Study of the Sacred Scriptures and reflection on their meaning for our lives has been strongly encouraged since the time of the Second Vatican Council. Personal, prayerful reflection on the Scripture readings for the upcoming weekend is always encouraged as an important way to prepare for our Sunday worship and as a means for growth in our life of faith.

Little Rock Bible Studies for 2010-11

Introduction to the Bible – Mondays, Sept. 20, 2010 – Oct. 18, 2010
(7 p.m. session)

Are you new to Bible study? Or are you interested but feel unprepared? Join us this fall for an introductory Little Rock Scripture Study, “Introduction to the Bible,” that will be enriching for new and experienced students alike. This five week study will cover how the Bible came to be, various writing styles and themes, insights about Catholic interpretation of Scripture, and Biblical scholarship. Video lectures, readings, reflection, and discussion are all part of the learning experience. This course provides a foundation for all later studies. Sessions will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday evenings in Meeting Room #2. This study begins Sept.20th and ends Oct. 18th, and will be facilitated by parish staff. Book fee: $15/participant (couples may share a book set if desired.) Please register for this study by Sept. 9th by calling the Parish Office at 248.693-0440.

Acts of the Apostles – Mondays, Sept. 20, 2010 – Nov. 22, 2010
(10 a.m. and 7 p.m. sessions)

Acts of the Apostles can rightly be called a “sequel” to the Gospel of Luke, since it has the same author and continues to tell the story begun in Luke’s Gospel. Acts of the Apostles focuses on the early Church and how it grew and weathered early challenges in trying to live as disciples of Jesus. It begins with a retelling of Jesus’ ascension, then describes the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus and how this empowered them to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus. The acts of Peter and Paul are highlighted in this book, and we also learn a lot about the progress and the problems of first century Christians – some of which are not so different from our own.

Join us for this 10-week Little Rock study of this New Testament book, which begins Sept. 20th and ends Nov. 22nd. Choose either 10 a.m. Monday mornings or 7 p.m. Monday evenings, with sessions held in Marian Hall. Parish staff will facilitate. Video lectures, readings, prayerful reflection and discussion are all part of the learning experience. Book fee: $15/participant (couples may share a book set if desired.) Please register for this study by Sept. 9th by calling the Parish Office at 248.693-0440.

The Gospel According to John and The Johannine Letters – Mondays, Jan. 10, 2011– April 11, 2011
(10 a.m. and 7 p.m. sessions)

The Fourth Gospel, the Gospel of John, was the last to be written and offers us a somewhat different portrait of Jesus than we find in the synoptic Gospels. John’s Gospel especially emphasizes the divinity of Jesus even more than his humanity. Commentary author Scott Lewis, S.J. sums up this Gospel’s portrayal of Jesus as a “majestic, serene figure, omniscient, and totally in control of his destiny at all times.” In telling the story of Jesus and his disciples, this Gospel uses beautiful, poetic, symbolic language which is filled with multiple layers of meaning for us. And this Gospel contains some of the passages we especially love, among them the beautiful Prologue, the wedding at Cana, the Good Shepherd discourse, and the post-resurrection stories of Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalen and his breakfast on the beach with the seven disciples who had gone fishing. Come and prayerfully explore this Gospel with us as we encounter Jesus anew through these beautiful texts. During the final two weeks of the study, we’ll explore the Johannine letters, written after John’s Gospel and meant to encourage and strengthen the early Christian communities. Video lectures, readings, prayerful reflection and discussion are all part of the learning experience. This 14-week study will begin Jan. 10thth and end on April 11th. Choose either 10 a.m. Monday mornings or 7 p.m. Monday evenings. Sessions will be held in Marian Hall, and parish staff will facilitate. Book fee: $15/participant (couples may share a book set if desired.) Please register for this study by Dec. 30th by calling the Parish Office at 248.693-0440.

The above studies are part of the Little Rock Scripture Study program, a ministry of the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, in partnership with Liturgical Press. Little Rock Scripture Studies are highly-respected, widely acclaimed Catholic studies that have been offered in Catholic parishes for over twenty-five years, both in the U.S. and abroad. They reflect current Catholic biblical scholarship and are meant to foster growing faith by helping people to read, study and live the Word of God. They help us to more deeply encounter God through God’s Word, and to be transformed by that encounter. Studying the Word of God in small groups also leads to a deeper sense of faith and community, and helps us to make this transformative spiritual journey together.