Bible study with a protestant

  • Thread starter Thread starter Elmawa
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

Elmawa

Guest
Hello,
I had a coworker/friend of mine ask me yesterday if I would be interested in doing a bible study together, just she and I. I told her that I would be interested and agreed we should set it up. But then I started thinking, maybe over thinking? About some of the complexities of doing a bible study with someone who is protestant. I’ve been told that the Catholic Church doesn’t really like Catholics participating in bible studies that are not lead by someone trained in the Catholic interpretation of scripture, seeing as how when left to private interpretation people can be lead and mislead in all sorts of directions. I feel that I personally am pretty secure in my Catholic beliefs and I understand them much better than most people my own age, but I wouldn’t call myself an expert by any means. So, my question is, how can I approach this? Is there a good strategy to use? Maybe we should just approach it as more of a prayer group setting where bible discussion is an option? I know that doing this would give me plenty of opportunities to explain my faith to her, and she can explain her beliefs to me. I’m always open to learning about how other people experience faith as I have an interest in apologetics. And I understand that there are more similarities between Catholics and Protestants than there are differences…

So, back to the question I guess, does anyone else have experience in this? How do you work around the differences and discuss them. I thought we could maybe each read the same book in the bible separately then come together and talk about it, and I could bring what I know the church teaches…I have a growing library of apologetics materials to rely on.

So, I guess I’m just looking for wisdom, insights, and advice.

Thank you!
 
I’ve been involved with a few of these “Bible studies” that turned into them trying to shoot down basic Catholic doctrine and propose the idea that I was going to hell if I didn’t leave Rome and take up their man-made religion. Just be aware that this may happen and if it does and you can’t answer all their positions and they try to sow doubts in your mind just break it off and study some reliable Catholic sources. The Catechism is probably the best one.

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach [to you] a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!” Gal 1:8
 
Elmawa said:
Hello,
I had a coworker/friend of mine ask me yesterday if I would be interested in doing a bible study together, just she and I. I told her that I would be interested and agreed we should set it up. But then I started thinking, maybe over thinking? About some of the complexities of doing a bible study with someone who is protestant. I’ve been told that the Catholic Church doesn’t really like Catholics participating in bible studies that are not lead by someone trained in the Catholic interpretation of scripture, seeing as how when left to private interpretation people can be lead and mislead in all sorts of directions. I feel that I personally am pretty secure in my Catholic beliefs and I understand them much better than most people my own age, but I wouldn’t call myself an expert by any means. So, my question is, how can I approach this? Is there a good strategy to use? Maybe we should just approach it as more of a prayer group setting where bible discussion is an option? I know that doing this would give me plenty of opportunities to explain my faith to her, and she can explain her beliefs to me. I’m always open to learning about how other people experience faith as I have an interest in apologetics. And I understand that there are more similarities between Catholics and Protestants than there are differences…

So, back to the question I guess, does anyone else have experience in this? How do you work around the differences and discuss them. I thought we could maybe each read the same book in the bible separately then come together and talk about it, and I could bring what I know the church teaches…I have a growing library of apologetics materials to rely on.

So, I guess I’m just looking for wisdom, insights, and advice.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
A lot is going to depend on you and her. This seems to be an informal thing with one coworker, not some sort of structured Bible study at a Protestant church where you are outnumbered 20 to 1.

Spend some time in prayer about it. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to talk Scripture with a Protestant. 😛 Just don’t start with John 6. 😉 There is plenty to be studied and prayed on that won’t cause friction and argumentation.
 
It depends. What kind of Protestant is this person, and how knowledgeable are you about Catholic doctrine?

If neither is a problem (for instance, if co-worker doesn’t insist on sola scriptura), then it’s likely OK. Most Protestants agree with much of Catholic teaching, it’s the small areas where we disagree that can be stumbling blocks.
 
The first question I would ask myself is: why do I want to do this?

Do I want to try and evangelize this person?
Do I want to learn more about the Bible?
Do I want to learn about how Protestants see things?
Do I just want to spend some time with a friend?

The last three things can be accomplished (very well) without getting into doctrinal or Biblical study with a Protestant. And the first thing, evangelization, can be accomplished without basically trying to set up little debates or Q&A’s or little lectures based on some pretense. If you show your friend that you love Jesus and are consistently trying to deepen your relationship with Him, this in itself will be a massive step in the right direction. You need not go into apologetics mode for that. Many Protestants would be shocked to know that Catholics actually love Jesus. That’s information enough.

I would also consider whether or not my friend was basically trying to convert me by asking to discuss the Bible with me. If it’s a likelihood, I probably would leave things alone. I’m not interested in polite fighting at the moment. Some people are won over by fights. Most people just want the other to bug off.

On the other hand, maybe my friend is simply lonely and wants to talk to a brother or sister about Jesus. I would certainly join them for that. I would also happily talk to them if they were interested in Catholicism simply because they’re curious.

Maybe, rather than going to a Bible study together, you all can go volunteer together and serve the poor.
 
First, they can study only 91% of the bible, as that is all that the “reformers” ultimately left them with. She probably thinks that you have rarely if ever seen a bible - this is one of the most oft repeated canards on earth. Suspicion is warranted as non-Catholics must defend their separation and so with their other hand must attack Catholic teaching.

If you do, pick her up a bible with the Orthodox/Catholic books in it, so that she can follow along with you. I hand out copies of the Revised English Bible w/Deuterocanon (“Apocrypha”) that is acceptable to all mainline denominations. It was edited in cooperation with the Catholic Church in the UK. $4-$5 or so in VG to Exc condition at ThriftBooks or Amazon. It is not bad as a daily reading bible. IMO, it is more Catholic than the NAB or NABRE.

The suspicious nature in me thinks that it will not be just the two of you - another two or three may ‘coincidentally’ arrive and stack the deck against you. Time to bail in that case.
 
You’ve got some great advice here already. I just want to share what happened when my Protestant husband started out a generic Bible study at work. You see, there are rare opportunities in Protestant churches for Bible study, Southern Baptists aside. A Catholic co-worker signed up. It was just guys reading the Bible and discussion. Long story short. My husband is now Catholic 😃

Don’t be persuaded, persuade, in love. Godspeed.
 
Thanks so far everyone. I don’t think this is a lot of any kind on her part. I handed her a Catholic book on anger and forgiveness a week or so ago…and she said that she used to study with a friend of hers back in the day and she just wants to do that again. I have a feeling that my giving her that book may have opened the door for this.
I’m not worried about her asking me questions or trying to convert me. Other people have tried, and honestly, I just get really excited when that happens! Because then I’m like oh my gosh, I get to defend my faith! I love being challenged because it gives me something to study as well as a chance to try to explain things.
But, really, I just think she really needs a friend and someone to talk about God with. She’s had a rough time in life and she’s told me she used to struggle with God due to some abuse she was suffering. And no, I’m not hoping to counsel her like that, that’s out of my expertise, just to be her friend.
Someone asked what denomination she is. She attends a non denominational church, I know little about it but I seem to recall someone saying that ideologically it is Baptist.
What are my motivations? I want to evangelize, study, and spend time with her. I’m not trying to convert her (that’s God’s job, I just plant seeds), but if a chance to discuss something Catholic comes up, I’m game to discuss it.
 
I’ve personally done plenty of Bible study with non-Catholics and don’t think it’s a problem. I think comparing and contrasting your beliefs over scripture can help you learn more about your own faith and give you more confidence when talking about it.
 
If you are secure and somewhat knowledgeable in your faith this could be fine. You might benefit most from a guided study. You could alternate picking the study guide.
Bonnie said:
Most Protestants agree with much of Catholic teaching, it’s the small areas where we disagree that can be stumbling blocks.
Click to expand...
Actually some of the disagreements are pretty big. Some disagree that baptism is necessary. Most disagree with the Eucharist.
 
Elmawa said:
Hello,
I had a coworker/friend of mine ask me yesterday if I would be interested in doing a bible study together, just she and I. I told her that I would be interested and agreed we should set it up. But then I started thinking, maybe over thinking? About some of the complexities of doing a bible study with someone who is protestant. I’ve been told that the Catholic Church doesn’t really like Catholics participating in bible studies that are not lead by someone trained in the Catholic interpretation of scripture, seeing as how when left to private interpretation people can be lead and mislead in all sorts of directions. I feel that I personally am pretty secure in my Catholic beliefs and I understand them much better than most people my own age, but I wouldn’t call myself an expert by any means. So, my question is, how can I approach this? Is there a good strategy to use? Maybe we should just approach it as more of a prayer group setting where bible discussion is an option? I know that doing this would give me plenty of opportunities to explain my faith to her, and she can explain her beliefs to me. I’m always open to learning about how other people experience faith as I have an interest in apologetics. And I understand that there are more similarities between Catholics and Protestants than there are differences…

So, back to the question I guess, does anyone else have experience in this? How do you work around the differences and discuss them. I thought we could maybe each read the same book in the bible separately then come together and talk about it, and I could bring what I know the church teaches…I have a growing library of apologetics materials to rely on.

So, I guess I’m just looking for wisdom, insights, and advice.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
THANKS for asking:thumbsup:

You’re instincts are right on.

A prayer meeting would be less dangerous and far less likely to be confrontational as well.

Here is a good Catholic Bible commentary should you need it [a FREE download[

**http://haydock1859.tripod.com/

And here is a FREE compassion bible site

http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/

As the Bible Is a Catholic Book, I suggest you use the Douay Catholic Bible to compare to the King James

IF, your asked something your not positive about, DON"T commit; promise to get back with the information.

And finally aw you seem aware this could be a ploy to try to convert you:shrug:

PRAY MUCH!

Lastly, I recently pubished a New book that is aimed at sharing all the basics of our Faitn with evidence to back them up, which you might consider?

http://www.catholicandchristianbypatrickmiron.com/

But know that if you’ll send me a private message I’ll gradly answer any Faith questions you may have and its FREE:thumbsup:

GBY

Patrick
 
Joe_5859 said:
A lot is going to depend on you and her. This seems to be an informal thing with one coworker, not some sort of structured Bible study at a Protestant church where you are outnumbered 20 to 1.

Spend some time in prayer about it. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to talk Scripture with a Protestant. 😛 Just don’t start with John 6. 😉 There is plenty to be studied and prayed on that won’t cause friction and argumentation.
Click to expand...
Potentially lots to get into conflict over in John 6. If you are up for an apologetics excercise in Eucharistic theology I’d go with that. Is this person intending to evangelize you?

Edit: I missed part of that statement. John six is a good start point if you are looking for a verifiable logical difference. The resurrection of Jesus is the quintessential claim of Christianity and the preservation of sacred tradition is a quintessential distinctive of Catholicism. The Eucharist is a good test case for that in my humble opinion.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top