Modeling faith as Jesus did is every disciple’s mission

When students come to know God and are immersed into Catholic culture, they still must learn how to live the faith in the world, especially after they graduate. Forming disciples is an integral part of catechesis, because simply teaching the truth of the faith without attention to formation in how to live in the world will not produce mature Christians. Those who are catechized effectively grow in their desire and ability to share their gifts with others.

We have begun using the term discipleship more frequently in the Church, but it may be helpful to ask, “Who is a disciple?” … Disciple comes from the word for student; not just a classroom student, but one committed to following a mentor and imitating him, like an apprentice. A disciple is drawn into the mission of the master. Therefore, a disciple of Christ goes through stages of growth — deciding to follow Jesus, growing in the life of faith, receiving formation and training, and embracing mission.

All Catholics should be disciples of Christ, but many have not embraced the identity explicitly and do not even know what being a disciple means. … Pope Francis relates that “in virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples” (Evangelii Gaudium, 120). We cannot wait until adulthood to try to form disciples, but should help our children to begin following Jesus and sharing the Good News with their friends and family. Catholic schools should form habits and practices that help students to live their faith out in the world. …

Children need mentorship, support, and models for the Christian life. If they are to be disciples of Jesus, they will need someone to model this discipleship and to represent the Master to them. … In forming disciples, we seek to imitate Jesus, in how he formed others and by providing our children with a model of the faith that they can imitate as well.
 
Teaching how to pray might be the most important step in catechesis for Catholic schools. There are many devotions and ways of praying, but all of them come back to the simple truth of speaking with God and sharing your life with him. …

Living the Christian life in the world will emanate from a deep life of prayer. A disciple will grow in virtue, imitating the life of Jesus and learning discipline and habits of excellence. A disciple will show dedication in serving others, and the Catholic school will provide opportunities to practice this service. The disciple learns to recognize Jesus in others, first within the school community, practicing charity and respect, and then within the broader community. The disciple also learns to recognize the call and invitation of God concerning how to continue serving through one’s vocation.

Excerpt from “Teaching the Catholic Tradition,” by R. Jared Staudt, in Renewing Catholic Schools: How to Regain a Catholic Vision in a Secular Age, edited by R. Jared Staudt (The Catholic Education Press, 2020), pp. 72-74. 

R. JARED STAUDT serves as associate superintendent of mission and formation for the Archdiocese of Denver and visiting associate professor for the Augustine Institute.