Question regarding resources for St. Paul Bible Study

[jhash1]

Hello and greetings,

I have volunteered to lead an adult scripture study at my parish which will focus on St. Paul and his letters. We plan to start with the resource: St. Paul - A Bible Study for Catholics by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. After that introduction, we plan to study each of St. Paul’s letters in chronological order. I am seeking some feedback on good resources for a small group study program on St. Paul’s letters. I have looked at the Navarre Bible, the Ignatius Press Bible Studies, and some devotional bible studies. Does anyone have any guidance on resources to use which will really stimulate an adult group of varying levels of Bible study background? Thanks in advance for your help.

Peace be with you.

 

[fewnotmany]

I have volunteered to lead an adult scripture study at my parish

The prudent thing to do is prepare your lesson plans before volunteering to lead a study.
The approach you are taking now will alienate everyone in the class. They will walk away thinking you really don’t know what you are talking about.

There are plenty of topics within this forum to help you get started. I’m currently hosting a thread on ‘speaking in tongues’ based on Paul’s letter to the Corinth Church.

 

[COPLAND_3]

It really depends on what kind of people you will have in the group, some people prefer to have more of a free open discussion with less focus on actual material, while some prefer to be very structured and follow a booklet. I would spend the first session just getting to know who is in the group and determining what approach will work best. But I would begin by keeping it very simple while preparing yourself beforehand for the study group sessions.

Below is a link to my site, I have my preferences of commentaries from the Early Church Fathers and the Navarre Bible and Ignatius Study Bible all available with free access. it can be used by you to prepare for the Bible.

 

[Strategery]

The prudent thing to do is prepare your lesson plans before volunteering to lead a study.
The approach you are taking now will alienate everyone in the class. They will walk away thinking you really don’t know what you are talking about.

Funny, I took the same approach, and my study has grown.
IMO the important part is to walk into each study with a lesson plan, however. I learned that quickly. I’ve been going weekly for 6 months now and have incorporated in the CCC, the Aquinas golden chain, and Aquinas commentary.

Copland - IMO Navarre is better than the Ignatius studies, though I think it’s personal preference. I don’t know how to say this without offending somebody, but the Ignatius studies are too Hahn-ian for my comfort level. I say that with due respect to Dr. Hahn and his work.

Regardless and as you know, you need to keep closely linked to the catechism.

Good luck with your study. The Ephesians - Philippians -Colossians trifecta makes for great study. I’m looking forward to doing that with my group.

 

[COPLAND_3]

Copland - IMO Navarre is better than the Ignatius studies, though I think it’s personal preference. I don’t know how to say this without offending somebody, but the Ignatius studies are too Hahn-ian for my comfort level. I say that with due respect to Dr. Hahn and his work.

The Navarre is one of the best commentaries I have ever seen because it will usually quote the CCC, Church Fathers, and many other deeply rich Catholic resources. I don’t have any problems with Hahn at all, but I do prefer the Navarre Bible.

But I also provide the Ancient Christian Commentary which also is a valuable resource since it is a catena that quotes the Church Fathers, and it provides a lot of Ambrosiaster’s commentaries on Paul’s letters. Ambrosiaster is a dynamic commentator!

 

[jhash1]

The prudent thing to do is prepare your lesson plans before volunteering to lead a study.
The approach you are taking now will alienate everyone in the class. They will walk away thinking you really don’t know what you are talking about.

There are plenty of topics within this forum to help you get started. I’m currently hosting a thread on ‘speaking in tongues’ based on Paul’s letter to the Corinth Church.

Thanks for the supportive and helpful response.

As noted in my original message, I have selected an opening Bible study aide: St. Paul - A Bible Study for Catholics by Fr. Mitch Pacwa - which contains a six week program of study on St. Paul’s writings as they apply to the sacrements. The help I have asked for is what to do for the sessions following the opening six weeks when we begin to delve into each of St. Paul’s letters in chronological order. So - I am working with seven weeks lead time which will be enough time for me to adequately prepare and avoid the malaise you describe in your note.

Have a nice day.