Trying to organize an alternative Bible study

[AdvanceAlways]

Hi everyone. So at my college, the Catholic campus ministry provides a weekly Bible study type group. My friends and I went last semester but the more we went, it became apparent that it was only intended for liberal interpretations of scripture. It was quite uncomfortable for my friends and I who were openly mocked for our beliefs. We don’t mean to cause any rift with campus ministry or get them angry but we’ve thought about organizing a separate study for more orthodox or traditional Catholic students on campus. Does anyone have any tips on how to attract other students without making it seem like we’re in conflict with campus minsitry? We’d like to go into other types of programs as well and CAF is always my go to place for advice.

 

[Apollos]

Hi everyone. So at my college, the Catholic campus ministry provides a weekly Bible study type group. My friends and I went last semester but the more we went, it became apparent that it was only intended for liberal interpretations of scripture. It was quite uncomfortable for my friends and I who were openly mocked for our beliefs. We don’t mean to cause any rift with campus ministry or get them angry but we’ve thought about organizing a separate study for more orthodox or traditional Catholic students on campus. Does anyone have any tips on how to attract other students without making it seem like we’re in conflict with campus minsitry? We’d like to go into other types of programs as well and CAF is always my go to place for advice.

Organize your own. Ignore whatever rift you think you may be making. These are the days of victory, and your side will win.

One way is to pretend that your group is an in-depth group while the liberal group is a sort of entry-level group. Recruit members from the liberal group. After you break up each night, mention your in-depth, spiritual, prayerful, slightly-more-hardcore group to individual members privately. Not in front of the rest. Only to those who seem inclined that way.

This is a war. Play that game.

 

[KShaft]

I saw there was a book about communist spies attempting to infiltrate the Church.

Now the Church freely accepts douche bags who would openly mock scripture into their mists as priests no less!

A liberal interpretation of ANYTHING will undermine its original intent. This is a product of modernism and is a fallacy to apply it to anything from any era in the bible or in truth anything pre 1900s.

If they want to discern the bible any which way, then perhaps they should convert to a protestant branch, as this is what they are good for. They’d be right at home with the NCCUSA.

Apollos is right this is war. Im not sure about victory however. I think the world is on a rapid downward spiral. People are willingly abdicating their rights for creature comforts and outright attacking religion in general, but ESPECIALLY Christianity. Unless you mean victory through martyrdom and obtaining the ultimate reward through our Lord Jesus Christ. Then perhaps that final Victory is coming soon.

Good luck in your endeavor, may you route the enemies of truth.

 

[Crumpy]

Well, c’mon.

A bible study group should be friendly or it isn’t a Bible study, but something else. It says in the letter of James that anger is not compatible with the righteousness of God. Keep that in mind.

having said that, your point should be to stay on track, to keep the meeting moving towards its presumed goal, of getting people to know, love, and serve God more.

College students are busy. My suggestion is to use a format where you’re actually reading scripture, to make the discussion a level playing field, for people who might have not had time to prepare. So, it’s reasonable to cover just a chapter of scripture per week.

I think if you’re biting off several chapters a week, you may be glossing over too much.

And, put the meeting in its proper context with prayer to the Holy Spirit, maybe even with some traditional songs.

Shema Yisrael Adonai eloheinu Adonai echad!
Hear O Israel the LORD is our God, the LORD is one! Dt 6,4 and Mk12:29.

Love the LORD your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole mind, and with all your strength, AND love your neighbor as yourself.

 

[Oldtimer_7]

Who mocked you? If it was other students, then the leader should have brought a quick end to that. If it was outside the study group, then something else is going on, like academic oneupmanship. It could also be evidence of their discomfort at being challenged, either by you or by the material.

If it was the leader of the group, then the administration needs to know. I can understand frivolity can be frustrating to a group, but your intention to join a religious order makes me think that your (name removed by moderator)uts would likely not be frivolous. Leaders are not in line for canonization, they are also sinful and vulnerable human beings. You may be more of a challenge than that particular leader can deal with.

If you start your own group, then you can set your own pace. I have been teaching Luke for about a year now, and have worried that I am going too slowly. My pastor pointed out that the goal is understanding, not getting done in a particular length of time. If you want to study a chapter, or a pericope, or a single verse, it will be up to you. Just be sure you are in for the long haul. Starting a group and having it fall apart in a few weeks might be worse than just staying in the group you have been involved in.