A disciple is not someone who simply agrees with Jesus, said Jeff Cavins, but rather someone chosen by Jesus to be with him, with the goal of becoming like him. “… Their goal is to become like him and to ultimately carry out his work, to continue on in his work of redeeming mankind, and pointing them toward heaven. So it’s a 24-7 deal,” Cavins said.
Cavins is an author, creator of the Great Adventure Bible Study Series, the Bible in a Year podcast with Father Mike Schmitz, and director emeritus of the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute. He believes the most exciting thing that ever happened to him in his Christian life is when he realized he was chosen to walk with Jesus and become like him. “The exciting part is to enter into his ministry and to do the things that he did,” he said.
The world is looking for two things, Cavins said: a brighter future and someone to trust. “And that comes from Jesus. And then by way of extension, that’s going to come through us into the world.”
Cavins recently joined “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley to describe the School of Discipleship offered through the Catechetical Institute that will be attended by about 12 people from each parish in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, as a next step in implementing pastoral priorities established through the Archdiocesan Synod. Among areas of focus, participants will learn how to walk with Jesus and imitate him, look at the structure of one’s day, and how to build a life as a disciple from morning until evening, Cavins said. “And one of the most exciting parts … is (teaching) people how to evangelize,” he said.
Some people wish they could have walked with Jesus on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Cavins said. “The School of Discipleship is set up to help you experience that in the modern era,” he said.
It’s up to individuals in a parish, not just the pastor or deacons, to step into the role of a disciple and begin to share the good news with broken people, Cavins said. “People are so broken in the world right now, and we have the good news.”
After the seven-week School of Discipleship experience, participants will be invited to “a 40-day challenge” to put into practice what they learned, Cavins said. “And then it all culminates with a huge get-together with Dr. Mary Healy and Bishop Williams,” Cavins said, “where everyone’s going to come together and share how their life has changed. … I’ve got a huge smile on my face right now because I know the change that’s going to take place and I’m really excited about this.”
During the interview, Conley asked Cavins to describe ways a parish could be transformed by parishioners who complete the School of Discipleship course. To hear his response and to hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. Dec. 9 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. Dec. 10 and 2 p.m. Dec. 11.
Parishioners not part of a parish Synod team can also participate in the School of Discipleship. For more information, visit cistudent.com.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Father Tom Margevicius, director of worship for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who presents his latest Mass Class; and Josh Marshall, a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park, who describes his conversion story.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
