FORMED – A Tool for Discipleship

The expression, “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time”, is a great reminder to begin with the end in mind. That being said, what is the “end in mind” when it comes to sacramental preparation and faith formation? Or, what is the “end in mind” for the number of different ministries that exist in parish life? Is it not to become a fully devoted follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

If that is the case, then it would serve the parish well to clearly articulate what it looks like to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Disciples build spiritual disciplines or habits that, aided by God’s grace, help us die to self and bear fruit in the lives of others. Jesus exhorts us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” [John 12:24].

Here are six essential habits of a disciple:

Holy Hour – commitment to daily mental prayer

Accountability – commitment to honest sharing and support

Bible – commitment to study and pray with scripture

Invest – commitment to tithing and service

Tell – commitment to evangelization

Sacraments – commitment to frequent reception of Eucharist and Reconciliation

Discipleship is the process of meeting someone right where they are, establishing trust, inviting them to follow Jesus, and apprenticing them in spiritual HABITS. It’s a personal investment of time, patience, understanding, and encouragement. And, it is time well spent as it results in a fully devoted disciple who goes on to disciple others.

Utilization of FORMED to grow in personal HABITS

FORMED can be used as a tool for discipleship in several concrete ways. First, most Augustine Institute video studies such as YDisciple, Symbolon, Beloved  and Lectio Eucharist are accompanied with study guides that were designed around the model of discipleship.  The acronym H.A.B.I.T.S. is used in every session so an individual or small group will always have the “end in mind” when they ponder a topic. Secondly, FORMED is available anywhere, anytime 24/7 which creates flexibility for the relational aspect of discipleship. You can meet in the parish, or a home, or a coffee shop, or through online video chat to discuss topics you watch together or on your own time. Finally, knowing the content on FORMED and being able to easily share it via email or social networks creates many opportunities for discipleship. In other words, with FORMED you can disciple someone who lives 1 mile from you or 1000 miles from you.

Here are some specific ways you can use FORMED in the practice of Discipleship HABITS.

Holy Hour – Prepare for Sunday Mass each week by watching a 5 minute Opening the Word video and then use the accompanying Prayer Journal to guide you on a daily reflection of the upcoming Scripture Readings and to capture your insights.  By the time that you hear the readings at Mass you will already have been pondering them in your heart for some time. In Lectio: Prayer, Dr. Tim Gray masterfully uses the discipline of Lectio Divina to open our hearts and minds to Scripture as the means to hear from God and then respond in conversation, basking in his presence and resolving to live in and through his love. This six session study will lay a foundation of daily prayer with Scripture.

Accountability – The COMMIT section of every Discipleship Group Study and YDisciple study issues a challenge and creates accountability around growing in faith and virtue.

Bible –In Lectio: Eucharist. acclaimed author and teacher Dr. Brant Pitre rigorously digs down to the biblical roots of the Eucharist, through its foreshadowing in the miraculous events of the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Apostolic teaching. In Lectio Series on Peter and Evangelization you will learn about the biblical roots of the commissioning of Peter and the foundations of the early Church and how that still applies to Christian disciples today.

Invest – The Hearts on Fire Parish Programs were created by Fr. Michael Gaitley to move Catholics to mission by learning to entrust ourselves to the Mother of Our Lord, console the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and perform works of mercy.

Tell – Symbolon: Knowing the Faith explains the essentials of the Catholic Faith in a way that will empower us to articulate the faith to others. In addition, the apologetics audio series are helpful in answering common objections that can come up in dialogue with people of other faith traditions.

Sacraments – Sacramental prep programs such as Reborn, Forgiven and Beloved help unlock the mystery and profound meaning of the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Marriage.  The Sacraments Study in YDisciple and Symbolon: Living the Faith are helpful in gaining a greater understanding and love for all the Sacraments, inspiring more frequent reception of them.

A Discipleship Plan for Young Catholics

1. Follow Me Study
2. Disciplines of a Disciple
3. The Creed
4. Living the Creed
5. Called: Discover Your Vocation

A Discipleship Plan for Adult Catholics

1. Symbolon: Knowing the Faith [Discipleship Group Version]
2. Symbolon: Living the Faith [Discipleship Group Version]
3. Lectio: Prayer
4. Lectio: Eucharist
5. Hearts of Fire Parish Programs

Jesus commissioned us to “Go and make disciples of all nations” and to teach “them to observe all that I have commanded you” [Matthew 28:19]. FORMED is a 21^st century solution to do just that!