The School of the Word (SOTW) offers a basic introductory set of courses (see below) as well as a set of more advanced biblical studies. All the programmes are explicitly linked to the Lectionary and use a modified “lectio divina” approach.
SOTW 1: Gospels
6 sessions. Topics taken up: why the Bible at all; the Sunday readings; what is a Gospel; the Gospel of the current year; who is “the Jesus” of this Gospel; discipleship today.
6 sessions. Topics taken up: why the Bible at all; the Sunday readings; what is a Gospel; the Gospel of the current year; who is “the Jesus” of this Gospel; discipleship today.
SOTW 2: The Old Testament
6 sessions. Topics taken up: Whose bible (Jewish, Reformed, Catholic, Orthodox); the Sunday readings from the Old Testament; the Pentateuch; the history of Israel; the Psalms; the Prophets.
6 sessions. Topics taken up: Whose bible (Jewish, Reformed, Catholic, Orthodox); the Sunday readings from the Old Testament; the Pentateuch; the history of Israel; the Psalms; the Prophets.
SOTW 3: St Paul
6 sessions. Topics taken up: Who was St Paul; how to read his letters; 1 Thessalonians in detail (over four presentations; St Paul in the Sunday readings.
6 sessions. Topics taken up: Who was St Paul; how to read his letters; 1 Thessalonians in detail (over four presentations; St Paul in the Sunday readings.
These first three programmes are in some sense foundational. They are closely bound to the lectionary, that is, the regular Sunday experience of the Word of God. It is recommended that a parish would start with these — best in sequence — and only then go on to other aspects of biblical study.
The Letter to the Romans
8 sessions, taking us through the whole letter. Topics: Rome at the time; Romans as a letter and as a speech; Rom 1-4; Rom 5-8; Rom 9-11; Rom 12-15; Rom 16; Romans for today.
8 sessions, taking us through the whole letter. Topics: Rome at the time; Romans as a letter and as a speech; Rom 1-4; Rom 5-8; Rom 9-11; Rom 12-15; Rom 16; Romans for today.
The Prophets
8 sessions. Topics: What is a prophet; Amos and justice (1); Amos and justice (2); Who is/are Isaiah? Isaiah and justice; Isaiah and liberation; Isaiah and hope; Isaiah and the New Testament.
8 sessions. Topics: What is a prophet; Amos and justice (1); Amos and justice (2); Who is/are Isaiah? Isaiah and justice; Isaiah and liberation; Isaiah and hope; Isaiah and the New Testament.
The Eucharist in biblical perspective
6 sessions. Topics: meals and the Kingdom of God; the Last Supper; what was going on in Corinth? the Mass from the Reformation to today; Eucharistic presence; the Mass today.
6 sessions. Topics: meals and the Kingdom of God; the Last Supper; what was going on in Corinth? the Mass from the Reformation to today; Eucharistic presence; the Mass today.
The Psalms
6-8 sessions, taking in familiar and unfamiliar Psalms. The reading will focus on the power and poetry of the Psalms. Each session will include the ways of praying as particular Psalm in the context of Christian faith.
6-8 sessions, taking in familiar and unfamiliar Psalms. The reading will focus on the power and poetry of the Psalms. Each session will include the ways of praying as particular Psalm in the context of Christian faith.
The Letter to the Hebrews
6-8 sessions on this mighty text. An attempt will be made to set the context at the time of writing. This will be followed by a selection of key texts, to illustrate the worldview and teaching of this rich and enigmatic document.
6-8 sessions on this mighty text. An attempt will be made to set the context at the time of writing. This will be followed by a selection of key texts, to illustrate the worldview and teaching of this rich and enigmatic document.
The Gospel of John
6-8 sessions. This fascination presentation of the risen Christ will be explored in four dimensions: (1) the Old Testament and Jewish background; (2) the links with the early Christian tradition; (3) the symbols used across the Gospel and (4) a commentary on a particular passage.
6-8 sessions. This fascination presentation of the risen Christ will be explored in four dimensions: (1) the Old Testament and Jewish background; (2) the links with the early Christian tradition; (3) the symbols used across the Gospel and (4) a commentary on a particular passage.
The Wisdom Books
6-8 sessions, looking in general at the wisdom traditions in the Bible (Proverbs, Psalms, Job, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom and Sirach). A special focus will be on "Lady Wisdom" in the Old Testament.
6-8 sessions, looking in general at the wisdom traditions in the Bible (Proverbs, Psalms, Job, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom and Sirach). A special focus will be on "Lady Wisdom" in the Old Testament.
The Wisdom of Solomon
6 sessions introducing the Book of Wisdom, a later Alexandrian work. The main focus will be on what was the author hoping to achieve? What was happening at the time? How does he integrate or not with the surrounding Greek, Roman and Egyptian culture?
6 sessions introducing the Book of Wisdom, a later Alexandrian work. The main focus will be on what was the author hoping to achieve? What was happening at the time? How does he integrate or not with the surrounding Greek, Roman and Egyptian culture?
The Book of Revelation
6 sessions. This mysterious book is surprisingly relevant once you "crack" the kind of code in which it is written. As the last book of the Bible is it is an arresting combination of apocalypse, letters, prophecy and liturgy. The Bible story began in a garden and ends here in a city.
6 sessions. This mysterious book is surprisingly relevant once you "crack" the kind of code in which it is written. As the last book of the Bible is it is an arresting combination of apocalypse, letters, prophecy and liturgy. The Bible story began in a garden and ends here in a city.