Sarting a Catholic Bible Study Network

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fatherseeker

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Hello everyone reading this,

I have almost broken my fingertips on my computer keyboard trying to find books or downloadable resources on: How to start a catholic bible study group in my community?

What are the steps and authorizations to follow? Should I create a business plan type of organized form on my intentions.

I “Love” EWTN, and there and elsewhere had heard many people site that non-Catholics have many bible study opportunities, but I have a great trouble finding any - and I am in the San Francisco Bay Area!

Thanks
fatherseeker: hmmm:
 
I would think that the first step would be to talk this over with your pastor and possibly your parish DRE as this is the first place where you are likely to draw your group from.

There are many good Bible study programs available and they can likely help a great deal as well as provide some promotion and a location for it.
 
Thanks, I have asked in two parishes I attend, yet there seems to be a problem getting enough people to start one - thus I am considering a network, perhaps asking to speak at mass at several local parishes and get some interested people.

I should have started this during the year of faith,

That is also why I want a game plan ready, with what resources to use, etc… , and then approach several local churches.

Why do I want to do this??? Because I cannot find a local bible study group. The closest I can get is RCIA.

Than for reply and tips!

Fatherseeker
 
I agree with Church Militant. Start with the pastor. If it takes more than one parish to support this, then you’ll need to talk with multiple pastors at multiple parishes and get them on board.

Are you qualified to lead this group? You’ll need to convince the pastors and possible attendees that it’s worth attending a group you lead. Do you have others ready to work with you to pull this off? Many things are easier if you have a small group to do publicity, prepare handouts, do room set up, make coffee, etc. With multiple parishes involved you may want one person from each parish as a sort of representative. Perhaps the pastors can suggest some possibilities when you talk with them.
 
fatherseeker said:
Thanks, I have asked in two parishes I attend, yet there seems to be a problem getting enough people to start one - thus I am considering a network, perhaps asking to speak at mass at several local parishes and get some interested people.

I should have started this during the year of faith,

That is also why I want a game plan ready, with what resources to use, etc… , and then approach several local churches.

Why do I want to do this??? Because I cannot find a local bible study group. The closest I can get is RCIA.

Than for reply and tips!

Fatherseeker
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The first thing you need, it seems to me, is an “anchor” - a person who is very well anchored in the Catholic Faith. That is, a person who knows, understands and loves the Church and all that is authentic and orthodox Catholic Christianity. Such a person would need to be able to recognize and guard the group from those who would lead the group astray.

If you can find such a person, and that person would work with you, I would say start a group no matter how small - and once it is begun you can begin to advertise and promote the group in nearby parishes. If there are many parishes nearby, it is possible that a few from maybe many parishes nearby would want to find such a group, and would support it and join it.

I would recommend beginning with two resources:
  1. If the “anchor person” is familiar with (traditional) Lectio Divina, he can teach the others to use it. If he is not, he needs to learn it also. Either way, for the group, plan for few weeks meetings focused on learning and using the Lectio Divina method of praying/meditating on Holy Scripture in the traditional way. There are many descriptions/guides offered on using Lectio, many of which can be (in my opinion) misleading - an e-book that I think is faithful to the traditional method is offered HERE.
  2. the Navarre series of New Testament books (I’d start with either John’s or Matthew’s Gospel). This Navarre series offers in a single paperback, one N.T. Gospel and a good and faithful commentary on that Gospel.)
I personally would not recommend “canned” programs complete with DVDs, workbooks, guides and a recorded expert - except as a last resort, if no “anchor” can be found. I personally would recommend listening to Scripture, seeking to hear God. But because of the many dangers, a solid and trustworthy “anchor” is needed to keep the group close to the truth entrusted to His Church.
 
Thank You!

Excellent tips, some I had thought of, but a lot of new things to take into account.

I am starting to make a check-off list.

But I am also remembering my original thought: Is there any books or manuals put out by the church to aid in such an endeavor?

They said “Year of Faith”, now they say “Evangelize!” – I say how?

Peace and thanks
 
Fide,

Interesting idea about using lectio divina, but to me, prayer and bible study are very different things.

You can use scripture in different ways. Prayer is one (lectio or the Liturgy of the Hours come to mind). Faith sharing is another. (I belong to a faith sharing group that uses the Sunday readings as a jumping off point for our discussions.) But when someone asks me about the faith sharing group, one of the things I stress is that this is not bible study. We don’t talk about the structure of Matthew’s gospel or how it compares to the other gospels or where Jesus was at the time something happened or the historical background they were living in.

Faithseeker,

I don’t know where you live, but possibly your diocese offers some kind of training or workshops that would help you. In Southern California, the Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino (arch)dioceses offer the Catholic Bible Institute to prepare people to lead bible study programs. See la-archdiocese.org/org/ore/aff/Pages/cbi.aspx for the LA version.
 
Great and thanks again for (name removed by moderator)ut, I am developing a mature attitude and responsibility with the tips and directions I am gleaning from your posts.

Start small (even “where two or more are gathered in my name…”) and let it be inviting to others.
Faithseeker,

I don’t know where you live, but possibly your diocese offers some kind of training or workshops that would help you. In Southern California, the Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino (arch)dioceses offer the Catholic Bible Institute to prepare people to lead bible study programs. See la-archdiocese.org/org/or…Pages/cbi.aspx for the LA version.​

Catholic Bible Institute! - I’ll check it out, oh by the way my handle is Fatherseeker, although Faithseeker is nice too - I live in the San Francisco Bay Area - lots of churches and a couple seminaries

Peace and thanks!
Fatherseeker
 
Littlerock bible study is a excellent for any parish resourcehttp://www.littlerockscripture.org/en/Default.aspx.

You should also talk with your director of religious education at your parish. They probably know some resources.
 
I think LittleRock Scriptuere Study would be a excellent resource for you littlerockscripture.org/en/Default.aspx. They have several bible studys for parishes and they also have a study bible.

You should also talk with your Director of Religious Education. They probably know of some other resources.
 
Hi MyWay!

Yeah, I have heard of the Littlerock bible study while trudging around online, it kept coming up in my search results, I will seek it out!

Fatherseeker
 
Catholic Way bible study is a bible study for parishes. They have a lot of videos you can order on the bible for people studying the bible. This one is also for parishes. If you want a study guide with questions you must print it from a CD.

cwbs.org/fw/main/Home-446.html
 
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