Hosting Parish Small Faith Groups—Free Discussion Materials for Lent

Facilitating Small Faith Groups for Lent

Jesus was often surrounded by large crowds, clamoring to hear the Teacher speak. But Jesus first was only known to a small group, the Apostles. After the Resurrection, the Disciples continued spreading Jesus’ message to other small groups—the Philippians, the Ephesians, the Corinthians—and the tradition of small groups of devoted followers continues to this day.

That’s what we’ve been focusing on with the series on how to host parish small faith groups. The series strengthens the idea that small groups can be vital to the ongoing adult faith formation of a parish—as the model parish of St. Barnabas in Chicago demonstrates.

Foster and encourage small groups in your own parish with this month’s free downloads—a PowerPoint presentation to use in training small group facilitators and handouts for Reflecting on the Lenten Scriptures. Use the handouts as your discussion materials for small faith groups this Lent.

Small groups can yield big rewards.

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

12 Comments

  1. Hi Joe,
    I’ve downloaded all the information about the Lenten small groups. Have the weekly lessons but can’t seem to open the training for small group leaders that I downloaded. Just come up with a blank screen. Can you help please?
    Mary

  2. Hi Joe, We, at Saint Mark in Birmingham, are embarking on ladies small groups after hearing your presentation at our anniversary celebration in September. Thank you for that wonderful presentation! I have already read your book, A Church on the Move, and just tried to download the leaders’ guide and training at loyolapress.com/assets/trade/practice-makes-catholic-leader-guide.pdf, and it comes up as removed. If you can send anything to me that would be helpful as we move forward, please send to karenbkapp@gmail.com. Thank you so much! Karen Kapp

    • Hi Karen and thanks for your comments and kind words! I enjoyed my visit to St. Mark in Birmingham! I will send you the materials you are looking for as an attachment to an email. Blessings!

  3. I would like to download materials for this—Hosting Parish Small Faith Groups—Free Discussion Materials for Lent —-but cannot figure out how to do it.

    • Connie, all you have to do is fill out the brief form with your e-mail address above, and an e-mail will be sent to you with download links.

      Denise
      Catechist’s Journey Editor

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