into light.
• One practice or attitude we intend to carry into the week.

Faith widens when truth meets daily choices. After class, we watch for places to apply what surfaced: a tense conversation, a financial decision, a parenting moment, an old resentment. We pause and ask, "How does the principle we studied guide this response?" Each small act of alignment trains the mind to live from Spirit rather than impulse.

Community also shapes spiritual learning. We greet one another, exchange names, and notice who sits alone. We share briefly about how the Word is working in our lives, not to impress, but to encourage. Over time, these simple connections form a church family that prays for one another, remembers each other's struggles, and celebrates quiet breakthroughs.

In that environment, no one walks through transformation isolated. Metaphysical Bible study becomes more than a class; it becomes a shared practice of listening, speaking truth in love, and walking together as the Word takes root in real life.

The Church of Living Faith invites each seeker to embark on a distinctive spiritual journey through its metaphysical Bible study classes - an approach that transcends traditional scripture reading to reveal profound insights about our inner lives and Divine Universal Principles. Guided by the seasoned mentorship of Rev. Milton L. Shelby, these classes offer a nurturing space where faith deepens, understanding expands, and practical wisdom takes root in daily living. Here, scripture becomes a living mirror reflecting our character, challenges, and the unfolding of spiritual order within us.

As a welcoming spiritual family in Chicago, The Church of Living Faith embraces newcomers and urban families alike, fostering connection, support, and growth. We encourage you to join us at 8000 S Jeffery Blvd for Sunday worship or Bible study sessions and experience firsthand the enriching dialogue between sacred text and personal transformation. Stepping into this community means more than attending a class - it means entering a shared journey of faith, reflection, and renewal where your spirit is valued and your questions are honored.

Discover how this unique path can illuminate your understanding of scripture and empower your walk with God. Learn more about how The Church of Living Faith can support your spiritual growth and invite you into a vibrant fellowship rooted in love and divine wisdom.