Discipleship is a journey—not a destination. It is a process of conversion where our hearts become more and more like the heart of Christ.

Wherever you are on the journey, we're here to help!

We don’t “arrive” at the end until we are united with God in heaven. This means that our entire lives are a wonderful adventure of transformation; of walking with God wherever he leads us and allowing him to draw us deeper into his light, love, and truth. Most often, these paths are far greater and deeper than we could ever have expected or otherwise wandered on our own

The thing about taking a journey, though, is that at some point, we have to start walking. And because this journey is eternal, there is always a next step to take.

That’s why we created a road map to highlight how we, as a parish and as individuals, can walk on “the Way” of missionary discipleship. 

FAQs

 

What is a Missionary Disciple?

Our parish defines a missionary disciple as someone who hears the call, consciously decides to make Christ the center of their life, and works to reorder their life around His will through prayer, the sacraments, discernment, and action.

Where did the idea come from?

The command to become missionary disciples is rooted in Jesus himself. As he was ascending into heaven and sending the Holy Spirit to be with his disciples on earth, he commanded the disciples to “go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20). This command applied to the disciples then and was understood to apply to every disciple since. At our Baptism, we are baptized into the call to be missionary disciples: people who not only work to love and follow Jesus in their own life, but work to help others do the same. We do this not because we want people to follow some legalistic set of rules, but because we know from experience that life with Jesus is the best life there is and we want everyone to share in that joy and hope!

Why am I hearing so much about missionary discipleship now?

The call to missionary discipleship has been a central teaching of Pope Francis’s papacy. While he is not the only pope to speak on this, he is one of the most vocal in calling all Christians to be missionary disciples. He even wrote a whole book on it! For more information on what the Pope has to say, read Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel.

But I don't know anything! How can I be a missionary disciple?

Jesus didn’t call the smartest or most well-educated people to become his disciples. He called the average person. Why? Because missionary discipleship isn’t about what we know. It’s about who we know. All it takes to be an effective missionary disciple in the world is a strong relationship with Jesus. You are inviting people into a relationship with a person. Your own experience of the goodness of Jesus is a more effective tool than any degree or course.

What if I don't have a strong relationship with Jesus yet?

Follow the roadmap above to begin forming one! You can also reach out to any member of the formation department to get personal mentoring in growing your relationship with Jesus.

10 Habits of a Disciple

"Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones that these... -John 14:12

These ten habits of discipleship are key ways we grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus Christ and open ourselves to His transforming grace; grace that moves us to seek Christ, know Christ, and become Christ each one for the sake of all.

Wondering what The BIG 10 is all about? Watch the video with Jill Fischer our director of discipleship & formation to find out!

Where did the idea come from?

The 10 Habits of a Disciple concept and corresponding materials were inspired in part by our parish's collaboration with The Evangelical Catholic, creators of The 10:10 Challenge: 10 Weeks, 10 Ways to a Jesus-Led Life. For a deeper dive into all ten of the habits, including daily readings, prayer practices, discussion guides, and tips for living the habits in everyday life, we encourage you to pick up a copy of The 10:10 Challenge for personal use or to share with family, friends, and small groups.

Habit # 1: PRAY every Day

Key Scripture
"Then, He went up on the mountain by himself to pray." Mathew: 14:23
Daily prayer is as essential for Christians as breathing. We see in the Gospels that Jesus frequently went off by himself to a deserted place to pray. If Jesus Christ needed quiet time to pray and connect with God, how much more do we?

Download PRAY every Day Action Card

Prayer Resources

Habit #2: PRAY with Scripture

Key Scripture
"For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful...so shall my Word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11
The Bible is the inspired Word of God. What we read aren't just words, but the truth of God revealed. Words capable of transforming, healing, and drawing us close to Him.

Download PRAY with SCRIPTURE Action Card

More ways to Pray with Scripture:

LECTIO DIVINA
Lectio Divina ("divine reading") is a practice of praying through the reading of Scripture, opening oneself to the inspiration and communication of the Holy Spirit. The practice dates to ancient monastic communities, but it has been embraced today as a way to meaningfully engage with the Word of God. 

How to Pray with Lectio Divina - Dynamic Catholic

THE BIBLE PROJECT
The Bible Project is a helpful website for understanding different aspects of the Bible in short digestible clips in a wide variety of topics.

The Bible Project

THE BIBLE TIMELINE
The Bible Timeline Show is a series of videos rooted in The Bible in a Year from Ascension Press.  There are other options available under “Free Media” tab through Ascension Press.

The Bible Timeline – Ascension

Habit #3: REPENT & Believe

Key Scripture
"For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
By confessing our sins and receiving God's healing mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation, we clear away barriers and open our hearts to God's grace. We offer further resources below to aid you in understanding and participating in the sacrament.

Download Repent & Believe Action Card

Resources
How to: The Sacrament of Reconciliation
An Examination of Conscience Based on the 10 Commandments
Examination of Conscience for Children
Struggling to Forgive, Finding Healing | Chris Stefanick Show - Formed
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession - Formed
What Catholics Believe About Confession: How To Prepare & What To Say - Formed
Busted Halo's Guide to Confession - Busted Halo
Is Mercy Like Grace?

Habit #4: WORSHIP the Lord

Key Scripture
"Bless the Lord, oh my soul; Let all my being bless His Holy Name! Bless the Lord, oh my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God." Psalm 103:1-2
Worship is responding to God's love by loving him back with all we are and all we have. Participating fully in the Mass is the highest form of worship we can give to God. As important as Mass is, it is not the only way we are called to worship the Lord. Our entire lives are meant to be an offering of love and worship to God. Every moment and every breath!

Download WORSHIP the Lord  Action Card

Resources
A Quick Guide to Praying the Mass
Your Go-To Guide for Catholic Mass Prayers and Responses
How to Visit the Blessed Sacrament | A Step by Step Guide to Adoration for Catholics
A Guide to Eucharistic Adoration 

Habit #5: LOVE your Neighbor

Key Scripture
"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22: 37-39
We are all created by God in His image and likeness, which means we all have a special dignity that can never be taken away no matter what we do or what is done to us. This is why we are told to love our neighbor, no matter who they are or what we think they’ve done. If we want to love the Creator, we must love His creation. Who is your neighbor? Better question…who isn’t. The spiritual and corporal works of mercy are two traditional lists of prayer and action that remind us what it looks like to love like Jesus did in the Scriptures.

Opportunities to perform works of mercy
Elmbrook Senior Taxi
All Saint's Outreach Ministry
Waukesha County Volunteer Resources
Kinship Community Food Center

Download the LOVE your Neighbor Action Card 

Habit #6: LIVE in Community

Key Scripture
Encourage one another and build one another up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
 We were made to journey together. Just like God is a communion of three persons in the one Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we too are born into and live within layers of community: family, friend groups, work groups. We were not made to be alone. Authentic Christian community is more than simply being with other Christians. It’s about depth, vulnerability, and seeking truth. Together, we can challenge, encourage, and hold each other accountable in our journey of seeking knowing, and becoming Christ, each one for the sake of all. 

Download the LIVE in Community Action Card

Habit #7: FOLLOW the Shepherd

Key Scripture
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27
Following Jesus requires discernment to know where He is leading us. It means listening for His voice and His gentle nudges above the noise of the world. It means being obedient to what He tells us. And it means surrendering our own desires and wishes for His. But the reward for this surrender is a life far greater than we could ever create for ourselves – a life in step with the Good Shepherd.

Download the Follow the Shepherd Action Card

Habit #8: BEFRIEND Holy Helpers

Key Scripture
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus." Hebrews 12:1-2A
Following Jesus is the most amazing thing we can ever do. It is also the most difficult. The good news is, we don’t have to do it alone! The saints, both the capitol “S” Saints (those officially canonized by the Catholic Church as models of following Christ) and the little “s” saints (all the faithful who have died and are in heaven) pray for us as we journey on earth. They know the struggle. They know what we are going through. They are no different from us – they simply followed Jesus as closely as possible, and they want to help us do the same. They can pray for us, talk to God for us, inspire and guide us as we keep doing the work of discipleship on earth.

Download the BEFRIEND Holy Helpers Action Card

Habit #9: GIVE your Life to Jesus

Key Scripture
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of everlasting life." John 6:68
We cannot truly become disciples until we admit to ourselves and to God that Jesus is Lord. We are not the masters of our life: He is. And at some point in our journey, we all must surrender our lives to Jesus. We cannot remain neutral. Jesus did not have casual followers; He had disciples who gave up everything to follow Him. 

Download the GIVE your Life to Jesus Action Card

Habit #10: SHARE Jesus with Others

Key Scripture
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." Matthew 25:28
Have you ever read a really good book or eaten at a really great restaurant and immediately felt compelled to tell people about it? This is what friendship with Jesus is meant to be like. When you come to know Him well and see Him work wonders in your life, you want to share that with others. It’s like discovering the fountain of youth. If you found
the fountain of youth, wouldn’t you do everything you could to get your loved ones to take a drink and gain eternal life? Well, Jesus is even greater than the fountain of youth! His eternal life is real and open to all who desire it. 

Download the Share Jesus with Others Action Card

Road Map

The WAY to MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP

Look at the steps below. Where are you starting? What is the next step you can take to move forward on the way?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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