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 #6,” which is found on p. 28 of the Lessons on Capitular Masonry.

Outline of the Lesson:

(i) Read the verses Exodus 3:13-15 found in THE BIBLE.

(ii) Read the excerpt of the Royal Arch ritual at the beginning of the Second Section found on pp. 103-104 of THE RITUAL and at the end of the Second Section found (after the crossing) on pp. 111-112 of THE RITUAL.

(iii) Read the section on the “Seven Circuits” found on pp. 109-111 of THE COURSE.

Discussion Questions:

(i) Answer questions 6, 9, and 24 on pp. 146-149 of THE COURSE.

(ii) Discuss what the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, including the crossing of the River Jordan, symbolically represents. Give examples in other Masonic degrees where the symbolism is the same.

(iii) The practice of a formal procession around an altar or other sacred object is still common in many religious and esoteric traditions today. In Masonry, it is known as the Rite of Circumambulation. Discuss the circumstances of the seven circumambulations and their symbolism.

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