This document discusses biblical evangelization and the new evangelization. It emphasizes reading scripture and its importance in evangelization efforts. Various sources and authors are cited that promote scripture reading and meditation. Elements of an effective biblical evangelization program are outlined, including knowing the local culture, inviting sharing and witness, integrating the word of God and the Eucharist, and empowering all Christians in their call to evangelize. Forming groups to support ongoing evangelization efforts is also mentioned.

1. Biblical EvangelizationBiblical Evangelization
Days of Biblical Spirituality &
New Evangelization

2. The Spirit is the principal agent in
this new evangelization.

3. NewNew
It is as old as the final mandate of Jesus,It is as old as the final mandate of Jesus,
“Go, teach all nations!,” yet as fresh as“Go, teach all nations!,” yet as fresh as
God’s Holy Word proclaimed at Mass.God’s Holy Word proclaimed at Mass.
New expression, new methods, new ardor.New expression, new methods, new ardor.
Re-propose the faith to those who have left.Re-propose the faith to those who have left.
Encounter the secular culture and the non-Encounter the secular culture and the non-
Christian world.Christian world.

4. BiblicalBiblical
Since the time of the counter reformationSince the time of the counter reformation
the Catholic Church mostly defined itselfthe Catholic Church mostly defined itself
sacramentally.sacramentally.
Protestants mostly defined themselves byProtestants mostly defined themselves by
personal relationship, scripture andpersonal relationship, scripture and
evangelism.evangelism.
Vatican II documents emphasize scriptureVatican II documents emphasize scripture
and evangelization.and evangelization.

5. Second Vatican CouncilSecond Vatican Council
Lumen GentiumLumen Gentium
Gaudium et SpesGaudium et Spes
Ad GentesAd Gentes
Refined the Church’s understanding of herRefined the Church’s understanding of her
evangelical duty, defining the entireevangelical duty, defining the entire
Church as missionary, that all Christians,Church as missionary, that all Christians,
by reason of baptism, confirmation, andby reason of baptism, confirmation, and
Eucharist, are evangelizers.Eucharist, are evangelizers.

6. Synod on EvangelizationSynod on Evangelization
Proposal 11Proposal 11
New Evangelization and theNew Evangelization and the
Prayerful Reading of Sacred ScripturPrayerful Reading of Sacred Scripturee
God has communicated himself to us in his WordGod has communicated himself to us in his Word
made flesh. Thismade flesh. This divine Worddivine Word, heard and celebrated, heard and celebrated
in thein the LiturgyLiturgy of the Church, particularly in theof the Church, particularly in the
EucharistEucharist, strengthens interiorly the faithful and, strengthens interiorly the faithful and
renders them capable of authenticrenders them capable of authentic evangelicalevangelical
witness in daily life.witness in daily life.
The Synod Fathers desire that the divine word “beThe Synod Fathers desire that the divine word “be
ever moreever more fully at the heartfully at the heart of every ecclesialof every ecclesial
activity”activity” ((Verbum Domini,Verbum Domini, 11).).

7. Synod on EvangelizationSynod on Evangelization
The gate to Sacred Scripture should beThe gate to Sacred Scripture should be open toopen to
all believersall believers..
In theIn the context of the New Evangelizationcontext of the New Evangelization everyevery
opportunity for the study ofopportunity for the study of Sacred ScriptureSacred Scripture
should be made available.should be made available.
The Scripture shouldThe Scripture should permeatepermeate homilies,homilies,
catechesis and every effort to pass on the faith.catechesis and every effort to pass on the faith.
In consideration of the necessity ofIn consideration of the necessity of familiarityfamiliarity
with the Word of God for the New Evangelizationwith the Word of God for the New Evangelization
and for theand for the spiritual growthspiritual growth of the faithful, theof the faithful, the
Synod encourages dioceses, parishes, smallSynod encourages dioceses, parishes, small
Christian communities to continue seriousChristian communities to continue serious studystudy
of the Bibleof the Bible andand lectio divina,lectio divina, the prayerfulthe prayerful
reading of the Scripturesreading of the Scriptures (cf.(cf. Dei VerbumDei Verbum, 21-22)., 21-22).

8. AlberioneAlberione
““Like Paul at the dawn ofLike Paul at the dawn of
Christianity, he heraldedChristianity, he heralded
in his person and hisin his person and his
message the central callmessage the central call
of the Gospel: totalof the Gospel: total
configuration with Christ.”configuration with Christ.”
John Paul IIJohn Paul II

9. AlberioneAlberione
He spoke of particular celebrations of theHe spoke of particular celebrations of the
Bible as Gospel days and weeks. TheseBible as Gospel days and weeks. These
were forms of diffusion of the word of Godwere forms of diffusion of the word of God
with the goal of promoting unity betweenwith the goal of promoting unity between
the Gospel and the Eucharist in Christianthe Gospel and the Eucharist in Christian
life.life.

10. AlberioneAlberione
“The Gospel in every family!”
was Alberione’s rallying cry,
years before the second
Vatican Council’s Dei
Verbum was promulgated.

11. New Evangelization: Key ConceptsNew Evangelization: Key Concepts
At the heart of evangelization is JesusAt the heart of evangelization is Jesus
Historical Jesus and the Christ of faithHistorical Jesus and the Christ of faith
Conversion – transformation in Christ/disciplesConversion – transformation in Christ/disciples
Inculturation – mutual learning & evangelizationInculturation – mutual learning & evangelization
Liberation – from sin and social evilLiberation – from sin and social evil
Ecumenism/Inter-religious dialogueEcumenism/Inter-religious dialogue
Secular – engaging the worldSecular – engaging the world
(not Secularism which doesn’t acknowledge religious freedom.)(not Secularism which doesn’t acknowledge religious freedom.)
Every baptized Christian is called to evangelize.Every baptized Christian is called to evangelize.

12. Goal of Pauline Biblical EvangelizationGoal of Pauline Biblical Evangelization
To awaken and nurture the faith, build the church, andTo awaken and nurture the faith, build the church, and
transform the culture. Intransform the culture. In practicalpractical steps it consists ofsteps it consists of
Providing an opportunity for each person in aProviding an opportunity for each person in a
parish or group to own a personal Bible.parish or group to own a personal Bible.
Creating an environment that invites each personCreating an environment that invites each person
of every age and culture, to read the bible, prayof every age and culture, to read the bible, pray
with the bible, and share the bible in the familywith the bible, and share the bible in the family
and with others.and with others.
Creatively drawing attention to the power ofCreatively drawing attention to the power of
God’s living and active word.God’s living and active word.
Empowering each person to become anEmpowering each person to become an
evangelizer of the Good News of Jesus Christ.evangelizer of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

13. For a biblical mission to create thisFor a biblical mission to create this
awareness for people it will:awareness for people it will:
Strengthen a personal relationship with God, showing how theStrengthen a personal relationship with God, showing how the
Scriptures are an accessible communication with God and a genuineScriptures are an accessible communication with God and a genuine
way to pray.way to pray.
Empower people to witness to what they have experienced and heardEmpower people to witness to what they have experienced and heard
(1 John 1:1).(1 John 1:1).
Immerse participants in the mystery of Christ in the sacraments andImmerse participants in the mystery of Christ in the sacraments and
liturgy.liturgy.
Encourage people to bring forth the community of love and mutualEncourage people to bring forth the community of love and mutual
support.support.
Witness to an evangelization that requires action, as Pope FrancisWitness to an evangelization that requires action, as Pope Francis
tells us, “leaving one’s comfort zone to share the gospel with the poortells us, “leaving one’s comfort zone to share the gospel with the poor
and wounded and proclaiming Jesus through witness and word toand wounded and proclaiming Jesus through witness and word to
everyone.”everyone.”

14. 1. Know the Culture1. Know the Culture

15. Evangelization of Culture &Evangelization of Culture &
InculturationInculturation
In order to bring the Gospel message to aIn order to bring the Gospel message to a
place and people, it is essential that weplace and people, it is essential that we
know the culture of the parish or group weknow the culture of the parish or group we
address.address.

16. Evangelization of Culture &Evangelization of Culture &
InculturationInculturation
Proclamation includesProclamation includes
dialogue, which beginsdialogue, which begins
with listening in awith listening in a
reverent way in order toreverent way in order to
engage members ofengage members of
the parish or group.the parish or group.

17. Evangelization of Culture &Evangelization of Culture &
InculturationInculturation
Our parish communities are increasinglyOur parish communities are increasingly
global: dialogue is not just unavoidable,global: dialogue is not just unavoidable,
but a necessity.but a necessity. Dominic Robinson S.J.Dominic Robinson S.J.

18. A biblical evangelization programA biblical evangelization program
Invites participants to a personalInvites participants to a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ through anrelationship with Jesus Christ through an
encounter with God’s word.encounter with God’s word.
Prepares an atmosphere where everyonePrepares an atmosphere where everyone
feels welcome and is invited to read andfeels welcome and is invited to read and
pray the scriptures .pray the scriptures .
Some ways this may be done:Some ways this may be done: lectiolectio
divinadivina, small group sharing, a bible, small group sharing, a bible
enthronement ceremony.enthronement ceremony.

19. 2. Invite Sharing & Witness2. Invite Sharing & Witness

20. A rabbi once said “Each word of theA rabbi once said “Each word of the
bible has seventy faces.”bible has seventy faces.”
Bringing people together in smallBringing people together in small
groups creates a sacred space forgroups creates a sacred space for
seeing the face of God. Here we canseeing the face of God. Here we can
listen to the Spirit in each person’slisten to the Spirit in each person’s
experience.experience.
Forms of sharing may be personalForms of sharing may be personal
witness, testimony, or stories shared towitness, testimony, or stories shared to
help build trust and a community ofhelp build trust and a community of
mutual love and support.mutual love and support.

21. AlberioneAlberione
Jesus taught people byJesus taught people by
making use of stories,making use of stories,
parables and comparison thatparables and comparison that
he adapted to the type ofhe adapted to the type of
audience listening to his word.audience listening to his word.
The apostle can thus employThe apostle can thus employ
this genre [stories] as anthis genre [stories] as an
effective means…to nourisheffective means…to nourish
them spiritually.them spiritually.

22. Beauty of God’s WordBeauty of God’s Word
Artist, musicians, writers, and singers inArtist, musicians, writers, and singers in
the parish or group can contribute theirthe parish or group can contribute their
talents to biblical evangelization throughtalents to biblical evangelization through
their art expressing the beauty of God’stheir art expressing the beauty of God’s
word.word.

23. Biblical andBiblical and
contemporary moviescontemporary movies
may be shown tomay be shown to
enhance the messageenhance the message
or within the contextor within the context
of Cinema Divina.of Cinema Divina.

24. 3. Word and Eucharist3. Word and Eucharist

25. Worship is evangelizationWorship is evangelization
……both because of its influence on those whom weboth because of its influence on those whom we
dialogue with and proclaim the message to, anddialogue with and proclaim the message to, and
because of what it does for the community itself.because of what it does for the community itself.
““The liturgy, the sacraments, which includes theThe liturgy, the sacraments, which includes the
homily, immerses the participants in the mystery ofhomily, immerses the participants in the mystery of
Christ and thereby helps them to center their livesChrist and thereby helps them to center their lives
on Christ and to become heralds and bearers of theon Christ and to become heralds and bearers of the
Gospel message when they return to their ordinaryGospel message when they return to their ordinary
occupations.”occupations.” Timothy Bryerly,Timothy Bryerly, The Great CommissionThe Great Commission

26. Eucharistic AdorationEucharistic Adoration
This practice of praying before theThis practice of praying before the
Eucharistic exposed in a monstranceEucharistic exposed in a monstrance
extends the grace of the liturgical sacrificeextends the grace of the liturgical sacrifice
and, therefore, its evangelical effect.and, therefore, its evangelical effect.
Praying with scripture in the presence ofPraying with scripture in the presence of
the Eucharist centers our life on Christ. Wethe Eucharist centers our life on Christ. We
nourish ourselves spiritually from the twonourish ourselves spiritually from the two
founts of word and Eucharist.founts of word and Eucharist.

27. The mission must be nourished by a deeper core.The mission must be nourished by a deeper core.
This core is the Eucharist. As theThis core is the Eucharist. As the
presence of the human and divine love ofpresence of the human and divine love of
Jesus Christ, the Eucharist always impliesJesus Christ, the Eucharist always implies
a continual shift from Jesus to the peoplea continual shift from Jesus to the people
who are his members, who willwho are his members, who will
themselves become Eucharist. Inthemselves become Eucharist. In
summary, to be truly effective…Missionsummary, to be truly effective…Mission
must start from the Eucharist and lead tomust start from the Eucharist and lead to
the Eucharist.the Eucharist.
Benedict XVIBenedict XVI

28. AlberioneAlberione
The Eucharist and the Bible harmonizeThe Eucharist and the Bible harmonize
well together.well together.
The apostolate of communication, theThe apostolate of communication, the
Eucharist and the Bible complete eachEucharist and the Bible complete each
other.other.
The Eucharist and the Bible form theThe Eucharist and the Bible form the
apostle. Let these two things beapostle. Let these two things be
inseparable in your hearts.inseparable in your hearts.

29. 4. Called and Sent4. Called and Sent

30. The laity in particular have a specialThe laity in particular have a special
responsibility to evangelize secular societyresponsibility to evangelize secular society
““The values of the gospel can vivify andThe values of the gospel can vivify and
transform human relations in law, politics,transform human relations in law, politics,
business, and all the professions.”business, and all the professions.”
John Paul II inJohn Paul II in Sollicitudo rei socialisSollicitudo rei socialis..
Gaudium et spesGaudium et spes reflects a new Christianreflects a new Christian
attitude before the world. The Church is aattitude before the world. The Church is a
sacrament not existing for her own self but forsacrament not existing for her own self but for
the world to transform it into God’s kingdom.the world to transform it into God’s kingdom.

31. Evangelization is not static.Evangelization is not static.
With personal and communal conversionWith personal and communal conversion
the message of Christ’s Gospel isthe message of Christ’s Gospel is
extended from the parish, family, andextended from the parish, family, and
individual to all those waiting for thoseindividual to all those waiting for those
who proclaim, dialogue, and witnesses towho proclaim, dialogue, and witnesses to
gospel hope. This is a universal message,gospel hope. This is a universal message,
no one is excluded, “that all may be one inno one is excluded, “that all may be one in
Christ” (John 17:21).Christ” (John 17:21).

32. Pauline CooperatorsPauline Cooperators
Groups may form during a biblical missionGroups may form during a biblical mission
in the parish “springing from the need toin the parish “springing from the need to
live the Church’s life more intensely, or forlive the Church’s life more intensely, or for
the desire and quest for a more humanthe desire and quest for a more human
dimension…searching for a deeperdimension…searching for a deeper
experience of faith, worship, fraternalexperience of faith, worship, fraternal
charity and prayer.”charity and prayer.” Timothy Byerley,Timothy Byerley, The Great CommissionThe Great Commission

33. Pauline CooperatorsPauline Cooperators
Groups are a successful way to go out beyondGroups are a successful way to go out beyond
parish boundaries to the unchurched, the non-parish boundaries to the unchurched, the non-
Christian and other Christian denominations.Christian and other Christian denominations.
Through their prayer, sharing the Word, supportThrough their prayer, sharing the Word, support
and an attitude of hospitality, the laity willand an attitude of hospitality, the laity will
continue to renew the parish culture forcontinue to renew the parish culture for
evangelization.evangelization.
Ongoing formation of the laityOngoing formation of the laity will be anwill be an
important component for effective outreach.important component for effective outreach.

34. 5. Conversion5. Conversion

35. Transformation in ChristTransformation in Christ
““The very nature of evangelization demands theThe very nature of evangelization demands the
prophetic voice of the Church impact socialprophetic voice of the Church impact social
realities and call the entire community torealities and call the entire community to
conversion and repentance.”conversion and repentance.” Paul VIPaul VI
 The new evangelization must be integral, bothThe new evangelization must be integral, both
on the personal and communitarian level. It muston the personal and communitarian level. It must
transform the personal and social way of living, ittransform the personal and social way of living, it
must convert people and become the yeast of amust convert people and become the yeast of a
new humanity. It must unmask personal sin andnew humanity. It must unmask personal sin and
social sin which created structures of sin whichsocial sin which created structures of sin which
oppress humanity.oppress humanity. Pastoral and Missionary Commission

36. Transformation in ChristTransformation in Christ
““The core stories ofThe core stories of
Scripture enable us toScripture enable us to
see the shallowness ofsee the shallowness of
the stories may havethe stories may have
embraced from theembraced from the
surrounding culture. Itsurrounding culture. It
invites us to ‘switch stories’invites us to ‘switch stories’
and therefore to re-imagineand therefore to re-imagine
our lives.”our lives.” Walter BrueggemannWalter Brueggemann

37. Biblical evangelizationBiblical evangelization
……provides people with a narrative that will helpprovides people with a narrative that will help
them understand the story of their lives. Itthem understand the story of their lives. It
explains who they are, what God has done, andexplains who they are, what God has done, and
what God is doing.what God is doing.
Scripture gives a profound and abiding sense ofScripture gives a profound and abiding sense of
hope. The Bible narrative comes alive anew inhope. The Bible narrative comes alive anew in
our time and our place. In a world of competingour time and our place. In a world of competing
narratives, we proclaim good news that enablesnarratives, we proclaim good news that enables
people to enter into the full dimension ofpeople to enter into the full dimension of
salvation.salvation.

38. SummarySummary
Pray before, during and after the event.Pray before, during and after the event.
Get to know the culture, listen, dialogue.Get to know the culture, listen, dialogue.
Promote the event.Promote the event.
Prepare the setting.Prepare the setting.
Creatively & prayerfully open up the Bible.Creatively & prayerfully open up the Bible.
Invite people to a relationship with Jesus.Invite people to a relationship with Jesus.
Invite witness and encourage proclamation.Invite witness and encourage proclamation.
Enliven the Liturgy: Word and Eucharist.Enliven the Liturgy: Word and Eucharist.
Expect personal and communal conversion.Expect personal and communal conversion.
Empower the laity to evangelize.Empower the laity to evangelize.

39. SharingSharing
What is needed to promote a BibleWhat is needed to promote a Bible
Mission?Mission?
What are some questions we can askWhat are some questions we can ask
about the parish or group culture?about the parish or group culture?
How can a culture of biblicalHow can a culture of biblical
evangelization take root?evangelization take root?
What are the ways we show that the BibleWhat are the ways we show that the Bible
and the Eucharist harmonize together?and the Eucharist harmonize together?

40. SharingSharing
How will we prepare the environment?How will we prepare the environment?
What are ways to invite the laity toWhat are ways to invite the laity to
participate?participate?
What about themes? Lent, Advent?What about themes? Lent, Advent?
What preparation do we need for the ageWhat preparation do we need for the age
groups in the parish?groups in the parish?
What groups do we reach out to?What groups do we reach out to?

41. ‘The goal of all evangelization is to
create the possibility for this
encounter, which is, at one and the
same time, intimate, personal,
public and communal’
Instrumentum Laboris,18
“Being Christian is not the result of
an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but
the encounter with an event, a
person, which gives life a new
horizon and a decisive direction”
Deus Caritas Est,1

42. ExamplesExamples
http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/heartsonfirhttp://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/heartsonfir
Jesuit Missions on the RoadJesuit Missions on the Road
TheThe Catherine of Siena InstituteCatherine of Siena Institute is a programis a program
of the Western Dominican Province dedicated toof the Western Dominican Province dedicated to
equipping parishes for the formation of layequipping parishes for the formation of lay
Catholics for their mission in the world.Catholics for their mission in the world.

43. ExamplesExamples
http://vimeo.com/66741857http://vimeo.com/66741857 SherrySherry
Weddell author ofWeddell author of Intentional DisciplesIntentional Disciples
http://www.jdleonetti.com/parish-mission.html?http://www.jdleonetti.com/parish-mission.html?
=CIWP1t22t7gCFQyi4AodqAoAng=CIWP1t22t7gCFQyi4AodqAoAng JonJon
LeonettiLeonetti
http://www.news.va/en/news/the-announcemehttp://www.news.va/en/news/the-announceme
Cardinal DolanCardinal Dolan

44. On the Web: Search & ShareOn the Web: Search & Share
Search sharing the Bible with children or teens.Search sharing the Bible with children or teens.
Find YouTube Catholic evangelists.Find YouTube Catholic evangelists.
Search for New Evangelization &…Search for New Evangelization &…
Search for prayers before the EucharistSearch for prayers before the Eucharist
Prayers for evangelizationPrayers for evangelization
Pastoral care practicesPastoral care practices
Parish MissionsParish Missions
Etc, etc, etc.Etc, etc, etc.