Resources

How to Choose Scripture Sharing/Study

The Catholic Biblical Association of America (based at Catholic University in Washington, DC see http://cba.cua.edu/default.cfm ) recently came out with guidelines for evaluating quality Adult Catholic Bible study materials. Some of these principles are applicable to other adult formation materials as well.  The Catholic Biblical Association of America says Catholic bible study programs should:

1) Be in conformity to major Catholic documents on Scripture, especially Dei Verbum (1965), the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2d ed., 1997), the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini (2010), and the Pontifical Biblical Commission instructions On the Historical Truth of the Gospels (1964), The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (1993), The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible (2002), and The Bible and Morality (2008);
2) Be factually accurate;
3) Be open to multiple methods of biblical studies and a judicious application of them, including the    historical critical methods and patristic interpretations;
4) Quote biblical passages or explain them in their context in the Bible;
5) Not contradict Catholic doctrine concerning the Bible, its origin and its interpretation;
6) Make no claim to be the sole Catholic approach to the Bible;
7) Make no claim for a single understanding or theory of biblical inspiration;
8) Make no definitive judgments about matters that the Church leaves open-ended (e.g., date and authorship of biblical books);
9) Avoid fundamentalist interpretations or improper literal or fanciful interpretations;
10) Avoid definitive translations or interpretations of specific passages of the Bible except in the rare instances when the Church has declared a given interpretation as the correct one or has proscribed specific interpretations (e.g., Mark 3:32 on the brothers and sisters of Jesus).

Reading the Bible with Reverent Imagination

Presents scripture basics and sound principles of interpretation for Catholic Christians
DVD, annotated for adult learning
Preview participant notes and facilitator guide
Presenter: Melanie Coddington, Regional Minister for Christian Formation

3-I Method for Study of the Sunday Scriptures

Outlines a step-by-step process for breaking open the word with adults; includes resource list
[3-Is = 1st impressions, insights (from biblical scholars), implications]
Download 3-I Method for Group or 3-I Method for Individual
DVD (available, not essential) reviews the participant notes for the 3-I Method, start to finish, explaining each item (includes facilitator instructions).
Presenter: Melanie Coddington, Regional Minister for Christian Formation

Genesis 1: And God Saw that It Was Good

Midrash (imaginative re-telling of the biblical story in the style of our Jewish kin)
Uncovers fresh truth in our ancient Earth story; connects ritual worship and justice; lays down a foundation for understanding OT and NT scriptures
DVD, annotated for adult learning
Preview participant notes and facilitator guide
Presenter: Melanie Coddington, Regional Minister for Christian Formation

Exodus: The Birth Story of Israel
Midrash (imaginative re-telling of the biblical story in the style of our Jewish kin)
Traces the stream of baptismal tradition to its source; exposes the roots of Eucharistic tradition in the Passover story
DVD, annotated for adult learning
Preview participant notes and facilitator guide
Presenter: Melanie Coddington, Regional Minister for Christian Formation

Storytelling Skills and Strategies

Demonstrates accessible techniques for lively and engaging proclamation
For Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Children’s Liturgy Leaders
DVD, annotated for adult learning and skill development
Preview participant notes and facilitator guide
Presenter: Melanie Coddington, Regional Minister for Christian Formation

Bringing the Word to Life

Outlines a step-by-step preparation process for proclaimers of Scripture, based on reflection, research and rehearsal
For Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Children’s Liturgy Leaders:
Download preparation process and word resources
DVD (available, not essential) reviews the preparation process, start to finish, explaining each item (includes facilitator instructions).
Presenter:  Melanie Coddington, Regional Minister for Christian Formation

Closer to the Latin

Explores the implications of word by word translation of the Mass from Latin into English
Download Power Point presentation suitable for parish use. (Select “notes pages” under “view” for presenter script.)

Teaching the Faith from the Liturgy

Outlines principles and process for building liturgy-based learning events
Download process

Real Presence: In Worship and the World

Unfolds the living history of this theological truth from its deepest roots in human experience through all the contexts that have shaped it throughout the centuries of Judeo-Christian tradition
DVD, annotated for adult learning
Preview participant notes and facilitator guide
Presenter:  Fr. Michael Renninger

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