SUMMARIES

Session One: A chronological reading of the Bible in fourteen narrative books provides a record of God’s unbroken, covenant love in all circumstances.

Session Two: At the end of Chapter 11 of the Book of Genesis we realize that immensity of God’s love. He (Father (Gn 1:1 as creator), Son (Gn 1:3 separating light from darkness) , and Holy Spirit (Gn 2:1 the mighty wind) decided to share His divine life through creation of the immaterial and material realms. He created the heavens and earth and tested Adam and Eve in the Garden. They gave into the temptation of the serpent not to trust in God but in themselves (pride) and to disobey Him. God imposed severe consequences for this original sin, but He promised that the seed (Jesus) of the woman (Mary) would bruise his heel (crucifixion) when He crushed the head of the serpent (Satan). When the descendants of Adam and Eve turned away from God, He destroyed all life but spared the  just man, Noah, and his family to start over again. When Noah's descendants trusted in their own powers to reach the heavens (Tower of Babel) and turned their backs on God, He dispersed them until He found another just man of faith, Abraham. God always comes up with another plan to redirect His creation back to His original plan, a harmonious relationship with Him. The Creation, The Fall, Curse and Promise, After the Fall (Flood, Babel).

Session Three: As we read the final words from the Book of Genesis, we realize that we can believe and trust in God. He always keeps his promises and will even agree to abide by the terms of a blood covenant like the one He made with Abraham. He promised his children land, a royal kingdom, and worldwide blessing. God uses difficult circumstances to do marvelous things. The rest of the Bible will demonstrate how God makes good on His promises despite our shortcomings. Abraham, Melchizedek, Sodom and Gomorrah, Isaac, Jacob, Twelve Tribes, Joseph, Egypt.

Session Four: Once again God shows His love for His people by delivering them from their bondage in Egypt (Exodus). He cares for their needs on their journey, provides rules for their behavior (Ten Commandments), and establishes guidelines for their worship (a tabernacle, priests, ways to worship). He freed them from slavery in Egypt so they could worship Him. After the broken covenant is renewed, the tabernacle is constructed, and the cloud signifying God’s glorious presence descends to cover it. In the desert (Numbers) God purifies His people to prepare them to enter the Promised Land. He taught Israel to walk in faith through forty years wandering in the desert. He challenges them to keep their part of the covenant by obeying Him, being loyal to Him, and loving Him. He will provide guidance for us when we are challenged with major changes in our lives and will always require obedience, loyalty, and love.  As we finish reading the Pentateuch, we thank God for his merciful love in raising a very imperfect people into becoming a Holy Nation. We are challenged to teach our own children the lessons of the Pentateuch. We begin to realize that scripture was written for our instruction to give us hope (Romans 15:14). And we know from our reading the Word of God that He hears our cry. Moses, Aaron, Burning Bush, Ten Plagues, Passover, Exodus, Red Sea, Manna, Sinai, Desert, Golden Calf, Levitical Priesthood, Tabernacle, Shema: The Lord our God is One Lord.

 Session Five: God has been faithful to the promise of the land under the leadership of Joshua. He led Israel triumphantly into the Promised Land. They failed to teach their children and instead did what was right in their own eyes. If Israel relies totally on the Lord, and not themselves, they will be victorious. If we trust in God rather than in our own powers to defeat the enemy, avoid worshiping false gods, and refuse to become immersed in pagan cultures, we can also be God’s holy people. Then we will inherit the Kingdom He has promised. In the Book of Judges, we see a cyclical pattern of infidelity (sin), oppression (servitude), “crying out” (supplication), deliverance (salvation), and peace (silence). This cycle becomes the norm for His People, but God never gives up on those who repent.  God even works through very imperfect leaders (1 and 2 Samuel). 1 Kings 1 - 11 shows how God can change the world through the most unlikely people, even those who commit serious sins (David) but who repent. God established a kingdom on His servant David and promised him an eternal throne. In the end, He wants everyone to enthrone Him in their hearts as their King. He gives many warnings about the consequences of turning away from Him. He punishes those who do so. Joshua, Herem, Judges (Deborah, Samson), Ruth, Samuel, Saul, David, Goliath, Solomon, Jeroboam.

Session Six: 1 Kings 12-22 relates the sad history of the split between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the tragic consequences for turning away from God. Israel split into rival kingdoms and fell into idolatry. Disregarding the prophets’ warnings, Israel will be sent into exile first. Turning away from God creates disaster and exile for all. 2 Kings continues the tragic history of the Israel and Judah being sent off to exile since they will not turn from their evil ways even after God sent them many prophets to warn them about the consequences of turning away from Him. The prophets also delivered a message of hope when the people of God repent and do penance; then they can return to the Lord. God brought the exiles back to Canaan; they rebuilt the Temple and Jerusalem and were taught once more from His law. Ezra was stubborn in leading God’s repentant people to resist the influence of the pagan Greek culture and to remain faithful to God’s law. Nehemiah organized this effort and demonstrated by his own deep faith that no matter what happens, there is always hope of restoration through God’s merciful love. Repentance must be followed by a determined effort to stay away from pagan influences and to follow the way of the Lord. Israel, Judah, Jezebel, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Exile, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Daniel, Ezekiel, Baruch, Cyrus of Persia, Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

Session Seven: Judas Maccabeus (1 Maccabees) demonstrated the heroic efforts needed to fight the influence of Greek culture and to follow the laws and ways of worship that God had provided to the Jewish people. His success against the Greeks showed how God blesses those who trust in Him and not in their own powers. For this faithfulness, God grants a time of peace and the fulfillment of His promise to redeem His people with the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Gospel of Luke 1 – 21). God’s divine plan for human salvation was accomplished during the period of Jesus, who through the events of His life fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. The New Adam, Jesus, and the New Eve, Mary, usher in the age of the New Covenant. Jesus came (1) to redeem us; (2) to reveal how much God loves us; (3) to show us how to live; (4) to give us power to become children of God. The question remains how we will keep our part of the New Covenant. Mattathias and his sons, Maccabean Revolt, Hanukkah, Messianic Fulfillment

Session Eight: God sent His only son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to fulfill all His promises. Jesus followed the will of Our Father by offering His body and blood as a sacrifice for sin, establishing the Eucharist, and setting up the New Covenant priesthood (Luke 22 – 24). He was crucified for our sins, for our salvation, and for our redemption. He appeared to His disciples affirming His resurrection, and opening their minds to understanding the Scriptures. He commissioned His disciples to spread the good news to all nations and promised to send the Holy Spirit. He ascended into heaven blessing His disciples as they worshipped Him. Will we follow His Way of self-sacrificing love of God and our neighbor? Will we participate in the Eucharist? Will we spread the good news? Will we be empowered by the Holy Spirit? Will we open our minds to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to understand and follow the Scriptures? Passion, Death, Resurrection, Eucharist, Great Commission.

The Church carries on God’s work in the world. The salvation promised to Israel in the Old Testament and accomplished by Jesus has now under the guidance of the Holy Spirit been extended to the Gentiles (Acts). This was accomplished through the divinely chosen representatives whom Jesus prepared during his historical ministry and commissioned after his resurrection as witnesses to all that he taught. The Christian community has become the Spirit-guided bearer of the word of salvation. Will we be witnesses to what Jesus taught, become Spirit-filled members of His Church, and remain faithful to our part in the New Covenant, “Continuing the Journey”? One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church

Back to: Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible

History of the Catholic Church

Back to: God