Small Groups????

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sadie2723

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Does anybody out there belong to a Catholic Church where there are small groups dedicated to Bible study and other topics? This is a major complaint of one of my Fundamentalist adversaries. He claims that by not having small groups that the Catholic church is discouraging people from reading the Bible. Now, this is coming from a guy that thinks that the Church has some kind of a mandate against people reading the Bible, so I admit that he is a little off. Still, I was wondering if small group study is going on out there, and if it is…how is it organized?

Thanks.

Brad
 
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sadie2723:
Does anybody out there belong to a Catholic Church where there are small groups dedicated to Bible study and other topics? This is a major complaint of one of my Fundamentalist adversaries. He claims that by not having small groups that the Catholic church is discouraging people from reading the Bible. Now, this is coming from a guy that thinks that the Church has some kind of a mandate against people reading the Bible, so I admit that he is a little off. Still, I was wondering if small group study is going on out there, and if it is…how is it organized?

Thanks.

Brad
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We have adult education classes each Sunday following Liturgy and each Thursday evening we have Bible Study classes.

So, to answer your question the answer is YES.
 
My church encourages small Bible study groups. We have a few that meet year round and many others that meet seasonally. In addition we have Bible discussion groups seveal times a year that are held in larger groups (15 - 25 people).
 
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sadie2723:
Does anybody out there belong to a Catholic Church where there are small groups dedicated to Bible study and other topics? This is a major complaint of one of my Fundamentalist adversaries. He claims that by not having small groups that the Catholic church is discouraging people from reading the Bible. Now, this is coming from a guy that thinks that the Church has some kind of a mandate against people reading the Bible, so I admit that he is a little off. Still, I was wondering if small group study is going on out there, and if it is…how is it organized?

Thanks.

Brad
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I just moved out of a parish that has a small prayer group I was part of, St. Paul’s in Damascus, MD. I really like the small prayer group setting. Our focus was on prayer for those in the parish, but other groups have other focuses. I was in Jackson TN at St. Mary’s Church about a year or so ago and the Deacon there held a bible study class open to all, but only the same people came so it wasn’t an official small group but essentially it was one.
 
One has to be careful not to set up “small groups” that mimic those set up in some Protestant groups.

A group to study Holy Scripture – fine, in fact, to be encouraged. But such a group should have support from the parish, because it is critical that Holy Scripture is studied in the light of the Church’s Tradition, and not merely interpreted through the consensus of those who have happened to come together.

However, many Protestant denominations that are big on small groups give these groups a lot of power over the members. I have a daughter who worshipped in one of those churches years ago (a Baptist tradition) for a while (she is now a confirmed member of our Holy Mother the Church, and very happy about it), and the group very quickly started to try to run her life. She should buy a new car; she should change jobs; she should not associate with, or even talk to, so-and-so, and so on. Resisting the group’s efforts too stridently will get one quickly reported to the community leadership.

So, yes to small groups, as an extension of the missions of the Parish, but no to the model that one finds all too often in Protestant groups.

Blessings,

Gerry
 
Gerry Hunter:
A group to study Holy Scripture – fine, in fact, to be encouraged. But such a group should have support from the parish, because it is critical that Holy Scripture is studied in the light of the Church’s Tradition, and not merely interpreted through the consensus of those who have happened to come together.
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That’s how ours works. I’m in a small group study of Revelation. The facilitator is using a couple of books that discuss Catholic teaching. It’s been a very good experience.

So, yes, in at least some parishes, there are small group Bible studies.
 
Small Groups?
No…but my very nice Southern Baptist neighbors always welcome me to join them. 😃
 
My parish has bible study every Tuesday night. I wouldn’t call it “small group” though. Around 75 people usually show up. We have talked about splitting it up into smaller groups, but everyone seems to like it the way it is.
 
Our parish is so huge, the largest in Denver, CO., that we have many opportunities to study the Bible.
Every Tuesday Morning. Adult Catachism classes, (which is the best study of the Bible I have ever had) on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. I attend the Wednesday session. We aslo have Apologetics classes on Thursday evenings during the school year, and on Wednesdays during the summer. There is also Bible study classes just for the High School youth. Last year our parish hosted the Catholic Biblical School on Tuesday mornings.
At first I was lost in such a large parish. Now I am so greatful for the opportunities it affords.
Unfortunately this is just one of the many misconceptions that people hold about Catholocism.There are many who are greatly misinformed about what the Church actually teaches. Not many bother to verify from the source, what the true teaching actually is.
 
Small groups in Baptist Churches are not rouge groups that go off on their own. My group when I was there was run by the youth pastor, and there is training that goes into leaders of groups if the church is small. There is a study guide that is followed and if something is not clear answers are sought from the pastor.

The one that was telling the girl where to buy her car disolved into a club and its members should have set it straight, but we are are human. The guidelines should have been followed.

Small groups are great, as they get a person reading and discussing the bible. Dont forget there are some that come that have no one at home to talk to about God. So sometimes its the only time to ask questions.
 
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aurora77:
That’s how ours works. I’m in a small group study of Revelation. The facilitator is using a couple of books that discuss Catholic teaching. It’s been a very good experience.

So, yes, in at least some parishes, there are small group Bible studies.
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I am in a small group and we just finished Revelation too. We are doing Jeremiah next. I go to the weekday morning one but there are others that meet at different times to fit other schedules. This parish also has a Bible study group just for men too.

Over the years there has been attempts in various dioceses to start small group catechisis or prayer groups (Renew, anyone 😃 ) They tend to have the problems Gerry mentioned above if the pastor is not closely involved.
 
We’ve got several small groups - depends on what you desire. Bible study, prayer groups, I know the RENEW program was big in our parish about 20 years ago.

This Lent, our parish a couple of others are starting a new 3-year small-groups program called Disciples in Mission. From what I’ve gathered, it will happen ever Lent, with each small group having the option to continue throughout the year, in which we get together once-a-week, and talk about the up-coming Sunday’s readings. I’m looking forward to it myself.

If you want more info, see Disciples In Mission.
 
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sadie2723:
Does anybody out there belong to a Catholic Church where there are small groups dedicated to Bible study and other topics? This is a major complaint of one of my Fundamentalist adversaries. He claims that by not having small groups that the Catholic church is discouraging people from reading the Bible.
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every parish I have lived or worked in for the last 30 years has had some type of small groups who use scripture as part of the basis for their meeting discussion, study or prayer. Every parish renewal program I know of including Renew 2000, Christ Renews His Parish, Disciples in Mission and dozens more relies on small faith sharing groups to perpetuate the work and carry it to the people. Spirituality renewal movements like Life in the Spirit and Cursillo are carried on in small groups. Communidades des bases are foundational in most Hispanic parishes, and begin with bible reading and prayer. I have never been in a parish that did not have both formal bible studies for adults and children as well as small groups meeting regularly, or at least in Lent and Advent, for praying with scripture.

challenge your fundamentalist friend to provide proof for what he claims. it is not borne out by facts.
 
Gerry Hunter:
A group to study Holy Scripture – fine, in fact, to be encouraged. But such a group should have support from the parish, because it is critical that Holy Scripture is studied in the light of the Church’s Tradition, and not merely interpreted through the consensus of those who have happened to come together.
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there are rules and guidelines for small groups in all these programs (this is the Catholic church after all, we have rules for everything) and basically no one can form their own ad hoc small group and recruit parishioners unless they do it with the guidance and blessing of the pastor, and use materials he approves. as individuals, Catholics are also good at breaking or dodging the rules, so not surprisingly that happens too.
 
Thanks to all that responded! I am going to try to get a couple of groups going at my parish!

Brad
 
Our church has lots of ‘clubs’, the ‘Bible-group’ (about 10 people), the ‘18-30 Bible group’ (around 15, it varies), the ‘Women’s circle’ (around 10, all regulars), the ‘Mother & Baby/toddler group’ (around 22 women and their children, we read a Bible story and then the children play and do crafts, very popular, I’ve been going for 2 years now) and then there is a ‘Charismatic prayer group’ (around 15 people, most have been going for years). the ladies who meet to pray the rosary every Wednesday and Friday-morning. Plus we hold course, this year it’s ‘St Francis of Assissi’s word for today’ and we hold regular retreats for married couples that are always over-subscribed…So, yes…plenty of little groups 👍

Anna x
 
I go to a public university, diverse in every race and religion and we have small groups running at every dorm. We have a new campus minister for our Newman Club and he’s awesome and knows his theology. Our small groups are open to any faith, but if they are curious about catholics, we talk with them. If you want to know more about what we do, ask me.
 
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sadie2723:
Thanks to all that responded! I am going to try to get a couple of groups going at my parish!

Brad
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Ours are co-ordinated by our DRE, you might talk to yours. With his/her help and that of your priest, you should be set. Good luck to you–I’ve found my bible study to be very good, both spiritually and socially! I hope this works out for you!
 
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sadie2723:
Does anybody out there belong to a Catholic Church where there are small groups dedicated to Bible study and other topics?

Brad
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Yes we do! I am the new members cordinator for a group at our Church…we started with 1 group of 12 in the spring of 2002, this January we began our 13th group of 12! It is CERTAINLY out there! This year the group I am in is doing the “Come and See Catholic Bible Study on the Gospel of John.” You can find it at amazon.com or at catholicbiblestudy.net.
Also I am on the committee at our Church for Adult Faith Formation. We are currently reading the document put out by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called “Our Hearts Were Burning With In Us.” You can order a copy for yourself…it is a 60+ page document about how IMPORTANT constant Adult Faith Formation is needed and encouraged…The bishops recognize the peoples hunger and are addressing the need! Praise GOD!
 
My family meets with another family every Monday night all year long. We have children in our group ranging from age 3 to 18. We have done this for 7 years. It was originally coordinated through the Parish as part of the Catechism program.

We start with a prayer. Then the children read the bible readings for the next Sunday and we discuss. We have lessons then for the kids, starting with the youngest. When the youngest are done they are dismissed to go play and we go to the next age group up to the adults. Lessons include catechism, bible study, etc. We conclude the evening with some sort of snack.

Results: Absolutely incredible. The teenagers refuse on their own to go out with friends that night on their own accord. The discussions that come up are amazing and we have learned what great kids we have. The kids have some really great opinions and thoughts. The Mormons of the area have announced to their wards not to go to our homes. Kids know how to defend their faith!

Examples: My son was told that he was not Christian because he was “Catholic” He responded with “Who do you think started it all?” My other son was involved in a discussion with an Atheist on the school bus. He responded with Pascal’s Wager among other things.

We as parents are responsible for the religious education of our children. Home school catechism I think is the best way to teach our children.

Annette
 
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