"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
We read Scripture to hear God speaking to us, guiding us, and encouraging us. God’s Word will also help us to get to know Jesus and how much God loves us. Reading Scripture should always be done in the context of prayer: “Holy Spirit, speak to me through this Scripture!”
How to look up a Scripture Passage
How to read a Scripture Passage
Step 1: LOOK IT UP: (Table of Contents or go to www.BibleGateway.com)
Step 2: PRAY OUT LOUD: “Holy Spirit, speak to me through this Scripture.”
Step 3: READ: Read the verse OUT LOUD two times. (Clarify unfamiliar words)
Step 4: REFLECT: What is one word or phrase that sticks out to you or is meaningful to you?
Step 5: SHARE your thoughts, perspective, and questions.
Step 2: PRAY OUT LOUD: “Holy Spirit, speak to me through this Scripture.”
Step 3: READ: Read the verse OUT LOUD two times. (Clarify unfamiliar words)
Step 4: REFLECT: What is one word or phrase that sticks out to you or is meaningful to you?
Step 5: SHARE your thoughts, perspective, and questions.
Emergency Numbers... Who to call when you need help!
When you are sad, call on John 14
When you don’t feel loved, call on Romans 8:38-39
When you have sinned, call on 1 John 1:8-9
When you are facing danger, call on Psalm 91
When people have failed you, call on Psalm 27
When Gods feel far from you, call on Psalm 139
When your faith needs encouraging, call on Hebrews 11
When you are scared, call on Psalm 23
When you are worried, call on Matthew 6:25-34
When you are hurt, call on Colossians 3:12-17
When you feel no one is on your side, call on Romans 8:31-39
When you are seeking rest, call on Matthew 11:25-30
When you are suffering, call on Romans 8:18-30
When you feel you’re failing, call on Psalm 121
When you pray, call on Matthew 6:9-13
When you need courage, call on Joshua 1
When you are in need, call on Philippians 4:19
When you are hated because of your faith, call on John 15
When you are losing hope, call on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
When you are seeking peace, call on John 14:27
When you want to do good works, call on John 15
When you want to live a happy life, call on Colossians 3:12-17
When you don’t understand what God is doing, call on Isaiah 55:8-9
When you want to get along with others, call on Romans 12:9-21
When you don’t feel loved, call on Romans 8:38-39
When you have sinned, call on 1 John 1:8-9
When you are facing danger, call on Psalm 91
When people have failed you, call on Psalm 27
When Gods feel far from you, call on Psalm 139
When your faith needs encouraging, call on Hebrews 11
When you are scared, call on Psalm 23
When you are worried, call on Matthew 6:25-34
When you are hurt, call on Colossians 3:12-17
When you feel no one is on your side, call on Romans 8:31-39
When you are seeking rest, call on Matthew 11:25-30
When you are suffering, call on Romans 8:18-30
When you feel you’re failing, call on Psalm 121
When you pray, call on Matthew 6:9-13
When you need courage, call on Joshua 1
When you are in need, call on Philippians 4:19
When you are hated because of your faith, call on John 15
When you are losing hope, call on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
When you are seeking peace, call on John 14:27
When you want to do good works, call on John 15
When you want to live a happy life, call on Colossians 3:12-17
When you don’t understand what God is doing, call on Isaiah 55:8-9
When you want to get along with others, call on Romans 12:9-21
Check out the BibleProject.com!
the Bible Project has short and very engaging animated videos for EVERY book of the Bible and a variety of themes.
God is REAL. He REVEALS himself to us through:
Divine Revelation
The truth that God has told the world about Himself through Jesus, His Church (Sacred Tradition), and His Word (The Bible).
Sacred Tradition
God’s Word to the Church, safeguarded by the Apostles and their successors, the bishops, and handed down verbally – in her creeds, Sacraments, and other teaching – to future generations. (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Sacred Scripture
The Bible. God’s Word written in human words. Old Testament and New Testament. Inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Magisterium
The Magisterium are all of the leaders of our church: the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, and priests. The Holy Spirit works through them to guide us in understanding the teachings and practices of our faith, handed down from the very first Apostles.
Good stuff to know about what the Bible teaches:
The Bible is not scientific.
Everything exists because of God. He created everything.
He created everything from nothing. We were created from the mind of God.
God’s creation is orderly and sequenced. There is a plan.
God’s creation is good. God loves his creation.
You are good. We are here because God loves us and wants us.
We are made differently than other creatures. We are made in God’s image and likeness. We have a soul, free will and intellect.
God does not impose his goodness on the world--he gives us free will.
We are made for goodness and greatness, to develop our gifts and to be good stewards of God's creation.
God has a loving plan for all of His creation and for you (this is called Providence).
It is up to you to learn about God and pray so you can understand your purpose.
Jesus is God and was born as a human to show us what God is really like.
He willingly died for our sins to offer us forgiveness, grace, and a relationship with God here on earth and for all eternity in Heaven.
God desires that we would open our heart, believe in Jesus, and live as a disciple (follower) of Jesus.
Living as disciples will show us a path for ultimate fulfillment, joy, and peace in every season of our life!
Everything exists because of God. He created everything.
He created everything from nothing. We were created from the mind of God.
God’s creation is orderly and sequenced. There is a plan.
God’s creation is good. God loves his creation.
You are good. We are here because God loves us and wants us.
We are made differently than other creatures. We are made in God’s image and likeness. We have a soul, free will and intellect.
God does not impose his goodness on the world--he gives us free will.
We are made for goodness and greatness, to develop our gifts and to be good stewards of God's creation.
God has a loving plan for all of His creation and for you (this is called Providence).
It is up to you to learn about God and pray so you can understand your purpose.
Jesus is God and was born as a human to show us what God is really like.
He willingly died for our sins to offer us forgiveness, grace, and a relationship with God here on earth and for all eternity in Heaven.
God desires that we would open our heart, believe in Jesus, and live as a disciple (follower) of Jesus.
Living as disciples will show us a path for ultimate fulfillment, joy, and peace in every season of our life!
Praying with Scripture
1. Find a verse
When you come across something that is meaningful to you, take a closer look. Single out one verse or even one phrase in a verse and read it slowly. Jesus talks to YOU every time you read His Word! Take personally what you read and allow yourself to soak up His loving message to you! Read it out loud!
2. Personalize it
To “personalize” Scripture, change the formal words like You to personal words like Me or I.
For Example: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Get Personal: “God, let your peace rule in my heart. For I am a member of Your body. I am called to live in peace. I am thankful for...”
Try one of these:
For Healing: Psalm 30:3 “O Lord, my God, I cried out to you and you healed me.”
O Lord, my God, I cry out to you! Please heal _______________. Or thank you for healing ______________...
For Guidance: Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to give you a future full of hope!” God, help me to trust You and seek Your will for my life...
When you’re fighting: Matthew 6:44 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
God, help me to treat _____________ with kindness. Please bless my enemies: ____________________
For Example: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Get Personal: “God, let your peace rule in my heart. For I am a member of Your body. I am called to live in peace. I am thankful for...”
Try one of these:
For Healing: Psalm 30:3 “O Lord, my God, I cried out to you and you healed me.”
O Lord, my God, I cry out to you! Please heal _______________. Or thank you for healing ______________...
For Guidance: Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to give you a future full of hope!” God, help me to trust You and seek Your will for my life...
When you’re fighting: Matthew 6:44 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
God, help me to treat _____________ with kindness. Please bless my enemies: ____________________
3. Another way to pray with it:
For Example: 1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, not rude.”
Praise God: I praise You, God, because You are patient, I praise You because You are kind!
Thank God: Thank You, God, for these patient people in my life...
Say You’re Sorry: I’m sorry, God, when I am impatient... I’m sorry when I am rude...
Ask God: Lord, help me to be more patient with... Help me to be more kind to...
Praise God: I praise You, God, because You are patient, I praise You because You are kind!
Thank God: Thank You, God, for these patient people in my life...
Say You’re Sorry: I’m sorry, God, when I am impatient... I’m sorry when I am rude...
Ask God: Lord, help me to be more patient with... Help me to be more kind to...