Praying and Reading the Bible:
1. Start with a good Bible. Get a decent study Bible.
Examples are: Catholic Study Bible, New Jerusalem Bible (with notes).
Stay away from archaic language, paraphrase, or sect translations
2. Read a Gospel. Read Luke first.
3. Read The Acts of the Apostles
4. Read a few Epistles. Start with these:
Philippians, James, 1 and 2 Peter
Romans, 1and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians
1 and 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians
5. Read some easier Old Testament books (listed by genre):
Psalms, Job, Jonah, Daniel, Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach
Genesis and Exodus
1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah
Ruth, Judith, Esther
Isaiah, Amos, Joel, Hosea, Micah
6. Read the other (somewhat harder) books later:
Things to remember:
a. There are Historical considerations. Keep things in their context.
b. Commentaries help. Look on svcp.org and press “Learn your faith.”
c. Read the footnotes. They fill in context.
d. Don’t judge or overanalyze. Bible covers over 2000 years and faith developed.
e. Revelation needs a commentary or it gets twisted.
f. New Testament is easier than Old Testament, but try to read a little of the Old.
Some Like Quotes:
Genesis 18: 14
Job 19: 25-26
Job 42:1-6
Psalm 19:15
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 51:11-19
Psalm 68:20
Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24
Sirach Chapter 2
Isaiah 49: 8-18
Isaiah 62: 1-5
Jeremiah 1: 4-10
Jeremiah 29: 11-15
Luke 1: 35-38, 45, 76-79
Luke 6: 37-38
Luke 9: 23-25
Luke 11: 9-13
John 1: 1-5 John 15: 1-10
John Chapter 17
Acts 1: 6-8, 37-39
Acts 17:24-28
Romans 1: 18-25
Romans 4: 13-21
Romans 5: 1-5
Romans Chapter 8
Romans 10: 10-17
Romans Chapter 12
1 Corinthians 2: 9-10
1 Corinthians 6: 17-20
1 Corinthians 10: 12-13
2 Corinthians 4: 11-18
2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
Galatians 5: 1
Ephesians 2: 1-10
Philippians 1: 3-11
Philippians 3: 7-15
1 Thessalonians 5:14-24
2 Thessalonians 3: 3-5
2 Timothy 1: 6-9
Hebrews 4: 12, 14-16
James 1: 16-27
1 Peter 1: 3-9
1 Peter 3: 3-4
1 Peter 4: 7-8
2 Peter 1: 16-19
2 Peter 2: 19
2 Peter 3: 8-13
1 John 2: 15-17
1 John 4: 4
Revelation 3: 14-21
Revelation 7: 13-17
Revelation 21: 1-7
Revelation 22:17
Biblical Books:
Old Testament:
The Pentateuch (Genesis – Numbers) Cover origins of humanity through time of Moses
The Historical Book (Joshua through 2 Maccabees) History from Moses through 150 AD
Wisdom Books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach)
Prophets (Isaiah – Malachi) Writings of prophets to people of Israel and Judah
New Testament:
Gospels: (Matthew – John) teaching and life of Jesus
Acts of the Apostles: summary of the early church by St. Luke
Epistles: letters to churches after resurrection of Jesus.
Four Senses of Scripture:
1. Literal or Historical: Much of the Bible is straightforward – history, story, or fact
2. Fuller: What the Bible teaches about faith and salvation
3. Poetic / allegorical: Poetry or imagery that refers to a deeper or additonal context
4. Spiritual: Much isn’t literal but refers to a deeper spiritual or theological sense
What to do with Scripture:
Hear: Listen when it is being proclaimed – especially at church
Read: Read or use a daily reading program
Study: Look up resources on the parish website, svcp.org, or use a study Bible
Memorize: Memorize meaningful quotes to think about during the day
Meditate: Pray and think about what you’ve heard and read
Four Ways to Pray:
1. Adoration (praising God)
2. Contrition (asking for forgiveness)
3. Thanksgiving (thanking God for everything – even difficult stuff)
4. Supplication (asking God for help)
10 Ways to Pray with Scripture:
1. Put aside a specific daily time to pray
2. Persevere – distractions are likely, so keep at it
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you before you start
4. Imagine the stories you read – place yourself there if it helps
5. Ask questions and think about meanings and answers
6. Ask how it applies to your life
7. Resolve to make changes to your life when prompted
8. Have conversations with God
9. Join a small group or read as a family – others help
10. Don’t bite off more than you can choose – go slow and start with books that are easy