How to choose a Bible study
First consider a few basics.  What are the interests and needs of the group or person that will be doing the study?  What are the goals for the study?  Keep those ideas in mind as you start searching through the options.  After a series piques your interest, look at a specific book in the series.  Try reading the sample text from the book.

• Does the study encourage communication?

• Are the study questions provocative?

• Does the study encourage practical discussion of real-life situations instead of simple facts and opinions?

• Does the study encourage everyone to participate rather than just a few people who might know more about a particular topic?

• Do the leader's notes empower the leader to support discussion?

• Does the study consider the needs of the group?

• Can people still easily participate if they have little time for personal study?

• Is the study flexible?

 

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Where is That in the Bible? by Patrick Madrid                                                          

When non-Catholics start quoting Bible verses to “prove” that Catholic teachings aren’t Biblical, reach for this powerful Bible-based explanation and defense of the Catholic Faith.  Where is That in the Bible? shows you how to deflate standard objections to Catholicism—and how to use Scripture to bring people into (or back into) the Church. 

Why is That in Tradition?  by Patrick Madrid                                                          

 The author of Where Is That in the Bible? tackles the other half of the divine revelation. This book clears away the distortions and explains what the Church has always taught about hot topics like Mary, praying for the dead, and indulgences.       

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101 Questions and Answers on Paul byRonald D. Witherup
                                                                           

Using the format of the 101 Questions series, this book provides a convenient summary of the most important and frequently asked questions about St. Paul, his world and his writings. Based upon years of experience with teaching and lecturing, the author summarizes the latest scholarly approaches to the basic questions about Paul according to the following categories: Paul's life and ministry, Paul as a person, his communities and companions, his letters, his theology, his ethics, and his legacy.

Jesus the Christ: A New Testament Portrait by Thomas Zanzig                              

This book bridges the past and the present. Based on the author's Jesus of History, Christ of Faith and Jesus is Lord, it offers a presentation of Jesus that recognizes the past but helps readers get in touch with current trends in the study of Jesus. Jesus the Christ offers a thorough, solidly researched, and clear presentation of the life, ministry, message, and meaning of Jesus. Critics praise the works on which Jesus the Christ is based.

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The Cultural World of the Prophets: The First Reading and Responsorial Psalm, Sunday by Sunday, Year B by John J. Pilch                                        

The Cultural World of the Prophets relates the first reading and responsorial psalm to the Gospel as intended by the architects of the Lectionary. It will encourage readers to pursue further, in-depth study when the opportunity presents itself and to help them appreciate the specific verses of the first reading and the responsorial psalm in their own right.
 

The Cultural World of the Apostles: The Second Reading, Sunday by Sunday, Year B                        by John J. Pilch
                                                     
Preachers and liturgy planners will find The Cultural World of the Apostles a companion to John Pilch's previous series, The Cultural World of Jesus. Each essay offers brief historical and literary information on the second (or middle) reading assigned for the Sundays in the three-year lectionary cycle. Suggestions for cross-cultural comparisons with Western culture and links with the gospel for each Sunday encourage readers to explore pastoral applications to modern life. 

Jesus: The Center of Christianity/ Brennan R. Hill                                      
 

Brennan R. Hill expertly reveals Jesus the person to us in this new book that collects together his Millennium Monthly articles and four new articles. He discusses Jesus as center of Christianity, the historical Jesus, Jesus as faithful Jew, Jesus the teacher and prophet, Jesus calling us to discipleship, Jesus and women, Jesus man of prayer, Jesus and service to the world, Jesus man of the earth, Jesus the liberator, the baptism of Jesus, Jesus and Eucharist, Jesus and the Spirit, and Jesus and his Church. 

Jesus the Rebel: Bearer of God’s Peace and Justice by John Dear         

Jesus the Rebel explores the radical life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth and shows how his witness speaks directly to our own contemporary world of violence, war, poverty, and nuclear weaponry. As John Dear ponders Jesus' call to discipleship, he shares his own journey of Gospel peacemaking. In jails, soup kitchens, shelters, and warzones, Jesus the bearer of God's Peace and Justice is reborn and invites us to be transformed in our homes, workplaces, churches, communities, and hearts.

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The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle A by John J. Pilch           

The fifty-six essays in this book present cultural reflections on the gospel assigned for each Sunday in Cycle A of the Roman Lectionary. Each essay highlights aspects of the first-century, Eastern Mediterranean, cultural world in which Jesus lived and suggests a cross-cultural comparison with contemporary western culture. With this background information, readers can make more fitting applications of Scripture to modern life.

Bible Companion: A Handbook for Beginners by Ronald D. Witherup            

A prominent biblical scholar offers an entry-level overview of the Bible that presupposes no specialized knowledge of the Bible or of religion. The basic goal of the book is to help the reader become more familiar with reading the Bible. The emphasis is on acquiring basic familiarity with the contents of the Bible.

Genesis (Collegeville Bible Commentary #2) by Pauline A. Viviano                 

The Book of Genesis often confronts us as an antiquated work of literature containing stories of questionable value for our sophisticated world.  And yet, because it forms a part of the Bible, we feel that it should say something to us.  In this commentary, Genesis is interpreted against its historical background by drawing on the discoveries of archeology and the critical tools of literary analysis.  Contains review aids, discussion questions and map.

Christian Morality:  In the Breath of God (Catholic Basics Series)
                           by Russell B.  Connors             

The "Catholic Basics" series offers an in-depth yet accessible understanding of the fundamentals of the Catholic faith for adults, both those active in pastoral ministry and those preparing for ministry. The series helps readers explore the Catholic tradition and apply what they have learned to their lives and ministry situations.

Each book in the series presents a Catholic understanding of its topic as found in Scripture and in the teachings of the Church. Chapters conclude with study questions that may be used for small group review or for individual reflection. Suggestions for further reading offer dependable guides for extra study.

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Luke: The Good News of God’s Mercy (Catholic Perspectives Series) by Kevin Perrotta        

This award-winning Bible study series is designed for individual or group use. Each six-week discovery guide encourages independent exploration of one of the Bible's most influential books. Each text includes thought-provoking questions, exercises, prayer activities, and experiences of the saints and scholars.

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible by Scott Hahn                       

Based on the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, this volume leads readers through a penetrating study of the Gospel of Luke, using the biblical text itself and the Church’s own guidelines for understanding the Bible.  Features fresh insights and inspiring commentary on the Gospel of Luke by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch as well as time tested interpretations form the Fathers of the Church.
Contains numerous Bible study tools including topical essays, word studies, charts and maps.
 

Catholic Scripture Study: Galatians: A New Kind of Freedom Defended by Gayle Somers      
 In this groundbreaking scripture study, you will discover an exciting and comprehensive journey into the scriptural roots of the Catholic faith. Written in a fresh, easy-to-use workbook format, this study presents an in-depth and thorough picture of the foundations of the Catholic Church and represents the complete fullness of what Christ wanted us to know about the Church by relating Scripture to the Catechism and the Sacraments.

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