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The Adventure Begins

Session 1

The Adventure Begins

An Introduction to the Process

01

Opening Prayer

20 – 30 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 2

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.

02

Introduction

5 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 3

Take some time to discuss the following:

  1. What are you hoping to learn, personally or professionally, as we begin this six-week journey together?

  2. What fears or concerns do you have?

03

Watch

4 – 12 mins

04

Personal Verification

10 – 15 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 3

Privately consider the following questions:

  1. When did your faith journey begin?

  2. Has anyone accompanied you or played a vital part in your journey of faith? What was that relationship like? How did they help you?

  3. Who is someone you are accompanying, or who might benefit from your accompaniment?

06

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:

  1. What stood out to you from the video or from your personal verification time?

  2. Where are you seeing God at work in your life? What are you thankful for?

  3. 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.

05

Large Group Discussion

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

  1. What images in the video connect with someone on a spiritual journey?

  2. What does it mean that “evangelization happens at the pace of relationship”? What does that look like?

  3. “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?

  4. What experience or knowledge do you have about the Process of Evangelization and Discipleship Diagram?

  5. 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?

07

Practical Application

5 – 10 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 5

  1. Are there any conclusions you have come to regarding ministry in your setting?

  2. Is there anything you feel called to put into practice, either in your personal life or as a parish staff/team?

  3. If so, what and how will you implement it? Who will hold you accountable?

08

Closing Prayer

2 mins | Participant Guide, pg. 5

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.

09

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.