Denise and I are starting a bible study and are very excited. The one we are doing is put on by Christian Catholic Outreach. We have had a few ladies call and say they will be joining but also have some friends that may like to come as well. We were hoping to keep it just Catholic - what is your opinion should we keep it just Catholic?

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Hi

You wouldn't have to keep it Catholic, but there are many Protestants who do not believe what we do with regard to the Virgin Mary, the Eucharist, infant baptism.

If you make it open, just set a ground rule that you won't argue about anything. If a topic comes up that is contentious, you will skip ahead a chapter and change the subject.

I think you should keep it all Catholic.

I do two Bible studies-- one is non-demominational [BSF- Bible Study Fellowship, International] and one is Catholic [a Scott Hahn study downloadable from CatholicExchange.com]. While I enjoy the BSF one-- It has great lectures and I really feel I know the Bible so much better that I ever have in my life, I do feel like I have to "hold back" with certain discussions. It is supposed to be non-demominational and none of the members should know who is from which faith, but it is definitely Prostestant in nature, and I believe has a somewhat anti-Catholic bias.

In the Catholic study I do, I feel so much more comfortable and feel like I can express anything I want to about what I feel God's Word is saying to me. I really appreciate the study because it is tied into the Catechism and to the Mass. It really makes the Bible come alive in a much greater context. Also, I am surrounded by people who basically believe the same way I do, so we can grow in faith together, rather that spend our time argueing about basic points.

Either way, it's great that you are doing a bible study!! God's word is still God's word, no matter the setting-- but I think it would be easier and you will get more out of it with fellow Catholics.

Best wishes to you and Denise and the rest of your group!!

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Karen



Mommy to:

Emma Katherine 12-31-98
Caroline Grace 7-11-00
John Francis 12-28-02
Sarah Margaret 11-23-04
Mary Clare 3-8-07
and Henry Hartman!! 10-03-08

I don't know that you would have to keep it all Catholic but if the Bible study is definately a Catholic one then if it isn't a strictly Catholic group there may be a lot of disagreements instead of studying and understanding. I just think it would be easier to keep it Catholic but if you did open it up I'd be very upfront about it being based on Catholic teachings.

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I might expand to include Orthodox or Byzantine Catholic members because they share very similar beliefs, but other than that I'd keep it Catholic.

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"A new baby is like the beginning of all things--wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." (Eda J. Le Shan)

I think whatever you decide to do it'll be awesome!

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~Brigette

Host of Holiday Fun, Party and Event Planning and Crafter's Nook on Sheknows. Co-Host of Scrapbooking,
Buy, Sell, Swap and Share and the Catholic Board on Sheknows.

Thanks gals!! I think we will be keeping it Catholic as Denise and I don't want to get into any areas of major disagreement

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