You Can’t Evangelize Unless You Regularly Read Scripture

It’s difficult to spread the gospel if you haven’t read it. Dave “Too Hot to Handle, Too Cold to Hold” VanVickle and I talk about why it’s vital to regularly read Scripture and how to immerse yourself in the Word.

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Snippet from the Show
“The most effective evangelists are those who are steeped in the Word. Evangelization is the fruit of encounter, meditation, and study of Sacred Scripture. It’s an overflow of what’s in your heart because of your total commitment to the Word of God.”

SHOWNOTES

If using Scripture to prepare a talk:

• Take the theme and look for the scriptural narrative around it.
• Let the Scripture narrative guide the talk, don’t use the Scriptures just to prove your point.
• It is important to be regularly reading, studying, and praying the Scriptures in order to feel comfortable with them.

If worried about misrepresenting Scripture or using it the wrong way:

• Look for outside resources to explain Scripture.
• Look to Navarre Bible commentary, the Fathers of the Church and Barclay’s commentary on the Bible for help.
• Read through the Scriptures every day, even if just a small amount.

5 Practical Tips

1. Find an image of Catholic artwork and meditate upon it.
2. Get the book A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn, or Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins to read through and get the big picture of the Bible.
3. Pray for the priests in Africa who are being murdered.
4. Discuss with someone the chapters in the books mentioned in the second tip.
5. Memorize John 1:1-5.

Resources from the Show

• A Father Who Keeps His Promises - Scott Hahn
• Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins
• GENERAL AUDIENCE St Peter's Square Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - Benedict XVI
• Benedict XVI Promotes Biblical Meditation
• SPIRITUS PARACLITUS - Pope Benedict XV

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