Teaching series available in English and Spanish provides basics for new Christians, confirmation classes and continuing Christian formation.

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The Diocese of Texas offers a video series,  the Discovery Series, is designed to help every Christian – new or lifelong, young or old – discover their own path to a life in Christ. The series places a remarkable resource into the hands of all congregations, regardless of their size or available staff.

Like our lives, careers and relationships, our spiritual growth is also a journey. This series is intended to help everyone forge a lifelong relationship with God. Five courses provide comprehensive training for Baptism, confirmation, spiritual gifts assessment, discipleship and worship.

The series addresses the spiritual life stage of virtually everyone in your congregation – from the beginner to those seeking more advanced levels of knowledge. It takes a basic look at our faith and the history and beliefs that bring us together as Christians. It is an invitation to spiritual growth and lays the groundwork to begin or continue a spiritual journey.

The Discovery Series: A Christian Journey is a very flexible educational tool. You can use the video segments and support materials to structure a program that fits the needs of your congregation. Selected segments may be used to enhance your current education programs, such as confirmation or Baptism preparation classes, adult education programs, an instruction to Bible study or prayer, or for your Sunday Christian formation hour. A facilitator’s video and workbook with small group lessons are also included with the series.

In development for three years, the video series is designed much like a History Channel or A&E cable television format with video footage and voice over.

The materials include five courses, a facilitator’s video, and a printed Facilitator’s and Participants’ Guide. The participant pages are also available online for those who purchase the series. Each course has two to four segments (about 15 minutes), each of which is intended to be followed by group work (about 45 minutes), led by a local facilitator, using copies of the Facilitator’s and Participants’ Guide. No particular training is needed for someone to facilitate the group except preparation for each class.

Five video programs, 16 segments

The Path to Episcopal Worship includes an instructed Eucharist, a history of the Episcopal Church and information about the Church’s traditions and governance. It can be shown to newcomers, visitors and life-long Episcopalians to explain the symbolism in our worship and the polity of the Church. Three segments.

1. A Journey of Faith includes basic information about the Bible, the Trinity, the Kingdom of God, who Jesus is, the Creeds and Baptism. The Baptism segment may be used as a stand-alone piece. Four segments.
   
2. A Path to Spiritual Maturity includes an in-depth discussion about the importance of Bible study and different forms of prayer, both personal and corporate. This video, when combined with courses I and Episcopal Worship, provides training for confirmation that may be completed in 11 one-hour sessions, three afternoon classes or a weekend retreat. Four segments.
   
3. Our Spiritual Gifts provides a guided tour of assessing spiritual gifts, defining ministers as “all of us” and instilling the importance of personal involvement in ministry, both in and beyond the congregation. Two segments.
   
4. The Great Commission shows how our stories are reflections of ancient stories in the Bible and teaches participants how to share their own stories with friends, neighbors and coworkers, making disciples who make disciples. Three segments.

To order Online Click Here:

The Discovery Series: A Christian Journey is available in VHS or DVD format for $379 plus a $12 shipping/handling charge. Upon receipt of payment, the series will be mailed to you and you should receive it in about one week.

You can also order by sending a check to Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Attention: Office of Communications, 1225 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002-3504.

The Diocese of Texas will underwrite the cost of the series to the extent that Spanish-speaking congregations need to pay only $150 for the series (regularly $379) plus shipping & handling.

For more ordering information contact Nancy Sallaberry at 800.318.4452 or 713.520.6444