Bible Study

[anamchara]

Originally Posted by Cat

One of the reasons why a lot of women like Bible studies is that it gives them an opportunity to enjoy a fun, sociable time with other Christian women.

It's nice to get away from the daily grind for a few hours and talk about the Lord and His Word with other women who are all trying to serve Jesus the best they can.

Usually the Protestant-run Bible studies offer free or extremely cheap babysitting and often this babysitting includes a "program" of stories, music, games, snacks, and sometimes even little craft projects, so it's fun for the children, too.

And most women's Bible studies include a time of "fellowship" and "treats/coffee" for the women themselves. Lots of fun. Lots of chatting. Women like this a LOT. Women actually NEED more talk then men. (That's one reason women like talk shows like Oprah and Ellen.)

Also, many women's Bible studies have a committee that makes sure that women in their group who need a little help get that help. For example, a woman who has a new baby might be given a baby shower by the other women in the Bible study. Or if there is a death in the family, the women's Bible study members will make sure to bring in meals, offer to clean the house or take care of the other children in the family (for free), and help their sister in Christ in any way possible.

Like I said, it's a very, VERY enjoyable way for women to spend a few hours a week. When my children were small, I attended our church's Women's Bible Study, and loved it. The actual study was never very deep (we usually used a purchased Bible study written especially for women). But the friendship and fellowship was so incredibly sweet.

Thanks Cat you explained it perfect and much better then I was trying to. I lead the bible study at our Protestant Church and the reason for it's popularity and what brought the Catholic women over was the reasons you described. We had childcare etc..we all knew each other through our kids school and other places as well so it was a nice community gathering.

It is perfect when your kids are really little. A wonderful break in the week. We cried, laughed etc..I'll never forgot those times.

[anamchara]

Originally Posted by rinnie

thanks JREDUCATION and yes you answered me very well. And also the way we are taught as Catholics to never argue about Religion. But I think the big thing of what you are telling me if i am correct yes a Catholic and Protestant can share bible study BUT it depends on the people and the type of people they are, As long as they can get along, and be Christlike. But if i could make a comment would it be wrong to say that if you go to a bible study lead by another than you religion it may be best to have a really good background of your own religion first. The only reason im saying this is because I think maybe this is why alot of Catholics are confused about their religion. I mean they are Catholic and always have been but never quite studied the bible on that level, then dont understand we see alot of the bible different than other faiths. Because as a Catholic yourself im sure that you agree there is such a difference. We have one way of seeing a passage, they could have hundreds.

I'll chime in rinnie if you don't mind. But I'm sure JR will have a good answer as always. Many of the mainline Protestant Churches interpret the passages the same as Catholics, in general. (I'm not talking about real presence or any of the biggies, again you have to go in with that being a given) I think I brought this up in another post. I am taking a bible study right now by a priest from the Legionnaires of Christ. He is very orthodox and it is a pretty heady study. It's on the fundamentals of the bible. We will be going through the entire bible. So far, we have dived deep in the old testament and I can tell you that nothing he says is different from what I was taught as a Untied Methodist or has a PCUSA. The approach using intellectual reasoning is the same and the conclusions are the same.

I would not as a Catholic want to have a bible study with any of the Protestant denominations that ascribe to literal interpretation. That would indeed create problems and generally speaking they have issues with Catholics anyway.

I am also in a womens bible study at my parish and we are studying The passion and resurrection narratives of Jesus. We are looking at the gospels and the different styles of each. There is no difference in this study then there was when I was a Protestant. No different interpretations or ways of looking at a passage other than maybe emphasis on certain passages that help to explain the Catholic view.

When I was a Protestant I went to a great deal of bible studies that our pastor lead and a few times Catholics would come and once a Catholic spoke up and began to ask questions about the books in the bible and why we have a lesser amount. He explained why perfectly in a very objective and helpful manner. He was very honest and gave great historical background. She came back the next week, said she talk to her priest about what he had said and the priest told her he was dead on

It seriously depends on which Protestant Church you visit for a bible study. That is the key.

Does your parish not have bible study?

[AMDGtoo]

Just curious, did you find your Catholic study of Romans similar from what you remember being taught in your Protestant church? (I already know that John 6 is different. The Protestants can't help but teach that it doesn't mean what it says.) How about Revelations? Did your Protestant church teach you to see the Catholic Mass there, or Mary, or that "cloud of witnesses"?

[rinnie]

Amamchara thanks for your response. No our parish doesnt have bible study at this time but I am hoping we will have it soon,. I went to another parish at lent, it was my first one, i enjoyed it alot. Its like a mystery to me the hidden things you can look for and the hints. I found it fun. Getting back to this thread i am finding alot of things out. I am still confused though on my original question there are so many conflicting responses. But they all have a valid point. If nothing else maybe this shows how we do need more of it in the RCC. And how great it can be. But thanks for all who have answered you all gave me alot to think about.