Journeying Through Salvation History – A Parish Experience
Updated: Oct 5
Over the months of January to September 2026, our parish community completed the 23‑session Bible Timeline study by Jeff Cavins. What began as a weekly commitment has blossomed into a shared pilgrimage of faith, discovery, and fellowship.
✨Circles of Faith
Each week, 77 participants and facilitators gathered in seven small groups of 8–10 members to discuss their answers to the study questions. These circles became places of encouragement and openness, where Scripture was not only studied but lived. Each group was named after the Prophets (Amos, Micah, Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Haggai, Malachi), giving it a Biblical feel.
“I really enjoyed the small group discussions, as hearing everyone’s sharing made the study readings and questions come alive in a deeper and more meaningful way than if I had read them on my own.” - Cordelia
“Because we were willing to be vulnerable to
each other, our friendship grew and we trusted each other better.” - Gloria
“I love how different teammates shared their personal perspectives—it helped me and the group learn from each other.” - Joyce
Even though not everyone was able to attend all 23 sessions—due to work commitments or other responsibilities, some participants remained connected with their small groups. Through text messages and ongoing encouragement, they continued to share reflections and support one another, ensuring that the journey was never walked alone.
The small group experience made the study far more enriching.
Staying connected via text messages. Sharing additional info and encouragement for those missing a session.
📖Learning Together
After group discussions, we came together to watch Jeff Cavins’ video, which highlighted the key points of the assigned readings. His clear explanations helped participants connect the dots across salvation history, making the Bible approachable and alive. The videos became a treasured part of the study.
In addition to the video sessions, Fr Eugene Vaz in person, wrapped up for us the whole salvation journey, from the Old Testament, its fulfillment in Jesus Christ in the New Testament and todays Church.
✝️Deepening Understanding and Faith
“I looked forward to every single video and many times I had an awakening moment when he linked the story to God’s plan for humanity.” - Sandra
“The video was helpful as it summarized the key points and reinforced what we had learned through the study readings and reflections.” - Cordelia
“Facilitating deepened my own faith. There is so much I didn’t know, and I really liked the way the timeline was rolled out and presented by Jeff Cavins.” - Linda
The study shifted Scripture reading from a surface activity into a prayerful, contextual, and persistent encounter with God’s Word, deepening both understanding and faith.
🌱Fruits of the Journey
The impact of the study has been profound. Parishioners discovered greater confidence in reading Scripture, renewed excitement for prayer, and stronger bonds within the parish community.
🌿 God’s patient love
“This study helped me realize that the Bible is not just history—it’s God’s love story, and I am part of it.” - Gloria
“My greatest insight is how much God loves us, how fallen we are, and how deeply we need Him. The readings and discussions have made me humbler and stirred in me a longing to know God more deeply.” - Cordelia
🔑 Wisdom as God’s gift
"Wisdom is given by God, not gained by ourselves" - Jennifer
“Now when I proclaim or read the Scriptures, I understand which story they come from.” - Sandra
The study gave participants a renewed vision of Scripture as a unified story of God’s love and promises, deepened their humility, and strengthened their conviction that each person is part of God’s plan.
Facilitator Insights
Our facilitators guided discussions with care, ensuring that every voice was heard. They witnessed firsthand the growth of participants as they engaged more deeply with God’s Word.
“The most rewarding part was learning and sharing experiences of our faith with our members.” - Sharon “Active participation during the sessions showed how much confidence participants gained in Scripture.” - Puspa “Getting to hear different perspectives, openness, not being judgmental, and learning from each other inspired me the most.” - Linda |
Participants described the journey as challenging yet enriching, a grateful discovery of God’s love, and a fellowship that made Scripture clearer, easier, and more life‑giving.
🚶Looking Ahead
As participants reflected on their journey, many described it as spiritually enriching, emotionally supportive, and deeply transformative. They spoke of friendships that grew through vulnerability, of comfort in knowing they were not alone, and of moments when the Holy Spirit touched them through shared conversations. The study was not only about learning Scripture, but about experiencing fellowship, encouragement, and awakening moments where God’s Word came alive in their lives.
Though the study has concluded, its fruits continue to grow. Many participants have expressed a desire to keep meeting, to continue exploring Scripture, and to share their newfound confidence with others.
🌈Hope for our Parish
"I hope all of us continue to carry a burning desire to know God and draw close to Him, and that we keep nurturing the friendships we’ve built and shared through this study." - Cordelia
"Continue to grow in faith and read the Bible often." - Clare
"Be able to spread and share the Gospel to others" - A participant
With such fruits of faith and community, the journey naturally points us forward. Parishioners who have not yet joined are warmly invited to take part in future studies, where small groups and communal learning continue to open the Scriptures in new and life‑giving ways. And for those who have already journeyed through this study, the invitation remains to go deeper, building on these insights with further studies, prayer, and fellowship, so that God’s Word may keep transforming our lives and our parish community.
Closing Note
As we close this chapter, we give thanks for the journey we have shared. May the Word of God continue to be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, guiding our parish family ever closer to Christ.
Whether you are beginning for the first time, continuing to grow, or returning after a pause, let us walk together in faith. Even if life’s demands or health challenges kept some from completing all 23 sessions, their desire to learn Scripture and their commitment to stay connected with their small groups remain a powerful witness.
So, to those who joined but had to step away: do not give up. The door is always open to re‑enter the journey, to pick up where you left off, and to discover anew the hope, joy, and peace that God’s Word brings.
Scripture nourishes us, formation deepens us, and service is the expression of our faith. We grow together as missionary disciples to fulfill our parish mission of being a spring of living water in the city.
The Bible Apostolate team looks forward to future initiatives that will build on this foundation, inviting more parishioners to discover the joy of God’s Word.
Coming this October is a talk by Friar Derrick Yap OFM, "The O Antiphons" - Encountering Christ in Advent. The sessions will help the participants deepen their understanding of who Christ is.
Everybody is welcome. Click on the link for more details.
