Bible Study Pros and Cons

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iguana27

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Do you have a bible study in your parish? Have you attended it? If there were one, would you attend it?

Do you think that Bible study is important for Catholics?
 
We have had Bible studies in the past (my wife has led some of them) and we continue to have them on a sporadic basis. I would love to see a regular Bible study at out parish, but we are so strapped for space, there is no place to have one. Having it in a home hasn’t worked out well. Nobody wants to have it at their house EVERY week (including my wife!), but people gripe that they have to find a new house every week. If I could get a space at Church, I would lead it myself–at least until someone feels confident enough to take over. There are so many good Catholic Bible studies out there that practically conduct themselves, there’s not much excuse not to have one except location.
 
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iguana27:
Do you have a bible study in your parish? Have you attended it? If there were one, would you attend it?
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Our parish has one, but I cannot get to it at this time. I have attended Bible studies in the past. Currently, we are studying “The Lamb’s Supper” by Scott Hahn on video. Great stuff!
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iguana27:
Do you think that Bible study is important for Catholics?
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Absolutely! St. Jerome said ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ (or something like that)! Just remember that the Catholic Church is the only church with the authority to interpret Scripture and you’ll be fine 😃
 
I have never participated in a Bible Study. Our parish has them from time to time.

Although I’d be the first to admit I don’t know nearly enough about Sacred Scripture, I have reservations about the Bible Study programs with which I am familiar. One of the greatest concerns I have is the background and preparation of the individual(s) “leading” the programs.

One of the principal differences between Catholicism and Protestantism has to do with the individual interpretation of the Scriptures. Of all the Church’s blessings, one of the greatest is the teaching authority of the Magisterium. Absent the assurance of sound guidance, it’s easy for these groups to go off on a tangent. My own preference would be a course offered by a Catholic institution known to support Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
 
Servulus, I agree with you. My experience has been similar with “faith sharing sessions” as well. Too often people’s opinions which frankly did not always match with the official teaching of the magisterium were put forth and there on equal footing with church teaching and a whole session could be spent correcting the error which often ignited dissension within the group as a result.
 
My parish had a bible study during lent, but it was held on weekday mornings at 9 am!!! I wonder what kind of turnout they got, considering the day and hour…that’s what kept me from going. I had to be at work then.

I think that our parishes need to make adult catechesis more available to those who are not in the RCIA classes. I think we need to study the bible and the catechism faithfully. My sister left the church about 8 years ago and joined the baptists. They have “Sunday School” for adults and children every Sunday. They are constantly studying their faith. Why don’t we? It seems like there is an unspoken acceptance that after confirmation, we don’t ‘need’ to go any further with it. There are so many adult Catholics raising their children who have a very flawed or inadequate understanding of their own faith. This is a pitiful situation, imho.
 
Our parish has two times for Bible study, one is too early & I have young children, and the other is during choir practice.

So I attend a protestant bible study once a week. Its alot of work actually maybe I make it more so because I consult the Catechism so often. They put a huge emphasis on evangelization, bringing people to the class etc. but I wouldn’t bring another Catholic, I’m very strong in my faith but I don’t want others to be led astray.

Our parish is starting a building project, once that’s done there will be more space etc to have meetings etc. Hopefully I will be able to get involved in a parish wide Bible study.
 
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drforjc:
Too often people’s opinions which frankly did not always match with the official teaching of the magisterium were put forth and there on equal footing with church teaching and a whole session could be spent correcting the error which often ignited dissension within the group as a result.
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It might be a good thing that the person who has an opinion different than the magisterial teaching has a place to discuss that issue with other Catholics. Besides a “faith sharing group,” what forum is available for most Catholics in their parish? Sometimes these questions are honest intellectual difficulties that some people have.

What do you think could have been done so that dissension was not the result of the discussion about the doctrinal misunderstanding?
 
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Mummybee:
They [the baptists] are constantly studying their faith. Why don’t we? It seems like there is an unspoken acceptance that after confirmation, we don’t ‘need’ to go any further with it. There are so many adult Catholics raising their children who have a very flawed or inadequate understanding of their own faith. This is a pitiful situation, imho.
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Amen to that! There is a real hunger for theological understanding among many Catholics.
 
wisdom 3:5:
So I attend a protestant bible study once a week. Its alot of work actually maybe I make it more so because I consult the Catechism so often. They put a huge emphasis on evangelization, bringing people to the class etc. but I wouldn’t bring another Catholic, I’m very strong in my faith but I don’t want others to be led astray.
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Wisdom, does this ever present a challenge to your faith? Do you find it difficult to discern what is not in line with Catholic teaching? Are they tolerant of your view of the Scripture?
 
I am currently changing parishes, I am pretty sure parish I am going to has one, and I would like to attend. My other parish didn’t. I think it is of extreme importance to learn the scriptures!!! “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ” (St. Jerome). I also think that whoever is teaching or leading these studies should take much care not to teach against Church doctrine and should ALWAYS have the Catechism of the Catholic Church present, open, and referenced! Any other materials or Church documents should accompany as well. Remember, Scripture-Sacred Tradition-Magisterium, where one is, the others are as well, just like the Trinity. :yup:
 
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penitentman22:
I also think that whoever is teaching or leading these studies should take much care not to teach against Church doctrine and should ALWAYS have the Catechism of the Catholic Church present, open, and referenced!
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I agree. The first Catholic bible study that I went to was where I bought my CCC. A very valuable resource!
 
I had to put “Catholic who attends Protestant Bible study” since my mom makes me attend a Seveth-day Adventist study group. Some of it is really good (no one can butcher the Bible THAT badly) but in other parts, I just have to do my best to hold the fury in.

The one time I really blew it, though, was when one lesson was all about how the little horn in Daniel was referring to the Pope and “papal Rome”, and how the Papacy is responsible for the death of 50 million “true Christians” during the Inquisition, and how Napoleon finally crushed this menace in 1798. It was pretty easy for me to successfully refute using secular historical sources, but to imagine how many people were taught this… ugh.
 
Archbishop 10-K:
I had to put “Catholic who attends Protestant Bible study” since my mom makes me attend a Seveth-day Adventist study group. Some of it is really good (no one can butcher the Bible THAT badly) but in other parts, I just have to do my best to hold the fury in.

The one time I really blew it, though, was when one lesson was all about how the little horn in Daniel was referring to the Pope and “papal Rome”, and how the Papacy is responsible for the death of 50 million “true Christians” during the Inquisition, and how Napoleon finally crushed this menace in 1798. It was pretty easy for me to successfully refute using secular historical sources, but to imagine how many people were taught this… ugh.
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Take heart, if you become a good enough at apologetics they’ll probably throw you out!
 
How to prevent dissension and tempers?
Well, one has to remain calm and explain the truth charitably, but people often have very strong feelings about these things and absent a “final authority” it can really degenerate into “that’s just your opinion.”
 
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Mummybee:
I think that our parishes need to make adult catechesis more available to those who are not in the RCIA classes. I think we need to study the bible and the catechism faithfully. My sister left the church about 8 years ago and joined the baptists. They have “Sunday School” for adults and children every Sunday. They are constantly studying their faith. Why don’t we? It seems like there is an unspoken acceptance that after confirmation, we don’t ‘need’ to go any further with it. There are so many adult Catholics raising their children who have a very flawed or inadequate understanding of their own faith. This is a pitiful situation, imho.
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I couldn’t agree with you more, except to say that even the catechesis for the sacraments for our kids is just as weak and sometimes even dead wrong - but that’s a whole 'nother thread!

Maybe this is God’s call to YOU to start something at your parish. Get a video set from Scott Hahn. You won’t have to do anything - there will be so much catechesis there you’ll just sit there and go, “Wow!” Some of them do come with study guides, though, if you feel more in-depth study.

Catholic Family Land also produces a series of catechetical tapes, books, & videos. Our parish has the “Be Not Afraid” Family Holy Hours every Sunday evening (we don’t have a Sunday evening Mass, parishes who do will hold this on Sunday afternoons). Great stuff with Cardinal Arinze; everything laid out for you so no much prep on your part.

Just something to think about…
 
i recommend to anyone and everyone… unless your pastor is leading the Bible study, BEWARE…

seriously… i have seen more well-meaning catholic/christians, or maybe more correct would be protestant/catholic for their desire to protest the teachings of the Catholic Church where their personal gripes are concerned…

I have seen people leave the church because the leader (laity, not cleric) was no more prepared or able to handle questions concernig mainly moral questions that always come up in Bible studies…

Make sure your Priest is the teacher/moderator or at least an Umpire at every meeting just to keep individuals from lording their intrepretations and assumptions over the rest of the croud…

I wish you peace and luck… 👍
 
I think it would be great if a Catholic church, in my area, offered Bible study along with the study of early church fathers and TRUE Church history!
 
Cardinal George has recommended that laity become more involved in adult catechesis. If we trust laity to catechize our children, then why shouldn’t they be involved in catechizing the adults?

The pastor should equip his sheep to do the work of evangelization. He should not have to do it all himself.

That being said, the bible study moderator should have a Catechism available, and should offer sound answers to questions from Church teaching, and should not be afraid to defer questions until a proper answer can be discerned from a consulation with the priest.

Would you feel comfortable having Karl Keating or Scott Hahn run a bible study, seeing how they are not ordained?
 
space ghost:
i recommend to anyone and everyone… unless your pastor is leading the Bible study, BEWARE…
I wish you peace and luck… 👍
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Just another warning! At my last parish and at this current one, the pastor leads the Bible study, and at every class, they both brought up the cause of ending celibacy among the clergy, as well as propagandizing for women priests. They encouraged disrepect toward the Pontiff and bishops.

I am therefore a church-sponsored Bible Study dropout.:rolleyes: I have found the Ignatius Bible study to be profitable for those who have to go it alone.

God Bless,

GrannyC
 
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