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The Bible is amazing… but sometimes confusing and hard to read. How can we understand the whole story?
From Ascension and Fr. Mike Schmitz—creators of the Bible in a Year podcast—comes a beautiful, clear, shareable summary of the story of salvation: the Bible in 10 Minutes. If you’ve never had the whole narrative summarized for you (or if you could use a refresher), this video will change your perspective on humanity’s relationship with God.
https://www.youtube.com/@TheBibleinaYear
//Clergy Coaching Network//
Are you looking for answers to the big questions in life? Are you looking for instructions on how to live your life? Jeff Cavins shares how so many of the answers we seek can be found in the Bible, He also gives advice on how to approach the Bible.
Click on link to play video: https://share.fireside.fm/episode/m7G8OqB6+LbDjQBf1
Did you know that reading the Bible is one of the best ways to hear the voice of God? Get yourself a Bible and try to read it every day—it will change your life.
Click on link to play video:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/plus/decision-point/confirmation-5-6.html
Our lives change when our habits change. Discover how reading the Bible can have a monumental impact on your life.
Click on link to play video:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/plus/decision-point/confirmation-5-5.html
Learn a 4-step approach to reading Scripture. Experience how simple it is to incorporate the Word of God into your life.
Click on link to play video:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/plus/decision-point/confirmation-5-4.html
Get ready to learn about the Bible. Discover what books it includes, where it came from, and how the Bible fits into your life.
Click on link to play video:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/plus/decision-point/confirmation-5-3.html
The Our Father reminds us that we are God’s children. Dive into the biblical world with Ben and Sarah as Jesus teaches us how to pray this great prayer.
Click on link to watch:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/plus/blessed/first-reconciliation-4-5.html
Have you ever read the Bible and thought to yourself, “wait… what?”
Oftentimes in Christian media we see what Fr. Mike dubs a “Hallmark” version of following Christ. There’s struggle and hardship, but then God’s grace comes in and cures everything, making everything nearly perfect for the characters in the story. While these types of stories make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, they’re not very realistic. And while God’s grace is essential, it’s not a magic wand that makes everything bad go away.
There are some stories in the Bible that at first glance appear dark, difficult, or just don’t make sense. Even some of the things Christ says to his followers can sound harsh or even scandalous at times. But it’s in these moments of confusion and concern that God wants to teach us something.
This was something that St. Augustine struggled with before his conversion. It wasn’t until after he had accepted the faith and began to intentionally practice it that he realized it’s not God’s word that’s wrong, it’s our interpretation of it. He gives us 7 things to do when trying to understand a passage we’re unsure of:
1. Read the text in the original language. Or, if you’re not a scholar of Greek or Latin (more than likely), at least realize that a lot can be lost in translation, like idioms and turns of phrase, or context and foreign references.
2. Try different biblical translations and see how they compare.
3. Weigh what you’re reading with all of scripture (it’s ALL connected!)
4. Be humble and accept that you don’t know everything needed to fully understand God’s word (and that’s okay).
5. Sacred tradition always trumps our own interpretations.
6. Don’t take figurative language literally.
7. Don’t universalize a parable to be relevant for all situations in life.
The Bible wasn’t written by Hallmark. It was inspired by God. Hallmark is meant to help you escape reality. The Bible is meant to help you get back in touch with reality. There’s going to be brokenness, and sin, and unhappy endings, but there will also be real grace that transforms those hardships into strength, and it has the power to change your life.
