What Does the Catholic Church
Teach about Scripture? *

105      God is the author of Sacred Scripture.  “The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, have been written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”  For Holy Mother Church,  …accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the Old and New Testaments, whole and entire, with all their parts, on the grounds that, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author and have been handed on as such to the Church herself.”

107     “Since therefore all that the inspired authors or sacred writers affirm should be regarded as affirmed by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scripture.”

84      The apostles entrusted the “Sacred deposit” of the faith, contained in Sacred Scripture and Tradition, to the whole of the Church

133    The Church “forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful… to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,’ by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures.  ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.’”

*From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Come join Catholic Bible Study as we explore God's word in the Life and Letters of Paul.  Each week we meet for fellowship, discussion of weekly lessons and lecture.

No experience necessary!  Men and women, Catholic or not, all are welcome!  Together we learn more about God's word and how to apply it to our lives.  Come to meet new friends, grow spiritually, and share how God is working in your life.

We meet on Thursday mornings from 9:15-11am.  The study starts September 25 and finishes the week before Easter 2009.  We do not meet during the school calendar holidays and Novemberfest.

For more information, please call Mary Miller at 813-654-1312 or email at brandonite317@verizon.net.  Newcomers may join at any time during the year.

WELCOME to the
Adult Catholic
Bible Study Group!

GETTING STARTED

Ø Prospective Members –
CBS welcomes new members at an Introduction Class during any regularly scheduled meeting day.

Ø      Registration –
Participants may register for membership at an Introduction Class.  These are held on Thursday mornings during the regularly scheduled class times.  New members will be placed in small discussion groups in which they will remain for the study year.

Ø    Lesson Notes –
Printed notes, pertaining to the lessons being studied, as well as valuable points from biblical authorities, are distributed each week to class members.  These materials are written and produced by CBS members solely for our use.  Please do not share these materials with others outside of the study.

Ø    The Questions –
Attached to the CBS notes are questions to be studied for the next class.  Answers should be written in the space provided, using the references given for that particular day, and noting the chapter and verse where the answer is found.  It is advantageous for members to draw what they personally need from the Bible, independent of the ideas of others.  Therefore, members are asked not to use commentaries or outside resources (including notes in study Bibles) when answering the questions.  All the questions will be answered in the discussion groups when members share their written answers.  Often there is an open and shut answer to a question.  At other times, several answers may be given, each throwing light on the question asked.  Group members without written answers are encouraged to attend the discussion group to listen but not participate verbally during the discussion period.

Discussion Groups

MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED

Ø      Bible –
You may use whatever translation of the Bible you have; however, the New American Bible for Catholics is used for preparation of the notes and questions.  Often it is helpful to have more than one translation, so that you can compare the wording of passages to get a fuller meaning.

Ø      Binder –
All lessons and CBS materials will be three-hole punched for easy storage in a three ring binder.  You may also want to bring loose-leaf paper for taking notes during the lecture.

Ø      Optional Tools –
Please avoid using commentaries, including any notes or footnotes in your Bible, to complete your lesson.  After discussion group and lecture you may want to refer to outside sources for further study such as:

v     The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is also utilized in preparation of the notes, questions and lecture.

v     Bible atlases, such as Atlas of the Bible Lands by C.S. Hammond, may be helpful.

GUIDELINES

The goal of our Catholic Bible Study is to enable each member to receive the maximum benefit from study of the Bible and to grow spiritually, as the result of study and time spent talking and listening to God in prayer.  For this reason, CBS is structured with the following guidelines directed towards reaching that aim:

Ø      Attendance –
The value of the class is in the whole format and members are asked to participate in the entire program:  Introduction and intercessory prayers, discussion, lecture and home study.  Members will benefit most from consistent and punctual attendance.  If a member cannot fully participate, he or she may be asked to release his or her space to make room for others who want to join the study.  Re-entry into the class is possible by contacting the CBS Coordinator for re-entry procedures.  Members are asked to notify their discussion group facilitator by phone if they will be absent.  Please discuss any questions or concerns about attendance with your group facilitator.

Ø      Lesson Notes -
At the close of lecture, the notes will be distributed to class members as they leave.  If members must leave early, arrangements can be made with the CBS Coordinator to receive a lesson before the close of the lecture.  Members who must be absent may ask a friend to obtain their lesson for them.  If a member knows in advance that he or she must miss a class, arrangements for mailing the lesson can be made with the member’s Group Facilitator.

Ø     Punctuality –
Catholic Bible Study classes are conducted on a tight schedule, beginning and ending on time.  So that discussion groups will not be interrupted, please do not arrive more than ten minutes after the group has begun or we ask that you wait in the Chapel or Church and rejoin the group when the lecture begins.  Members who arrive late should check in with the CBS Coordinator so they will be counted in attendance records.

Ø      Childcare –
Childcare information may be obtained by speaking with the CBS Coordinator.

Ø      Parking –
It is suggested that daytime study members park behind the Chapel, and away from the School, to avoid traffic congestion during dismissal from pre-school sessions.

Group Leaders

For more information:
click here to e-mail Vicki Hawkins,
or call her at the Faith Formation Office
(813) 689-9101.

SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR STUDY

Establish a regular time for study. 
Find a time free from interruptions, perhaps early morning before the responsibilities of the day set in.  If establishing this time seems difficult, persevere with the study while PRAYING that God will provide time for you to spend time with Him and in His word, and still accomplish your responsibilities for that day.  You will find your daily study time to be one of the best times of your day, and it will allow you to face the rest of your day refreshed and refueled from time spent with God.  Members are encouraged to spend time DAILY on their study, rather than trying to complete it all in one sitting.  You will gain more from studying in this manner, as well as establishing a habit of spending time with the Lord each and every day.

Pray.  
Begin your study with prayer; asking God to allow the verses you study to become meaningful to you.  Read with an unprejudiced mind, open to new insights as you read.

Persevere! 
Do not be discouraged if, at first, you do not seem to get satisfactory answers to the questions.  As you participate in the discussion group, you will gain skill and understanding.  If you persevere through the first few weeks studying becomes easier, the Bible becomes more personal and your enjoyment of the study and being in God’s word will increase.