Jesus and Discipleship
Family & Intergenerational Learning Programs

Permission is given to use these materials in print and digital formats (websites, newsletters, social media) for educational purposes only. 
The learning session comes in a PDF and a Word file; handouts are in Word files. Use the Word files to edit and adapt the materials for your use. 

Learning Programs

Preparing for the Messiah
​This session explores a central theme of the Advent season—preparing for the coming of the Messiah. The season of Advent challenges us to examine our understanding and expectations for the Messiah. It calls us to reflect on our own readiness and openness to welcome the Messiah into our lives and our world. The Advent Lectionary readings serve as our primary resource for understanding what kind of Messiah Jesus would be, and what that means for us. 

Essay for Leaders and Adult Participants
birth_of_the_messiah.pdf
File Size: 125 kb
File Type: pdf
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preparing_for_the_messiah_session.pdf
File Size: 294 kb
File Type: pdf
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preparing_for_the_messiah_session.docx
File Size: 107 kb
File Type: docx
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preparing_for_the_messiah_handouts.docx
File Size: 84 kb
File Type: docx
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​Becoming a Disciple
This session on following Jesus explores the dynamics of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ: experiencing a personal call, following Jesus, and changing one’s heart. “Becoming a Disciple” is explored through the stories of New Testament disciples who accepted Jesus’ call to follow him. Inspired by the New Testament disciples and the example of Jesus, participants discover what it means to follow Jesus today and how they can practically live out discipleship in their lives and homes. 

​Essay for Leaders and Adult Participants
becoming_a_disicple.pdf
File Size: 129 kb
File Type: pdf
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becoming_a_disciple_session.pdf
File Size: 288 kb
File Type: pdf
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becoming_a_disciple_session.docx
File Size: 102 kb
File Type: docx
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becoming_a_disciple_handouts.docx
File Size: 70 kb
File Type: docx
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​Death of the Messiah
This session on following Jesus explores the meaning and significance of Jesus’ death on the cross. It immerses people in Jesus’ journey to the cross through an experience and exploration of the Scriptural Stations of the Cross. Through an examination of the Gospels, participants will discover why Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified by the religious and civil authorities of his day. The example of Jesus’ commitment to do the will of God, even to the point of sacrificing his own life, serves as a model for all of his followers. 

​Essay for Leaders and Adult Participants
the_death_of_jesus.pdf
File Size: 121 kb
File Type: pdf
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death_of_the_messiah_session.pdf
File Size: 254 kb
File Type: pdf
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death_of_the_messiah_session.docx
File Size: 97 kb
File Type: docx
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death_of_the_messiah_handouts.docx
File Size: 67 kb
File Type: docx
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​New Life in Christ
This session on following Jesus explores the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection for our lives as disciples. Belief in the resurrection is at the center of the Catholic faith. All other beliefs hinge on the resurrection. This session guides people in reflecting on the Gospel readings of the Easter Lectionary to discern the meaning and significance of Jesus’ resurrection. It also guides people in applying this understanding to their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ today. 

​Essay for Leaders and Adult Participants 
the_resurrection_of_jesus.pdf
File Size: 129 kb
File Type: pdf
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new_life_in_christ_session.pdf
File Size: 287 kb
File Type: pdf
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new_life_in_christ_session.docx
File Size: 104 kb
File Type: docx
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new_life_in_christ_handouts.docx
File Size: 70 kb
File Type: docx
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​Identity of Christ
This session explores Gospel portraits of Jesus and how they draw people into believing in—and giving one’s heart to—Jesus. This session helps people understand that the identity of Christ as true God and true man is rooted in the Gospels. We believe in Jesus Christ who is “true God from true God” and who “suffered, died, and was buried” and rose from the dead. 

​Essay for Leaders and Adult Participants
identity_of_christ.pdf
File Size: 137 kb
File Type: pdf
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identity_of_christ_session.pdf
File Size: 269 kb
File Type: pdf
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identity_of_christ_session.docx
File Size: 106 kb
File Type: docx
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identity_of_christ_handouts.docx
File Size: 59 kb
File Type: docx
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​Living as Disciples
This session on following Jesus explores what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. At the heart of living as a disciple is shaping our lives on the pattern of Jesus’ life. This is no simple process nor is there only one way of expressing the pattern of Christ’s life in our own. This session guides people in reflecting on the teaching and example of Jesus from the Gospels and discovering practices to live their everyday lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. 

​Essay for Leaders and Adult Participants
living_as_a_disciple.pdf
File Size: 112 kb
File Type: pdf
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living_as_a_disciple_session.pdf
File Size: 251 kb
File Type: pdf
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living_as_a_disciple_session.docx
File Size: 104 kb
File Type: docx
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living_as_a_disciple_handouts.docx
File Size: 75 kb
File Type: docx
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Video Resources to Use in the Learning Programs

The family and intergenerational sessions do not include video content. You can easily integrate video presentations into the learning sessions to substitute for presentations by the leaders or for reading activities. Here are several examples of videos you can use within the sessions:

The Bible Project videos provide a scripturally-based understanding of Jesus, his ministry and message, and his death and resurrection. The videos are 7-10 minutes in length and intended for youth and adults. Here are the links to the four gospels:
Saddleback Kids, the children’s ministry at Saddleback Church, has developed animated videos to teach children (and families ) about God’s word. These videos can be used as stand alone lessons that parents can view with their children. There are videos for early childhood and elementary children. 
Catholic Kids Media provides quality Catholic programming for kids to help parents and teachers instruct children in the Catholic faith and practices. They produce videos in English and Spanish. Search the site for scripture videos. 
For additional video resources on Jesus go to the Lifelong Faith Studio. Check out videos for children, adolescents, adults, and families in the Christian Life and Bible sections. 

Additional Learning Activities
Use these resources in the learning program and/or as continuing learning for individuals and families.

Seven Day Journeys with Jesus
Spend a series of seven days, or seven prayer opportunities, pondering the meaning and challenges of knowing and following Jesus with a Bible reading, reflection, prayer. 
  1. Journey with the Messiah 
  2. Journey as Servants of God 
  3. Journey with the Suffering Servant 
  4. Journey with the Resurrected Lord 
  5. Journey with Jesus—Who Do You Say I Am? 
  6. Journey with Jesus—Living as a Disciple 
journey_with_jesus_activities.pdf
File Size: 145 kb
File Type: pdf
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journey_with_jesus_activities.docx
File Size: 40 kb
File Type: docx
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Jesus Learning Activities
A variety of short learning activities that  can be used within the six learning sessions or as follow-up activities for individual and/or family use. 
jesus_learning_activities.pdf
File Size: 195 kb
File Type: pdf
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jesus_learning_activities.pdf
File Size: 195 kb
File Type: pdf
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Online Activities

For a list of curated resources of learning activities for all ages, videos, and family activities go the the Lifelong Faith Studio in the Christian Life and Bible sections.