Group Study Sessions | Missionary Parish - Center for New Evangelization

Session 6

Go and Make Disciples

Commissioning and Missionary Disciple

Opening Prayer

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 22

Pray Lectio Divina with Matthew 28:16-20.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

Recap

5 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 22

Beginning Disciples and Growing Disciples have a lot of questions that we need good answers for.
They can feel hesitant, afraid, or unready to share their faith with others.
They are still learning about their faith and developing their prayer life.
They need intentional accompaniment into the deep.

Watch

4 – 12 mins

Personal Verification

10 – 15 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 23

Privately consider the following questions:

What does (or what would) living the life of a Missionary Disciple look like for you? (It looks different for everyone!) What can you see yourself doing?
Have you ever made a decision to live a more mission-minded life? If yes, what prompted that decision? If no, why not?
What do you need to learn, experience, or witness in order to live a bold Christian life?
How is God calling you to serve His Church?

Emmaus Walk

15 – 20 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 23

Pair up with someone, go for a walk or find a private place to talk, and discuss the following questions:

What stood out to you from the video or from your personal verification time?
Where are you seeing God at work in your life? What are you thankful for?
Where are you struggling right now? What do you need prayer for?

Pray out loud for your partner. You can pray a prayer you know or pray from your heart.

Large Group Discussion

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 24

What makes a Missionary Disciple different from a Beginning Disciple or a Growing Disciple?
Do you have to work at a parish in order to be a Missionary Disciple? What does missionary discipleship look like outside of a parish setting?
What are some ways that we can “activate” disciples and “send them on mission”?
How can we help disciples overcome the fear they have of being on mission?
What would your parish look like if it had more Missionary Disciples in it?

Practical Application

5 – 10 mins | Participant Guide, pgs. 24-25

Are there any conclusions you have come to regarding ministry in your setting?
Is there anything you feel called to put into practice, either in your personal life or as a parish staff/team?
If so, what and how will vou implement it? Who will hold you accountable?

Closing Prayer

2 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 25

Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother, present our prayer of thanksgiving to your Son. Beg from Him the graces we need to be faithful disciples who follow Him with enthusiasm and joy. May our witness to the love of God bear fruit in our archdiocese, parishes, homes and hearts. Teach us to be God’s joyful witnesses, to radiate Christ in all we do, so that all people might know, love and follow your Son through this life and into the next. Amen.

Going Deeper

Learn more about the second Decision Point, which is Commissioning, and the last threshold, Missionary Disciple, by reading pages 22-24 in the PED Info Packet. Take notes or mark any questions you have. There are no more sessions, of course, but you can still stay in contact with each other and continue the conversation!

Session 5

Into the Deep

Beginning Disciple and Growing Disciple

Opening Prayer

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 18

Pray Lectio Divina with John 21: 1-19.

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe’ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan’a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb’edee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “it is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time,

“Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him. “Follow me.”

Recap

5 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 19

Active seekers need to have their questions answered, they need to come to a decision.
They are on an overt, spiritual quest.
We can provide overlapping encounters with Jesus as a means to help lead them to First Conversion.

Watch

4 – 12 mins

Personal Verification

10 – 15 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 19

Privately consider the following questions:

Reflect back on your First Conversion. What were you most excited about? Did you want to jump into serving in a particular ministry, learn more about a particular teaching of the Church, tell everyone what you’ve been learning, etc.?
Who accompanied you after your First Conversion? What resources and support did they provide? In what ways did they model for you what it means to live as a disciple?
Maybe you’ve never experienced a First Conversion. What keeps you from committing your life to Jesus?

Emmaus Walk

15 – 20 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 20

Pair up with someone, go for a walk or find a private place to talk, and discuss the following questions:

What stood out to you from the video or from your personal verification time?
Where are you seeing God at work in your life? What are you thankful for?
Where are you struggling right now? What do you need prayer for?

Pray out loud for your partner. You can pray a prayer you know or pray from your heart.

Large Group Discussion

20 – 30 mins | Page 20

In your experience of working with Beginning Disciples, what are they most excited about? What are they looking for next?
Why do you think most parishes are better at meeting the needs of Beginning and Growing Disciples than they are at meeting the needs of people at earlier or later thresholds?
How does the journey of a Catholic into discipleship differ from the journey of a catechumen who is preparing to become Catholic? How are these two journeys the same?
In what way do the sacraments “sustain us in our quest for heaven”?
What are some ways that we can compel Beginning Disciples to go deeper in their knowledge of the faith, their commitment to holiness, and their sense of responsibility to the parish – essentially, to become Growing Disciples?

Practical Application

5 – 10 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 21

Are there any conclusions you have come to regarding ministry in your setting?
Is there anything you feel called to put into practice, either in your personal life or as a parish staff/team?
If so, what and how will you implement it? Who will hold you accountable?

Closing Prayer

2 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 21

Going Deeper

Learn more about the thresholds of Beginning Disciple and Growing Disciple by reading pages 19-22 in the PED Info Packet. Take notes or mark any questions you have and bring these to the next session.

Session 4

Encountering Jesus

Active Seeking and First Conversion

Opening Prayer

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 14

Pray Lectio Divina with Luke 5: 1-11.

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left evervthing and followed him.

Recap

5 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 14

The movement from Curiosity to Openness is one of the most difficult progressions of the entire journey.
One must believe that a personal God exists and that a personal relationship with God is possible.
One enters into the Openness threshold once he can admit to God and to himself that he is open to the possibility of personal and spiritual change.

Watch

4 – 12 mins

Personal Verification

10 – 15 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 15

Privately consider the following questions:

When in your life have you earnestly sought after God, or the truth? What came from it?
Did anyone help you in your search? What role did they play?
Have you ever had an encounter with Jesus that changed everything? Or, can you point to a time in your life when your relationship with or understanding of God grew deeper?
What was that experience like? What changed for you and in you?

Emmaus Walk

15 – 20 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 16

Pair up with someone, go for a walk or find a private place to talk, and discuss the following questions:

What stood out to you from the video or from your personal verification time?
Where are you seeing God at work in your life? What are you thankful for?
Where are you struggling right now? What do you need prayer for?

Pray out loud for your partner. You can pray a prayer you know or pray from your heart.

Large Group Discussion

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 16

What do you think most people are seeking?
What are some things that Bobby discussed that helped him understand God’s love for him?
What do you notice about Bobby’s story as it pertains to faith and encountering God, and making a decision to leave his “old life” behind?
What are some ways that we can help someone who is in Openness to move into Active Seeking?
What are the benefits of providing overlapping opportunities to encounter Jesus? What might those encounters include?

Practical Application

5 – 10 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 17

Are there any conclusions you have come to regarding ministry in your setting?
Is there anything you feel called to put into practice, either in your personal life or as a parish staff/team?
If so, what and how will you implement it? Who will hold you accountable?

Closing Prayer

2 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 17

Going Deeper

Learn more about the threshold of Active Seeking and the first Decision Point, which is First Conversion, by reading pages 17-18 in the PED Info Packet. Take notes or mark any questions you have and bring these to the next session.

Session 3

A Personal God

Curiosity and Openness

Opening Prayer

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 10

Pray Lectio Divina with Luke 4:38-44.

After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Recap

5 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 10

We are called to uncover hidden bridges of trust, support bridges that already exist, and create new positive associations with Jesus, the Church, or something Christian.
This most often takes place off of our campuses.
We need to cultivate genuine relationships with people and earn the right to be heard.

Watch

4 – 12 mins

Personal Verification

10 – 15 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 11

Privately consider the following questions:

What do you notice as you walk around your church building? Pay close attention to all of your senses.
Consider what a “first-timer” might think as they walk/drive by your church.
Contrast your experience walking around the outside of the church with walking inside the church. What do you notice? Pay close attention to your senses.
Consider what a “first timer” would experience when they enter into the space.
When did you come to the realization that God was a personal God who wanted a personal relationship with you?
How did this realization change your life?

Emmaus Walk

15 – 20 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 12

Pair up with someone, go for a walk or find a private place to talk, and discuss the following questions:

What stood out to you from the video or from your personal verification time?
Where are you seeing God at work in your life? What are you thankful for?
Where are you struggling right now? What do you need prayer for?

Pray out loud for your partner. You can pray a prayer you know or pray from your heart.

Large Group Discussion

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 12

What was surprising (or not surprising) about the street interviews? What types of responses do you think you would get if you wandered around your church neighborhoods asking people the question, “Do you believe a personal relationship with God is possible?”
Share about a time when you were a new visitor at a church. What was the experience like? How do you think people feel when they arrive on your campus for the first time (Catholic or not)?
What is the fundamental question?
How can we help “outsiders” feel as though they belong?
What’s the biggest sign that someone is in the Openness threshold of discipleship?

Practical Application

5 – 10 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 13

Are there any conclusions you have come to regarding ministry in your setting?
Is there anything you feel called to put into practice, either in your personal life or as a parish staff/team?
If so, what and how will you implement it? Who will hold you accountable?

Closing Prayer

2 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 13

Going Deeper

Learn more about the threshold of Openness by reading page 16 in the PED Info Packet. Take notes or mark any questions you have and bring these to the next session.

Session 2

Building Bridges of Trust

Pre-Trust, Trust, and Curiosity

Opening Prayer

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 6

Pray Lectio Divina with John 1: 35 - 42.

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Recap

5 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 6

Evangelization happens at the pace of relationship.
Accompaniment is vital to the task of evangelization and disciple-making.
Hiking provides an apt metaphor for the journey of faith.
The hope is that, through this study, we can better understand the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives as disciples; we can grow together as a team; and we can better serve people by understanding where they are in their walk of discipleship and providing what they need to help facilitate movement to the next threshold or Decision Point.

Watch

4 – 12 mins

Personal Verification

10 – 15 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 7

Privately consider the following questions:

Reflect on the people in your life and experiences you’ve had that have built bridges of trust to Christianity, Jesus, and the Church. Who or what are they?
Have you had an experience that has hindered your trust in Jesus or the Church? Reflect on what happened.
What or who helped you to rebuild trust?

Emmaus Walk

15 – 20 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 7

Pair up with someone, go for a walk or find a private place to talk, and discuss the following questions:

What stood out to you from the video or from your personal verification time?
Where are you seeing God at work in your life? What are you thankful for?
Where are you struggling right now? What do you need prayer for?

Pray out loud for your partner. You can pray a prayer you know or pray from your heart.

Large Group Discussion

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 8

What images in the video connect with building bridges of trust?
What about Andy’s testimony was striking to you? Who or what played a role in Andy’s progression through these early thresholds of discipleship?
What does Andy say was a struggle for him in his journey? How can we learn from this to avoid making similar mistakes in our work with others?
What motivates you to share the Gospel with others?
How does the Gospel story we prayed with earlier relate to building bridges of trust and the early thresholds of discipleship?

Practical Application

5 – 10 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 9

Are there any conclusions you have come to regarding ministry in your setting?
Is there anything you feel called to put into practice, either in your personal life or as a parish staff/team?
If so, what and how will you implement it? Who will hold you accountable?

Closing Prayer

2 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 9

Going Deeper

Learn more about the thresholds of Pre-Trust, Trust, and Curiosity by reading pages 12-15 in the PED Info Packet. Take notes or mark any questions you have and bring these to the next session.

Session 1

The Adventure Begins

An Introduction to the Process

Opening Prayer

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 2

Pray Lectio Divina with Luke 24: 13-35.

Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Introduction

5 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 3

Take some time to discuss the following:

What are you hoping to learn, personally or professionally, as we begin this six-week journey together?
What fears or concerns do you have?

Watch

4 – 12 mins

Personal Verification

10 – 15 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 3

Privately consider the following questions:

When did your faith journey begin?
Has anyone accompanied you or played a vital part in your journey of faith? What was that relationship like? How did they help you?
Who is someone you are accompanying, or who might benefit from your accompaniment?

Emmaus Walk

15 – 20 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 4

Pair up with someone, go for a walk or find a private place to talk, and discuss the following questions:

What stood out to you from the video or from your personal verification time?
Where are you seeing God at work in your life? What are you thankful for?
Where are you struggling right now? What do you need prayer for?

Pray out loud for your partner. You can pray a prayer you know or pray from your heart.

Large Group Discussion

20 – 30 mins |
Participant Guide, pgs. 4-5

What images in the video connect with someone on a spiritual journey?
What does it mean that “evangelization happens at the pace of relationship”? What does that look like?
“Life with Christ is the greatest adventure.” Is this true in your own life? Why or why not? Do you think this is the feeling and experience for most people that we serve? What is their experience of a relationship with Jesus?
What experience or knowledge do you have about the Process of Evangelization and Discipleship Diagram?
How might a better understanding of the Process of Evangelization and Discipleship Diagram help you with your ministry? How might it help with Beacons of Light and the Evangelization Principle?

Practical Application

5 – 10 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 5

Are there any conclusions you have come to regarding ministry in your setting?
Is there anything you feel called to put into practice, either in your personal life or as a parish staff/team?
If so, what and how will you implement it? Who will hold you accountable?

Closing Prayer

2 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 5

Going Deeper

Learn more about the PED Diagram as a whole by reading pages 5-8 in the PED Info Packet. Take notes or mark any questions you have and bring these to the next session.