Pathways to Discipleship: Knowing Jesus

Session 5: Community

Knowing Jesus: Community

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Pathways to Discipleship

Heavenly Father, You gather us together in our faith journey. Trusting in you, we join one another as a community—a community of faith on a journey; a journey to grow ever deeper in our faith and in our love, in our desire to long for you. Along the way, remind us of your love, of your sacrifice for us, and of your ever-mindful presence. Let us never lose hope along the way.

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Pathways to Discipleship

Help us to be strong: strong in faith, strong in love, strong in our desire to be ever mindful of your presence. For it is in your strength and love and the graces you bestow upon us, that we can go out and share your love and faith with all those in our community. It is in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Pathways to Discipleship

The fourth habit of the 12 Habits of a Disciple:

Seeks personal and communal

spiritual growth

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• Observe how Jesus ministered to small and large groups
• Follow his example in community ministry to receive and contribute to the life of the Church

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Pathways to Discipleship

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Mt 18:20)

COMMUNITY HAS A SPIRITUAL DIMENSION.

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it...” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

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JESUS’ EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY

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THE EARLY CHURCH COMMUNITY

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Despite persecution, the early community of disciples was bold in proclaiming faith in Jesus!

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.” (Acts 16:5)

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WHERE FAITH IS LEARNED & PRACTICED

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• Community is where faith is put into action
• We share experiences and support each other
• We share our gifts and charisms
• We serve others together
• We make each other accountable in our walk with Jesus

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Pathways to Discipleship

TYPES OF COMMUNITIES

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• The domestic church (our family)
• Friends and extended family
• School and work

Used with permission from the artist,

Randy Friemel

FriemelFineArt.com

• Church community, prayer,

ministry and service groups

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Pathways to Discipleship

• Take a moment to reflect on the opening video. What is your response to the testimony? Share your thoughts with the group.
• What benefits come from learning and sharing in a small community like Jesus and the Twelve?
• Why is the spiritual dimension important to community?
• What communities are you a part of in your life (e.g., church, neighborhood, child’s school, work, etc.)? Share an experience when your community has welcomed or helped you.

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SPIRITUAL-GROWTH COMMUNITIES

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• Parishes ministries, e.g.
• Different sizes and different audiences
• Small groups: flexibility and sharing
• Large groups: less intimidating

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Pathways to Discipleship

STARTING A COMMUNITY

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• Decide on a purpose or study for meeting
• Invite a few friends
• Find a meeting time and place
• Select the materials you prefer (prayers, discussion questions, content)

CONSIDER STARTING A PATHWAYS TO DISCIPLESHIP SMALL GROUP!

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FRUITS OF COMMUNITY

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• A safe place to share our joys and our difficulties
• We practice and grow in self-giving love
• We pray together and for each other
• Strength and encouragement in community to grow in faith
• Builds up the Church and lives out Christ’s command to “Love God and love others”

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ST. JOHANNES NEUMANN

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(1811-1860)

• Spent his life in service to the U.S. immigrant Catholic community
• Built community through his mastery of languages
• Built countless churches and schools, knowing that they would create community for new Americans.

Used with permission from the artist,

Randy Friemel

FriemelFineArt.com

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Pathways to Discipleship

• How can people in our community who we find challenging or disagree with help us grow in virtue and unconditional love?
• Share a time when a more experienced disciple helped you grow spiritually. In what ways have you or could you help others in your community grow spiritually?
• The angels and saints are a part of the universal Church. How can you engage them more in your community?
• St. John Neumann built communities, large and small, wherever he was. In your present situation in life, how might you bring people together to build faith communities that are supportive of their needs?

PRACTICE TOGETHER

• Discuss in your groups if you each would like to participate in Pathways to Discipleship: Loving Jesus.
• Pray together for the intentions of one

another in your group.

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DISCIPLESHIP NEXT STEP

Join or start a spiritual-growth ministry following the completion of the Pathways to Discipleship process. If you are already in one, encourage others to join with you or get involved in a ministry that interests them. Provide practical guidance and assistance as needed. If you’ve been in a community that has experienced brokenness, what would you do differently? How will you prepare to heal division within communities going forward? Research spiritual-growth groups and programs that meet your needs and fit in your season in life.

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REMINDERS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Read or listen to Session 6: Gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Thank you to those who brought snacks. They are always welcomed!

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CLOSING PRAYER (prayers from St. John Neumann)

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My God, possess me that I may become a fit instrument of your graces and mercies to the souls you have confided to my care. O Lord, imbue my words with power and healing that they may glorify the truth. As for myself, I am fully satisfied with the labors assigned to me in your vineyard, for I came here to atone for my sins and to win souls for God. Nowhere can a better opportunity be found for doing good.

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May God grant me the grace to discharge my duties in a worthy and fruitful manner. O holy Mother of my Lord, pray for me and for those in my vineyard. Holy guardian angels of these dear ones, teach me how to act toward them so as to be able to instill into their hearts the maxims of faith and true love of God. Lord, teach me how to live and, if need be, to die, that all may be saved, that all may love and praise you throughout all eternity, that they may also love and cherish your dear Mother. Amen.

St. John Neumann, pray for us.