A Guide for Groups Watching Bishop's TV Retreat

These groups could be youth ministries, catechists, faith formation groups, Catholic school teachers, Renew or Follow Me small groups, pastoral councils and other parish groups, college students, parish/diocesan staffs, or religious communities. They could be adults in residences, hospitals, and nursing facilities, or catechumens and candidates preparing for the Easter sacraments.

For such groups and for families, here is a discussion guide on each of the three nights of the retreat.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FACILITATORS:

* Arrange seating so that each participant is able to see and hear one another easily.

* Have each person introduce him/herself.

* Begin with a short prayer.

* Use the questions best suited to your group's situation. You are encouraged to choose from each of the focus or extended discussion questions to design your own plan for your group's discussion.

* The focus questions are meant to begin the discussion, or to guide a shorter, one-time discussion of the segment.

* The extended discussion questions are designed to bring the group into a deeper discussion or to concentrate on specific points in the video segment.

* The action steps are suggestions to encourage a lived response to the challenge of discipleship set forth by Bishop Hubbard.

* Start your discussion with the questions that are most comfortable for the group to discuss, then move into questions that "stretch" you. Although our tendency might be to stay within our "comfort zone," do not avoid the questions that pose a challenge to grow in discipleship.

* Be sure everyone has a chance to participate in the discussion. If any one person tends to dominate the discussion, your role as facilitator is to move the discussion. Say, "Thank you for your comments. Does anyone else have anything to add before we go on to the next question?" If some choose not to speak, do put them on the spot. For some people, silence and listening is participation, and they will often speak when they truly have something to say.

* Keep to your time allotted for the discussion. Giving a "two-minute warning" before ending will help the group begin to make their closing comments.

* You may wish to make a summarizing statement, give the group some time to choose their "action steps" either individually or as a group, and close with a short prayer.

FIRST TALK: "Discipleship as a Personal Relationship with Jesus"

FOCUS QUESTIONS:

* Bishop Hubbard stresses that discipleship involves our relationship with Jesus. What are the elements that are important in any relationship? What are some ways this relationship can be both maintained and enhanced? What are some ways that we as disciples can develop and renew our relationship with Jesus?

* What styles and forms of prayer help you in your relationship with Jesus? How and where do you pray? Have your styles of prayer changed over the years? Why is prayer an integral part of discipleship?

EXTENDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

* What insights have you gained from this reflection on discipleship? What challenges you? What might be the cost of discipleship?

* Which of the stories in this session spoke to you personally? How did you see yourself in that story?

ACTION STEPS:

* If possible, take a trip to the church of your own Baptism or that of a family member. Reflect on this experience, and how it has molded and shaped your life.

* Write a note to those children/adults who will be baptized during the Easter vigil. Share your own experience of faith. Let them know that you are praying for them and that you will rejoice in their Baptism.

* Commit yourself to some action this week as a disciple of Jesus: healing, reconciling, forgiving debts, extending peace, sharing joy, devotion to prayer, etc.

***

SECOND TALK: "We are Called to Discipleship as Community"

FOCUS QUESTIONS:

* The "American spirit" of individualism challenges our call to live as disciples who are part of a community. What steps can you/we take to build community within your parish/school/neighborhood/workplace/family?

* Bishop Hubbard lists four dimensions of the disciple: evangelist, servant, community builder, sanctifier. Which of these are the most challenging for you? Why?

* Where are some places that you have spoken of your faith and your relationship with Jesus? Where are you most comfortable doing this? When have you found this difficult? What would help you be more confident and comfortable in sharing your faith with others?

EXTENDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

* A definition of a disciple is "one who learns." What have been some positive experiences for you in learning about your faith? What types or experiences of faith formation nourish you best?

* What experience have you had as the disciple who is servant? Can you share a time in which you came to know Jesus more fully in the act of love and service to others, or in being the recipient of the love and service of another to you?

* What is the role of the Eucharist in the life of a disciple? What does it mean to be "bread broken for others"?

* Which of the stories in this session spoke to you personally? How did you see yourself in that story?

* What modern or traditional disciple/saint has become a model for you?

ACTION STEPS:

* Read the Acts of the Apostles to see the importance of the community in the life of the disciple.

* Reach out to someone this week that you do not know at all or do not know well.

* Invite someone who is not part of your faith community to attend liturgy or a special event with you this Lent.

* Contact your Christian initiation (RCIA) team to ask how you can assist the parish to welcome the candidates and catechumens.

* Look to share your faith more intentionally with someone this week.

* Make plans to attend an ecumenical or interfaith prayer/service or special event.

***

THIRD TALK: "The Qualities of Discipleship"

* What is the vision of a disciple? Who is a visionary person for you? How could we help those with whom we interact and ourselves to be visionary people?

* Which qualities affirm your own experience and sense of living as a disciple of Jesus? Which quality challenges you?

* Bishop Hubbard raises deep concern that we are losing a sense of discipline and sacrifice in our lives and that we are uncomfortable with and unwilling to embrace the cross. Why is the cross a part of discipleship?

* Do you agree or disagree that we contemporary Christians have lost our sense of joy? Why is this important to the life of the disciple? Where do you find joy in your life?

EXTENDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

* How is flexibility -- willingness to adapt and change -- necessary for the disciple today?

* What is the best defense in the face of incivility -- ignoring it and moving on or confronting it? What are ways that we can challenge institutions to be "people of change with civility"?

* When were you aware that God sometimes "writes with crooked lines"? How does someone learn to trust others, trust God?

* Has your image of the Church been one of "an instrument of tenderness and mercy"?

* How is the face of the poor the face of Jesus? Who are the marginalized in society and in the Church? What changes are called for to be a community of openness, acceptance and love?

* How can you be a healer and reconciler in the Church today? What needs healing? What needs reconciliation?

* What is the place of prayer in the life of the disciple?

* What examples of "evangelical daring" touch your heart the deepest? What is the cost of this quality?

***

Summary Questions for "Disciples, Together in Faith:"

* What touched you the deepest in this televised retreat?

* What questions and challenges have been raised for you?

ACTION STEPS:

* What do you need to pack for the trip and whom will you bring with you?

* Decide to work on one quality that needs development for you.

* Make plans to attend as much of the Holy Week liturgy and prayer as possible. Invite someone who does not or may not frequently attend Mass to go with you.

(04-06-00) [[In-content Ad]]