Equip Session Descriptions

A Radical Reorientation: Three Levels of Conversion 

When we think of a radical reorientation, we may think of saints like Mary Magdalene or Augustine  or Francis of Assisi, but all of us are called continually to a complete turning of our lives toward  God. This session will walk through the three levels of conversion we see taking place in the  ChristLife Process.

What is Discovering Christ and Why Does It Work?

Drawing from her years of experience running the ChristLife evangelization process and helping parishes in the Archdiocese of New York implement Discovering Christ, Dianne will give an overview of the theology, topics, and course dynamics that make Discovering Christ so effective.

Breakout Sessions

Option 1 - Preparing to Run a Fruitful Course

This session provides a complete overview of all the planning steps required to run a fruitful Discovering Christ. From recruiting and training a team to making dinners on a budget to an understanding a doable planning timeline, this session is essential for parish team members responsible for the administrative and hospitality dimensions of the Discovering Christ course.

Option 2 - Facilitating an Evangelizing Small Group

This session will teach you how to facilitate an evangelizing small group, as distinct from a bible study or catechetical small group. Small groups are central to the Discovering Christ experience. Guests eat dinners in small groups, listen to the talk in small groups, and discuss the presentation as a small group.

Discovering Christ Practicum

Welcome to your first Discovering Christ small group! This session will move your knowledge of the Discovering Christ course from information to experience.  You will meet new people, listen to the first presentation: "What is the Meaning of Life?" together, and discuss its relevance to your personal life.

A New Pentecost for A New Evangelization 

Scripture and Church teaching clearly tell us about the necessity of the power of the Holy Spirit for  all evangelization. This session will explore what lessons we can learn about evangelization from the  role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' public life and the life and mission of the early Church. The session  invites all to rediscover "the beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit" (Pope Benedict XVI) and  presents a simple prayer model central to the Discovering Christ course experience. 

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Making the Invite

What sets Discovering Christ apart from many other programs is the intentional, strategic effort at the front-end to invite people to the course. This talk will offer spiritual inspiration for the personal and parish invite, provide an overview of the principles that drive the invitation process, and share methods that parishes have found most effective in reaching the unevangelized with Discovering Christ.

Prayer and Worship in the ChristLife Process

Prayer and worship are important in all three of the ChristLife courses. This session will teach a simple and heartfelt method of prayer called conversational prayer. The session will also provide an overview of the time of song and worship that begins every course session. It will explore topics such as how to facilitate prayer and worship in an evangelizing environment, what songs to pick, and how to find a good worship leader.

Following Christ: A Catechesis in Discipleship

The Following Christ course is unlike many adult faith formation programs because of its approach to helping participants develop a lifestyle of Catholic discipleship. This session explains why catechesis in discipleship is sorely needed in the Catholic Church and how the Following Christ course has helped tens of thousands of Catholics in the last several years begin living for Christ in their daily lives.

Following Christ: Diving Deeper

This session will walk through the course content, helping you understand the goal of each topic presented in the course. The session will help you practically plan for the course and 1-day retreat through a look at evening and retreat schedules, and other unique dynamics that make the Following Christ course fruitful.

Forgiveness Prayer Practicum

One of the most powerful sessions in the Following Christ course is "Forgiving One Another." This session will overview the talk and model the Forgiveness prayer time that follows the talk, equipping you to lead this prayer time in your own parish.

Spirit-Empowered Life Prayer Practicum

Scripture and the lives of the Saints bear witness to the importance of the power of the Holy Spirit in progressing in our discipleship and union with God. This session will overview the fifth talk of the Following Christ course and model the prayer time that follows the talk, equipping you to lead this prayer time.

Renunciation Prayer Practicum

One of the high points for many Following Christ course participants is during the retreat where they identify and renounce the specific lies they have believed about God, themselves, and others. This session will overview the "The Devil" talk from the Following Christ course and model the Renunciation prayer time that follows the talk, equipping you to lead this prayer time in your own parish.

What is Sharing Christ and How Does It Work?

Sharing Christ is the "capstone" of the ChristLife evangelization process. Through seven inspiring and eminently practical sessions, this course equips Catholics to evangelize in their everyday lives. During this session you will receive an overview of the theology, course dynamics, topics, and practical dimensions of the course.

Sharing Christ Practicum

Welcome to your first Sharing Christ small group! This session will move your knowledge of the Sharing Christ course from information to experience.  At your table you will listen to the final presentation: "Put Out Into the Deep for a Catch" together and participate in a special group activity called "Cardboard Testimonies."

Being Missionary Disciples

The speaker will help you understand how to live as a missionary disciple and you establish the ChristLife evangelization process as an ongoing process for evangelization and adult faith formation at your parish.