Bible Studies

Bishop Robert Barron's

The Mystery of God

Who God Is and Why He Matters

Who is God? Why does he matter? Discover the answers to these questions and how to share them with others, especially those who no longer believe.

Reaching into our rich theological tradition, and using the insights of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Pope Benedict XVI, you'll uncover a clear yet sophisticated understanding of what we mean by “God".

• Mondays, 6:30 - 8:00pm, July 7 - August 18
• Thursdays, 10:00 - 11:30am, July 10 - August 21
• Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:00pm, July 10 - August 21

An optional donation of $10 will be collected in class to help defray the cost of the workbook. 

If you would like to join us, please email Erik at [email protected].

Previous Studies

ETERNAL REST

THE ART OF DYING WELL

The art of dying well is also the art of living well. By understanding who we are and what we are made for, we can order our lives and values according to God’s design for our true fulfillment. Knowing we will die someday allows us to live as prudent stewards of the time we’re given, and it grants us the ability to joyfully anticipate eternal life.

• The Story of Death
• The Afterlife
• The Hour of Our Death
• The Faithful Departed

Filmed on location in the Holy Land, No Greater Love is a biblical pilgrimage that reveals Christ’s amazing love for us. Best-selling author Edward Sri guides you through the last hours of Christ’s life. You will walk step-by-step with Jesus from the garden of Gethsemane to Mount Calvary. Every step of the way, Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, biblical symbolism, and historical context shed light on the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death. Experience a deeper understanding and appreciation of God’s immeasurable and unconditional love for you—and grow closer to Jesus. 

• Who are the "brothers" Paul mentions in Acts 28:14-15? Have you ever offered hospitality to traveling brothers? 
• Who does Paul meets with when he gets to Rome? Is that surprising? What does it show about Paul?  
• What do you think of the ending of Acts? Why doesn't Luke mention the outcome of Paul's case before Caesar?

• What do you think of Paul's approach of telling his "road to Damascus" experience here and other places? How do you think it was usually received? See how Festus reacted in Acts 26:24. 
• Notice that Luke is again with Paul in Acts 27. Could this explain the many details given about the voyage? Do you like to share exciting stories you have been a part of? 
• Notice the Eucharistic language in Acts 27:35: "He took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, broke it, and began to eat." Does this imply that Paul invited them all to share in the Eucharist?

• Notice how long Paul was held in captivity. Considering that after two years, he was still being pursued to death by his accusers, how do you think he spent that time? 
• In John 14:6, Jesus says "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." Notice how Paul how Paul identifies with "the Way."
• Do you think Paul's appeal to Caesar was an act of desperation or done out of some other motives?

• Why did Paul wait until the very last minute to claim his Roman citizenship in Acts 22:25? 
• What does Paul say in Acts 22 that causes the crowd to turn against him? Why does it cause such turmoil? 
• In Acts 23:5, Paul’s defense to the Sanhedrin includes this quotation from Exodus 22:27: “You shall not curse a ruler of your people.” How could this be seen as an accusation against the Sanhedrin?

• In Acts 20:29-31 Paul gives a warning to "be vigilant." How can we know what to be vigilant for? 
• In Acts 21:5 a large group gathered and kneeled on the beach to pray. Recall a time you were able to pray with a group in nature. 
• Notice how many different people try to dissuade Paul from going to Jerusalem. What is his response?  

• Notice the high value of the burned books and then notice what seems to be the main driving force of the riot. 
• Ephesus was at the crossroads of 4 ancient trade routes and was one of the biggest cities in the world at the time. Why would Paul spend two years there? 
• During the almost comical incident with the sons of Sceva, the spirit says to them "who are you?" What would it take to be known by the spirit? 

• In Acts 18:6, Paul rebukes the Jews in Corinth, telling them "From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Did he completely give up on the Corinthian Jews? 
• In Acts 18:8, "Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord." What do you think the financial, social, and spiritual consequences were for him? 
• Apollos "was an authority on the scriptures" (Acts 18:24). What does it seem his occupation was? What were "the scriptures" at this time? 

• Why did they take Paul to the Areopagus? Does that remind you of our current age? 
• What do you think of Paul's approach to apologetics in his speech in the Areopagus?  
• Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 and see how Paul changed his approach when he went to Corinth. Which approach was more successful? Why? 

• In Acts 15:36-40, we see a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabus over John Mark (the probable author of the Gospel of Mark). What considerations should you have and how should you behave if you find yourself in a disagreement with a fellow Christian? 
• Notice that Luke shifted from using "they" to using "we" in Acts 16:10. Where did Luke join Paul and Silas? What event seems to soon separate them? 
• Why did Paul assert his Roman citizenship in Acts 16:37? Why didn't he assert it before he was beaten and imprisoned? 

• Notice that more is written about the shepherds than Jesus, Mary, and Joseph here. Why might that be? 
• Put yourself in the place on one of the shepherds and imagine this encounter with the angels and the Holy Family. 
• How does the “peace among men with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14) apply to you? Do you enjoy that peace? If so, how can you grow in it? If not, how can you enter it?

• In Acts 13, what was so attractive about Barnabas and Paul’s message that “almost the whole city” showed up the following week?  Why then were they driven out of town? 
• Contrast Exodus 3:5 where God told Moses to “remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” with the action of Paul and Barnabas in Antioch where "they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them" (Acts 13:51). 
• What is meant by "appointed" in Acts 14:23? 

• Sometimes it’s difficult to identify who a person in a Bible passage is. Use the footnotes in your Bible to identify everyone in this week’s reading.  
• Consider the importance of Acts 11:1-18 as it relates to you. 
• Peter was delivered from a seemingly impossible situation. Have you or someone you know ever been witness to a deliverance from a difficult situation through an answer to prayer? 

• What is the connection between the vision of unclean animals in Peter’s dream and the conversion of Cornelius?  
• Notice how the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his companions even before they were baptized. What does this say about how God sometimes works? 
• Are there any people you refuse to associate with for religious or ethical reasons?  

• There are 3 accounts of Paul’s conversion in Acts (9:1-19, 22:3–16 and 26:2–18). In what ways do these accounts differ? In what do they agree? How do we reconcile this? 
• The Lord said, "I will show [Paul] what he will have to suffer for my name." Do you think that Paul found this inspiring? If so, in what way? 
• Consider all that Paul had done to the followers of the Way. Now consider how much forgiveness the apostles and disciples offered him and how much trust they placed in him. What kind of man must Barnabas be that they accepted his words about Paul? 

• How did the persecution that took place in Jerusalem serve to spread the Gospel? How far is it about to spread just from the action in Acts 8? 
• It seemed like Philip was doing a fine job in Samaria. Why were Peter and John sent there in Acts 8:14? 
• In places where Scripture is hard to understand, where do you seek guidance?  

• In Acts 6:1-10, we see seven men who are generally considered to be the first deacons. What are these men like? What are their duties? 
• In Acts 7:51, Stephen transitions from talking about “our fathers” to “your fathers”. What is the main characteristic of “your fathers”? 
• When Jesus was taken before Pilate, the leaders said "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death" (John 18:31), but here they stone Stephen to death, and there are other instances of actual or threatened stoning in the New Testament. Why might they have made such special effort to crucify Jesus? 

• Notice who Peter says is being lied to in Acts 5:3. Consider what this says about the Church. 
• Peter tells the high priest and council that "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29), but in Matthew 23:2-3, we see Jesus telling the apostles that "the scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you." What has changed?
• Have you been maltreated for your religious beliefs? Reflect on how the Apostles reacted in Acts 5:41-42.  

• Why did Peter quote Psalm 118 (Acts 4:11) to the rulers, elders, and scribes? How do you think they felt about that being quoted against them?
• The chief priests, scribes, and elders perceived Peter and John to be "uneducated, common men" (Acts 4:13). What wisdom were Peter and John filled with? Where can we find that wisdom today?
• The apostles prayed "Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness" (Acts 4:29). How did God respond to their prayer? Have you ever prayed like this?
  

• Contrast the fruits of the faith of the healed man with the fruits of the denial of the people (Acts 3:13-16), then consider the gentleness with which Peter addresses the people in Acts 3:17. Have you ever felt God’s gentle prodding to conversion? 
• Notice the power in the name "Jesus" (Hebrew for "God saves"). Read what the Catechism says about invoking His holy name in paragraphs 2665 - 2669. 
• Peter also invokes the title "servant" for Jesus. Read Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 and consider why he may have chosen to do so. 
  

• In Genesis 11, we read the account of the Tower of Babel and that "there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth." (Gen 11:8) In what ways is this undone at Pentecost? 
• In Acts 2:12, the crowd asks "What does this mean?" What does Peter tell them is the significance of Pentecost (Acts 2:32-33)? 
• In Acts 2:42-47, we see a description of life of the early Church. How can we encourage this kind of Spirit-led life today?  
• How can I be open to the Holy Spirit for a “personal Pentecost”?
  

• In Acts 1:8, we read "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses..." We too receive power from the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. What is one specific way I can be a witness to Christ this week? 
• In Acts 1:14, we read that they "devoted themselves with one accord to prayer". Are you being called to devote yourself to prayer right now? In what way? For what intention? How will you answer that call? 
• In Acts 1:26, we read about Judas's successor being chosen by lot. Has God ever used unexpected ways to communicate His will to you in your life?