"Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life." ~ Psalm 91
Today's Mass readings are all about scripture. Living in a fast-paced world with so many distractions can make it difficult to find the time to read the Bible, and when you do find the time, it can seem very overwhelming because of the style of writing, the length of the texts, and the (to be completely honest...) sometimes monotonous and occasionally boring writings. (Uhh, Deuteronomy, anyone? How bout Leviticus? Numbers?)
This doesn't have to be the case!! Yes, some parts can be a bit tough to chew through, but that doesn't mean that we have to completely abandon scripture.
The Biblical texts are one way that God speaks to us, and it is so important in our journeys of faith that we regularly read and understand this form of God's Word. This post will give you some ideas for ways to do that...
1. Attend a Bible Study. (visual and auditory learners)
Try to find a Bible study in your area or online! It's important to find a Catholic Bible study. While our Protestant brothers and sisters do absolutely teach scripture, they are not under the teaching authority of the Church, and therefore do not always teach the Church's interpretation of Scripture (which is the correct interpretation since it is directly inspired by Christ.). I've attended two Bible studies so far, the first using Ascension Press' The Bible Timeline®: The Story of Salvation, and the second led by my youth minister about Proverbs 31, using a book by Kimberly Hahn. Both were very beneficial to me, each in different ways. The Bible Timeline provided me with a good foundation for reading and studying scripture, while the other Bible study allowed me to dive deeper into one particular passage and learn what it was all about. (Authentic femininity and God's design for women.)
2. Read the Bible in order. (any type of learners)
When you read the Biblical texts in a logical order (PLEASE not just Genesis to Revelation...) it makes them a whole lot easier to understand, and definitely more intriguing.
The typically recommended order is (1) One of the Gospels, usually John. (2) Genesis (3) Exodus (4) Numbers (5) Joshua (6) Judges (7) 1 Samuel (8) 2 Samuel (9) 1 Kings (10) 2 Kings (11) Ezra (12) Nehemiah (13) 1 and 2 Maccabees (14) Luke (15) Acts of the Apostles. There are then supplemental books that go along with each of the main books.
While you can, of course, read the Bible on your own, it is very helpful to have a program to keep you on track and correctly interpret what you're reading. I'd recommend The Bible Timeline®: The Story of Salvation or Fr. Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year Podcast, which happen to be published by the same company and follow the same basic outline. This leads me to my next tip...
(Sidenote: I am not profiting in any way by promoting Ascension Press' materials, I just really love them...)
(Sidenote #2... I've written two mini- Bible study posts for this blog. Check them out! Mini Bible Study- Proverbs 31 and Reflection on Hebrews 4:12. Let me know if there are any other specific passages you'd like to read about!
3. Listen to the Bible in a Year Podcast (audible learners)
While I personally did not listen to the Bible in a Year Podcast because the Bible study I was in was teaching basically the same thing, I know that it has been a great success and has helped so many people to dive deeper into God's Word. (And, after all, who doesn't love Fr. Mike Schmitz?!) Fr. Mike takes you through the entire Bible in one year with daily, approximately twenty-minute podcasts that include both scripture and a reflection. SO AMAZING!
4. Try Bible Journaling (visual and kinesthetic learners)
This has been such a big help to me!! Bible Journaling is useful for so many people because it allows them to interact with the text in a very tangible way. It's fun to (reverently and respectfully) mark up the pages of your Bible with notes, highlighted passages, and sometimes even drawings and prayers. I am in the process of trying to color-code all that I read in my Bible, which makes it easier for me to focus on the particular text that I am reading. There is so much inspiration online (and I'll post some of mine on my Instagram story...) and it's a great way to use your creativity (or for some of us, organizational skills...) to glorify God and dive deeper into Scripture. You can color-code with any type of Bible, but it's really nice to have a Bible with lines in the margins for journaling, drawing, and note-taking. I have the Our Sunday Visitor Catholic Notetaking Bible. But I've also seen and like the looks of the Blessed is She Journaling Bible.
5. Read the daily Bible Readings.
This is SOOO important and simple!! Each day at Mass, at least three different passages of Scripture are proclaimed. Usually from the Old Testament, Psalms, and a Gospel reading. They are short and sweet but packed with so much information. Many graces come from reading them each day. They can be found on the USCCB website and then many reflections can be found online. Some of my favorites are the Blessed is She devotions and Catholic Daily Reflections. It's a great way to make sure that you're reading scripture every single day.
I hope that these tips will inspire you to dive deeper into your study of scripture! The Biblical texts record an amazing story that we are privileged to be a part of as members of Christ's Church. What are some of your favorite ways to read the Bible?? Do you have any tips for other Catholic teens? Feel free to comment below!
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