It is always a plus credit to get a diploma certification from the Church, but more than that, Many times we do not have a proper answer for the many things we see around us in the Church. As a result, we are alienated from the Church.

By going through the process of Divyabodhanam, we will have a good foundation about important topics in the faith like New Testament, Old Testament, Sacraments, ministries of the Church, Traditions, Liturgy, and many such.

Reputed teachers of the Church like Fr. T.J. Joshua, Fr. K.M. George, Fr. Mathew Vaidyan, LL Mar Osthathios etc, wrote these books.

“Always ready to answer those who ask us about the reason for the hope we have” as commanded by St. Peter in 1 Peter 3:15
Thus we will be armed with the weapons needed in our spiritual war which is life and will be able to feed the right spiritual food to the next generation. Thus, generations will be blessed.

1) Better understand the Bible as the true inspiration for all we do in the Holy Church.
2) Understand the teachings, ministries, sacraments, Liturgy and history of the Church much better.
3) Enable us to become better participants of the Church and teach our kids.
4) Train us in our mission in the world as Christians, as children of the Church.
5) Better answer questions, doubts, allegations about the Church coming from within and outside.
6) Become builders and owners of the traditions of the Church.
7) Use the tools of counseling, positive thinking effectively, and live and grow as better citizens of the Church, the society, the country.
The Divyabodhanam has been instrumental in bringing up many lay leaders in the Church, who have been beacons of light for the upcoming generation, who work hand in hand with the clergy in building the Lord’s Church. However, for this spiritual education, it requires some work, effort, time, and energy from all of you. We hope that everyone will take this seriously and keep some time aside to work through this course. We are positive that this effort will bring some good fruits in the land and in the Church and we pray that this effort does not go waste.

Divyabodhanam classes will be held mainly by self-study and contact sessions by Video Conference and the contact session for 1 hour every week. The topics to be covered are from the associated books. The time and the date is fixed on the First and third Sunday of Every Month at 04:30 PM Central time. The Conferencing details will be supplied a week before the session. If you have to leave in between, you may please just disconnect whenever you wish, but try to keep the entire hour aside for this. If you have issues logging on or any other issues, call Alex Varghese @ 214-282-4238 and we will try to work through it.

After each Book is complete, we would like to receive the Summary of the Book – i.e. 2 pages per Unit – total of min. 8 pages per book within 3 weeks of the completion of the book session.

It is only putting in words what we understood from the Unit. If we break it up, it gets very simple:
We have 6 chapters in Unit 1:
Writing a summary can be as simple as – listing the lessons of the unit and writing a couple of lines about each (as we understood).
As an example:
Divyabodhanam POCE – Book 1
In the Fullness of Time – Rev. Fr. T.J. Joshua
Unit 1: Introduction to the New Testament – A Summary

This unit provides an overview of the New Testament, beginning with its connection to the Old Testament and its historical, cultural, and religious background. It explores the significance of the New Testament in understanding the life and mission of Christ and the formation of the early Church.

The Relationship Between the Old Testament and the New Testament

The Old Testament serves as a foundation for the New Testament, with many prophecies and promises fulfilled through Jesus Christ. It highlights the continuity between the two, emphasizing the significance of the Old Testament in understanding the message of the New Testament.

Historical and Cultural Background

At the time of Christ, the region was under Roman rule, influencing governance, trade, and daily life. Various groups such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes played important roles in Jewish society. Education and worship were deeply rooted in Jewish traditions, with the synagogue being a central place for learning and religious practices.

Jewish Historical Background of the New Testament

The New Testament reflects the history of the Jewish people, their struggles, and expectations. The Jews had experienced exile, foreign rule, and a longing for liberation. The influence of past empires such as the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans shaped the religious and political landscape of Israel.

Religious Background of the People of Israel

Jewish religious life centered around monotheism, the Law (Torah), and temple worship. The expectation of the Messiah was deeply ingrained in their beliefs, with many anticipating a political liberator who would free them from Roman rule. The emergence of various Jewish sects reflected differing interpretations of the Law and Messianic expectations.

Geography of Israel at the Time of Christ

Israel was divided into several regions, including Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. The climate varied from desert areas to fertile lands. The significance of cities like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth is highlighted in the Gospels. The geographical setting influenced trade, travel, and interactions among different communities.

Formation of the New Testament

The New Testament books were written between the mid-first century and the early second century. The writings include the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. The formation of the New Testament canon involved specific criteria, such as apostolic authorship, doctrinal consistency, and widespread acceptance among early Christian communities.

Conclusion

Unit 1 provides a foundational understanding of the New Testament by examining its historical, cultural, and religious background. It highlights the fulfillment of the Old Testament in Christ, the expectations of the Jewish people, and the process of compiling the sacred texts. This knowledge helps in deeper comprehension of the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, setting the stage for further exploration of the New Testament.

Achens will lead our training from various areas.Please contact us for any other questions. We are still looking for individuals who can work as coordinators from parishes that has not done yet. Please remind your parish priests as soon as possible.