Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Posted on 08/13/2012 at 13:20:05  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  -1

I have been invited by a good friend and his wife to participate in their Methodist bible study every Wednesday evening. I guess you could call it more of an Adult Education class. As my friends wife describes it, it's a one hour presentation and another hour of open discussion. Supposedly many other denominations participate in this, and I'm told how wonderful it would be for the group to have an actual "Roman Catholic" discuss their views as well. I'm still on the fence about it, though. I really don't worry about them trying to convert me, since Methodists generally do not proselytize other Christians, but there are other points of contention that may arise (abortion, gays in the Church, etc). I feel confident that I know enough to defend the Church should it come under attack but my friend assures me these are open minded, respectful people. Some input from you guys here would be helpful.

Edited by heavenlysecrets on 08/13/2012 22:23:06

Posted on 08/13/2012 at 14:15:21  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

I think at some level it would be great to show how alike we are in many areas. I've attended some non-denominational bible studies and just comment about how certain scriptures are amongst my favorites. Following the bible studies I've had people ask me questions about my faith and I have answered those on a one on one basis.

Posted on 08/13/2012 at 16:53:47  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

I would go.

Posted on 08/13/2012 at 23:24:43  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

Please Go to it!
Proverb:4:7: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

one love

Posted on 08/14/2012 at 09:05:10  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

Seeing that you know enough to defend the faith and that they are open minded Methodists (and not kooky evans), I say go for it.

My mother and aunt are in a multi-denominational bible study, and though I don't attend, they always relay questions to me from the group pertaining to Catholicism. The results are nice.

Posted on 08/14/2012 at 10:01:51  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

I just remembered that tomorrow is the Feast of the Assumption and Mass starts at 7 PM, the same time as their bible study. Can't start this week. I'll have to shoot for next Wednesday.

Posted on 08/14/2012 at 10:43:05  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

Posted on 08/14/2012 at 11:04:33  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  1

I'm starting my FIRST 54 day Rosary Novena tomorrow - Feast of the Assumption. This Novena ends on October 7th - Feast of Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary. Confession today, mass tomorrow - I'm ready!

Is anyone else doing the novena?

Posted on 08/14/2012 at 11:06:05  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

Heavenlysecrets... Let us know how the bible study goes when you have an opportunity to attend. (:

Posted on 08/14/2012 at 12:00:16  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

I hadn't thought about starting a novena, but I can think of no reason why I shouldn't. I'll climb on board with ya, LP. Novenas put so much more meaning into the Obligatory Feast Days.
No cheating though. None of this 3 rosaries on Friday and taking the weekend off like my mom does. lol.

Posted on 08/14/2012 at 16:44:23  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  1

Lol. Your mother sounds like a lot of Catholic mothers. That's so cute. (:

I'm glad to hear you do it as well.

Posted on 08/22/2012 at 06:06:58  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

*sigh* well I guess its unanimous then...I'll go ahead and do this thing. And yes, LP, I'll let you know how it goes.

Edited by heavenlysecrets on 08/22/2012 09:02:56

Posted on 08/22/2012 at 07:40:48  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

You probably won't get any frontal anti-Catholic attacks.

I get the more manageable side jabs:

"...jes..(with eyeroll)...'this is My Body' isn't literal...."

or

"...when I was a Catholic I went to Confession that one time and didn't like it...."

Posted on 08/22/2012 at 08:35:53  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

Yeah, I know one of the participants is a former Catholic who left the Church when he married a Presbyterian, but their daughter was in RCIA the year before last. Sometimes the most virulent anti-Catholics are those who have family who have left their denomination to join the Church, and if any side jabs or eye-rolling occurs I am prepared to deal with them. I'm really not anticipating a lot of that, though.

Posted on 08/22/2012 at 09:43:33  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

My worst have been my anti-Catholic fallen-away-Catholic siblings.

Yikes.

"Worshipping Mary...." "Nothing wrong with Planned Parenthood." "Priest refused to marry us without pre-marriage counseling." "Gay people are gay at birth." "It's about me and the God of the Universe...."

Edited by bwellmysoul on 08/22/2012 09:46:06

Posted on 08/22/2012 at 10:05:33  |  Reply  |  Report Abuse |  0

I remember attending a Lutheran service years ago, and I noticed an older lady kneeling in the side aisle with her arms outstretched after receiving communion. People had to step over her legs while going back to their pew. Obviously a pious former Catholic who missed having a church with kneelers, I thought. I asked my friend who I was with about her, and she said she didn't know her name, just that she was crazy and she hated Catholics. Go figure!