To understand the basic layout of the Bible and to know how to start
incorporating Scripture into daily life.
1. Have you been reading your Bible lately? (If so) What have you been reading? What have you
been learning? What's the greatest or the most exciting thing you've learned from the Bible
recently?
2. Take a scan at the basic layout of the Bible
- Flip thro ugh the Bible, or better yet turn to the table of contents and look at the books.
- Assure them that many people (in CCO) are not that familiar with Scripture, or how to flip to things
quickly.
- Explain what is meant by the Old Testament and New Testament
(i.e. the Old and New covenants with God; Judaic/ten commandments/sacrifice AND then the
restoration through Jesus Christ)
- Identify such sections as: the Pentateuch (the first 5 books - Mosaic), the prophets, the poetic books,
the gospels, the epistles (letters), the "Catholic" books ...
- By the way, the Catholic books have always been there since the Church established the canon
of Scripture. It was during the Reformation that certain books were challenged and subsequently
removed from the Protestant list of canonical books in the Bible.
3. What is your favorite: book of the Bible, author, or Scripture passage?
4. How do you feel about taking time to read Scripture on a regular, if not daily basis?
The Church “forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful... to learn the surpassing knowledge
of Jesus Christ by frequently reading of the divine Scriptures. ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of
Christ.’ ” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133.
-the Bible is very relevant to our daily lives because it contains "timeless principles" on the state of
man's heart.
- Just before the gospel is read at mass, we cross our forehead, lips and chest. This means that the Word
should be in our minds, proclaimed with our lips, and lived in our hearts (always, DAILY).
5. How to start reading Scripture.
It’s not a good idea to start with Books like Genesis or Revelations, and don’t try to start reading it straight
through from the beginning.
-Try reading a chapter a day starting with something like the Gospel of John, Acts, Romans, or Philippians
- Using Devotional books as an aid, such as The Word Among Us
- Discuss how long you think a person should spend reading the Bible daily?
- Keep a daily journal, follow the Church’s daily readings
6. Practical Application:
a) How are you going to start/continue getting into Scripture? (i.e. where, what devotional aid?)
b) When are you going to take time to do so?
Leader: Do they own a good Bible? Make a plan to go help them buy one, or lend one to them for the time
being if necessary. At your next appointment, plan to have a mini quiet time with them, showing them how
you do it. Example: Do that days readings from the Word Among us, and spend some time alone journaling
personal thoughts and then together spend some time interceding for people. And then spend some time
sharing how it went, how they felt, how their quiet time is going etc.
Begin your plan for reading Scripture on a daily basis.
Created and published by Catholic Christian Outreach Canada. Copyright © 2002. All rights reserved.