DENVER, Dec. 6, 2022 — The story of salvation is the single most important narrative in human history. It is a story of lovers reunited, sinners redeemed, saints raised, and creation restored. It reveals the ongoing cosmic struggle of good and evil, of God and the devil—and it’s a story in which we all take part.

Internationally known Scripture teachers Curtis Martin and Dr. Edward Sri will host the FOCUS “Lenten Bible Study on the Story of Salvation” live on Monday evenings 6–6:55 p.m. MT, Jan. 23 – April 10, 2023.

This free, 12-week Lenten Bible study is open to anyone and will dive deep into the story of God’s amazing love that has shaped the lives of countless saints throughout the centuries—along with the mission of FOCUS since Martin and Sri founded it 25 years ago. Sign-up is at focusequip.org/lentenstudy2023.

“The modern world has lost its story. We’re excited to have thousands of Catholics around the country come together to rediscover the one true story that really matters: the Biblical story of salvation history,” said Sri. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen countless ordinary lay people not only come to grasp the big picture of the Bible for themselves, but also come away from this experience confident in sharing the Biblical story of salvation with others: their children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers and others in their parishes. This experience changes people’s lives!”

Many friends of FOCUS have expressed a desire to receive some of the training in evangelization and discipleship that FOCUS offers its staff. For the third year, FOCUS is providing this opportunity to offer that specialized FOCUS formative content and invite people deeper into its mission.

This Bible study is perfect for small group or self-study. Participants will come away with the “Big Picture” of the Bible, see the Catholic faith in Scripture, discover the role they play in the story and learn how to share the story with others.

Those tuning in live for the Monday evening sessions have the opportunity for Q&A sessions with Martin and Sri. Participants are encouraged to gather in groups, either in person or over video conferencing, to watch the presentation and discuss together. Those unable to watch the live study can view a recorded version to watch later. The study will also offer the option for continued accompaniment and practical training in missionary discipleship through the summer and fall.

The “Lenten Bible Study on the Story of Salvation” will keep the momentum going after SEEK23, Jan. 2 – 6, the annual FOCUS event that fosters a greater zeal for evangelization and inspires tens of thousands to respond to the call of missionary discipleship.

“We are thrilled to offer this post-SEEK salvation history study,” said Martin. “SEEK is not designed to be a typical conference, but rather an iconic experience on a journey to mission. This journey includes SEEK and immersion in Scripture. Our hope is that the post-SEEK study will accompany those on the path from becoming a disciple of Christ to becoming a missionary disciple-maker. Please join us!”

FOCUS alumna Paola Peña-Rojas, the director of evangelization at St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield, Connecticut, offered the FOCUS Bible study in 2021 and 2022 after hosting hybrid SEEK events. She shared, “Three years later, the people who joined the Lenten Bible study have become small group leaders. They loved it and had amazing conversation and transformation. When I told them I was planning on launching small groups at the parish, they already knew the impact of that kind of community.”

Benefactors, mission partners, parishioners, pastoral ministry leaders, FOCUS alumni and anyone interested in diving deeper into Scripture are welcome to sign up at focusequip.org/lentenstudy2023.

About FOCUS

FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) is a Catholic apostolate whose mission is to share the hope and joy of the Gospel. FOCUS missionaries encounter people in friendship, inviting them into a personal relationship with Christ and accompanying them as they pursue lives of virtue and excellence. Through Bible studies, outreach events, mission trips and discipleship, missionaries inspire and build up others in the faith, sending them out to live out lifelong Catholic mission wherever they are.

For the 2022 – 2023 academic year, 861 missionaries are serving at 216 locations: 193 campus locations (including eight international campuses and 10 Digital Outreach campuses) and 23 parish locations. By 2027, FOCUS expects to have more than 1,000 missionaries serving in more than 250 locations around the world. FOCUS alumni, now more than 50,000 strong, are living and serving in parishes and communities across the country, including more than 10,000 trained for post-graduate evangelization. An important blessing of a fruitful partnership between the local campus ministry and FOCUS has been the pursuit of religious vocations. Since 1998, more than 1,000 people have entered the seminary or a religious house of formation after involvement with FOCUS on college campuses. Based on past experience, FOCUS expects that number to nearly double in the next 10 years. FOCUS missionaries are typically recent college graduates who devote two or more years of their post-collegiate lives to reach out to peers on campus. focus.org

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