Study the Bible with People You Know

Form a group to participate in The Bible Course: Online.

More than just a book or video series, being a part of The Bible Course means that in addition to the friendship and prayer of your own group, you have support and two-way communication with the same expert teacher who provides your video lectures.

The Bible Course can be used for groups that meet:

  • in-person (i.e. at a parish, in a home, or in a gathering space such as a library or cafe)
  • virtually (i.e. using “Zoom”)
 
Your group (sometimes called a “satellite group,”  “remote group,” or “small group”) accesses The Bible Course content through the fully-online Google Classroom course portal. Read more about the virtual course here. As a group, you’ll use the virtual course in a way that best fits your needs and schedule. 

How Groups Work

Where
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Plan Your Group

Decide Where to Meet

Your group could meet:

  • in a parish or ministry space
  • in a home
  • in a public space like a library or café
  • online in a live video-conference like Zoom or Google Meet
When
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Plan Your Group

Decide on Timing

How often would your group like to meet? And how long per gathering?

Common schedules include:

  • weekly, 1 hr
  • weekly, 1.5-2 hrs
  • twice a month, 2 hrs
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Plan Your Group

Decide What Part of the Bible to Study

If you’re not sure.

Our #1 recommendation is to start with Year A of The Bible Course. Learning to understand the Book of Genesis and the story of Creation and God’s People is foundational and “unlocks” the roots of the Mass and knowing God personally through the Old Testament. 

Our #2 recommendation is to start with Year B of The Bible Course. We’d especially recommend this if a goal of your group is to lead people to encounter Jesus (for the first time or anew) and make the decision to follow him as a disciple. 

Our #3 recommendation is to respond to the needs or interests of your group. The Catholic Biblical School uniquely offers lessons that cover every book of the Bible, so we can provide a custom course for your group (i.e. shorter than a Sept-to-May “year” or selecting certain parts of The Bible Course). 

Format
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Plan Your Group

Decide on Your Format

Discern which elements of The Bible Course to include in your live group meetings.

We highly recommend using the live time together for:

  • Discussion of each lesson’s reflection questions
  • Prayer (your own style or each lesson’s prayer prompt)

 

Beyond that, some groups choose to:

  • Watch each lesson’s lecture together (and some pause lectures to mix in discussion)
  • Attend the weekly teacher video-conference (“Zoom”) Q&A/open discussion together

Elements you choose not to include in your live group meetings can (optionally) be done independently by individual group members, each at their own interest level and time availability. 

How to Register

We'll set up a registration form for you to use (like St. Christopher Parish in Marysville chose to do in 2023), or we can use your own form or website. 

Contact Beth Spizarny, Director of Ministry, to discuss what will work best in your setting.

I run a Bible Study at our parish and decided to use the Catholic Biblical School program. I had previously taken a 4-year course at the Biblical Institute of Joliet, Illinois and graduated before moving to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Our teacher, Colleen's presentations in "The Bible Course" have greatly increased our understanding of the Bible through studying it. Great program the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan has! Thank you for offering it to others!
Parish Small Group Leader
Diocese of Marquette, Michigan

Have questions about forming a group? Let's talk...