RCIA Session 12 – Sacred Scripture – God’s Word Written and Guarded by the Church

Sacred Scripture — God’s Word Written and Guarded by the Church

RCIA – Week 12
This session forms part of a structured introduction to the Catholic Faith used in parish RCIA. It is intended to be read slowly and prayerfully, alongside participation in the life of the Church. This material is offered for formation and reflection. Reception into the Catholic Church always involves personal discernment and parish accompaniment.

Aim of this session

By the end of this session, participants should understand that:

  • Sacred Scripture is truly the word of God
  • Scripture did not create the Church; the Church received Scripture
  • Scripture requires an authoritative guardian and interpreter
  • private interpretation cannot preserve unity or truth
  • Scripture and the Church belong together by God’s design

This session asks:

What is the Bible, and how can it be read faithfully?

1. Why Scripture Must Be Addressed Now

In the previous weeks we established that:

  • Christ founded the Church
  • He gave her authority
  • He provided a visible centre of unity

Now a question naturally arises:

Where does Sacred Scripture fit into this?

Many assume:

  • the Bible stands alone
  • each reader decides its meaning
  • authority comes from interpretation

The Catholic Faith teaches otherwise.

2. What Is Sacred Scripture?

Sacred Scripture is:

The written word of God, inspired by the Holy Ghost, and entrusted to the Church.

Scripture is not:

  • a collection of religious opinions
  • a record of human reflections about God
  • a book like any other

God is the principal author.
Human writers were real instruments.

Penny Catechism

Q. What is the Bible?
A. The Bible is the written word of God.

This answer is precise and demanding.

3. Scripture Did Not Create the Church

This point is essential.

Before a single line of the New Testament was written:

  • the Church already existed
  • the faith was already preached
  • the sacraments were already celebrated

The Church:

  • received Scripture
  • recognised it
  • preserved it

The Bible did not gather the Church.
The Church gathered the Bible.

This historical fact cannot be reversed.

4. How Scripture Came to Be Recognised

Not every ancient religious writing is Scripture.

Someone had to determine:

  • which books were inspired
  • which were not
  • which belonged in the canon

This required:

  • authority
  • discernment
  • continuity

The Church did not give Scripture its authority.
She recognised what God had inspired.

Without the Church:

  • the canon would be uncertain
  • Scripture would be undefined

5. Scripture Requires Interpretation

Scripture is inspired, but:

  • it is written in human language
  • it contains different literary forms
  • it must be read as intended

This means:

  • not every passage is literal
  • not every verse stands alone
  • context matters

Without interpretation:

  • contradictions appear
  • doctrine fragments
  • confusion multiplies

Interpretation is unavoidable.
The only question is who interprets with authority.

6. Why Private Interpretation Is Insufficient

A common modern idea is:

“The Bible interprets itself.”

But in practice:

  • readers disagree
  • doctrines divide
  • unity collapses

Private interpretation leads to:

  • conflicting teachings
  • endless division
  • uncertainty

Truth cannot contradict itself.

The Church does not suppress Scripture.
She protects it from distortion.

Penny Catechism

Q. How are we to know the true meaning of Holy Scripture?
A. We are to know the true meaning of Holy Scripture from the teaching of the Church.

This safeguards both truth and unity.

7. Scripture and Authority Belong Together

Scripture without authority becomes:

  • fragmented
  • contested
  • unstable

Authority without Scripture would be:

  • arbitrary
  • groundless

God has joined the two.

The Church:

  • teaches from Scripture
  • judges its interpretation
  • proclaims it faithfully

Scripture is not above the Church.
The Church is not above Scripture.

Each serves the other.

8. Common Objections Addressed

“Doesn’t this limit God’s word?”

It protects it from misuse.

“Why can’t I read Scripture for myself?”

You can and should—but not as the final judge.

“Isn’t this controlling?”

Truth requires guardianship, not control.

9. What Is Being Asked of You Now

At this stage, you are not asked to:

  • master the Bible
  • understand every passage

You are asked to consider this:

If God gave His word in Scripture, would He leave its meaning to endless disagreement?

That question matters deeply.

10. Questions for the Week

Reflect quietly during the week:

  • Do I see Scripture as belonging to the Church or to individuals?
  • Where should final interpretation rest?
  • How does authority protect truth rather than threaten it?

11. Closing Summary

Sacred Scripture is God’s word written.

It was:

  • received by the Church
  • preserved by the Church
  • interpreted by the Church

Scripture and the Church cannot be separated without loss.

Next week we will ask:

What is Sacred Tradition — and why is it inseparable from Scripture?

Optional Closing Prayer

God of truth,
You have spoken through the Scriptures.
Give us humility to receive Your word as You intended,
and trust in the Church You have given to guard it.
Amen.