Our Parish has used Mr. Ray's guide for two trips through the Gospel according to St. John. It is an incredible resource for groups who have serious interest in Bible Study. (I would expect nothing less of an author than a 5-star rating for his work! This piece happens to actually deserve it.)

Mr. Ray, do us a favor and remove your own five star review from this page.

[In response to Joe below: I provided the material on the back of the book for those who want to know what the book was about in more detail. I am not allowed to provide info on my book without rating it; I tried. Should I rate my own book less than a five star? Come on!]

The first extensive, easy to use and thoroughly Catholic Bible Study guide.

As Catholics in ever-growing numbers are taking part in Bible studies, many questions arise. How do I study the Bible? Where do I begin? Is it OK to interpret the Bible for ourselves? What Bible should I use? How can I understand such a deep book as the Gospel of St, John?

This book has the answer to these and many other such questions. Stephen Ray takes the difficult and makes it easy; he takes the confusion and makes things clear. It gives a simple start for a beginner while providing the depth and profundity for the scholar. This book is one of a kind. It is the first extensive, easy to use and thoroughly Catholic study guide available.

This Bible study provides extensive "text boxes" with detailed information that helps students discover the cultural, religious, historical and other information on the specific passage they are studying. It utilizes quotes for a wide range of scholars, historians and specialists to instruct the student and give valuable insights into the background and meaning of the text. This book can serve as a basic Bible study guide for working through the Gospel of John, helping the student plumb the depths of St. John's marvelous and deeply spiritual Gospel. It is excellent for use by individuals or groups, for families or schools.

Special Highlights

The first extensive, easy-to-use Catholic Bible study guide available written in a way that is usable by both the beginner and the scholar Coincides very well with the Catechism of the Catholic Church Provides extensive "text-boxes" with detailed information on specific Bible passages being studied.

The participant's guide is designed to be used in tandem with the video;however, it is so comprehensive that you learn a great deal of background just from going through the lessons. It was one of the best workbooks I have ever used to gain a perspective on what life was like in Jesus's time and how actual archeological findings link the truth Jesus portrayed 2,000 years ago and how we can apply this today. Read it and increase your faith. Give it to others.

Make sure your expectations are set right for this valuable book. Like Monson's "Annotated Guide to the Birds of Arizona" -- this book focusses on the occurence and location of bird sightings in Sonora. Valuable for determining the frequency and location of birds in Sonora, but no details on actual sites. NOT a Lane guide to Sonora by any means. Nor does it have any photos, descriptions, etc. My interest is the 'south of the border' occurence of Arizona vagrants, casuals, etc.