Training Module 1: Objectives & Responsibilities

 

Compass Catholic Small Group Objectives:

 

The first objective is to encourage people to experience a more intimate relationship with God and help participants understand Luke 16:11, which expresses the correlation between how we handle our resources and the quality of our relationship with the Lord: “If, then, if you have not been faithful in handling worldly wealth, how can you be entrusted with true wealth?”  

Second, challenge each person to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of their life. We believe money is the primary competitor with Christ for the lordship of our lives. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, you will … hate one and love the other … You cannot serve God and mammon (money).” (Matthew 6:24) Encourage people to experience a more intimate relationship with Christ through daily prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and participation in the Eucharist.

 

Third, build close relationships among the small group participants. Some lifelong friendships have developed as a result of sharing in these small groups.

 

Fourth, help participants to learn and apply God’s way of handling money so they will become financially healthier.

 

And finally, encourage and strengthen participants in their life long journey with the Lord.

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Compass Catholic Small Group Facilitator Responsibilities:

 

• Love and encourage the participants in your small group. People are more receptive to spiritual truth when they have been loved. People want to know how much you care before they care how much you know.

• Hold the group members accountable to complete the homework to their benefit.

• Be a model of faithfulness. In Luke 6:40 we read, “Everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” Facilitators must be faithful to always arrive early, pray consistently for your small group participants, be familiar with the weekly memory verses and have all assignments completed. 

• Follow the Compass procedure of conducting the study. We’ve learned in thousands of small groups the most effective way to conduct this study, and your group will benefit doing it the proven way.

• Continue to love the participants beyond the weeks of the small group meetings.

 

As a Small Group Facilitator, you must choose HOW you will facilitate your small group study. Compass Catholic Bible Studies are designed for flexibility. Please select one of the following ways to facilitate a Compass Catholic study. 

 

                       

                       

                              Parish Led

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   Compass Catholic Ministries largely focuses on our parish-led small group Bible studies. Run by local facilitators, approved by parish pastors, and supported by Compass Catholic Ministries national staff, our parish programs teach financial wellness from an authenticity Catholic viewpoint. Our studies incorporate daily at-home Scripture readings, practical applications, and weekly small group discussions. To learn more about how to start a Parish led study, please thoroughly read the lesson entitled "Starting a Parish Led Study: A How to Guide." 

 

 

 

                            Independently Run Small Group
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    Compass Catholic Ministries understands that not everyone has access to a parish based small group Bible study within their local area. Compass Catholic offers small group facilitator support that features training videos, financial spreadsheets, online calculators, and other helpful tools to support those leading a Compass Catholic Bible study in their homes, online, at schools, in combination with other ministries, or in partnership with other apostolates. To learn more about how to start an independently run small group study, please thoroughly read the lesson entitled "Starting an Independently Run Small Group Study: A How to Guide."

 

                           

 

                            Online Studies

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   Individuals who wish to facilitate a Compass Catholic study by signing up for an online class may do so by emailing Info@CompassCatholic.org. Compass Catholic Ministries will coordinate study participants and the meetings dates and times. To learn more about how to start an Online study, please thoroughly read the lesson entitled "Starting an Online Study: A How To Guide."

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                            Individually​

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 Compass Catholic Ministries studies, materials and tools are available for individual purchase for those who desire to complete the studies on their own.

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Training Module 2A: Facilitate a Parish Led Study

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Each parish is unique and has its own personality, so it is important to start Compass in your community in a way that is most effective for your particular circumstances. The following are some ideas and things to think about.

 

To successfully implement any ministry in a parish, it is essential to have the active support of the church leadership, especially the pastor.  Be sure your pastor knows that Faith & Money Matters and Maneje Su Dinero Desde La Perspectiva De Dios have imprimaturs from the Most Reverend John Noonan, Bishop of Orlando. If further information is needed, please contact us at: 

 

Info@CompassCatholic.org

 

Compass is a great tool to use as part of a successful, comprehensive Stewardship way of life in a parish. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' pastoral letter on stewardship, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, states the following: “Examples of the works, services, and ministries of the good steward enumerated in the stewardship letter include the following…Financial accountability in personal and parochial affairs.”

 

Faith & Money Matters and Maneje Su Dinero Con La Perspectiva De Dios help people become faithful stewards and go beyond understanding the “how to” or practical application of personal finances. They point people to God’s Word, which deals with our hearts, (confronting dishonesty, greed, discontentment) challenging us to submit our finances to the Lord)

 

Set Your House In Order and Pongo Su Casa En Orden helps people become faithful stewards by walking them through the documentation they need to complete in order to provide their family with a plan in case of illness, accident, or death.

 

Since each parish is different, there are several ways to start Compass Catholic Ministries Bible studies at your parish. Any decisions should be made with the knowledge and cooperation of the pastor:

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1. Handpick the first group of students. This can be any group of Catholic leaders from your parish.

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2. Have a parish organization, such as people on the parish council, stewardship committee, finance committee, or parish staff, form the first small group.

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3. Open up enrollment in the Bible study to the entire parish and ask for volunteer facilitators from the sign-ups.

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4. After deciding on the strategy, pray and ask the Lord to bring the people he desires to participate.

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5. Decide on a communication plan for the initial group. Your communication plan can include any combination of these:

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• Pastor’s recommendation from the pulpit

• An announcement in the parish bulletin

• Testimonies from previous small group participants in front of the parish

• Social Media posts and promotional materials are provided by Compass Catholic for your use on the facilitator webpage.

 

The number of small groups the parish wants to start determines the number of facilitators. Pray for guidance on the number of groups to offer. The groups should be 10-12 people, including the facilitators.  

 

We strongly recommend two facilitators (from separate households) for each group.  We want the facilitators to be from separate households because if there is an emergency at home or some type of schedule conflict, and a husband and wife are the only facilitators, the class will have to be canceled if they are not available. Having facilitators from two different households mitigates this situation.

 

Schedule for Starting Parish-Led Small Group Studies

The following timeline is a proven and helpful guide for starting your small group(s). It is possible to successfully accelerate the timeline, if necessary, but do not compress it so much that it leaves less than two weeks from the delivery of the material to the first meeting to allow for possible shipping delays. Participants can either order a physical workbook or eBook for each Compass Catholic Study.

Note: Please encourage your study participants to complete all of their "Be Proactive" assignments, including Session 1. The assignments are essential for the full impact of the studies to be experienced by your participants.

 

6-10 weeks prior to start – Select and Train the Facilitators

Invite potential facilitators to review the training material and videos on their own or schedule a virtual facilitator training by emailing info@CompassCatholic.org. The number of facilitators will depend on how many groups you offer. Each group should have 2 facilitators from different households.

 

4-6 weeks prior to start – Promote the Study

Initial groups are usually filled by personal invitation. However, if the study is open to the entire parish, it is wise to begin promotion 4-6 weeks in advance. Consider using Facebook/Instagram posts, bulletin announcements, and pulpit announcements. All of these are available on the Compass Catholic website under “Facilitator Tools.” As groups are being assembled, the facilitators should pray that the Lord will bring just the right people into the groups.  

 

3-4 weeks prior to start – Order Material

Participants can order books through the Compass Catholic Store online. Participants can decide if they would prefer a physical book or eBook to use throughout the study. 

Some parishes opt to order materials for study participants. If a parish sponsors the study, the parish should purchase all materials prior to the study orientation. 

 

2 weeks prior to start - Hold Orientation or Send Out an Orientation Email

The purpose of the orientation is to let the participants know what to complete prior to the Session 1 meeting and set study expectations. Orientation will get your groups off to a great start by helping everyone understand what is expected of them. The following items need to be covered during orientation or in an orientation email.

 

1. Review the "Be Proactive" Assignments for Each Session

The following requirements are designed to enhance the small group experience.  The daily homework will take about 15-20 minutes per day. If someone comes to class unprepared (no homework completed), ask them not to participate in the discussion. The requirements are:

• Daily Reading: Workbook and Bible verses to read and questions to answer

• Pray daily for each participant in your small group 

• Daily meditation on a key verse

• “Be Proactive/Practical Applications” 

• Attend each meeting (if possible)

 

2. Describe the other “ground rules”

• Class opens and closes with prayer

• Classes start and stop on time

• All group discussions are confidential

• No one will be embarrassed by being required to expose his or her financial situation.

 

3. Ensure All Participants Ordered and Received Their Materials

A single person enrolling in the study should have a student workbook or eBook. A couple enrolling in the study should have two student workbooks or eBooks so the husband and wife each have their own workbook or eBook. If your parish ordered the materials for the study, you will need to coordinate a time and place to distribute the books to the participants.

 

4. Assign the Session 1 Homework

• Reflect on Session 1's Key Verse

• Answer the homework questions for Session 1 

• Encourage participants to sign up for the Compass Catholic Newsletter

 

 

Small Group Considerations

 

Group Size

Compass Catholic Ministries will limit your parish group size to 12, including the facilitators, because the group dynamic is damaged if the group is too large.  We aim to secure two facilitators (from separate households) for each group because if there is an emergency at home or some type of schedule conflict, and a husband and wife are the only facilitators, the class will have to be canceled if they are not available. Having facilitators from two different households mitigates this situation.

 

Celebrate with Your Group

We strongly encourage facilitators to recognize and celebrate participants who have completed the small group study. Giving participants a “Certificate of Completion” will acknowledge their accomplishment. Printable certificates can be downloaded here:

 

Certificate of Completion.

 

Follow-up with Your Group

An important part of being a facilitator is remembering to follow up … taking part in a Compass small group can be life-changing, but what happens after the study is equally important. Although not required, we hope you stay in touch with the members of your group and encourage them on life’s journey.

 

Stay in Touch with Compass Catholic

Please help us keep in touch with participants by encouraging each person to sign up for the Newsletter. This communication provides helpful information, encouragement, teaching, ministry news, and much more. It is our desire to provide relevant and useful resources that will assist small-group participants as they live out the principles they have learned.

 

Our website also has weekly blogs and podcasts. Participants can also keep in touch via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Training Module 2B: Facilitate Independently

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The following timeline is a proven and helpful guide for starting your small group(s). It is possible to successfully accelerate the timeline, if necessary, but do not compress it so much that it leaves less than two weeks from the delivery of the material to the first meeting to allow for possible shipping delays. Participants can either order a physical workbook or eBook for each Compass Catholic Study.

Note: Please encourage your study participants to complete all of their "Be Proactive" assignments, including for Session One. The assignments are essential for the full impact of the studies to be experienced by your participants.

 

4-6 weeks prior to start – Promote the Study

Initial groups are usually filled by personal invitation. Consider using Facebook/Instagram posts or simply contacting a group of friends who may be interested. Downloadable Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts are available within this training and on the Compass Catholic Website under “Facilitator Tools.” As groups are being assembled, the facilitators should pray that the Lord will bring just the right people into the groups.

 

3-4 weeks prior to start – Order Material

Participants can order their books through the Compass Catholic Store online. Participants can decide if they would prefer a physical book or eBook to use throughout the study. 

 

2 weeks prior to start - Hold Orientation or Send Out an Orientation Email

The purpose of the orientation is to let the participants know what to complete prior to the Session 1 meeting and set study expectations. Orientation will get your groups off to a great start by helping everyone understand what is expected of them. The following items need to be covered during orientation or in an orientation email.

1. Review the Assignments for Each Session

The following requirements are designed to enhance the small group experience. The daily homework will take about 15-20 minutes per day. If someone comes to class unprepared (no homework completed), ask them not to participate in the discussion. 

 

The requirements are:

• Daily homework (Workbook and Bible verses to read and questions to answer)

• Pray daily for each participant in your small group 

• Daily meditation on a key verse

• “Be Proactive” exercises 

• Attend each meeting (if possible)

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2. Describe the other “ground rules":

• Class opens and closes in prayer

• Classes start and stop on time

• All group discussions are confidential

• Participants in the Faith & Money Matters study are given the opportunity to become a facilitator by leading one of the sessions.

• No one will be embarrassed by being required to expose his or her financial situation.

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3. Ensure All Participants Ordered and Received Their Materials

A single person enrolling in the study should have a student workbook or eBook. A couple enrolling in the study should have two student workbooks or eBooks so the husband and wife each have their own workbook or eBook. 

 

 4. Assign the Session 1 Homework

•  Reflect on Session 1’s Key Verse

• Answer the homework questions for Session 1 

• Encourage participants to sign up for the Compass Catholic Newsletter

 

Small Group Considerations

Sitting in a circle encourages open communication and active participation by allowing everyone to see and engage with one another equally. It removes the teacher-student feel, creating a more collaborative and welcoming environment for discussion.​

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                                   Group Size

 

It’s best to limit the group to 12, including the facilitators, because the group dynamic is damaged if the group is too large.  We strongly recommend two facilitators (from separate households) for each group because if there is an emergency at home or some type of schedule conflict, and a husband and wife are the only facilitators, the class will have to be canceled if they are not available. Having facilitators from two different households mitigates this situation.

 

Meeting Time and Location

The studies are formatted to meet for two hours per session. The time, day, and location of the meeting should be convenient for the facilitators and the small group participants. 

 

Groups can be conducted at any location appropriate for the Bible study such as in a home, a coffee shop, a workplace, a private outdoor park, at your parish, or virtually utilizing videoconferencing software.

 

Celebrate with Your Group

We strongly encourage facilitators to recognize and celebrate participants who have completed the small group study. Giving participants a “Certificate of Completion” will acknowledge their accomplishment. Printable certificates can be downloaded from the Compass Catholic here:

Certificate of Completion.

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Follow-up with Your Group

An important part of being a facilitator is remembering to follow up … taking part in a Compass small group can be life-changing, but what happens after the study is equally important. Although not required, we hope you stay in touch with the members of your group and encourage them on life’s journey.

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Training Module 3: The Facilitation Process

 

One of the most important steps for the success of a group is to do an orientation. Orientation will ensure the group starts on the right foot and understands what is expected of them. Orientation should be held at least two weeks prior to the start of the study to give participants sufficient time to complete the Be Proactive exercises for Session 1. The following items should be covered during orientation.

Review Weekly Tasks

The following requirements are designed to enhance the small group experience. Daily homework will take approximately 15-20 minutes per day. If someone comes to class unprepared (without their homework completed), ask that they not participate in the discussion. The requirements are:

• Daily Tasks (Bible Verses to Read and Questions to Answer)

• Scriptures to meditate on each week

• Daily Be Proactive exercises

• Pray daily for each member of your group

• Attend at least 5 of the 6 sessions

 

Describe the other "Ground Rules"

• Classes start and end on time

• Classes begin and end with a prayer

• All group discussions are confidential

• The scriptures are memorized in the version used in the teaching materials.

• Compass Catholic small group participants are asked to consider future study facilitation

• Participants are trained to be facilitators in the future

• No one will be embarrassed by requiring you to expose your current financial situation.

 

Please watch the following video regarding how to support your small group's discussions as a facilitator.

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Below is the general routine that you can use when facilitating a Compass Catholic Bible Study:

 

 

Open with Prayer

The meeting starts with prayer. For the first few sessions, the facilitators lead the prayer, after session three, participants can be asked to lead the prayers.

 

 

Review the Key Verse

One member of the group recites the scripture key verse, including the verse reference (i.e. Luke 16:11).

 

 

Review the Homework Assignments

Review the “Be Proactive” assignments that the participant should have completed. 

 

 

Begin the Group Discussion as follows:

• Different participants read the Scriptures for a particular day’s homework.

• Proceed in a circle, asking everyone to answer the questions for that day’s homework. If your small group is meeting virtually, simply ensure each participant is contributing with each question.

• If the answer to a question seems obvious, it is not necessary for more than one person to answer the question, but still offer the opportunity for others to respond.

• Usually people in your group will have different versions of the Bible. Since all Bible translations may be somewhat different, it may sometimes be helpful to read from a different translation when a question does not seem to be related to the verse that was read. 

• It can also be helpful to read the previous and following verses. Sometimes the verse numbering can change with various translations.

 

NOTE – it will facilitate finding the verses in the meeting if the participants note the page of the Bible next to the verse in the workbook as they complete their daily work.
Complete the items listed in consecutive order.

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Conclude with Prayer Log

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To help the participants develop a more consistent prayer life, and to strengthen the group dynamics, we utilize the prayer logs, which can be found in the back of the workbook.

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• Each student and facilitator has a prayer log for each person in the group.

• As people are introducing themselves in the Session 1 meeting, ask each them to provide the information at the top of the prayer log page – their name, phone number, email address, etc. As each person dictates their information, the others in the group will write down their information on a prayer log page for that person. 

• In turn, each participant (facilitators and group members) gives the other participants their personal information during introductions.

• At the end of introductions, each individual has a page in their book for each of the members in the small group.

• At the end of each group meeting, there is time to complete the prayer logs. Each participant will give the others their prayer request for the session.  

• All the participants write down the individual’s prayer request and answer to the prior session’s prayer request on that individual’s page in their book.

• The prayer request should be limited to one request per person or couple. The request need not be limited to financial concerns. Prior to taking a request, the facilitator should inquire if they have experienced any answers to their previous requests.

• Ask the participants to complete their own prayer log before coming to class to save time. 

• Each member prays daily for every other member in the group during the six sessions. Examine the sample prayer log below.