Bible scholar Kevin Saunders will present the great parables of Jesus during at least two sessions in August.

Join the Bible scholar Wednesday mornings at the Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln Drive in Scottsdale starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 for 90-minute sessions or Monday evenings at St. Benedict Parish, 16223 S. 48th Street in Ahwatukee, starting at 7 p.m. for two-hour sessions. Both are open to students of all denominations.

There is no pre-registration for the Arizona Bible Class summer series. At St. Benedict, a fee of $70 per person for the series will be requested from those who have the means to make this payment; however, no one will be turned away if they cannot pay. Middle school, high school and college students may attend for free. There is no mention of cost at the Franciscan Renewal Center.

Drawing upon his extensive background in scripture study, Middle Eastern culture, history and the geography of the Holy Land, Saunders will unpack the intended messages behind these most engaging stories crafted in the mind of Jesus. For instance, did you know that the purpose of a Parable in the teaching of Jesus was meant to shock the listener into a new way of thinking?  Saunders will read and comment on all the parables of Jesus, including the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the Parable of the Sower and Seed and many more.

The Arizona Bible Class — see other locations/dates — is operated by Saunders, who holds a bachelor's degree in Religious Study from the University of Arizona. He also has a master's degree in Theology and New Testament Study from the University of Notre Dame and has studied the New Testament as a doctoral candidate at the Catholic University of America.  While living in the Old City of Jerusalem, Kevin was able to follow graduate courses at the École Biblique, a world-renowned Biblical School, as well as participate in Bible and Biblical language courses at the Institute of Holy Land Studies.

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