Called To Christian Joy And Maturity Forming Missionary Disciples
Called To Christian Joy And Maturity Forming Missionary Disciples Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle version is available to download in english. Read online anytime anywhere directly from your device. Click on the download button below to get a free pdf file of Called To Christian Joy And Maturity Forming Missionary Disciples book. This book definitely worth reading, it is an incredibly well-written.
Author : Gordon C. DeMarais,Daniel A. Keating Publisher : The Word Among Us Press Page : 131 pages File Size : 45,9 Mb Release : 2021-05-21 Category : Religion ISBN : 9781593253882
Called to Christian Joy and Maturity by Gordon C. DeMarais,Daniel A. Keating Pdf
More than ever, Christians must be grounded in their identity and purpose to reach a hurting world. This groundbreaking book brings together the latest best practices for how to be (and help others become) mature, balanced, and joyful Christians today. Evangelism experts Gordy DeMarais and Daniel Keating lay out thoughtful actions for effectively bringing Christ to the world. A must-read for every follower of Jesus.
Author : Gordon C. Demarais,Daniel J. Keating Publisher : Word Among Us Press Page : 184 pages File Size : 54,8 Mb Release : 2021-05 Category : Religion ISBN : 1593253877
"I dream of a 'missionary option'... a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything..." Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium Do you have the same dream as Pope Francis? Would you like to see your parish, apostolate, or family flourishing in Christ like never before? In Making Missionary Disciples, Curtis Martin, founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), explores how to build a vibrant culture of faithfulness and fruitfulness. He doesn't just remind us how every disciple is called on mission to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ. He gives us practical ways to do this in our ordinary daily lives. • Know the three crucial habits of effective evangelization. • Grow in Divine Intimacy following the four essential practices to which the early disciples devoted themselves. • Learn the importance of becoming not only a disciple, but a missionary disciple. • Understand the three-phased "Method Modeled by the Master"--the approach to evangelization modeled for us by Jesus in the Gospels and rooted in Catholic magisterial teaching. Experience the transformation for which we all long--through Making Missionary Disciples.
Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell Pdf
How can we transmit a living, personal Catholic faith to future generations? By coming to know Jesus Christ, and following him as his disciples. These are times of immense challenge and immense opportunity for the Catholic Church. Consider these statistics for the United States. Only 30 percent of Americans who were raised Catholic are still practicing. Fully 10 percent of all adults in America are ex-Catholics. The number of marriages celebrated in the Church decreased dramatically, by nearly 60 percent, between 1972 and 2010. Only 60 percent of Catholics believe in a personal God. If the Church is to reverse these trends, the evangelizers must first be evangelized-in other words, Catholics-in-the-pew must make a conscious choice to know and follow Jesus before they can draw others to him. This work of discipleship lies at the heart of Forming Intentional Disciples, a book designed to help Church leaders, parish staff and all Catholics transform parish life from within. Drawing upon her fifteen years of experience with the Catherine of Siena Institute, Sherry Weddell leads readers through steps that will help Catholics enter more deeply into a relationship with God and the river of apostolic creativity, charisms, and vocation that flow from that relationship for the sake of the Church and the world. Learn about the five thresholds of postmodern conversion, how to open a conversation about faith and belief, how to ask thought-provoking questions and establish an atmosphere of trust, when to tell the Great Story of Jesus, how to help someone respond to God's call to intentional discipleship, and much more. And be prepared for conversion because when life at the parish level changes, the life of the whole Church will change.
Do you feel uncertain about how to share your Catholic faith with others, especially as society increasingly rejects religion? Why not follow examples from the scriptures and saints to guide you? In this five-week guide to becoming a daily disciple of Jesus in a post-Christian culture, popular speaker, bestselling author, and experienced FOCUS missionary Kevin Cotter presents thirty-five brief and engaging meditations that provide Catholics with the conviction and tools for sharing Jesus with others. Called is an accessible guide to evangelization for the average Catholic. Through short and simple daily meditations, you will gain everything you need to begin sharing the Gospel, including the conviction that you can and should be evangelizing their faith. Based on the principles of evangelization taught by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS)—where Kevin Cotter is the senior director of curriculum—Called invites you to delve into powerful scenes from Jesus’ life, plus stories from the lives of saints such as Augustine, Mother Teresa, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, as you explore how the call to discipleship is at the heart of scripture in ancient Israel, the life of Jesus, and the apostolic Church. Cotter leads you on this five-week journey as someone who understands the challenges of talking about faith with friends and the sacrifices needed to invest in others. He encourages you to step outside your comfort zone as you open your eyes to Jesus’ call to discipleship. Week One: As you reflect on Jesus’ initial call of his disciples and how he calls you to radically love and follow him in your everyday life, you deepen your relationship with God and complete the first stage of becoming his disciple. Week Two: You examine the characteristics of a daily commitment to discipleship—daily prayer, submission to God’s will, regular Confession, frequent reception of the Eucharist, acting in love. Week Three: You discover how our current culture, which places little value on faith, compares to the world Jesus faced. You develop, like Jesus, the desire to save our world and draw others to God. Week Four: You unpack the tools Jesus used to touch every person he came into contact with. Through Jesus’ example, you will become equipped with what you need to reach others for him. Week Five: You learn that you are called not just to be a disciple but to be one who makes disciples of others. You will come away with the understanding that being a disciple of Jesus is not optional for Catholics: it is essential to our identity as members of a missionary Church. Jesus showed us how to evangelize and called us to be his disciples. Now, more than ever, it is time to be just like him.
There’s a lot of talk about Missionary Discipleship. But how do you practically live it? Foundations for Discipleship is not simply a book you read. It’s a tool you use to form and accompany others on their journey as Christian disciples. For use with small groups or individuals, these captivating articles provide the roadmap for training in the basic skills of Christian living and evangelization, including: How to live “The Little Way of Evangelization” How to accompany others on the journey of “Win,” “Build,” and “Send” How to help others grow in prayer, Eucharistic devotion, Christian friendship, and care for the poor How to share the Gospel and your testimony How to deepen one’s own interior life, from which all evangelization flows How to invite others into mission This book is a toolbox for leaders who want to walk with others in discipleship. If you read it by yourself, it might change your life; if you use it to lead others, you might change the world.
There is a growing awareness among Catholics that we ought to become a Church of "missionary disciples." Much is being said and many wonderful programs have arisen to help make that vision a reality. But what can each of us do to foster the "needle-moving" transformation which we all long to see in our parishes, homes, and personal lives?While programs are vitally important, people are everything. Everything begins to change when a culture of missionary disciples is established. When the Church is overflowing with true disciples who are on mission for Christ, her light can shine in the darkness with ever greater splendor, giving hope to those on the peripheries: the poor, the lonely, the lost, and the bored. Learn how to live the high call God has created you for in Making Missionary Disciples.
Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples by Sherry A. Weddell, Editor Pdf
"It is not the same thing to have known Jesus as not to have known him, not the same thing to walk with him as to walk blindly, not the same thing to hear his word as not to know it.... We know that with Jesus life becomes richer."-Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel In her first book, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus, Sherry Weddell, cofounder of the Catherine of Siena Institute, captured the attention of Catholics across the globe as she uncovered the life-changing power that accompanies the conscious decision to follow Jesus as his disciple. Now, in the groundbreaking Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples, she has gathered together experienced leaders and collaborators whose exceptional field-tested wisdom and enthusiasm for transforming Catholic parishes into centers of discipleship and apostolic outreach is both inspiring and practical. The authors consider: The role of intercessory prayer in parish transformation How "fireside chats" can help a pastor connect with his parishioners and call them to personal discipleship and mission The co-responsibility of lay people andpastors in the work of making disciples The revolutionary impact of a discipleship approach to youth ministry How one parish successfully fostered a culture of intentional discipleship, and much more As Sherry asks in her own chapter, "Are we willing to answer the call and pay the price necessary to become a new generation of saints through which God can do extraordinary things in our time?"
The perfect gift! A specially priced, beautifully designed hardcover edition of The Joy of the Gospel with a foreword by Robert Barron and an afterword by James Martin, SJ. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus… In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.” – Pope Francis This special edition of Pope Francis's popular message of hope explores themes that are important for believers in the 21st century. Examining the many obstacles to faith and what can be done to overcome those hurdles, he emphasizes the importance of service to God and all his creation. Advocating for “the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned,” the Holy Father shows us how to respond to poverty and current economic challenges that affect us locally and globally. Ultimately, Pope Francis demonstrates how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ, “to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small.” Profound in its insight, yet warm and accessible in its tone, The Joy of the Gospel is a call to action to live a life motivated by divine love and, in turn, to experience heaven on earth. Includes a foreword by Robert Barron, author of Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith and James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage
The Road to Family Missionary Discipleship by Mary Rose Verret,Ryan Verret Pdf
Following the Synod on the Family and Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Catholics have looked to put into action the Church's beautiful vision for marriage and family evangelization. Combining Church teaching, personal testimonies, and the Witness to Love marriage ministry experience and insight, The Road to Family Missionary Discipleship gives churches, ministries, and disciples of Jesus Christ a practical guide to form holy marriages, and accompany families for their mission to share the "joy of the Gospel" called forth by Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel).
Becoming Missionary Disciples by Julian Porteous Pdf
Archbishop Julian Porteous is well known in Australia as a great promoter of evangelisation within the Catholic Tradition. His most recent contribution is a helpful handbook on this vital topic: "Becoming Missionary Disciples". It expands upon three panoramic topics - "the heart, head and hands" of missionary discipleship. It includes helpful questions that the reader or groups can use for further personal reflections. Archbishop Porteous reflects upon key scriptural texts on missionary discipleship. This is complemented by showcasing Australians and their personal testimonies of encountering Jesus. Then there is the journey to deeper discipleship within the Catholic Church. Locating the particular mission the Holy Spirit offers all is explained. Archbishop Porteous has a humble and conversational tone throughout the foundational subjects considered. His topics not only relate to evangelisation but also evangelise in the reading. This book is ideal for both personal and group use. Archbishop Christopher Prowse Chair, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry. Archbishop Porteous has long been a leader among the world's bishops in understanding and communicating the importance of evangelization. In his new book he very clearly communicates the content and motivation of evangelization and also provides very helpful spiritual and practical guidance about how to actually go about it! This is a very helpful book for anyone interested in our Church's call to participate in the mission of Jesus - and we all should be interested! Ralph Martin S.T.D. Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary Archdiocese of Detroit This new book from Archbishop Porteous offers a helpful, simple explanation of what it means to be an intentional missionary disciple. I recommend it to any Catholic who wants to deepen in personal conversion, and grow in the knowledge and techniques of bringing the good news of Jesus to our contemporaries. Fr Ken Barker MGL Founder, Missionaries of God's Love This short book puts in written form a series of presentations given in 2022 to Catholics across Tasmania. The "Evangelium Project" was a series of three modules of five sessions given at the Cathedral Centre in Hobart and live-streamed to 23 hubs across Tasmania. Some 250 people were engaged in the program. The purpose of the project was to assist ordinary Catholics in responding to the call of Pope Francis to become "missionary disciples". The series was broken into three separate modules titled ''heart", ''head" and ''hands". We firstly, explored the conversion experience which results from an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth. Then we explored our identity as believers. Finally, we explored some simple ways in which the average Catholic can become active as a missionary disciple. The series was presented as a spiritual journey rather than a series of informational talks. Thus, each session began with a period of prayer including the singing of hymns. At the end of each session, a question for personal reflection was presented. Those participating were encouraged to reflect on the question and then share in a small group. I would recommend that this book be used as a spiritual journey, and so encourage prayer and reflection to accompany its use.
Christianity Today Award of Merit Best Book of Spirituality—Academic, from Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Bookstore Evangelicals are known for their emphasis on conversion. But what about life after conversion and beyond justification? Desperately needed is a comprehensive theology of the Christian life from beginning to end, along with the means of formation and transformation. In Called to Be Saints, Gordon Smith draws on a distinguished lifetime of reflecting on these themes to offer us a theologically rich account of our participation in the life of Christ. Both profound and practical, this book is a trinitarian theology of holiness that encompasses both justification and sanctification, both union with Christ and communion with God. Smith unfolds how and why Christians are called to become wise people, do good work, love others and enjoy rightly ordered affections. If holiness is the ongoing journey of becoming mature in Christ, then there is no better guide than Smith. Christians in every walk of life will find this a rich resource for learning what it means to "grow up in every way . . . into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).
The book is about the formation of disciples (laity, clergy, and religious) to fulfill the Church's call for evangelization in the Third Millennium. The questions facing believers and sincere seekers in the Church universal account for the publication of this most needed book: What does it mean to follow Jesus? What must I do to merit being called his disciple in this Third Millennium of Christianity? How can I live the Good News I have received and pass it on to future generations? Each chapter presents through the lens of discipleship the building blocks of how to become spiritually mature by having the courage to drop whatever obstacles stand in the way of following the Lord. It considers in an experiential way the conditions for discipleship he himself lived to the full, among them, obedience, hope, joy, and fidelity. The chapters open with a thematic poem and end with a closing prayer, followed by questions for reflection. Each chapter invites readers to enter into personal reflection as well as to engage in small group faith sharing. Dr. Susan Muto's latest book, Drop Your Nets and Follow Jesus, is indeed a "must-read" for all who truly want to respond to the invitation of Jesus to "Be perfect...as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt: 5:48). Msgr. Albert Kuuire Spiritual Director at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut Dr. Susan Muto's beautifully written and arranged book is a valuable resource for those engaged in spiritual self-direction as well as those looking for solid Spiritual resources for a spiritually-oriented book club. Dr. Muto combines the inspirational poetry of her mentor, Fr. Adrian van Kaam, and her own flowing spiritual reflections on Sacred Scripture toward the making of the Disciple in response to the New Evangelization call. Each of the brief twenty-one chapters concludes with a summary prayer-reflection and reflective questions for the spiritual seeker. The Author combines the deep wisdom and beauty of her own inspiring journey and shares her own poetry as well. A gem! Sr. Sharon Richardt, D.C., M.A., Ph.D. Spiritual Coach and Director Dr. Susan Muto has handed us the key to evangelization in our time -- and in any time, really. It's friendship. That is the way modeled by Jesus Christ. It is the way taken up by the Apostles and Fathers. Friendship converted the world once before and can do it again. We can do it again. Mike Aquilina EWTN host and author of How Christianity Saved Civilization This book should be in all parish libraries. Using non-theological language and with deep personal insights, Muto has provided us with wonderful reflections on what we must be to become disciples to others. Arnold Rzepecki Catholic Library Association
The Adventure of Discipleship by Daniel A. Keating Pdf
Jesus tells us that to be his disciple we must surrender everything and, with his grace, brave the path provided for us by God. Such a sojourn will surely be marked by joy, suffering, uncertainty, and—above all—adventure. Accordingly, The Adventure of Discipleship presents the Gospel through the lens of great adventure stories—from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia to popular adventure movies, comic book superheroes, and TV series. While these stories we create and read and retell are but reflections and refractions of the great adventure of discipleship, they provide us with genuine insight into life with Christ. Author Daniel Keating shows why we must respond to the call of discipleship with venturesome faith, as many great saints have before us. Along the way of discipleship, we come to understand the cost of following Jesus, the importance of hope in light of setbacks, and the gift of true friendship in this great adventure.
