How Is the Bible Different from Other Books?

Unit Highlights

Sacred Scripture, also called the Bible, is the written revelation of God. It is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Church encourages our prayerful study of Sacred Scripture so that we can:
- learn about God
- develop a loving relationship with God
- hear God’s message of love and forgiveness
- live the way God desires us to live
Sacred Scripture is the inspired Word of God. Inspiration means that the authors were guided by God in their writing.
These authors used many literary forms to convey God’s message. Some of these are historical accounts, parables, poetry, letters, allegories, and proverbs.
Sacred Scripture is an important guide for living as Christians. It should be a regular source for study and prayer in order for us to grow in the understanding of ourselves and of God’s loving will for us.
One way for the Catholic community to gain a deeper understanding of revelation is through the documents of Church councils, the encyclicals of popes, and pastoral letters of bishops.
Have the Sacred Scriptures in a place of honor and use them reverently.
Participate in prayer based on Sacred Scripture, be lectors at children’s liturgies, and class prayer services.

Unit Introduction

6.2 Unit Introduction.pdf

Vocabulary

Apocalyptic
Canon
Covenant
Epistle/Letter
Foreshadow
Genealogy
Inspiration
Law
Mediator

Narrative
New Testament
Old Testament
Parable
Poetry
Progression
Promise
Prophecy
Ruah

Salvation History
Senses of Scripture
Sign
Three Criteria for Interpreting Scripture
Typology
Wisdom/Proverbs

Sources

Connection to the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Paragraphs 117, 122, 129-130, 624, 633, 638, 101-110, 691, 703, 111-119, 120-130, 1177, 2708, 2716-2717, 51-65, 357, 781, 1612

Scripture Studied in This Unit

Genesis 2:7; 3:1-7; 9:8-11; 22-24;
Exodus 16:1-15;
Numbers 21:4-9;
2 Samuel 7:12-16;
Psalm 105:7-10;
Jonah 2:1;
Matthew 5:17-18; 12:38-40;
Luke 1:30-33; 23:33-35;
John 6:48-51;
Romans 12:6,;1
Corinthians 13:4-7; 13:4-8, 13; 15:20-22;
1 Peter 1:20-21;
2 Peter 1:16-21

Activity 1: Make a Circle Map on "How Is the Bible Different from Other Books?"

Brainstorm, list, and/or draw:

Information you know, or kind of know, about how the Bible is different from other books.
Guesses about how the Bible is different from other books.
Questions you have about how the Bible is different from other books.
Information you would like to know about how the Bible is different from other books.
What comes to mind when you think of how the Bible is different from other books.

Activity 2: Scripture to Memory

Pope St. John Paul II strongly encouraged that the faithful memorize important passages of Scripture. In the Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae, he wrote: “The blossoms ... of faith and piety do not grow in the desert places of memoryless catechesis.” When you have memorized important Scripture passages, the Word of God resides in your minds and hearts and is at the ready when you need it.

To respond to Pope St. John Paull II’s wish, you should write out and commit to memory some or all of the following Bible verses, which complement all the lessons in this unit. Take a few minutes each day to study them and practice recitation and writing. Before completing this unit, you will write out two or more of these verses, from memory.

Explore different means of memorization, such as hanging important Scripture verses on your refrigerator at home, or on your bathroom mirror, reciting and discussing Scripture with your parents, using passages in conversation, and other creative means of use and memorization.

Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.-2 PETER 1:20-21
[T]hen the LORD God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.-GENESIS 2:7
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith.-ROMANS 12:6
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass away from the law, until all things have taken place.”-MATTHEW 5:17-18
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.-1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7

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