STUDY GUIDE
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
The Gospel
of Life
Evangelium vitae
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 2
FOREWORD ........................................................ 3
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE ........................ 4
BEST PRACTICES ................................................. 5
OPENING PRAYER ............................................... 7
CLOSING PRAYER .......................................... ..... 7
SESSION ONE: INTRODUCTION ....................... ... 8
SESSION TWO: CHAPTER 1 ................................ 10
SESSION THREE: CHAPTER 2 .............................. 12
SESSION FOUR: CHAPTER 3 ............................... 14
SESSION FIVE: CHAPTER 4 ................................. 16
SESSION SIX: CONCLUSION ............................... 19
CONTENTS
Excerpts from Evangelium vitae, © 1995, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Scripture texts in
this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,
Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
iStock.com/ Rawpixel. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2020, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 3
FOREWORD
Imagine being born into a village located in a jungle, and growing up under the care
of people who do not see a path through; moreover, the jungle is changing daily,
thickening. Paths which used to provide safe passage are no longer trusted, and the
guides who relied on them are no longer around.
And then a person arrives who steadily sees, looks into your eyes and soul, and says,
“The jungle is dark, but you can bear more light in it than you think. Come, let’s go
this way. This way is sure. It is the way. Illumined by the truth. Ending in life. It is
THROUGH the jungle, not outside of it, that your adventure of life is to be lived, but
guided by a light which is not of the jungle itself.”
That was what it was like to be coming of age in the late 70s and early 80s. The Cold
War had us learning as little boys and girls what nuclear attack would mean, and
how to shelter under our desks. The Sexual Revolution was bent on forming us in its
image, as little centers of autonomous sexual pleasure, the path for safety guarded by
contraception and the legality of abortion. And it turns out that contraception and
abortion protected the human person from the ravages of the jungle about as well as the
school desk would fare in the face of a nuclear blast.
And the guide? That is what it was like, and still is like, to experience Pope St. John Paul
II. Even through his writing.
John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life) remains a relevant and
sure guide, lled with the voice and Christ-lled condence of a pope we call “Great.”
This encyclical on the importance of every human life and of protecting human
dignity—especially through the protection of human life—helps guide readers to
experience the courage, joy, and clarity of this great teacher and compassionate spiritual
father.
Through it, we can nd paths through the culture of death, the Valley of the Shadow of
Death in the world today, to a culture of life, in which each of us has a part to play.
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 4
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE
This study guide is designed to be used in small or large group settings to discuss and reect on the papal
encyclical, Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life). It can be used in conjunction with either the “The Gospel
of Life: Compendium” or with the full encyclical text. This study guide provides scripture passages, prayers,
and discussion questions to help participants reect more deeply on The Gospel of Life and its central
themes and teachings.
We recommend meeting once a week, or once every other week for 60 to 90 minutes. This study guide is
divided into six sessions, and each session follows the same basic format:
¡ OPENING PRAYER
¡ REVIEW / SUMMARY
¡ SCRIPTURE READING
¡ DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
¡ CLOSING PRAYER
¡ ANNOUNCEMENTS
Participants are expected to come to each session having already read the designated material for that
gathering. The study guide is ideal for use in parish ministry studies, diocesan or parish pro-life meetings,
high school theology classes, youth or young adult book studies, adult faith formation series, Catholic book
clubs, and more! And while specically designed to help facilitate group studies, individuals can also use
this tool on their own to increase their understanding of the text and make real-life connections.
We encourage you to adapt this tool to best serve your needs and those of your particular group or
community. While a basic framework is provided, you can make adjustments as necessary. For example,
instead of having all participants read the material in advance, you can choose to meet for 90 minutes and
read the designated sections from the “The Gospel of Life: Compendium” together. If distance or other
factors prevent you from meeting in person, consider meeting via video chat. Perhaps in addition to the
closing prayer, you could also invite members to oer personal prayer intentions, as well. Feel free to
customize this study to make it the most helpful for your particular group.
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 5
While we encourage you to adapt this study as needed, some basic best practices are provided
to help guide you.
¡ DESIGNATE A FACILITATOR.
One person should be selected as the “leader” of your group study. This person helps facilitate
discussion, keeps the session on topic, sends reminders to group members, makes announcements, and
completes any other tasks needed to make the study meaningful and fruitful for all participants.
¡ PRACTICE HOSPITALITY.
Take steps to make everyone to feel welcome and comfortable. Greet group members as they arrive and
try to anticipate any specic needs as best you can. For example, if you’re meeting in person, help them
nd a place to set down their coats or purses. Have pens and paper available for those who might like
to take notes. Simple gestures such as this extend a sense of hospitality and welcome. If your meeting
space allows for it and you have the resources, consider making light refreshments available. Perhaps
group members would want to take turns bringing in something to share. While refreshments certainly
aren’t necessary, having coee, sodas, or juice and light snacks can make your time together even more
enjoyable.
¡ BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.
Make a point to get to know one another and build relationships. At your rst gathering, have everyone
introduce and share a little about themselves. As you continue to meet, consider having an opening
“ice breaker” in which all members take turns answering a new question. For example, maybe you
want to start your gathering by asking each person to share a “rose” and “thorn” from their week: some
blessing or exciting news and a challenge or something they would like prayers for. You can also do fun
questions like: What place would you most like to visit and why? What’s your favorite movie? What food
could you not live without? And so on.
¡ BEGIN AND END ON TIME.
We recommend that you keep your sessions to 60 or 90 minutes. Whichever length you choose, be sure
to keep the gathering running on time out of respect for all participants. While some members may
want to chat before or aer the specied meeting time, be sure to keep the formal study session within
the agreed upon timeframe.
¡ KEEP THE MEETING LOCATION CONSISTENT.
When possible, keep your meeting location consistent. This provides familiarity and reliability to group
members. If the location does need to change, be sure to make announcements, send out reminders,
and provide clear directions for the alternate location. You might also consider posting a sign in the
usual location directing to the new location for people who might miss the message.
BEST PRACTICES
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 6
¡ ALLOW TIME FOR SILENCE.
In a group setting, silence can oen feel a little awkward or uncomfortable. But oen, silence is needed
to allow participants to collect their thoughts, reect more deeply, or even gather the courage to share
what is on their hearts. Silence can also help foster openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
Explain to group members that pauses in the discussion are natural and that you’ll all become more
accustomed to silence throughout the study.
¡ LET THE HOLY SPIRIT LEAD.
In addition to asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the opening prayer, continue to let him lead
throughout the session. For example, sometimes your group may spend more time on a particular topic
or discussion question. Perhaps something specic is resonating with your group. You may not be able
to get to all the discussion questions, and that is okay. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you discern what to
spend more time on and when it may be best to move on to the next question.
iStock.com/Rawpixel
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 7
To be prayed at the beginning of each session.
Heavenly Father,
As we come together to study and meditate upon The Gospel of Life,
we ask you to send your Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to your truth.
Grant us your wisdom and understanding
as we seek a deeper appreciation for your gi of life.
May our time together help us to grow in love and knowledge of you,
and help us respond to your promptings.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
READING
Study Guide: Foreword
Compendium: Background, Introduction (paragraphs 1-6)
OPENING PRAYER
To be prayed at the end of each session.
CLOSING PRAYER
O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made dicult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indierence or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gi ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
resolutely, in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
Evangelium vitae 105 © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 8
OPENING PRAYER
See page 7.
REVIEW / SUMMARY
Invite one person to provide a brief summary of the readings for this session. This can be the group facilitator
or any member of the group.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ask one member of the group to read the following Scripture passage aloud. When he or she is nished, take a
few moments to silently reect on the Scripture passage.
John 3:16-21
[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him
might not perish but might have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world
to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes
in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. [19] And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works
were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward
the light, so that his works might not be exposed. [21] But whoever lives the truth comes to the
light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What inspired you to want to read and study The Gospel of Life?
SESSION ONE
READING
Study Guide: Foreword
Compendium: Background, Introduction (paragraphs 1-6)
The Gospel of Life: Introduction
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 9
2. How do you think the experiences of Pope St. John Paul II’s early life may have inuenced his
understanding of human dignity and his decision to write this encyclical?
3. In the text we read that “The Gospel of God’s love for man, the Gospel of the dignity of the person and
the Gospel of life are a single and indivisible Gospel.” What do you think that means?
4. What are some examples of ways consciences nd it dicult to distinguish between good and evil?
5. What do you think some of the characteristics would be of “an authentic civilization of truth and
love”?
CLOSING PRAYER
See page 7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
¡ The reading for our next session will be Chapter 1 (paragraphs #7-28).
¡ Our next meeting will be . . . [date, time, and location].
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 10
OPENING PRAYER
See page 7.
REVIEW / SUMMARY
Invite one person to provide a brief summary of the readings for this session. This can be the group facilitator
or any member of the group.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ask one member of the group to read the following Scripture passage aloud. When he or she is nished, take a
few moments to silently reect on the Scripture passage.
Genesis 4:2-16
[2] Abel became a herder of ocks, and Cain a tiller of the ground. [3] In the course of time
Cain brought an oering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground, [4] while Abel, for his part,
brought the fatty portion of the rstlings of his ock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and
his oering, [5] but on Cain and his oering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry
and dejected. [6] Then the LORD said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why are you dejected? [7] If
you act rightly, you will be accepted; but if not, sin lies in wait at the door: its urge is for you, yet
you can rule over it.
[8] Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the eld.” When they were in the eld, Cain
attacked his brother Abel and killed him. [9] Then the LORD asked Cain, Where is your brother
Abel? He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” [10] God then said: What have
you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! [11] Now you are banned from
the ground that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. [12] If you
till the ground, it shall no longer give you its produce. You shall become a constant wanderer on
the earth. [13] Cain said to the LORD: “My punishment is too great to bear. [14] Look, you have
now banished me from the ground. I must avoid you and be a constant wanderer on the earth.
Anyone may kill me at sight.” [15] Not so! the LORD said to him. If anyone kills Cain, Cain
shall be avenged seven times. So the LORD put a mark on Cain, so that no one would kill him at
sight. [16] Cain then le the LORD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
SESSION TWO
The Gospel of Life: Chapter 1
Present Day Threats to Human Life
READING
Chapter 1 (paragraphs #7-28)
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What does it mean that contraception and abortion are “fruits of the same tree”?
2. Why do you think our society views suering as meaningless? How does a Christian understanding
of suering counter such views?
3. Why is euthanasia a misguided response to suering?
4. What does Pope St. John Paul II mean when he writes about the “eclipse of the sense of God and of
man?” How does this contribute to confusion between good and evil, precisely in relation to human
life?
5. Pope St. John Paul II provides a number of positive signs even amidst a culture of death. What are
some that you have personally witnessed which contribute to the building of a “civilization of love
and life”?
CLOSING PRAYER
See page 7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
¡ The reading for our next session will be Chapter 2 (paragraphs #29-51).
¡ Our next meeting will be . . . [date, time, and location].
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 12
OPENING PRAYER
See page 7.
REVIEW / SUMMARY
Invite one person to provide a brief summary of the readings for this session. This can be the group facilitator
or any member of the group.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ask one member of the group to read the following Scripture passage aloud. When he or she is nished, take a
few moments to silently reect on the Scripture passage.
Luke 1:39-45
[39] During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,
[40] where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. [41] When Elizabeth
heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, lled with the holy Spirit,
[42] cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb. [43] And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should
come to me? [44] For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in
my womb leaped for joy. [45] Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the
Lord would be fullled.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How does Jesus’ death on the Cross reveal the great value of human life?
SESSION THREE
READING
Chapter 2 (paragraphs #29-51)
The Gospel of Life: Chapter 2
The Christian Message Concerning Life
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 13
2. Why is man considered the “crown” of all God’s creation?
3. How is the value and dignity of human life specically linked to its beginning and end? How does
this reality help us understand our earthly life?
4. Why aren’t there specic calls in Scripture to protect life at its beginning and end? How does the
Bible conrm our understanding of the value of life?
5. Jesus’ death on the Cross “proclaims that life nds its center, its meaning, and its fullment when it
is given up.” As God’s children, we are also called to give of ourselves in love for our brothers and
sisters. What are some ways that we can give our lives for others?
CLOSING PRAYER
See page 7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
¡ The reading for our next session will be Chapter 3 (paragraphs #52-77).
¡ Our next meeting will be . . . [date, time, and location].
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 14
SESSION FOUR
READING
Chapter 3 (paragraphs #52-77)
The Gospel of Life: Chapter 3
God’s Holy Law
OPENING PRAYER
See page 7.
REVIEW / SUMMARY
Invite one person to provide a brief summary of the readings for this session. This can be the group facilitator
or any member of the group.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ask one member of the group to read the following Scripture passage aloud. When he or she is nished, take a
few moments to silently reect on the Scripture passage.
1 John 3:11-18
[11] For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another,
[12] unlike Cain who belonged to the evil one and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter
him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. [13] Do not be
amazed, [then,] brothers, if the world hates you. [14] We know that we have passed from death
to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. [15] Everyone
who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining
in him. [16] The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to
lay down our lives for our brothers. [17] If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in
need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? [18] Children, let us
love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why are God’s commandments truly gis?
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 15
2. What is the role and purpose of punishment? Why is the death penalty unnecessary in our modern
society?
3. What is the dierence between euthanasia and legitimate decisions to forego specic medical
treatments?
4. Why are euthanasia and assisted suicide perversions of mercy and compassion? In light of our faith,
what constitutes true compassion, and what does God ask of us as followers of Christ?
5. How are Christians called to respond to laws that legalize abortion or euthanasia? What is our
responsibility to our brothers and sisters?
CLOSING PRAYER
See page 7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
¡ The reading for our next session will be Chapter 4 (paragraph #78-101).
¡ Our next meeting will be . . . [date, time, and location].
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 16
OPENING PRAYER
See page 7.
REVIEW / SUMMARY
Invite one person to provide a brief summary of the readings for this session. This can be the group facilitator
or any member of the group.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ask one member of the group to read the following Scripture passage aloud. When he or she is nished, take a
few moments to silently reect on the Scripture passage.
Psalm 139:1-16
[1] LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
[2] you know when I sit and stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
[3] You si through my travels and my rest;
with all my ways you are familiar.
[4] Even before a word is on my tongue,
LORD, you know it all.
[5] Behind and before you encircle me
and rest your hand upon me.
[6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
far too loy for me to reach.
[7] Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence, where can I ee?
[8] If I ascend to the heavens, you are there;
if I lie down in Sheol, there you are.
[9] If I take the wings of dawn
and dwell beyond the sea,
[10] Even there your hand guides me,
SESSION FIVE
READING
Chapter 4 (paragraphs #78-101)
The Gospel of Life: Chapter 4
For a New Culture of Human Life
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 17
your right hand holds me fast.
[11] If I say, “Surely darkness shall hide me,
and night shall be my light”—
[12] Darkness is not dark for you,
and night shines as the day.
Darkness and light are but one.
[13] You formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
[14] I praise you, because I am wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works!
My very self you know.
[15] My bones are not hidden from you,
When I was being made in secret,
fashioned in the depths of the earth.
[16] Your eyes saw me unformed;
in your book all are written down;
my days were shaped, before one came to be.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the “contemplative outlook” which Pope St. John Paul II says is the rst step to proclaiming
the Gospel of life?
2. What are the various forms that Pope St. John Paul II identies as celebrations of the Gospel of life?
3. What is the role of the family in building a culture of life? How does the family model and exemplify
the values of care for life and the celebration of the Gospel of life?
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 18
4. What are some of the steps identied by Pope St. John Paul II that need to be taken in order to form
consciences with regard to the value of every human life?
5. What is the unique role of women in transforming the culture? What is Pope St. John Paul II’s
message to women who suer from having had an abortion?
CLOSING PRAYER
See page 7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
¡ The reading for our next session will be the Conclusion (paragraphs #102-105).
¡ Our next meeting will be . . . [date, time, and location].
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 19
OPENING PRAYER
See page 7.
REVIEW / SUMMARY
Invite one person to provide a brief summary of the readings for this session. This can be the group facilitator
or any member of the group.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ask one member of the group to read the following Scripture passage aloud. When he or she is nished, take a
few moments to silently reect on the Scripture passage.
Revelation 12:1-6
[1] A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under
her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. [2] She was with child and wailed aloud in
pain as she labored to give birth. [3] Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red
dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. [4] Its tail swept
away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood
before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. [5] She gave
birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was
caught up to God and his throne. [6] The woman herself ed into the desert where she had a
place prepared by God.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. According to the encyclical, what does the motherhood of Mary reveal about the motherhood of the
Church?
SESSION SIX
READING
Conclusion (paragraphs #102-105)
The Gospel of Life: Conclusion
The Gospel of Life | STUDY GUIDE | 20
2. What is the special relationship between Mary and the cause of the Gospel of life? How is she a
“living word of comfort” to the Church in the struggle against the culture of death?
3. Why is any rejection of human life really a “rejection of Christ” himself?
4. What is your biggest takeaway from the study of this encyclical?
5. How has a deeper understanding of The Gospel of Life impacted you? How have you seen a deeper
understanding of the value of the human person bear fruit in your life?
CLOSING PRAYER
See page 7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
¡ Thank you for a wonderful document study that has deepened our understanding of the Gospel of
Life and helped us grow in love of Christ and service to him!
¡ Here are some opportunities to put what we have learned into action ... [provide information on
any service events or activities available in your parish, school, diocese, or faith community].
