What is Sacred Scripture?
Unit Highlights
Sacred Scripture, also called the Bible, is the written Revelation of God.
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
The Word of God in Sacred Scripture is proclaimed at Mass for our spiritual nourishment. This is called the Liturgy of the Word.
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.
Keep Sacred Scriptures in a place of honor and use them reverently.
Examine your consciences, with prayer, reflection, and participation in the Sacrament of Penance.
Reflect each evening on how you have lived as a Christian that day.
Pray to the Holy Spirit.
Unit Introduction
6.1 Unit Introduction.pdfVideos
Vocabulary
Alleluia
Biblia
Deposit of Faith
Duality
Homily
Lectio Divina
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Liturgy of the Word
Magisterium
Profession of Faith
Revelation
Sacred Scripture/The Bible
Sacred Tradition
Salvation
Theology
Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful
Word of God
Sources
Connection to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Paragraphs 51, 65, 77-78, 80-82, 85, 88-90, 101-104, 110, 131-133, 461, 469, 1154, 1177, 1349, 2589, 2708, 2716-2717, 2653
Scripture Studied in This Unit
Psalm 33:4; 46:11; 119:105;
Isaiah 61:1-2;
Luke 1:26-38; 4:16-21; 11:28;
John 1:1, 14; 21:25;
Hebrews 4:12;
2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17;
Activity 1: Make a Circle Map on "What is Sacred Scripture?"
Brainstorm, list, and/or draw:
Information you know, or kind of know, about Sacred Scripture.
Guesses about Sacred Scripture.
Questions you have about Sacred Scripture.
Information you would like to know about Sacred Scripture.
What comes to mind when you think of Sacred Scripture
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.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.-JOHN 1:1
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.-JOHN 1:14
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.-2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” LUKE 11:28
“Be still and know that I am God!”-PSALM 46:11
Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.-HEBREWS 4:12