The Rule of St. Benedict 5

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 31-42

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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Humility, Temperance, Justice

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. List three qualities that the Cellarer should possess.

2. According to Benedict, why is it important for the Cellarer to “provide the brothers their allotted amount of food without any pride or delay?”

3. What was the Abbot supposed to “maintain a list of?”

4. What was not ever permitted in the monastery “without an order from the Abbot?”

5. What were the only exceptions which might have allowed someone to get out of kitchen service?

6. What were the brothers who were either ending or beginning kitchen service for the week supposed to do for everyone?

7. What were those who were sick allowed to eat that was out of the norm for the brothers?

8. How were the brothers who read and sung for the week supposed to be chosen?

9. Benedict said that “nothing is so inconsistent with the life of any Christian” as what thing?

10. Since modern monks could not be convinced to drink no wine, what did Benedict set as the basic standard?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why might it be important for the Cellarer to not be “an excessive eater?”

2. Why might there be a risk in a brother being “led astray” if he didn’t receive his allotted food in a timely manner?

3. Why might the monks have not been allowed to possess any private property?

4. In Chapter 34, what is meant by having “consideration for weaknesses?”

5. Why did Benedict think that kitchen service would “increase reward and foster love?”

6. Why might it have been helpful for “the kitchen workers of the week” to receive a little food and drink shortly prior to serving the brothers?

7. Why was caring for the sick supposed to “rank before and above all else?”

8. Why would “human nature” be “inclined to be compassionate toward the old and the young?”

9. In Chapter 41 what connection is Benedict making between the arrangement of meals to the salvation of souls? How are these two things related?

10. Why might silence have been so important to the life of a monastery?

11. Why might some books have been better suited for reading after supper than others?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Karl Marx, the founder of Communism, once wrote, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” Quoting from the book of Acts Benedict wrote, “Distribution was made to each one as he had need.” Define the concept of Communism and then compare and contrast it to the biblical teaching about how Christians should live in community with one another. Do you believe the Bible teaches Communism? Why or why not?

2. Of the four cardinal virtues (Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, and Justice) which, if any, seems to most mark the life of a Monk? Why do you think as you do?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read John 13:1-20. Connect this passage to our current reading. Why is Jesus’ example here an excellent example of humility? How should we do likewise?

2. Read Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 5:1-6. How do these specific passages impact the previous question about Communism and Christianity? Particularly consider what Peter said to Ananias about his property.

3. Consider Paul’s instructions to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23. How might we relate his instructions to principles found in our present reading?