Activated Disciple Series Part 4: Going All In

How does someone come into the Church? Jeff outlines the process of a person coming into the Church and how you can be a part of that process. He also discusses what it means to put on Christ and be a part of the Body of Christ.

Snippet from the Show

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Galatians 3:27


Shownotes

Announcements

“Pop-Up” Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Jeff & Emily Cavins, June 1-12, 2022
Go to: https://www.jeffcavins.com/pop-up-pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land-june-1-12-2022/
or call: Select International at 800-842-4842

Pilgrimage in the Steps of St. Paul to Greece and Turkey – October 11-23, 2022
Go to: https://www.jeffcavins.com/pilgrimage-in-the-steps-of-st-paul-to-greece-and-turkey/

The Activated Disciple 40-Day Challenge

Are you looking for real change this Lent? Are you looking for a structured program to guide you through Lent? Jeff Cavins invites you on a powerful journey to become an activated disciple this Lent. Starting February 25th, Jeff will be guiding you in The Activated Disciple 40-day Challenge through weekly podcast episodes throughout Lent.

As Catholics, we often find ourselves going through the motions. We believe our faith but struggle to put it into practice; we are not the activated disciples we are called to be. An activated disciple is someone who strives every moment of every day to imitate Jesus, someone who desires such a close relationship with God that every area of his or her life is transformed. The Activated Disciple 40-Day Challenge will help you become more like Christ as you cultivate the eight characteristics that are the most important in the life of a disciple:

  • Love
  • Forgiveness
  • Humility
  • Patience
  • Selflessness
  • Kindness
  • Attentiveness
  • Contrition

As you reorient your life toward Jesus, you will notice the profound transformation a close relationship with him brings. The Activated Disciple 40-Day Challenge will help you take your faith to the next level. In addition to the study, Jeff will guide listeners through The Activated Disciple journey in a series of podcast episodes from February 25th to April 29th. In these episodes Jeff will teach you:

  • Biblical foundations of Discipleship
  • Daily Disciplines of a Disciple
  • How to Developing your Saint Possy
  • How to Win Souls 

To prepare for this life-changing Lenten journey, purchase your study set of The Activated Disciple 

Use the code ADLENT to get 15% off your purchase

Entering the Catholic Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church outlines the process of entering the Church in paragraph 1229, “ From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.” 

The Catechism continues in paragraph 1230, “This initiation has varied greatly through the centuries according to circumstances. In the first centuries of the Church, Christian initiation saw considerable development. A long period of catechumenate included a series of preparatory rites, which were liturgical landmarks along the path of catechumenal preparation and culminated in the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation.”

Once enrolled in the catechumenate at their local parish, catechumens “are already joined to the Church, they are already [part] of the household of Christ, and are frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity. With love and solitude mother Church already embraces them as her own” (CCC 1249).

How to Be Involved

Once a person enters the catechumenate, he is now referred to as a catechumen. A catechumenate receives catechesis (instruction in the faith) from a catechist (the instructor). Two of the ways that you may be able to become involved in this process are as a catechist or as a sponsor. The role of a sponsor is to support the catechumen with prayer and guidance and to walk with them on their Christian journey.

Put on Christ!

In Romans 13:14, it is written, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Plus, in Galatians 3:27, we read, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” So, this idea of putting on Christ is the call to imitate Christ in all things. Our every action, every word, every thought is meant to imitate Christ.

The Body of Christ

First, what is the body of Christ? In the Catechism, paragraph 787, it says, “From the beginning, Jesus associated his disciples with his own life, revealed the mystery of the Kingdom to them, and gave them a share in his mission, joy, and sufferings. Jesus spoke of a still more intimate communion between him and those who would follow him: “Abide in me, and I in you. . . . I am the vine; you are the branches.” And he proclaimed a mysterious and real communion between his own body and ours: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” Jesus is the head and we are the body. Being the Body of Christ as a disciple is the ultimate imitation.

Two Ways of Looking at Our Relationship with Jesus
  1. Mystery View: This view is all about receiving. Jesus did carry out all aspects of his mission, now we receive the benefits of his work. Now, we do receive from Jesus, but there is more!
  2. Catholic View: This view is all about participation. Every aspect of Christ’s mission is accomplished by him and shared with us to continue to accomplish his mission.
Meditation Questions
  1. Do you understand the liturgical year at your parish and know when the catechumenate begins?
  2. Who in your life, right now, may want to go further with God by becoming Catholic? What might you be able to share with them to make that a reality? Perhaps you could be a sponsor!
  3. What a couple of examples in your life that demonstrated that you were walking as the Body of Christ? In other words, when have you said or done something that would have been what you would imagine Jesus doing or saying?

Resources 

Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings.



Meet Your Host: Jeff Cavins

Jeff Cavins is passionate about helping people understand Scripture and become disciples of Jesus Christ. Though he was born Catholic, Jeff went to Bible school and served as a protestant minister for twelve years before reverting to the Catholic Faith. Jeff then received his MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Since then, he has become a leading Catholic evangelist and author.

Jeff created The Bible Timeline learning system, which revolutionized Catholic Bible Study for millions of Catholics. Since its introduction, Jeff has developed The Great Adventure series of Bible studies to help people better understand Sacred Scripture and its meaning for their lives. 

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