As a bit of background recall that, in 2016, the Committee on Education of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Oklahoma developed thirty-five Lessons on Capitular Masonry, in an effort to foster more opportunities for educational presentations during Chapter meetings. Each of these thirty-five lessons outlines a self-contained educational presentation. The material for these lessons is drawn from two readily available sources:

THE COURSE — The Capitular Masonry Education Course, which was published in 2014 by the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Oklahoma.

THE RITUAL — The Ritual of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Oklahoma, as adopted in 1932, with subsequent amendments.

Every other month we will suggest one of these lessons that a High Priest may use, if he so desires, as an educational presentation in his Chapter meeting.

This month’s suggested lesson for Chapter meetings is “Royal Arch Lesson #8,” which is found on p. 30 of the Lessons on Capitular Masonry.

Outline of the Lesson:

(i) Read the verses Numbers 2:1-3, 10, 17-18, 25, 32-34 found in THE BIBLE..

(ii) Read the section on the “The Banners” found on pp. 116-118 of THE COURSE.

Discussion Questions:

(i) Answer questions 22 and 25 on pp. 149-150 of THE COURSE.

(ii) There are associated with each of the four Banners a number of symbols: a color, a tribe, an ancient element, an astrological sign, one of the four Evangelists, to name but a few. Discuss these associations, what they might mean, and how they relate to the journey through the Veils.

(iii) What do the four banners represent? Consider the many ways the number 4 has been encountered in the degrees of Masonry. List as many examples as you can name.

These questions are only meant to begin the discussion and to hopefully spark further discussion and interest in the chosen topic.