8 Reasons to Join a Bible Study Group This Year

If you answer "yes" to any of these, maybe 2017 is the year that you join a Catholic Bible Study group at St Michael's!

1.  I tune out the Old Testament reading at Mass, because it makes no sense to me.

The Old Testament spans centuries, and is filled with strange sounding names, places and figures of speech. Understanding what's going on in the Old Testament, and how Jesus fulfills it, will bring a richer understanding of God's plan... and where we fit in that plan.

Consider joining a group to study The BibleTimeline: Story of Salvation

2.  I think Mass is often boring.

There's a lot of sitting, standing, kneeling, hand gesturing and responding, but what does it all MEAN?  Discover how everything that we do and say at Mass is deeply rooted in Scripture, and you will never be bored again.

Consider joining a group to study A Biblical Walk Through the Mass

3.  I tried reading the Bible once, but it was too hard to understand.

The Bible is God's Word, and He wants you to understand it!  The BibleTimeline: Story of Salvation by Ascension Press divides the entire timeline into 12 color-coded periods and then focuses on 14 books that tell the story in chronological order.  Key people and events that advance the story are highlighted, so that the newcomer isn’t overwhelmed with too much at once. You can understand the Bible!

Consider joining a group to study The BibleTimeline: Story of Salvation

4.  I don’t know how to back up the Church’s teaching on Mary.

When a non-Catholic says that we "worship" Mary or that we have superstitions with rosaries, many of us do not know the references to Mary in the Bible.  Learning more about the Blessed Mother will not only help us defend our faith, but will help us grow closer to her... and she always draws us closer to Jesus.

Consider joining a group to study Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother

5.  I know a bunch of Catholic “stuff” but I still don’t have the big picture.

Many of us who were raised Catholic have a pile of seemingly random "stuff" about the faith: sacraments and saints, scapulars and medals, feast days and seasons, ashes on foreheads and genuflecting and incense ... and the list goes on.  Understanding God's Story since the beginning of time - and how we fit in to that story - puts everything about our faith in the right context.  Getting the big picture is essential to growing in faith.

Consider joining a group to study The BibleTimeline: Story of Salvation

6.  I want to make new Catholic friends.

Joining a small group is a great way to make new Catholic friends.  Meeting regularly on a shared journey of faith, praying for each other, supporting each other and keeping each other accountable is what community is all about.  When we feel a sense of belonging at Church, we grow closer to Jesus.

Consider joining any Small Group Bible Study

7.  I want to grow closer to Jesus quickly.

If you are not ready for a large commitment to Bible Study at this time in your life, consider a short study to get to know - and love! - the Blessed Mother.  St Louis de Montfort said: "The Blessed Mother… is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus.”  Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother is just 8 sessions, and the homework is not as intensive as other studies.  You will explore the Scripture references to Mary and watch video lectures filmed on location in the Holy Land where she lived.  Discovering Mary always leads us to discovering her Son!

Consider joining a group to study Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother

8.  I'm new (or returned) to the Catholic Church, and the Mass seems confusing.

The Mass is at the very center of Catholic living. The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1324 states: "The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life..."  Something so central must be understood!  Learning why we do what we do at Mass will clear up the confusion and bring in a sense of awe and love.

Consider joining a group to study A Biblical Walk Through the Mass