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Family Learning Program: Jesus and Discipleship

Each session includes a teaching plan, family handouts, and an essay for leaders and adult participants.

Churches and schools have permission to download, print, and adapt the materials for their use. 
Permission is given to use these materials in print and digital formats (websites, newsletters, social media) for educational purposes only.

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.

Includes Essay: "Birth of the Messiah"

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.

Includes Essay: "Becoming a Disciple"

Death of the Messiah

This session 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.

Includes Essay: "Death of Jesus"

Additional Resource: "Stations of the Cross" Powerpoint

New Life in Christ

This session 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.

Includes Essay: "Resurrection of Jesus"

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.

Includes Essay: "Identity of Christ"

Additional Resource: "Titles of Jesus" Powerpoint

Living as Disciples

This session 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.

Includes Essay: "Living as a Disciple"

A Family of Disciples

The parent session explores pathways for parents to use in supporting discipleship in the home.

Jesus Learning Activities

Jesus Learning Activities is a collection of 33 learning activities that can be used as take-home activities with the Jesus Family Learning sessions, separately (in a variety of print, digital, or online formats), or combined to design a new family learning program.

Seven Day Journeys with Jesus

Each “Seven Day Journey” includes seven prayer reflections for each of the following themes: Journey with the Messiah, Journey as Servants of God, Journey with the Suffering Servant, Journey with the Resurrected Lord, Journey with Jesus – Who Do You Say I Am?, and Journey with Jesus – Living as a Disciple.