Bible Study – The Book of Acts of the Apostles
On January 12th we will start a study of the Book of Acts of the Apostles. We are using Acts from Ascension Press, featuring videotaped talks by Jeff Cavins. The first meeting on January 12th , a course Introduction talk, will start at 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM, depending on the session you select.
Please Register: Download the Acts_Registration_Form; please print and complete it, returning it to the parish office. Please call the parish office, 488-1373, if you have questions.
During registration we ask for a $10 donation to help cover the cost of the course DVDs. Also, you may order a copy of the Ascension Press Study Questions for $30.
Read before starting: We should become familiar with the Book of Acts – Introduction from the New American Bible. This introduction can be found just before Chapter 1 in your printed copy of the NAB bible or at the US Bishops web site http://www.usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Acts&ch=#1.
The course is best taken by reading the section of Acts being studied, during the week before the evening we meet. The Study Questions from Ascension Press are very helpful in considering what we have read.
On Thursday we will review the Ascension Press Study Questions for approximately the first half hour of the session, and then view the talk by Jeff Cavins for the next hour. After the talk there is time for some reflection on the talk.
Materials needed:
A bible, the New American Bible or an RSV Catholic Edition Bible with Apocrypha is recommended. The New American Bible is available online, for free, from the US Catholic Bishops web site at http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/#Acts. The New American Bible is used at Mass and has better Catholic comments than the RSV bible. Either bible is available on paper for $20 to $30.
Study Questions: The Ascension Press Study Questions can be ordered from the parish during registration for $30.
The Study Questions often refer to the sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church by paragraph number. The St. Charles Borromeo Church web site hosts the Catechism, with a view of the Table of Contents of the Catechism with Paragraph Numbers at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc2.htm, which makes finding these sections easier.
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Schedule of Meetings:
| Date | Chapter of Acts |
Session title from Acts: The Spread of the Kingdom |
| January 12th | Introduction | |
| January 19th | 1 | Prelude to Power |
| January 26th | 2 | The Power of Pentecost |
| February 2nd | 3 | The Miraculous Power of Jesus’ Name |
| February 9th | 4:1-31 | The Church Acts with Boldness |
| February 16th | 4:32 – 5:42 | Problems Within; Persecutions Without |
| February 23rd | 6-7 | The First Christian Martyr |
| March 1st | 8 | Kingdom Borders Expand |
| March 8th | 9 | The Persecutor Becomes the Preacher |
| March 15th | 10 | St. Peter’s Un-Kosher Picnic |
| March 22nd | 11-12 | The Church in Antioch |
| March 29th | 13-14 | Paul’s First Missionary Journey |
| April 12th | 15-16 | The Jerusalem Council and Paul’s Second Journey |
| April 19th | 17 | Converts and Conflicts: Turning the World Upside Down |
| April 19th | 18 | Ministry in Corinth: Third Missionary Journey |
| April 26th | 19 | Ministry in Ephesus |
| May 3rd | 20-21 | Paul Heads for Jerusalem |
| May 10th | 22-1-25.12 | Paul Makes His Defense |
| May 17th | 25:13-28:31 | Paul’s Final Defense and Witness in Rome |
| May 24th | Conclusion |