The Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible - A Great Resource for Your Devotional Life

Spiritual formation and studies can be enhanced by using the new Audio Bible.

Carrying an imprimatur from Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, an endorsement from the Vatican and a forward by Pope Benedict XVI, the translation used is a significant advantage for Catholics who seek more time in the Scriptures.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Since the Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible New Testament, recently introduced by Zondervan, is the first tool that utilizes a translation embraced by Catholics - RSV/CE - I have been thinking of all the ways this new resource can be used in spiritual formation.

Carrying an imprimatur from Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, an endorsement from the Vatican and a forward by Pope Benedict XVI, the Audio Bible is a significant advantage for Catholics who seek more time in the Scriptures. While not departing from the written text, the dramatized approach of the production and the actors involved brings the verses of Scripture alive.

This Audio Bible can be a great companion for travel, commuting or other times where you have extended times to listen. Recently, while driving around the area, I have let the CD's continue to play and found myself caught up in the narrative. The "radio drama" style of presentation draws you into the text.

The Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible is much more than just good religious entertainment;  it can also be a great tool for deepening your devotional life and love of Holy Scripture. Here are a few ideas for using this exceptional new tool.

Sequential Bible Reading

Reading a book of the Bible from beginning to end is a wonderful discipline to develop. Many Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, read the entire Bible or at least the New Testament from beginning to end during the calendar year.

The audio bible can bring that devotional practice to life. For example, there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By listening to just one chapter a day, you will complete it in just nine and a half months.

Simply listening to the recording can really impact your life. However, I recommend listening while following along in your RSV-CE Bible. You gain greater retention of the material covered as more than one "gate" into the mind is opened.

Preparation for Mass

As Catholics we have the privilege of guided readings every week on our liturgy and the three-year cycle emphasizes a different gospel for each year. We just entered Year A on the First Sunday of Advent and the Gospels readings are from Matthew.

During the week, you can listen to the Gospel text for the upcoming Mass to get your heart and mind ready for the reading and homily. The Audio Bible is segmented by chapters of the text, which makes finding the reading very easy.

Don't worry about covering only the specific verses, listening to the entire chapter will help you see how the text fits into the larger picture. In order words, you can hear the text in its context.

If possible, follow along in your RSV-CE Bible to increase the impact. Learning principles indicate that retention of information is increased dramatically when more than one of your senses is engaged. So read and listen.

Individual or Group Bible Study

Bible Study Groups (or Individual studies) can take real advantage of the new Audio Bible at their meeting. The leader simply has to cue up the audio bible to the beginning verse they are studying before the start and place the CD player (or computer) on pause. You can play the section at the appropriate time and simply pause the player again after the final verse and begin your discussion.

The dramatized approach to the text can be used as one of the points of exploration for the study, particularly if there are emphases or characterizations that bring out something new in the text.

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is special way to engage Holy Scripture as spiritual reading, which can also be described as "feasting on the Word."

It consists of four sections that follow a time of prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide and illuminate the passage that you have selected to study.

1. Lectio - reading a scripture passage slowly and attentively several times. Making notes is optional.
2. Meditatio - spending time in meditation on the passage, thinking about its meaning and personal impact. A smaller section of the text can also be the point of focus.
3. Oratio - praying the Scripture back to God, asking Him to bring the text to greater life.
4. Contemplatio - ending with a time of quiet contemplation, focusing on the love of God in your life.

The Audio Bible can play a rich and wonderful part of the "Lectio" section, allowing hearing as well as seeing to be a part of the process. Listening to the text, particularly in dramatized form, will accomplish two things.

First, it will automatically slow you down so you more fully engage the passage.

Second, since the Audio Bible is a dramatization with other voices, you will experience a completely different type of presentation than just reading it.

Other Applications

I'm sure pastors, staff members, ministry leaders and groups will be able to find unique and exciting ways to use this great new tool. The Audio Bible can bring new life to youth group and young adult studies, add dimension to CCD classes and be used in multiple ways for Religious Education.

If you want to know more about the Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible New Testament, simply Click Here.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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