Classes vary from 20 to 60 participants. Small group discussion takes place within groups of 6-10 participants.

Each parish-based class location typically has a new instructor (also known as teacher or faculty member) for each of the four years of study. This offers participants the opportunity to learn from expert, faith-filled teachers who bring their own talents and personal witness to the class experience. Our teachers all have a Masters degree (or higher) in theology, and include lay men and women, and clergy. See some of our current team here >> 

Small groups change 1-2 times per year. This enables all members of a class to slowly get to know each other, and strengthen each other in Christ through sharing of weekly reflections.

Directed small group discussions have an effective and valuable place in the adult learning process. By expressing the lessons in their own words, participants are able to better retain what they have learned, deepen their understanding of the material, and improve their ability to share it with others. Our small group discussions are outlined by the questions answered in weekly short-answer written reflections (aka “homework”), so discussions remain focused on the lesson at hand.

Participants experience small group discussions helping them better see how God is working in people’s lives and find Scripture is brought to life in new ways. We change groups over the course of a year so that you have the opportunity to get to know the entire class over time.

In Year A (aka “Year 1”), we travel through the history of the Old Testament, beginning with creation, working through epic events such as the Flood, the Exodus, and the era of the Kings, especially David and Solomon. Through these books, we learn how God calls us to know Him and form our hearts to His Word. We learn how God works with and cares for His people, even when they turn from Him and suffer the consequences. We end the year in hope, with a return from exile and the adventures of the Maccabees. This sets the stage politically and religiously for the New Testament, and it means when we encounter Jesus at the start of Year B, we know what He and His Jewish audience would have known about God’s promises for salvation.

What is the rest of the four year curriculum?

Year B: Encountering Jesus and Joining His Mission

The New Testament opens waiting for the Messiah, and we meet Him through the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke. Our New Testament journey continues with Acts as Christianity spreads through the Roman Empire, and we read Paul’s letters to see how the early Church was being formed spiritually and theologically. The year closes looking forward to God’s throne room in Heaven with the Letter to the Hebrews.

Year C: Called to Return to God’s Love

In our third year, we study the prophets. We hear God’s call to repentance and the hope He provides for those who are faithful to Him. We see promises of a better future: one of peace and an eternal king. We also read Tobit, Esther, Judith, and Daniel to see how God works in the lives of His people to bring personal victories and national salvation. Collectively, we see how these books point to Jesus of the New Testament and to His Second Coming.

Year D: Walking Daily with God

Our capstone year begins with the Psalms. We study the depth of their emotion and theology to discover what they meant for ancient Jews and what they mean for us today. Next we read the Wisdom Literature and learn how to find God in the midst of daily life with its joys and its challenges. God continues to call us into deeper relationship in the letters written by James, Peter, Jude, and John, and we close our study with the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation to discover the spiritual realities and Heavenly promises that God is revealing to us in His Word.

For parish-based classes (where lecture and discussion are done during the weekly class meeting), most participants spend between 2 and 3 hours outside of class on activities including reading, prayer with Scripture, and completing short written reflections (often called “homework”) for each lesson.

Every participant is different. For some, in seasons of life filled with a busy work schedule or many family responsibilities, spending 20 minutes a day for 6 days a week is all that one can manage–and with a willingness to learn, it’s enough! The Holy Spirit can work powerfully with the time we offer to God. Other participants find themselves newly retired or with an abundance of time for study and choose to spend well over 4 hours a week, i.e. doing optional supplemental readings. This too is a fine way to participate and enter into a deeper study of God’s Word. Whatever your “season” of life, discern what’s the best fit for you and trust that our Lord will provide fruit to your faithfulness.

Kind of. Each week’s “at-home” content includes short-answer questions for participants to reflect on prior to the next week’s small group discussion. It’s like “homework” because it’s done at home.

It’s unlike homework in that it’s not graded and there’s freedom to respond as suits your personality and learning style. For example, some participants write in “bullet points” or lists, others handwrite a few sentances, and others type longer paragraphs. All styles can be fruitful ways to prepare for class discussion and reflect on the assigned Scripture readings. The weekly written reflections do not require research outside of assigned class readings, though some people choose to add in insights from other books/sources. Participants do turn in their written reflections to the instructor after each small group discussion. Teachers do not assign a grade, but share their own thoughts and encouragements back with each participant, providing an opportunity for “one-on-one” communication within a larger class.

As adults, many of us have busy lives with work and family responsibilities, as well as vacations and parish commitments, and the unexpected injuries/illnesses. Some are “snowbirds” who even leave for warmer weather for weeks or months at a time! Very few people will be able to attend 100% of classes during a year. However, CBSM participants should plan to commit to attending on regular basis. This creates the optimal setting for learning, as lessons build upon one another and themes develop over the course of several weeks. So, how much is too much to miss? 75% is a good benchmark–if you’re able to attend about 3/4ths of the time, then join in!

If you’re not able to attend that frequently and know that keeping up by listening to lectures provided by your instructor online isn’t a good choice for you, we encourage you to wait for a “season” of life that allows you to attend more regularly. We’d also encourage you to check out our online virtual class that offers maximum flexibility for those who need to miss class often. 

The primary book used for class is the Bible. In addition, we recommend quality secondary sources to enrich our understanding of interpretations and the context of the Scriptures. We also suggest optional books for those interested in additional research.

Our book lists vary slightly from year to year. Our most recent Year A book recommendations and suggestions are available here >>  

Participants may purchase or borrow books from whatever stores or libraries they prefer. As a convenience, we offer online ordering of books through our website (proceeds benefit our scholarship fund) and also bring Year A books to sell at our Summer Information Sessions. 

Visit our online book order site here >>

Yes! For every Year of our program, we recommend a relatively short summer reading book to prepare participants to enter into that year’s major themes and Scripture content. We also provide short written reflection/discussion questions to guide you in your summer reading and lead into your first small group discussion in September. See the Year A summer reading book and questions here >>

If you’re not able to do the summer reading prior to the start of class in mid-September, that’s okay too! We still recommend you purchase or borrow the book and read it when you have a chance to provide foundational ideas for the year of study you’ll undertake. 

We offer one-day retreats for participants, alumni, and the general public an opportunity to deepen their relationship with God through His Word. Our retreat page is updated annually here >> 

Both the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Lansing apply CBSM classes toward certification for catechists. If your parish or diocese is interested in applying your CBSM participation to catechetical or other certification, we are happy to accomodate and share samples of common equivallencies used by the Archdiocese of Detroit and/or Diocese of Lansing. 

CBSM is deeply rooted in and continually nourished by the fullness of the Catholic faith:

• We minister with the explicit permission and support of the Bishop or Archbishop of each diocese in which we host parish-based classes.
• CBSM is an official lay apostolate of the Archbishop of Detroit.
• All members of our faculty have post-graduate degrees in Catholic theology. These degrees encompass not just Scripture, but also sacraments, systematic theology, spirituality, and morality.
• Sacred Heart Major Seminary (Detroit)’s Departmental Chair of Sacred Scripture serves as the President of the CBSM Board of Directors, granting final approval for hiring of all faculty members.
• Deference is always given to areas where the Catholic Church has made a specific interpretation of Scripture. As is typical in Scripture studies, we may reference the works of our Jewish, Orthodox, and Protestant brothers and sisters. CBSM carefully chooses these works in accordance with Catholic theology.
• CBSM a recognized by the Catholic Church in the United States and as a Catholic organization and is listed in the Church’s The Official Catholic Directory.