Why Are Not More Parish Based Catholic Bible Studies?

[lak611]

Personaly I have some doubts about the Bible Study Concept.
Since the CC like the EO church does not bases belief in the Bible alone but in the Early Church Fathers and Sacred Tradition, should a Bible study be part of something more exaustive, like a Avanced Cathecism class or a similar concept?
So you will have to study the Bible, the ECFs and Church Teology. Yes I think that it will need well trained Cathekists but the diocesis could get organized for that and maybe create online study groups.
Also Lectio Divina basics should be integrated into that.
Maybe I’m dreaming too much.

I would not attend a Bible study that included Lectio Divina. I do not get into meditative prayer.

 

[BlestOne]

Ever since my parish started the Great Adventure series 2 years ago we have progressively gotten bigger as the word gets out how good it is. I think the main problem is that for years we had catechesis that ended with confirmation… after that you were an adult and it was just assumed that you knew enough… we all know that isn’t true, but the tides are changing… people are wanting the studies… At our parish we are actually starting over with the first session so people who missed out can catch up.

 

[kentuckyliz]

Jesus said, you search the scriptures, thinking that in them you will find salvation, but you refuse to come to me!

How do we go to Jesus? What does he say about it?

Mt 25. You all know it whether or not you’ve ever done a Bible study class or group. You know the song. Sing along with me now! “Whatsoever you doooo…to the least of my brothers…that you do unto Meeeeeeeee.”

And that same passage is where Jesus teaches us how he’s going to judge us, sheep or goat, on the last day. It doesn’t say anything about how much Bible study you did.

My parish has Bible studies, and they’re good, but far more important is the fact that people really roll up their sleeves and serve the poor face to face.

People can get prideful in their “Bible head knowledge” but I say, if you have faith, show me your works.

I live in Bible Church land and I’m telling you, families go to church and bible study night and the men hang around outside smoking and hanging out with each other.

 

[Sr_Sally]

You will find that some protestant or non-Catholic groups/churches have a relatively higher number who participate but not everyone does. One reason is that the church is the hub about which their lives turn. Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday night, and more. Often when the Children are involved at the Church, the parents are involved also in some more adult faith pursuit. For Bible studies they can be found meeting over lunch at work or as early as Six o’clock in the morning before work. My hunch is they aren’t up a;; hours watching the tube.

One thing for sure they are not attending daily Mass, which a significant but small number of Catholics do. I would be curious as to how many hours the average Catholic spends on Church related activities compared to the average non-Catholic. Count Mass or Services, prayer time, Bible Study, K of C Service projects, etc. It may just be that the grass just looks greener on the other side.

This Bible study issue really depends on the denomination you are talking about. Some are better about it than others (but I bet they watch just as much TV )

In general also, a protestant church is smaller than a Catholic parish, so people know each other better. That Bible study that meets in the coffee shop at 6am before work, is probably the same 10 men that have been coming for years. Just like the KoC meetings are the same 20 guys.

I think the difference is also in focus. At a protestant church they have Bible studies and worship and Sunday school. 3 choices. In an active Catholic parish there will be KoC, Legion of Mary, adoration hours, various con-fraternities, as well as daily and Sunday Mass and CCD. In other words, more choices.

Of course there are dead-beat parishes, and quiet churches, but it isn’t right to compare the most vibrate protestant church with the most dead-beat parish (or vice versa).

 

[lak611]

I think the difference is also in focus. At a protestant church they have Bible studies and worship and Sunday school. 3 choices. In an active Catholic parish there will be KoC, Legion of Mary, adoration hours, various con-fraternities, as well as daily and Sunday Mass and CCD. In other words, more choices.

At least in my parish, what I’ve noticed is that the same people involved in other groups are the ones involved in Bible study too. The people who help prepare a serve a meal for the poor, those in SVDP, those who are lectors/EMHC’s/ushers, those who are in Holy Name Society also are part of the Bible study. The daily Mass is usually only attended by retired people since none is held in the evening (poor attendance in the evening led to cancellation). The people in my parish who do belong to groups tend to be involved in many activities. The rest of the parishioners just show up for Sunday Mass.

 

[NotWorthy]

The people in my parish who do belong to groups tend to be involved in many activities. The rest of the parishioners just show up for Sunday Mass.

So get the bible studiers to talk up the class and get people to go.

Our group focuses on the fellowship that we have during class, since the instructor is so weak (your’s truly thank you!). But people join it and do enjoy the fellowship, and learn a little bit about the bible despite my best efforts.

 

[lak611]

So get the bible studiers to talk up the class and get people to go.

Our group focuses on the fellowship that we have during class, since the instructor is so weak (your’s truly thank you!). But people join it and do enjoy the fellowship, and learn a little bit about the bible despite my best efforts.

The people who are involved in activities tend to be the only ones interested. We have advertised in the bulletin, handed out fliers at the festival, etc., but the rest of the parish isn’t interested in Bible study, St. Vincent DePaul, Holy Name Society, etc. None of the4 groups/organizations have had much success in attracting new members.

 

[dacoobob]

At least in my parish, what I’ve noticed is that the same people involved in other groups are the ones involved in Bible study too. The people who help prepare a serve a meal for the poor, those in SVDP, those who are lectors/EMHC’s/ushers, those who are in Holy Name Society also are part of the Bible study. The daily Mass is usually only attended by retired people since none is held in the evening (poor attendance in the evening led to cancellation). The people in my parish who do belong to groups tend to be involved in many activities. The rest of the parishioners just show up for Sunday Mass.

It’s the same in Protestant churches. There’s a “core” of folks who are involved in all sorts of church activities, volunteer stuff, small groups (bible studies) etc., and then there are the majority who just come Sunday mornings. Whether the ratio of these “involved” people to the regular pew-sitters is higher or lower compared to Catholic parishes I couldn’t say.