ACTS II EVANGELIZATION LEADERSHIP TRAINING GUIDES AVAILABLE HERE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE
Evangelistic Outreach Training
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Session One: The Dynamics of Evangelistic Outreach
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1
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En route procedures
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1
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Dynamics of the team within the home before and during a
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Gospel Presentation
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2
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The recent baptism of a child
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4
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The upcoming baptism of a child
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4
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Dynamics to be used during the Gospel Presentation
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5
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Presentation of the Four Basic Truths of the Gospel
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7
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After the Good News Proclamation, the person being visited can be actively led to Christ
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10
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Immediately after completing their home visitation, the team members complete their Evangelization Outreach Forms before proceeding to the next home
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12
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Session Two: Post Visitation Responsibilities
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13
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The evangelization outreach team's immediate post visitation responsibilities
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13
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The day after the evangelization outreach visits
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15
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Saturday and Sunday following the evangelistic outreach
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15
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Summary of the evangelization cycle from Sunday to Sunday activities
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17
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A follow-up visit by the original team
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18
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Sessions Three Through Six: Evangelization Outreach Role-Play Four Sessions Based On: "Model Ideas for Developing Reconciling Responses"
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18
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Session Seven: A Parish Census for Evangelization
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19
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The Parish Census
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19
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What is a Parish Census for Evangelization?
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19
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Reasons for a Parish Census for Evangelization
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20
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Who are the unchurched?
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22
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The specific purpose of the Parish Census for Evangelization
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22
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Guidelines for carrying out the Parish Census for Evangelization
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23
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PART TWO
Prayer Services
PART THREE
Appendices
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Appendix One
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Sample Notes That Can Be Written To Fit The Different Circumstances Met By The Evangelization Outreach Teams
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40
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Evangelization Outreach Report Sheet
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42
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Evangelization Outreach Team Evaluation
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44
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Appendix Two
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Model Ideas For Developing Reconciling Responses
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46
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Appendix Three
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1. Home Visitation Appointment Card
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48
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2. Census For Evangelization Survey Form
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49
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3. Summary Sheet Of Total Door-To-Door Calls Made
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51
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Appendix Four
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Various Ways Evangelization Teams Can Explain The Reason For Their Visit
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1. From Situation to Proclamation: General Response
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52
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2. From Situation to Proclamation: Active Catholic -- Response 1
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53
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3. From Situation to Proclamation: Active Catholic -- Response 2
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54
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4. From Situation to Proclamation: Active Catholic -- Response 3
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55
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5. From Situation to Proclamation: Recent Baptism of a Child -- Response 1
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56
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6. From Situation to Proclamation: Recent Baptism of a Child -- Response 2
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57
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7. From Situation to Proclamation: Upcoming Baptism of a Child -- Response 1
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58
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8. From Situation to Proclamation: Upcoming Baptism of a Child -- Response 2
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59
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9. From Situation to Proclamation: Particular Target Group
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60
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10. From Situation to Proclamation: A Person You Just Met, A Neighbor, Etc.
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61
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Bibliography
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(SAMPLE)
TRAINEE'S
EVANGELIZATION OUTREACH GUIDE
SESSION ONE
THE DYNAMICS OF EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH
OBJECTIVE
To acquire an in-depth understanding of how the evangelization outreach
is carried out within the ACTS II Process.
I. En route procedures.
The evangelization outreach teams:
1. Become acquainted with the name of the person/family to be called on
(when an appointment has been set up in advance) and practice saying the
name/names out loud together.
2. Pay special attention to the title that accompanies the person's name.
3. Pray for:
-the person/persons to be visited.
-themselves.
Both
evangelization outreach team members should be near the door to
greet whoever comes to the door.
1. If a man comes to the door, the
male member of the team should do
the greeting.
2. If a woman comes, the
female member of the team should do the
greeting.
-One would say, "Hello, Mr. or Mrs. or Miss ________?"
-If it is the intended person, the
male or female team member would
say (when an appointment has been set up in advance):
-"We are from _________________________________
Parish. An appointment had been set up for us to come
and visit with you. Is this still a convenient time for you?"
-Assuming that it is, the
leader of the team should introduce himself/
herself and the other
team members, or the team members may
introduce themselves.
3. If the person is reluctant to visit now, the leader should:
-excuse the team.
-express the desire to return and visit at a later date.
-ask the person if (s)he desires a future visit.
-If the answer to a future visit is "YES," that information is
recorded on the Evangelization Outreach Report Sheet.
The Evangelization Outreach Director will attend to the
request when (s)he reviews the report sheets.
If no one answers the door, the
team places a "Sorry, we missed you"
card on the doorknob with a brief handwritten note by one of the
team members.
1. The
team members should seek to seat themselves in such a way that
the team members are near the person being visited.
-Avoid a two (or three whenever the team consists of three) against
one seating arrangement.
2. If the T.V. is on and interfering with the conversation, the
leader may say:
-"______________, would you mind turning the T.V. down (or off),
so that we could visit better?"
-If children are present and interfering with the conversation, the
other team member should seek to take care of the children so that
the leader may be able to visit.
3. It is the GOAL of the
leader to involve the
other team member (if not
busy with the children) in the conversation in as many ways as possible.
4. The GOAL of the
opening conversation is
to establish relationship.
Comments about children, items around the room: such as books,
antiques, photographs, lead to natural sharing.
5. The team members should avoid judging the person/family and should
beware of prejudice.
-What is it about this person/family that I can genuinely appreciate? Is
it his/her warm smile, ability to put another at ease, kindness, etc.?
6. Keep in mind that
practical wisdom,
discernment and prayer are
needed in order to know:
-when it is the appropriate time to share about the Lord.
-in what way to share about the Lord that will most address this
person's/family's needs.
7. Keep in mind your responses to the:
-Personal Encounters, EH, 1B.
-Challenges for Evangelizers, EH, 1B.
8. The important question to keep in the back of one's mind is the question
of Jesus: "
What do you seek?"
(John 1:38).
-What evidence do I have that tells me this is the opportune time to
share about the Lord?
9. Be attuned to non-verbal communication.
-If the person looks bored, sighs, shifts from one position to another, or
keeps trying to talk about something else, obviously the leader should
stop, listen, and perhaps take another direction.
-When a need is shared, compassion and understanding are expected.
This is what the heart of the evangelizers should be filled with: the
compassion and understanding of the Lord Jesus for His people.
10.
The recent baptism of a child.
When doing an outreach that is targeting those who have experienced
a recent baptism, the team
leader raises the following questions:
-"You recently had your child baptized? Did you find the preparation
given helpful in preparing you to bring up your child in the
faith?" "In what way?"
-"Is there some way that we could be of help to you in this matter?"
After finding out
whether or not you can be of help, ask the person if
you could share about Jesus with him/her.
-If the answer is "NO," then ask if you can come back at another
time to share about Jesus. If the person is agreeable, arrange
another time then.
-If the answer is "YES," then proceed to share about Jesus according
to the moments of evangelization as applicable.
11.
The upcoming baptism of a child.
When doing an outreach that is targeting those who will experience the
baptism of a child, the team
leader raises the following questions:
-"You are going to have your child baptized soon?"
-"You are attending the preparation sessions?"
-"Do you find these sessions helpful to you?" "In what way?"
-"Is there some way that we can be of help to you in this matter?"
After finding out
whether or not you can be of help, then ask the person
being visited if you could share about Jesus with him/her.
-If the answer is "NO," then ask if you could come back at another
time to share about Jesus. If the person is agreeable, arrange
another time then.
-If the answer is "YES," proceed according to the moments of evangelization as applicable.
To avoid having a monologue occur between the leader and the person
being visited, the goal to be kept in mind is to involve the other team
member(s) as well.
1. Once the leader actually makes a presentation with some introduction,
the other team member(s) should remain quiet, silently praying, interceding
for the leader and the person being visited until asked to participate in some particular way.
2. The leader can involve the other team member(s) by:
-Asking the team member to read the scripture passages chosen to
exemplify a particular Gospel Truth.
-Asking the team member to not only read the scripture passages
chosen which exemplify a particular Gospel Truth, but to also comment
on these scripture passages showing how they bring out the
particular Truth being shared.
-Asking a team member to continue the Gospel presentation with
the next Truth. This can be done by saying, for example:
-"Jack or Anne, why don't you continue with the Second Basic
Truth of the Gospel."
-When this occurs, the leader is handing over the leadership of
the Gospel presentation to another team member and does not
take this leadership back unless it is handed back to him/her.
3. The handing over of leadership to another team member can occur for
the following reasons:
-A male has been appointed leader of the team and they are now
visiting a woman and so the leader hands over leadership to a
woman team member following the principle that like relates best
to like.
-In the course of the conversation, the leader may realize that
another team member may be able to relate better to the person
being visited than (s)he is able to relate.
-The leader realizes that another team member will be able to relate
better to the person being visited, because (s)he is a peer, following the
principle of peer-to-peer ministry, especially when they are
similar in age.
4. The leader can involve the persons being visited by:
-Asking one of them to read the scripture passages chosen to
exemplify a particular Gospel Truth.
-Asking one of them to not only read the scripture passages chosen
which exemplify a particular Gospel Truth, but to also comment on
what these scripture passages say to him/her.
-This will frequently give the leader some insight into the person's
theology and understanding of the passages.
-Care needs to be exercised here if the person being visited
tends to ramble on and on.
There are a number of ways that the team leader can use to present the
Four Basic Truths of the Gospel.
1. A helpful approach is to let it grow naturally out of the conversation.
For example:
-"________, it's been a pleasure visiting with you and we appreciate
your inviting us into your home."
-"We would like to give you a copy of the
Good News New Testament.
This is a translation of the Bible that is written in modern day language.
We're certain you will enjoy this easy to read translation."
-"Do you have a little time left for us to read together a few passages
from the Bible?" (The
leader should actually look at his/her watch
and give the person being visited the chance to make the decision.)
-
If a positive response is given, then the
leader says: "Well,
then, let's all turn to page _____ ."
-
If a negative response is given, the leader asks: "Would you
like for us to return at another time to visit with you and share
some of the Bible together?"
-If the person is agreeable, then set up a definite date.
Close with a pleasant: "Goodbye . . . and thank you so
much."
-If a negative response is given, close in the same pleasant way.
, an abbreviated presentation of the Gospel Proclamation
can be given. However, it is perfectly all right if the Gospel
Proclamation is not given.
2. Another way in which the conversation can naturally lead into a presentation
of the Gospel is to say after the New Testament has been
given:
-"The New Testament was written for a number of reasons,
________ . What would you say is one reason why the
New Testament was written?"
-After hearing the response of the person being visited, the
leader
can say:
-"Yes, and another reason why it is written is given in the
Gospel of John, in the second to last chapter, John 20:
30-31. It says here that this book was written that you
may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and
that believing you may have life in his name."
-This can be followed by the question:
-"What kind of life do you think Jesus wants for us?" This leads
quite naturally into the First Basic Truth of the Gospel and the
scripture passage of John 10:10b.
3. Another question that leads quite naturally into the Proclamation of the
Gospel is:
-"_______, it's been a real pleasure being with you this evening.
Before we leave, may I ask you ("in the light of your
church background," if not a Catholic) what you consider to
be one of the purposes of the Church in the world today?"
-After (s)he has responded, the leader would give a copy of the
Good News New Testament and would begin to present the Four
Basic Truths of the Gospel.
4. Often in the course of a conversation something will be said or asked
that will allow the
leader to look to Scripture for a response.
-The attentive leader might say: "That recalls to my mind something
the Bible has to say about that."
-The leader turns to that Scripture and uses it as an opportunity to
lead into a presentation of the Gospel.
5. The following question might be used to present the Gospel Truths
depending on the
leader. (S)he might not wish to use it. It is up to the
personal preference of the
leader. It is intended to give the team some
insight into the
theology of the person being visited. No assumptions
should be drawn from the person's response as to whether or not (s)he
is a Christian. We are called to be witnesses and not judges.
-And the question is:
-"________, we knocked on your door and you let us
come into your home. If you were to knock on the door
of heaven and God opened the door and said: 'Why
should I let you come into My home?' What would your
response be?"
<
-This question is used to discover how the person believes. But, the
key point is: "What would you say?"
-If the
leader decides to move into giving the Four Basic Truths of the
Gospel, (s)he could say:
-"_______, we have enjoyed visiting with you tonight. Before we
leave, I would like to share with you a little from the Gospel. Is
there time for me to do this?" (Give the person time to respond as
you look at your watch.)
-If the person responds "No," ask if it would be all right for you
to return another evening. Set up the appointment then.
-If the person responds "Yes," begin to share your Gospel
Proclamation.
-The leader begins, then, with the First Basic Truth of the
Gospel or with his or her personal testimony and then
leads into the First Basic Truth of the Gospel.
-Moves on to the Second Basic Truth of the Gospel, if
appropriate to do so, etc.
1. The
leader can actively lead the person to Jesus with three types of
questions:
-A question of understanding: "Do you have any question about what
has been said?"
-A question of clarification: "Do you know Jesus Christ in a personal
way?"
-A question of commitment: "Do you want to commit your life to
Jesus?" or, "Do you want to recommit your life to Jesus?"
2. The following are some guidelines to use when more than one person
will be asked the above questions.
-The above questions should be asked of each person in the home who
hears the Gospel Proclamation.
-The
question of understanding should be directed by the
leader to:
-the person who seems to have some question about the Gospel
Proclamation, or to:
-the person who seems to be the least knowledgeable of spiritual
matters.
-The
question of clarification should be directed by the
leader to:
-that member of the family who appears to have the least knowledge of spiritual matters, or to:
-that person who appears to have been most moved by the Good
News Proclamation.
-The
question of commitment should be directed by the
leader to:
-that person who appears to be most ready to give his/her life to
Christ, or to:
-that person who appears to have been most moved by the Good News Proclamation.
3. If at all possible, the GOAL of the evangelization outreach team should be:
-to lead all who have heard the Gospel Proclamation to commit/
recommit their lives to Jesus Christ, and to do this one person at a
time, followed by the laying on of hands and the prayer for the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit.
-to get each one to come to the next Life in the Spirit Retreat (or to
a Cursillo, a Marriage Encounter, Renew; or for teenagers: to a TEC
-- Teens Encounter Christ.
-The leader explains the importance and effectiveness of the
retreat in bringing about that "profound interior renewal" to which
all followers of Jesus have been invited by the Vatican II Council
Fathers in the "Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church"
n. 35.
The retreat provides the opportunity for a conversion experience
that opens a person to desire and accept a renewed life in the
Spirit.
-The team gives an application form for one of the above renewal
retreats, (if any are available in the area), to the person/family
being visited.
-to invite the person/family to come to the weekly small group meeting
only after the person/family has been led to commit/recommit
his/her life to Christ, and has been prayed with for the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit (men to the men's group; women to the women's
group). Parents should bring their children, as young as seven
years of age, to the weekly small groups that are held for children.
-Pope Paul VI states so well in his Apostolic Exhortation, "On Evangelization
in the Modern World", the importance of the entire family communicating the Gospel:
"At different moments in the Church's history and also in
the Second Vatican Council, the family has well deserved
the beautiful name of "domestic Church." This means that
there should be found in every Christian family the various
aspects of the entire Church. Furthermore, the family, like
the Church, ought to be a place where the Gospel is transmitted
and from which the Gospel radiates.
"In a family which is conscious of this mission, all the members
evangelize and are evangelized. The parents not only
communicate the Gospel to their children, but from their
children they can themselves receive the same Gospel as
deeply lived by them" (n. 71).
-It is so important for the evangelizer to seek to evangelize the entire
family; to lead all of them to commit/recommit their lives to Jesus
Christ, one person at a time, followed by the laying on of hands and
the prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The team leader completes the Evangelization Outreach Report Sheet
and the Evangelization Outreach Team Evaluation before proceeding to
the next visit (See: Appendix 1; Footnote below*).
STUDY GUIDE
Study, memorize and make your own the dynamics of evangelistic outreach.
________________
*Appendix Four: Various ways Evangelization Teams can explain the reason
for their visit (
study and make all of this your own)
ACTS II EVANGELIZATION LEADERSHIP TRAINING GUIDES AVAILABLE HERE