Loss comes to each of us, without fail. Scripture can serve as a companion to us in the grief we bear and ultimately in our surrender to our compassionate God. Through this set of insightful reflections on the stories of Ruth and Naomi, the death and raising of Jesus' friend Lazarus, and the promise of a new heaven and earth, Laura Kelly Fanucci invites us to a deepening experience of God's healing presence in our lives.Laura Kelly Fanucci is the research associate for the Collegeville Institute Seminars. She is the author of Mercy: God's Nature, Our Challenge and Dashed Hopes: When Our Best-Laid Plans Fall Apart in the Alive in the Word series; Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting (Liturgical Press, 2014); and the coauthor of Living Your Discipleship: 7 Ways to Express Your Deepest Calling (23rd Publications, 2015). She blogs about spirituality and parenting at www.motheringspirit.com.Visit AliveInTheWord.org to explore more of the books in this engaging new series.

Among the leaders of the early church, Barnabas is not as well-known as the likes of Peter or Paul. However, Barnabas vouched for Paul before the other apostles, traveled with him as an evangelizer, and then stepped aside when circumstances and Divine Providence demanded. Explore three fascinating passages from the Acts of the Apostles with Jerome Kodell, OSB, one of the most insightful Catholic voices on Scripture today.Fr. Jerome Kodell is a monk of Subiaco Abbey, where he has honed both his biblical scholarship and his leadership skills as the former abbot. He is a contributor to Give Us This Day and the author of several books, including The Catholic Bible Study Handbook and Life Lessons from the Monastery.Visit AliveInTheWord.org to explore more of the books in this engaging new series.

Advent means arrival or coming. During this sacred season, we actively recall the arrival of Jesus as the Word made flesh, and we joyfully await his final return at the end of the age. But as we remember the past and anticipate the future, we are also attentive to our divine encounters in the present, the ways God "arrives" in our everyday lives. Amy Ekeh's Advent, Season of Divine Encounter helps us look closely at three key Scripture passages to recall, recognize, and anticipate the ways God comes into our lives and our world. Amy Ekeh is an instructor in the Catholic Biblical School in the Archdiocese of Hartford where she also facilitates retreats and missions. As a freelance writer, her work appears in St. Anthony Messenger, The Bible Today, Liguorian, Magnificat and Catechist Magazine. She is the author of Lent, Season of Transformation (Alive in the Word series), That Mighty Heart, and In Every Life. Visit her blog at amyekeh.com.Visit AliveInTheWord.org to explore more of the books in this engaging new series.

It is not possible to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ, the very Son of God, in a single day. The church gives us a season—from Christmas Eve to the feast of the Baptism of the Lord—to reflect with wonder on what God has done and is doing in our world. The gift of this child who would go on to give his very life for our salvation is the source of our hope in every age and through every storm. In Christmas, Season of Wonder and Hope, meditate with Catherine Upchurch on three New Testament passages that invite us to move through wonder to hope. Catherine Upchurch serves as the director of Little Rock Scripture Study and the general editor of the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible. She brings years of adult faith formation experience to her writing and speaking. She is an associate editor of The Bible Today, a regular contributor to Give Us This Day, and the author of Mary, Favored by God, Moses, Called and Equipped, and Hospitality, Welcoming the Stranger. Visit AliveInTheWord.org to explore more of the books in this engaging new series.

This study has 5 sessions, the Study Set includes the Study Guide by Catherine Upchurch and a commentary Panorama of the Bible: New Testament by Stephen J. Binz.Stephen J. Binz is a biblical scholar, award-winning author, and popular speaker. He studied Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Jerusalem, and has developed dozens of books and programs in biblical theology and spirituality, including The God of Freedom and Life: A Commentary on the Book of Exodus and Panorama of the Bible: Old Testament (Liturgical Press). He offers keynotes and workshops at church conferences and leads pilgrimages to the lands of the Bible. Information about his work may be found at Bridge-B.com.You are invited to enter the biblical story of the New Testament beginning with the gospels and working your way through the final book, Revelation. Discover God's plan of salvation running throughout the story and characters, both familiar and unfamiliar. A wonderful way to begin New Testament studies but also a lovely way to look back over the journey you have already taken.Weekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—The Good News of Jesus Christ; The Synoptic Tradition Lesson 2—The Lukan Writings; The Johannine Tradition Lesson 3—The Great Letters of Paul; Captivity, Eschatological, and Pastoral Letters Lesson 4—Hebrews and the Catholic Letters; The Book of Revelation These lectures correspond to the five sessions outlined in the Study Set for Panorama of the New Testament. Wrap-Up Lectures on DVD or CD may be ordered separately.

This study has 11 sessions, incorporating an introductory session and 10 lessons. The Study Set includes the Study Guide by Clifford M. Yeary and the New Collegeville Bible Commentary, 'Genesis,' by Joan E. Cook (Liturgical Press). Joan E. Cook, SC, teaches Scripture at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. She is author of Hannah's Desire, God's Design (Sheffield Academic Press, 1999) and Hear, O Heavens and Listen, O Earth: An Introduction to the Prophets (Liturgical Press, 2006), which won a first-place Catholic Press Association award in 2007. Cook has also written numerous articles on biblical women and biblical prayer. Genesis tells the story of beginnings: God's creation of the world, the beginning of human activity and the beginning of God's redemptive covenant making with human beings (the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph and his brothers). Without competing with modern scientific understandings, this study investigates two different accounts in Genesis of the creation of the world and how both reveal timeless truths about God's creative purposes. Stories of universal human sinfulness lead to a divine plan of redemption initiated in the call of Abraham and Sarah. Through accounts both humorous and suspenseful of the lives of ancient Israel's patriarchs and matriarchs, Genesis lays the foundation for the epic story of the Exodus, the liberation of God's people from slavery in Egypt. Weekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—Genesis 1–3 Lesson 2—Genesis 4–10 Lesson 3—Genesis 11–15 Lesson 4—Genesis 16–20 Lesson 5—Genesis 21:1–25:18 Lesson 6—Genesis 25:19–30:24 Lesson 7—Genesis 30:25–34 Lesson 8—Genesis 35–39 Lesson 9—Genesis 40–44 Lesson 10—Genesis 45–50Wrap-Up Lectures on DVD or CD may be ordered separately.

This study has 7 sessions, incorporating an introductory session and 6 lessons. The Study Set includes a Study Guide by Catherine Upchurch and a commentary, 'Introduction to the Bible, A Catholic Guide to Studying Scripture,' by Stephen J. Binz (Liturgical Press). Stephen J. Binz is a Catholic biblical scholar, speaker, and counselor. He did graduate studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical Literature. Binz is the author of numerous books on the Bible, including The Infancy Narratives of Jesus (Liturgical Press), the companion commentary to Little Rock Scripture Study of the same name, The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus, (Liturgical Press) the companion commentary to Little Rock Scripture Study of the same name, and The God of Freedom and Life, ( Liturgical Press) the companion commentary to the Little Rock Scripture Study, Exodus. This study opens the Bible for newcomers and experienced Bible students alike, providing a real boost to those looking to gain more from study of the Bible. Participants will become comfortable finding their way around the Bible, develop a better understanding of its themes and writing styles, and gain clear insights about Catholic use and interpretation of the Bible. Weekly Sessions Introductory Session Wrap-Up Lectures on DVD or CD may be ordered separately.

This study has 10 sessions, incorporating an introductory session and 9 lessons. The Study Set includes the Study Guide by Little Rock Scripture Study Staff and the New Collegeville Bible Commentary The Gospel According to Matthew, by Barbara E. Reid (Liturgical Press). Barbara E. Reid, OP, PhD, is professor of New Testament and Academic Dean at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is the author of Parables for Preachers, Choosing the Better Part?, and co-editor of the Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology, published by Liturgical Press. She has also published various journal articles on New Testament topics. Matthew presents Jesus of Nazareth as a great teacher and Son of God, emphasizing that he is Emmanuel ('God with us'), and that he is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It follows the story from the virginal conception of Jesus, through his public ministry, to his passion, death, and resurrection, and commissioning the disciples to evangelize the whole world after his resurrection. Matthew, along with Mark and Luke, is one of the synoptic gospels. It is the primary gospel of year 'A' in the Catholic Church's liturgical cycle Weekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—Matt 1–2 Lesson 2—Matt 3–5 Lesson 3—Matt 6–8 Lesson 4—Matt 9–12 Lesson 5—Matt 13–16 Lesson 6—Matt 17–19 Lesson 7—Matt 20–22 Lesson 8—Matt 23–25 Lesson 9—Matt 26–28Wrap-Up Lectures on DVD or CD may be ordered separately.

This study has 5 sessions, the Study Set includes the Study Guide by Catherine Upchurch and a commentary Panorama of the Bible: New Testament by Stephen J. Binz.Stephen J. Binz is a biblical scholar, award-winning author, and popular speaker. He studied Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Jerusalem, and has developed dozens of books and programs in biblical theology and spirituality, including The God of Freedom and Life: A Commentary on the Book of Exodus and Panorama of the Bible: Old Testament (Liturgical Press). He offers keynotes and workshops at church conferences and leads pilgrimages to the lands of the Bible. Information about his work may be found at Bridge-B.com.You are invited to enter the biblical story of the New Testament beginning with the gospels and working your way through the final book, Revelation. Discover God's plan of salvation running throughout the story and characters, both familiar and unfamiliar. A wonderful way to begin New Testament studies but also a lovely way to look back over the journey you have already taken. 5 SessionsWeekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—The Good News of Jesus Christ; The Synoptic Tradition Lesson 2—The Lukan Writings; The Johannine Tradition Lesson 3—The Great Letters of Paul; Captivity, Eschatological, and Pastoral Letters Lesson 4—Hebrews and the Catholic Letters; The Book of Revelation These lectures correspond to the five sessions outlined in the Study Set for Panorama of the New Testament.

This study has 10 sessions, incorporating an introductory session and 9 lessons. The Study Set includes a Study Guide by Little Rock Scripture Study Staff and the New Collegeville Bible Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by Dennis Hamm (Liturgical Press). Dennis Hamm, SJ, PhD, since 1975 has taught Scripture at Creighton University. He is author of the various journal articles and reviews, as well as the three-volume Let the Scriptures Speak, published by Liturgical Press (1999, 2000, 2001). Acts tells the story of the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the early church from its beginnings at Pentecost, following the ascension of Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers the preaching of Peter, Paul, and the other disciples to take the faith from Jerusalem, to Judea, throughout Samaria and ultimately to the ends of the earth. It records the conversion of Paul and the momentous decision of the early church to welcome Gentiles as well as Jews into the church. Acts is the second volume of the literary work begun in the Gospel According to Luke. Sample Wrap-Up Lecture Weekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—Acts 1–2 Lesson 2—Acts 3–5 Lesson 3—Acts 6–8 Lesson 4—Acts 9–12 Lesson 5—Acts 13–15 Lesson 6—Acts 16–18 Lesson 7—Acts 19–21 Lesson 8—Acts 22–24 Lesson 9—Acts 25–28These lectures correspond to the ten sessions outlined in the Study Set for The Acts of the Apostles.

This study has 5 sessions, the Study Set includes the Study Guide by Catherine Upchurch and a commentary Panorama of the Bible: New Testament by Stephen J. Binz.Stephen J. Binz is a biblical scholar, award-winning author, and popular speaker. He studied Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Jerusalem, and has developed dozens of books and programs in biblical theology and spirituality, including The God of Freedom and Life: A Commentary on the Book of Exodus and Panorama of the Bible: Old Testament (Liturgical Press). He offers keynotes and workshops at church conferences and leads pilgrimages to the lands of the Bible. Information about his work may be found at Bridge-B.com.You are invited to enter the biblical story of the New Testament beginning with the gospels and working your way through the final book, Revelation. Discover God's plan of salvation running throughout the story and characters, both familiar and unfamiliar. A wonderful way to begin New Testament studies but also a lovely way to look back over the journey you have already taken. 5 SessionsWeekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—The Good News of Jesus Christ; The Synoptic Tradition Lesson 2—The Lukan Writings; The Johannine Tradition Lesson 3—The Great Letters of Paul; Captivity, Eschatological, and Pastoral Letters Lesson 4—Hebrews and the Catholic Letters; The Book of Revelation These lectures correspond to the five sessions outlined in the Study Set for Panorama of the New Testament.

This study has 10 sessions, incorporating an introductory session and 9 lessons. The Study Set includes the Study Guide by Little Rock Scripture Study Staff and the New Collegeville Bible Commentary The Gospel According to Matthew, by Barbara E. Reid (Liturgical Press). Barbara E. Reid, OP, PhD, is professor of New Testament and Academic Dean at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is the author of Parables for Preachers, Choosing the Better Part?, and co-editor of the Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology, published by Liturgical Press. She has also published various journal articles on New Testament topics. Matthew presents Jesus of Nazareth as a great teacher and Son of God, emphasizing that he is Emmanuel ('God with us'), and that he is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It follows the story from the virginal conception of Jesus, through his public ministry, to his passion, death, and resurrection, and commissioning the disciples to evangelize the whole world after his resurrection. Matthew, along with Mark and Luke, is one of the synoptic gospels. It is the primary gospel of year 'A' in the Catholic Church's liturgical cycle Weekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—Matt 1–2 Lesson 2—Matt 3–5 Lesson 3—Matt 6–8 Lesson 4—Matt 9–12 Lesson 5—Matt 13–16 Lesson 6—Matt 17–19 Lesson 7—Matt 20–22 Lesson 8—Matt 23–25 Lesson 9—Matt 26–28These lectures correspond to the ten sessions outlined in the Study Set for The Gospel According to Matthew.

This study has 7 sessions, incorporating an introductory session and 6 lessons. The Study Set includes a Study Guide by Catherine Upchurch and a commentary, 'Introduction to the Bible, A Catholic Guide to Studying Scripture,' by Stephen J. Binz (Liturgical Press). Stephen J. Binz is a Catholic biblical scholar, speaker, and counselor. He did graduate studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical Literature. Binz is the author of numerous books on the Bible, including The Infancy Narratives of Jesus (Liturgical Press), the companion commentary to Little Rock Scripture Study of the same name, The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus, (Liturgical Press) the companion commentary to Little Rock Scripture Study of the same name, and The God of Freedom and Life, ( Liturgical Press) the companion commentary to the Little Rock Scripture Study, Exodus. This study opens the Bible for newcomers and experienced Bible students alike, providing a real boost to those looking to gain more from study of the Bible. Participants will become comfortable finding their way around the Bible, develop a better understanding of its themes and writing styles, and gain clear insights about Catholic use and interpretation of the Bible. Weekly Sessions Introductory Session These lectures correspond to the seven sessions outlined in the Study Set for Introduction to the Bible.

This study has 10 sessions, incorporating an introductory session and 9 lessons. The Study Set includes a Study Guide by Little Rock Scripture Study Staff and the New Collegeville Bible Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by Dennis Hamm (Liturgical Press). Dennis Hamm, SJ, PhD, since 1975 has taught Scripture at Creighton University. He is author of the various journal articles and reviews, as well as the three-volume Let the Scriptures Speak, published by Liturgical Press (1999, 2000, 2001). Acts tells the story of the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the early church from its beginnings at Pentecost, following the ascension of Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers the preaching of Peter, Paul, and the other disciples to take the faith from Jerusalem, to Judea, throughout Samaria and ultimately to the ends of the earth. It records the conversion of Paul and the momentous decision of the early church to welcome Gentiles as well as Jews into the church. Acts is the second volume of the literary work begun in the Gospel According to Luke. Weekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—Acts 1–2 Lesson 2—Acts 3–5 Lesson 3—Acts 6–8 Lesson 4—Acts 9–12 Lesson 5—Acts 13–15 Lesson 6—Acts 16–18 Lesson 7—Acts 19–21 Lesson 8—Acts 22–24 Lesson 9—Acts 25–28These lectures correspond to the ten sessions outlined in the Study Set for The Acts of the Apostles.

This study has 10 sessions, incorporating an introductory session and 9 lessons. The Study Set includes a Study Guide by Little Rock Scripture Study Staff and the New Collegeville Bible Commentary, The Acts of the Apostles, by Dennis Hamm (Liturgical Press). Dennis Hamm, SJ, PhD, since 1975 has taught Scripture at Creighton University. He is author of the various journal articles and reviews, as well as the three-volume Let the Scriptures Speak, published by Liturgical Press (1999, 2000, 2001). Acts tells the story of the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the early church from its beginnings at Pentecost, following the ascension of Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers the preaching of Peter, Paul, and the other disciples to take the faith from Jerusalem, to Judea, throughout Samaria and ultimately to the ends of the earth. It records the conversion of Paul and the momentous decision of the early church to welcome Gentiles as well as Jews into the church. Acts is the second volume of the literary work begun in the Gospel According to Luke. Weekly Sessions Introductory Session Lesson 1—Acts 1–2 Lesson 2—Acts 3–5 Lesson 3—Acts 6–8 Lesson 4—Acts 9–12 Lesson 5—Acts 13–15 Lesson 6—Acts 16–18 Lesson 7—Acts 19–21 Lesson 8—Acts 22–24 Lesson 9—Acts 25–28Only one Answer Guide is needed per small group facilitator. Order all Study Sets for participants separately, as well as one set of the Wrap-Up-Lectures.