Appendices
Appendix A: Welcome to the Paladins
Appendix E: Leadership at a Glance
Appendix A: Welcome to the Paladins
Welcome to Paladin small church communities!
We are faithful Roman Catholic communities committed to ongoing formation and support on the Journey to God. We learn and grow together through encouraging fellowship. We have ordinary people helping each other connect daily life to their faith.
You don’t have to be Catholic to join; however, you do need to be open to Catholicism and the Journey to God.
Normally, folks join a Paladin SCC at its formation; however, sometimes they join later. If you are joining later, you need a preliminary introduction to what we are about.
Sometimes the SCC hosts an Orientation Night for new members. In that case, after attending the Orientation Night, you should then read the introduction and the first seven chapters of this book when you get a chance.
Sometimes, the SCC will have new members join a new discussion series without an Orientation Night. In that case, before attending your first meeting, please read Sections “About Small Church Commu-nities” and “Paladin Quick Intro” of “Appendix B: Orientation Night.” Then, when you get a chance, read the introduction and the first seven chapters of this book.
If you are preparing to lead an SCC, read the entire book.
OK, so now you know what’s next. I promise it’s more straightforward than it sounds. Now, let’s continue together on the Journey to God.
So glad you’re here!
Appendix B: Orientation Night
Orientation Night establishes basic expectations and provides everyone with an opportunity to get acquainted. Normally, Orientation Night precedes the study of the first seven chapters of this book; however, depending on the circumstances, an Orientation Night could precede a different discussion series.
Please carefully read and familiarize yourself with this entire section before leading the Orientation Night.
Suggested Meeting Outline
- Welcome.
- Opening prayer (should start with praise and thanksgiving).
- Introduction & Icebreaker.
- Read “About Small Church Communities.”
- Discuss small church communities using two discussion questions
- Read “The Paladin Quick Intro” together, commenting and discussing as you go.
- Discuss “Hopes for the Group” using the discussion question.
- Wrap up discussion & make announcements.
- Closing prayer (should include prayers of the faithful).
- Social time (snacks are always a good idea).
Additional Notes
As there is no prereading for the Orientation Night, you can hand out the books as they arrive. In the future, members will generally order the books themselves.
Share the icebreaker via email or text before the meeting so they have time to consider it. It’s always best to avoid putting folks on the spot as much as possible. The icebreaker needs to be relaxing and fun!
We recommend downloading the Orientation Night notes from our website at www.paladins.us, customizing them, and printing them for use during the meeting. Of course, Orientation Night is straightforward. You probably don’t need much for notes, especially if you are using the sample Introduction, prayers, and so forth.
There is little preparation for the Orientation Night. There is no pre-reading, no sample answers, and no Questions to Contemplate for them to journal on. There are discussion questions that closely resemble Questions to Contemplate, but no preparation is required because they are highly open-ended and focus on personal experience and opinion.
Notes: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome & Introduction
Welcome—sample
Welcome! I’m happy you all could make it. This is the Orientation Night for our small church community. Our regular meetings will mainly follow the same format as tonight. We’ll get started shortly, but first, let’s begin with a prayer.
Opening Prayer—sample
We praise You, O Lord! For all the beauty and wonder of creation, for our creation in Your own image, for the Incarnation, death, and Resurrection of Your Son, for our adoption into Your divine family, for our sweet, difficult journey to You, for every grace and help. All praises and glory be Yours, now and forever.
We thank You for bringing us together tonight in Your name. May the Holy Spirit guide and inspire our discussion, prayer, and fellowship. Jesus, we trust in You. AMEN.
Note: Feel free to lead with a spontaneous prayer or any prayer you prefer.
Introductions & Icebreakers—sample, recommended
OK. Let’s start by introducing ourselves and sharing something about ourselves. [The leader goes first.]
And now for one of my favorite icebreakers.
Everyone, think of two true statements and one false statement about your faith journey, so that the others can guess which statement is the fiction. Let those who don’t know us as well take a guess first.
Note: It’s usually best for the leader to go first with the introduction and icebreaker.
Note: Read “About Small Church Communities” (next page) and discuss using the supplied discussion questions. Then read the “Paladin Quick Intro,” commenting and answering questions as you go. Then discuss “Hopes for the Group” using the provided discussion question.
Leaders should have the others follow along in the book for the remainder of the meeting. The leader may ask someone else to help with the reading.
About Small Church Communities
Tonight, we’ll keep things short and simple. We will talk a little about small church communities.
Since the early 1900s, contemporary small church communities have sprung up in all parts of the world. Christians are voluntarily coming together to create these small groups. Often, they are unaware that they are part of a global movement that many call “the sponta-neous combustion of the Holy Spirit all over the world” (Ian Fraser, Iona Community, Scotland).
Many point out that what God’s people are doing resembles the form of church that was the only form during the early centuries. They often cite Acts 2:46 to demonstrate how “every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes.” The formal, large-group worship, which expressed their “corporate unity,” took place in the temple, while their more intimate and informal small-group meetings occurred in homes, usually with neighbors and family. This clearly reflects what is happening for many Catholics in small church communities.
Others argue that, while this may be true, what is happening is more than just a return to the ancient; it is also a unique event emerging to meet the needs of modern society. They point out that we no longer live in the same neighborhoods our entire lives or maintain close ties with our relatives. They emphasize that this movement is the Holy Spirit’s response to the breakdown of traditional support structures and our ongoing desire for community—a deep need to truly belong where we are genuinely known. We want companionship on our journey through life, on our journey to our common Father, the Lord.
At a time when so many Catholics are drifting away, God is stirring a new hunger for connection—for the kind of community that keeps faith alive. Invigorated within their groups, SCC members are choosing to do significantly more, rather than less. And by “more,” we’re not just referring to their small-group activities; these individuals are also more engaged in their parishes than most Catholics, volunteering and taking on leadership roles. Small church communities are having a powerful impact on their spiritual lives.
Hearing the Word of God is one thing; discussing, sharing, reflecting on, and applying it to our lives is quite another. Doing so with others in a warm, welcoming environment—a trusting, supportive atmosphere among peers—is profoundly compelling. Jesus is among us in a special way when we do this.
Discussion Questions
- Personal Experience with Small Groups – What has been your experience with small groups before? What made that group meaningful (or not meaningful) for you? Looking at your own faith journey, what experiences—good or bad—have shaped your desire (or hesitation) to be part of a small church community now?
- The Need for Small Groups in the Church Today – When you look at the Church today, where do you see people hungering for deeper connection or support that Sunday Mass alone can’t fully provide? How do you think small groups can respond to those needs—spiritually, relationally, or practically? In your life, where do you feel the need for belonging, being known, and growth—and how could a small church community meet these needs?
Next, we will briefly review the “Paladin Quick Intro” and answer any questions along the way.
Paladin Quick Intro
Our Purpose
- Build supportive Christian friendships and community.
- Inspire, challenge, and support each other on our Journey to God.
- Provide ongoing formation as living, growing disciples of Jesus Christ.
- Overcome the ungodly influences of our society and other harmful influences around us.
- Equip us to more effectively share our faith with family, friends, and others.
- Grow and multiply small church communities.
Basic Expectations
- We will meet once a week during the discussion series, though we may occasionally skip a week if needed.
- We do ask for a commitment to finish the current discussion series. Discussion series typically include 8 to 10 meetings. We offer two discussion series each year, in fall and spring.
- Normally, we will prayerfully read the assigned material and journal on the provided Questions to Contemplate. We will come to the meeting prepared to share at the level we feel comfortable with.
- We will keep the meetings under two hours, including social time with snacks after the discussion.
- Everyone needs to arrive on time; we will start promptly after a five-minute grace period.
Discussion Guidelines
- The group maintains a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
- Being accepted and listened to with respect is essential for openness and honesty.
- The group provides each person with the opportunity to share their feelings and thoughts at their own comfort level or choose not to share at all.
- Silence is an essential part of the overall process. Don’t feel pressured to speak during moments of thoughtful silence.
- Expect and accept ambiguity and differing perspectives.
- The entire group shares responsibility for the quality of its experience.
- Everything shared within the group remains confidential.
Questions to Contemplate
Questions to Contemplate are multi-part questions designed to help you reflect on the material at home and discuss it during the meeting. After reading, you prayerfully review the Questions to Contemplate and journal about them. Later, at the meeting, you will use the same questions as discussion prompts and refer to your journal to support your discussion.
When prayerfully reading on your own, you will address these multi-part questions together as a journaling cue. Your response is not meant to answer each question individually but to share your reflections on the multi-part question as a whole. You may journal on the general topic in detail while only answering one part of the question—or even none. Each multi-part question is designed to encourage meaningful reflection rather than to elicit specific answers. Typically, you will journal 2-4 sentences on each multi-part question. And, of course, you will only share what you are comfortable sharing with the group.
Fidelity
This small church community is united to Christ through the Roman Catholic Church. It is Catholic in nature; its goals are Catholic; it defers to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church; and it is based in a specific parish. Fallen-away Catholics, non-Catholic Christians, and non-Christians may belong to this community; however, this does not diminish the group’s overall faithfulness. Everyone involved sees the SCC as a community and outreach fully belonging to the parish in which it is based, and through that parish, to the Roman Catholic Church.
Discussion Question
Hopes for the Group – As you review the purpose of our community, what stirs you most? How do you hope supportive Christian fellowship and formation might benefit you? What kind of atmosphere do you hope this community becomes for you and for others?
“Together on the Journey to God” Schedule
Session 1: Orientation Night
Session 2: Introduction & Chapter 1: Getting the Most Out of Life
Session 3: Chapter 2: Getting the Most Out of Catholicism
Session 4: Chapter 3: Getting the Most Out of Discipleship
Session 5: Chapter 4: Community
Session 6: Chapter 5: Faithfulness
Session 7: Chapter 6: The New Evangelization
Session 8: Chapter 7: The Journey
Session 9: Clan Meal (optional)
Wrap Up & Closing Prayer
Wrap Up Discussion & Make Announcements
- Wrap up the discussion and ask if there are any questions.
- Make sure the specific day and time of the next meeting works.
- Instruct them to read the introduction and Chapter 1, followed by journaling on the Questions to Contemplate.
Closing Prayer—sample
Lord of Heaven and Earth, thank You for this opportunity to gather in Your name, to praise You and ponder Your blessings in our lives, and to grow in Your ways as Your very children.
We ask for Your divine help, O Lord! Please hear the prayers of Your faithful.
- For the promotion of truth and justice everywhere—we pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer.
- For the flourishing of the New Evangelization within the Church—we pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer.
- For Your blessings and grace on this small church community—we pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer.
Other intentions or other prayers…
Thank You, O Lord, for hearing our prayers. All honor and glory be Yours, now and forever. AMEN.
Our Father…
Social Time & Snacks
Social time and snacks are the last half hour of the two-hour meeting. Snacks are provided; households take turns preparing them.
Appendix C: Gift Inventory
Sometimes, it can be difficult to recognize the path of service God is calling us to. Sometimes, it helps to identify the gifts God has given us as His disciples.
Disciples of Jesus Christ receive special gifts to build up the Kingdom of God. As we live and grow as disciples, we should recognize the gifts we’ve been given and consider how to use them for the Kingdom. The Catholic Spiritual Gifts Inventory by Sherry Weddell lists the following gifts: Administration, Celibacy, Craftsmanship, Discernment of Spirits, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Healing, Helps, Hospitality, Intercessory Prayer, Knowledge, Leadership, Mercy, Missionary, Music, Pastoring, Prophecy, Service, Teaching, Voluntary Poverty, Wisdom, and Writing. Some inventories also include charismatic gifts.
Many people have attended the “Called and Gifted” workshop to discern their gifts (visit the St. Catherine of Sienna Institute for more information). Others have opted for a simpler approach by using the many free online gift inventories. The Spiritual Gifts Inventory from the Diocese of Cleveland is a valuable resource that can be printed online at https://stpetersbeaufort.org/giftsinventory.
The gift inventory can help point you in the right direction; however, please remember that it’s only a starting point. Discussions with others and your prayerful discernment will guide you to where the Lord is leading.
Appendix D: Sample Blurb
Feel free to use the following blurb when inviting someone to the group or following up by email after inviting them in person. Please customize it as needed.
[Greeting & pleasantries go here]
We are part of a small church community that offers prayer, ongoing study, discussion, fellowship, and support on our Journey to God. We host a spring and fall study series, each usually lasting 8-10 meetings. The series always stay true to the Church’s teaching authority. We typically meet weekly, though sometimes we skip a week. We read Catholic books or the Bible and provide open-ended questions for prayerful reflection during reading. We then use these same questions as discussion prompts during our gatherings. Our two-hour meetings include an opening prayer, discussion, a closing prayer, and social time. The social time is about the last half hour and includes snacks.
We will begin our next [fall/spring] study series on [date] and meet on [day of the week] at [time]. We will be reading [name of book].
You are invited to join our discussion series, and we would love for you to be part of it.
[You might mention who is currently signed up and where you meet]
Please RSVP soon if you are interested.
[Closing & pleasantries go here]
Appendix E: Leadership at a Glance
Primary Leader Qualifications
- Leaders are living, growing disciples.
- Leaders are faithful Roman Catholics.
- Leaders adhere to the guidelines outlined in this book.
Time Commitment
- Leaders should plan on 2 hours of preparation per meeting; participants probably need around 1 hour.
- Preparation time will vary according to the person, the length of the chapters, and their complexity.
Discussion Series
- The Foundational Topics:
- Vision.
- Discipleship.
- Meditation and Contemplation.
- Outreach (especially evangelization).
- See additional information on topics in Chapter 12.
Fellowship Tips
- Atmosphere must feel warm and welcoming.
- Participants share at a comfortable level or opt not to share.
- Ambiguity and diverse perspectives are expected and accepted.
Discussion Tips
- Your goal is to draw others out, keep things moving, and protect the space.
- Leaders read the Questions to Contemplate, but allow others to initiate the discussion—if they’re willing.Leaders prefer others to contribute more than they do.
- Leaders often contribute the most, only because they must often feed the discussion and ensure that key concepts are covered.
- Moments of silence are good—even necessary.
- Allow time for quiet reflection, but not too much.
- Leaders may add additional spontaneous questions to help the group out of an extended pause or quiet time.
- Leaders keep sessions on track and pace out the questions.
- Leaders will spend roughly 12 minutes on each question.
- Leaders often need to wrap up or redirect a lively discussion.
- Leaders should ensure key points are discussed.
- Leaders should prevent sidetracks from dragging on too long.
- Discussions can quickly shift to topics that are only somewhat related or even completely unrelated.It is the leader’s prerogative to spend a little time discussing these or to redirect.
- Some off-topic discussions can be very enriching; however, no discussion should last longer than 15 minutes.
- The session or discussion is never perfect.
- One discussion seemed less insightful, but everyone participated and enjoyed it—good, though not perfect.
- One discussion is quite profound, but fewer people spoke, or perhaps it went off track—good but not perfect.
- A reluctance to initiate a discussion or contribute to one doesn’t mean participants are unprepared or uninterested, nor does it imply the book or questions are faulty.
- The Leader looks for ways to improve but accepts each session as it is.
- Leaders must address disruptive behavior.
- Leaders must deal with those who monopolize discussions, ramble on, go off topic, or otherwise disrupt the session.
- Redirecting the conversation is usually sufficient: “Let’s pause for a moment… I’d like to hear someone else’s perspective…”
- A private conversation with the individual is sometimes necessary.
- The leaders have full authority to do what they believe is necessary, though they should try the gentlest options first. Correction is an act of charity, not dominance.
Growth & Multiplication Tips
Our downloads: paladins.us/paladin-downloads/
Leaders perpetually prepare their groups to multiply.
- Regularly discuss growth and multiplication with your group, and encourage them to invite new members if you have room or are preparing to multiply.
- The evangelical nature of our SCCs joyfully seeks more souls to reach, more disciples to form.
- A healthy SCC continually reaches out to others and continues to grow; stagnation is the alternative.
- New members are usually and preferably recruited at the foundation of an SCC. Aim for 10 total members—definitely no more than 12.
Multiplication typically occurs after 4 to 5 years, after prayerful discernment.
Invite people you know who are open to the faith.
- You may invite fellow parishioners whom you only casually know; however, you should get to know people well outside the parish before inviting them.
- Be a friend—bring your friend to your SCC and bring your friend to Christ!
If the recruit is not participating in the two foundational discussion series, give them a copy of this book and refer them to “Appendix A: Welcome to the Paladins.” You might even highlight the section relevant to them.
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