Jesus’ Passion:
The Story of Redemptive Suffering

Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering presents an in-depth explanation of the biblical foundations of the movie The Passion of the Christ, and is available free on the Turning to God’s Word website. The revised second edition of this popular Catholic Bible study by Jennifer McGaw Phelps features an imprimatur and a foreword by the Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Des Moines. Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering contains all of the material in the original 2004 edition and highlights related teaching from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “Movie Notes” have been added to identify instances in the movie that veer from Gospel accounts of Jesus’ Passion.

The online study pages contain more information as well as a link to the accompanying lessons in Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering.

Introduction For God So Loved the World
Lesson 1 Agony in the Garden
Lesson 2 The Son of Man Before the Chief Priests
Lesson 3 What Is Truth?
Lesson 4 Via Dolorosa: The Way of Sorrows
Lesson 5 Crucifixion, Death & Resurrection

check out all of our in-depth Catholic Bible studies

• The Gospel According to Mark:  A Look at the Son of God (2026)—the first of three studies focusing on the synoptic Gospels According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which are featured in Sunday Mass readings during years A, B, and C. This in-depth study looks at what’s distinctive about the Evangelist Mark’s version of Jesus’ life. Participants can expect to gain an understanding of ways in which all of the four Gospels differ. Read the online study page related to the Introduction: What to Expect and the online study page related to Lesson 1: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Videos related to this study will be posted before the beginning of liturgical Year B.
• Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church—Volume II: Vigils, Day Prayer & Compline (2025)—a study of Psalms prayed for Vigils, Day Prayer, and Compline using The Abbey Psalms and Canticles translation prepared by the Benedictine monks at Conception Abbey and published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Read the online study page related to Lesson 1: He Who Sits in the Heavens Laughs. No videos accompany either volume of this Bible study. Both Volume I and Volume II have been granted an imprimatur. Volume II is available in hard copy, and a revision of Volume I based on The Abbey Psalms and Canticles is available digitally.
• In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis (2016; 2024 revision)—a study of the first book of the Old Testament. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: And God Said, ‘Let There Be Light.’
• You Shall Have No Other Gods: The Book of Exodus (2023)—an extensive look at how the second book of the Old Testament prefigures Christianity. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: The More the People Are Oppressed, the More They Multiply.
• The Revelation of Jesus Christ: The Faithful Witness (2022 revision)—an expanded study of the final book of the New Testament, including illustrations of images appearing throughout the biblical text, as well as relevant maps and an online glossary. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: The Ruler of Kings on Earth.
• Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption (2021) looks at biblical prophecy from the time of the Babylonian Exile through the book of Revelation. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: How the Divided Kingdom Came to an End.
• The Gospel According to John: An Encounter with Grace & Truth (2019 revision)—a study of the life of Jesus Christ presented in the Fourth Gospel. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: In the Beginning Was the Word.
• Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided (2018)—a study of biblical prophecy from Creation until the Babylonian Exile. Read the  online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: The LORD Announces He Is About To Do a New Thing.
• The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King (2017)—a study of the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: God’s People Ask for a King. The print version of this study is temporarily unavailable; contact us if you’re interested in purchasing a digital version.
• Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church—Volume I: Lauds & Vespers (2015; digital only)—a study of Psalms prayed for Lauds and Vespers using The Abbey Psalms and Canticles translation prepared by the Benedictine monks at Conception Abbey and published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Read the online study page related to Lesson 1: Set a Guard on My Mouth. No videos accompany either volume of this Bible study. Both Volume I and Volume II have been granted an imprimatur. A revision of Volume I based on The Abbey Psalms and Canticles is available digitally.
• The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation (2014 revision; digital only)—a study of the Letter to the Hebrews. Read the online study page and link to a video related to Lesson 1: Superior to Angels.
• Scripture & the Rosary: New Testament Mysteries, Old Testament Parallels (2012 revision; digital only)—a study of the biblical foundations of the Rosary in both the Old and New Testaments. This study has been converted to a digital version with the first six lessons available free year-round. The remaining 20 lessons, also free, alternate throughout the year based on the liturgical season (the Joyful Mysteries during Advent and the Christmas season, the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent, the Glorious Mysteries during the Easter season, and the Luminous Mysteries during Ordinary Time). The study directory includes links to online study pages for posted lessons. No videos accompany this Bible study.