Word of God

 "The Word of God is something alive and active..." (Heb 4:12)

Scripture is essential for our personal growth in relationship with Christ, and therefore also catechesis, so:

• familiarize yourself with Scripture (read daily, listen afresh at liturgy, study on your own or in groups, reflect...)
• use Scripture as a basis for every session (adapt to the age group if readings are used directly)

Reading the Bible

• Begin with the familiar. For Christians the New Testament is the best place to start - especially the Gospels.
• Pay attention to the context. The Bible will begin to make more sense when you notice which book you are reading, the groupings of given passages, their genre...
• Read aloud - it involves you more completely. The Bible originated as an oral tradition and it was meant to be heard, not just read silently. 'Let those who have ears to listen, hear!'

Studying the Bible

• Read the introductions. They are there to give you an overall picture of the whole book and give you background information.
• Read the footnotes. The Biblical world often requires explanation and the footnotes are there to help.
• Use the cross-references. This enriches your understanding of the text because Biblical passages often contain quotations from or allusions to other bits of the Bible. 
• Keep searching. Your own interpretation is probably correct and good to share, but there is always more.

Praying with the Bible outside of Mass

• Invoke the Holy Spirit.  A simple prayer such "Come, Holy Spirit" reminds us that we need to surrender to God in order to enter the Word profoundly.
• Choose a passage to reflect on. One way of doing this is to pray along with the lectionary selections for the daily or Sunday Mass.
• Read the passage. This will help you see the bigger picture.
• Read each section of the passage slowly and meditatively. You can follow the ancient Christian practice known as lectio divina.
• Use your imagination when possible. Where are you in the text? Are there characters with whom you identify? Do you see yourself in any actions? What is the ensuing invitation for your life?
• Reread the entire passage. This will help you keep the section in context.
• Conclude with  thanksgiving. Thank God for the gift of the Word and what you have received through it.

 Lectio Divina (opens the Liturgy Office PDF link)

Online Bibles and Liturgical Texts:

• Oremus Bible Browser
• New Revised Standard Version Online
• New Jerusalem Bible Online
• Mass Readings (Universalis)
• The Text This Week

Church Documents:

• Dei Verbum - Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Vatican link)
  
• The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (link to the Catholic-Resources.org)
• The Gift of Scripture (link to the Liturgy Office site)
• Resources for the Year of St Paul
• Synod of Bishops (XII Ordinary General Assembly - The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church)
  • Lineamenta
  • Instrumentum Laboris
  • The Bulletin (Vatican link, not an official translation)
  • Message (Vatican link)

Other:

• Dom Henry Wansbrough  (OSB)
• Felix Just (SJ, Catholic Resources for Bible, Liturgy, Art & Theology)
• Agape(Catholic Online Resource for study of the Sacred Scripture)
• St Paul's Centre for Biblical Theology (Scott Hahn)
• The Year of St Paul(article by Nicholas King, SJ in Pastoral Review)
• Catholic Scriptural Resource Page
• Catholic Biblical Federation
• The Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain  (Ushaw College, Scripture Notes)

Related pages:

• Liturgy and Music
• Prayer and Spirituality
• Prayer and Worship