The “Miudinho” Study of the Gospel: A Soulful Reading

Cláudio Fajardo

The Detailed Study of the Gospel of Jesus (EMEJ), affectionately known as Evangelho Miudinho (“Little-by-Little Gospel”), is a method of reading and reflection that proposes analyzing each verse of the New Testament word by word, in depth, seeking the spiritual and re-educational essence of Jesus’ teachings in the light of Spiritist Doctrine.

Inspired by the works of Allan Kardec and by Emmanuel’s interpretations through Chico Xavier, the Miudinho method does not settle for the surface of the text. It invites the reader to:

• Read with both heart and reason;
• Reflect on the historical, moral, and spiritual context of each passage;
• Apply the teachings to daily life, fostering self-knowledge and inner transformation.

Main features

• Verse by verse: each passage is studied separately, allowing for deep immersion.

• Collective and dialogued study: usually done in groups, where everyone can and should participate with reflections and exchanges of experiences.

• Spiritist doctrinal basis: uses The Gospel According to Spiritism as a reference, in addition to subsidiary works such as those by Emmanuel and others dedicated to the study of the Gospel.

• Emphasis on experience: more than understanding, the goal is to feel and live the Gospel.

Main Characteristics

• Verse-by-verse study: each passage is examined individually, allowing for deep immersion.
• Collective and dialogical study: usually conducted in groups, where everyone can, and should, participate through reflections and shared experiences.
• Spiritist doctrinal foundation: based primarily on The Gospel According to Spiritism, as well as complementary works such as those by Emmanuel and other authors devoted to Gospel study.
• Emphasis on lived experience: more than understanding, the goal is to feel and live the Gospel.

Why “Miudinho”?

• The term evokes the idea of sifting wheat, separating what is essential from what is accessory. It is an invitation to careful, patient, and loving reading, like someone searching for hidden gold between the lines of the divine Word.

Spiritual Impact

Miudinho transforms study into a path of inner illumination. It does not merely teach, it awakens. It does not merely inform, it heals. It is a practice that unites intellect and feeling, reason and faith, study and charity.

The Gospel: Why, What For, and How to Study It

Introduction

The Gospel of Jesus is more than a sacred book: it is a guide for life. It is not enough to read it or analyze it intellectually; it must be lived. The challenge lies not in believing, but in practicing its precepts. For the Spiritist, studying the Gospel is a conscious path of evolution, since the Doctrine codified by Allan Kardec is entirely grounded in the message of Christ.

Why Study the Gospel?

According to The Spirits’ Book (questions 132 and 167), the purpose of incarnation is spiritual improvement. To evolve means to spiritualize oneself, gradually freeing oneself from the influence of matter. Jesus is the guide and model offered by God, and the Gospel is the light that illuminates the path. To study it is to recognize earthly life as an opportunity for growth and to acknowledge that the secure roadmap of evolution lies in the Master’s teachings.

For What Purpose Study the Gospel?

Study enables us to evolve consciously, choosing good spontaneously rather than solely through pain or discipline. The Gospel is an instrument for the education of the Spirit, leading naturally to the practice of charity and moral transformation. Paul synthesizes this lived experience when he states: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

How to Study the Gospel?

There is no ready-made formula, but some principles are fundamental:

• Freedom from prejudices and dogmas: approach the Gospel with humility and openness of heart. We must not impose our ideas upon it, but allow it to teach us.
• Interpretation in the light of Spiritist Doctrine: relate the teachings to the principles codified by Kardec.
• Historical and cultural understanding: grasp the context of Palestine and the time of Jesus.
• Search for spiritual content: go beyond the letter to reach the spirit of the message.
  
  
  

The Value of Where, Who, and When

• Where: places carry spiritual meaning. Galilee symbolizes simplicity; Jerusalem, elevated spirituality; Samaria, conflict and overcoming.
• Who: the characters represent virtues. Peter embodies firmness, James testimony, John love. Each figure invites us to reflect on our own role.
• When: the timing of actions reveals lessons. Nicodemus sought Jesus at night, symbolizing the search for light amid darkness. The miracles performed during the day show that it is in spiritual clarity that we should act.

Conclusion

To study the Gospel is to understand the path of evolution and apply it as a guide for life. It is more than knowing: it is doing. Study must be undertaken with pure intention, openness to what lies between the lines, and humility before our limitations. In group settings, it becomes even richer, as it broadens understanding and strengthens the spirit of collaboration.

Thus, the Gospel ceases to be merely a text and becomes a mirror of the soul, revealing where we stand, who we are, and when we must act to transform our journey.