Our Approach

A Uniquely Catholic Bible Study

The Great Adventure is a uniquely Catholic Bible study that follows the principles prescribed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Dei Verbum (The Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation). The Great Adventure takes the canonical approach to studying the Bible by focusing on the final form of the biblical texts, attending to the content and unity of Scripture. More specifically, beginning with the story that ties all Scripture together, this program provides a narrative context for Bible reading and study. Having established this “big picture” as a starting point, The Great Adventure uses the historical background and an appreciation of cultural influences and literary genres to illuminate the texts. Through all of this, The Great Adventure is changing lives by encouraging Catholics to get to know God through Scripture and to study, celebrate, and live out His Word within the living Tradition of the Catholic Church.

Four Key Components to Our Bible Studies:

Home Preparation • Small Group Discussion • DVD Lecture • Review of Responses

The Great Adventure studies offer more than simply commentary and a reflection on Scripture.  Using a combination of home study, small group discussion, commentary, and lectures from seasoned Scripture scholars and teachers, these studies help people to dig into God’s Word and make it their own.

First, the Study Set provides background and commentary that lay the groundwork for an informed reading of the Bible.  Thought-provoking questions draw the readers into the text and help them discover the literal sense of the reading for themselves and consider it in light of the greater context and the teachings of the Catholic Church.  Following this, small group discussion brings in different perspectives, reinforces what people have learned, and gives them a fuller sense of what they have read.  Together, the home preparation and discussion time prepare people for the lecture, which wraps up the lesson and takes people a step further into the spiritual senses of Scripture and shows them how it applies in their lives.  Further commentary and a final review is provided in detailed responses to the questions, which are also part of the Study Set.

To maximize your chances of success, it is important to understand that every Great Adventure Bible study (with the exception of A Quick Journey Through the Bible) is made up of four components that are designed to work together in a particular manner. Each component covers the same ground in a new way, reinforcing and building on what was learned in the previous step. They are:

1. Home preparation
2. Small group discussion
3. DVD lecture
4. Review of Study Set Responses

1. Home Preparation

The goal of The Great Adventure is not simply to inform with these studies, but to help the Word of God transform participant’s lives. I can tell you many things that I have learned from Scripture which would benefit you, but the real learning happens when you get into the Bible and discover its riches for yourself. This is why the “homework” must be done first. Many want to view the DVD lecture first or have the Responses to look at while they do the homework, so they understand it and can be certain of their answers. But the home preparation questions in the Study Set are not a test; they are a learning tool. They are carefully written to draw you into Scripture and help you “chew” on it so it sinks in and takes root. The Great Adventure follows the guidelines of the Catechism for properly interpreting Scripture within the heart of the Church, as it is intended to be read.

While some questions are easy, others are not. Wrestling with the more difficult ones is of great benefit, and remember—participants will have three more times to go over the material, to understand it well and take it to heart.

2. Small Group Discussion

The next step is the small group discussion that begins each class time. Here is your chance to share what you have learned and—even better—to glean from others’ insights and get a fuller, deeper understanding of the passage you have been reading. Done properly, this can be the richest part of the study. It is here that people often start to see how the insights they have learned apply to their everyday life. The faith sharing that is a natural part of such groups builds community and strong relationships often result.

3. DVD Lecture

The “crown” of the lesson. After participants have gained a basic level of understanding of the Scripture being studied through the homework and small group discussion, the DVD lecture reviews and explains the material and uses it as a jumping-off point to take them deeper. Though a study member can profit much from watching the DVD lecture alone, he or she will miss out on the fullness that comes from the question and discussion components of the study.

4. Review of Study Set Responses

The Study Set Responses are primarily intended to help group leaders guide the discussion. nonetheless, copies are provided for participants as well. But they should be distributed only after the discussion, as a review before starting a new lesson or to fill in questions they missed. In our experience, one of the main sources of dissatisfaction in Great Adventure study groups stems from when the Responses are used prior to the discussion. This short circuits the learning process by predetermining how people read the Scripture and the questions being studied. It encourages them to focus on getting the “right answers” rather than listening to the Word and meditating. If you read the Responses early you risk missing out on the greatest end-value of studying Scripture: a living encounter with Christ in His Word.