Helpful Bible Study Hints

While reading Fr. Mark Carr's "A Holy Rule for Internet Communicators," I came across some suggestions to help us in our Scripture reading and sharing.  Actually he is discussing how Catholic Bloggers should conduct themselves.  For more on Catholic Bloggers, you can link to the real article, above, or my other blog, for my spin.

Use the three color pen method taught by Mons. Jonas Abib. (Monsignor Jonas learned that Pope John Paul II used the same method.)

This means:

a.) Underline any command forms directed to the reader in red. (i.e. Phillipians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord Always”)

b.) Underline any principles in black (i.e. 1John 4:8 “Who does not love does not know God, because God is love”)

c.) Underline any promises in green (i.e. Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”)

Actually I've seen Bibles that come with all the passages where Jesus is speaking, highlighted in yellow.  

My Bible is going to be pretty colorful.

Step Three in Sharing

Step Three is the section where you should spend the most time--at least half an hour.

You read the scripture assigned. Reflect on what it means to you at the present time. How does it relate to your life?

Some people might feel like sharing. No commenting is necessary. There's no correction, certainly no judgment. The leader doesn't say anything. This is just sharing the fruits of contemplation.

Practical Conversion

1. First step in conversion is to admit that something in us might be wrong, why else would we change? We must first accept whatever is to changed and then move forward to make the change. "Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self." - Francis of Assisi

2. There is a relationship between conversation and conversion. To be in conversation is to turn together in interaction. Conversion is to turn one's heart, behavior, thoughts, or actions to Christ. Conversion demands relationships. We need to be conversing in order to be converted--conversing with the poor, with those who know suffering, with those who are wise, with those we look up to.

3. The Church is a mediator between conversation and conversion; the community is necessary for conversion. The Church is where we participate in the celebration of the Eucharist--hope for the world; a place of renewal; a place of unexpected moments of grace.

4. No one of us contributes it all to conversion and peacemaking. BUT we all have something to contribute! Father Richard Rohr says that dialogue and faith sharing is the gospel's opening tool and means for conversion. Should this be in quotes? From dialogue to conversion.

What Faith Sharing is Not

Today, I went to another training session for Arise, Season II. Someone asked a question, which I didn't hear, but I certainly heard the answer. Faith Sharing does not have a response. It is one person talking. No one else expands, corrects, or reaffirms. It is different from bible study, and discussion.

Bible Study involves study. Learning background, and reading, and more importantly, right answers from wrong answers.

Discussion involves two are more people talking about a certain subject.

Faith sharing is simply one person stating how Jesus has affected them. No one else says anything. It's their story.

Arise Together in Christ is "faith sharing."