Join your parish Bible study!

Or speak with your pastor and start one
 
Bible study is a sure path toward discipleship and holiness. Love for the Word of God is a love, and intense hunger placed in our hearts by God. The secret to this sure path is to never separate the word from the Church to which it has been entrusted and from the liturgy where it is celebrated and proclaimed.
 
My memories of the parish Bible study of my teenage years – I was the youngest one in the group – continue to bring joy to my heart. The parish didn’t have a parish hall, few parishes in Puerto Rico had big halls back then, so we would take chairs from the classrooms and place them in the courtyard and have our Bible study under the stars.
 
Our pastor, Father Vazquez, walked us through the scriptures and answered our many questions, with love, wisdom, patience and tons of humor. This was a key step in my life as a disciple of Christ.
 
With each moment of prayer and reflection on his word, our friendship would grow. Jesus became more alive and real through this wonderful experience of breaking open the word during the parish Bible study and later in my personal Bible study.
 
These evenings under the stars, and the weekend homilies that followed them, helped our lives of prayer and our growth as dedicated disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
 
Currently, I am blessed with the opportunity to join on occasion the parish Bible study at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. It takes place before Mass on Sunday mornings. The format is simple and practical. We gather in prayer, that Sunday’s readings are proclaimed, we share our perspective on the texts and how they apply in practical ways in our lives, the study leader brings us back to the readings from the Liturgy of the Word and we close with more prayer. Breakfast items are available during the gathering too. This is not complicated!
 
Any parish can have an evening a week to spend time in group Lectio Divina. Some small group Bible studies occur in homes. Morning groups of moms who gather around the word take place informally throughout the country. Evening groups of married couples also happen regularly.
 
Whatever the format, we need to continue to promote these encounters with the word. Speak to your pastor about joining a group or maybe even starting one.
 
There are many texts from LTP and Loyola Press that can help. Check the tips in the box for more ideas or call me, maybe I can help.


Tips for starting a group Bible study
 
One of the best ways to learn about Scripture is to read it and discuss it with other people. If your parish doesn’t have a program, start a group Bible study yourself. Here are some suggestions for getting started.
 

•  Be clear about your purpose;

 

•  Choose a scripture program that suits your purpose. The booklets in the “Six Weeks with the Bible” program are well-suited for groups;

 

•  Agree on norms for discussion. “We’re all beginners here” is good start. Others are “We want to read scripture prayerfully,” “We’re not here to give each other advice about our problems,” “What’s said in group meetings is confidential.” Be explicit about these norms;

 

•  Agree on the commitment to the group Bible study. What priority does the group have in our schedules? Is everyone expected to do “homework” ahead of time?

 

•  Settle housekeeping matters. Where and when to meet, who provides refreshments (if any)? How long will the meetings be?

 

•  Agree on leadership. The group needs a facilitator. This responsibility could rotate among members or just one person;

 

• Put God at the center. Scripture is the Word of God. Approach your readings and discussions prayerfully. Listen for God’s Word for you.