Discussion groups are so special for Jesus Youth (BJRE036)

Discussion groups are so special for Jesus Youth.

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021)

"Pope’s new encyclical has come. Some of us can gather online daily. Could you help us study it in detail?" The request came from a leader of a country.  But I said, “Mine will only be an animating presence. Every day, one person can briefly introduce the portion to be read that day; all would study that part, then come back the next day and discuss it.” That was the beginning of a four-week-long study, and it became an enriching formative journey for all of us. 

Such discussion groups can be simple and interesting, yet a highly beneficial approach to study and formation. What are some of its advantages? Persons of different sociocultural and intellectual levels gather; everyone listens, and each one talks. In effect, it becomes a highly conducive ambiance for building up confidence and self-esteem in everyone. If youth get formed in such simple discussion groups, new ideas and initiatives spontaneously sprout, and rich leadership eventually blossoms.

I have heard people ask how JY's informal and simple approaches produce such abundant fruits compared to the well-planned and content-rich faith-equipping plans of many other movements and the larger Church. Emphasis on Christ-encounter is surely the first. The very next would be its creative approach to discussion groups. In the simple dynamics of a discussion group, a deep transformation takes place in each person, and, moreover, little by little, an intimate Christian community gets built up there.

A new style is formed.

In June-July 1978, young people met in a few centers in Kerala. The purpose was to get feedback on a proposed youth convention later that year. These were youth with some retreat exposure and had attended only Bible talks and prayer sessions. However, something new occurred during those feedback meetings in 5 different cities. After a brief introduction, the youth were sent into smaller groups to have a friendly chat and then continue to discuss if they wanted a state-level group to come together. For all of them, this was something new; it was their first experience of a discussion group. They had always attended classes, but they discussed and made decisions this time. And where did we get this new approach? Our exposure to youth training in a Catholic College movement called ‘AICUF’ had done the trick. It worked; everyone talked and listened and experienced the dynamics of participation and community.  

Later, in 1982, for the first leaders training by Fr Gino, the theme was ‘self-awareness,’ and the dynamics were also the same. Father would give short reflections based on the Bible and psychology, and then we would go into groups to share. A few months later, we joined a regular fellowship called ‘The First Line group.’ We would gather to report, share, and grow together, and slowly, these simple interactive styles became the characteristic mode of the Jesus Youth movement.  

What happens in a Discussion group?

One challenge in the movement's early days was some good-hearted preacher volunteering, “I can come and give you a talk next time,” or youth asking, “Who will be taking the class this month?” It was a bold decision for us to try out another ‘model,’ starting with the First Line group.

In his exhortation after the youth synod, Pope Francis highlights this approach: “Friendship and discussion, often within more or less structured groups, offer the opportunity to strengthen social and relational skills in a context in which one is neither analyzed nor judged. The group experience is also a great resource for sharing the faith and for mutual help in bearing witness. The young are able to guide other young people and to exercise a genuine apostolate among their friends”. (Christus Vivit, 219)

What happens in a discussion group? There could be easy-going exchanges on a topic, sharing random thoughts or experiences, group study or analysis, planning for something, and so on and on.  In Jesus Youth, which contexts are suitable for discussion groups? They are apt for regular meetings like cells, small groups, ministry or team gatherings, and small or medium prayer groups. Certain meetings happen occasionally in the movement, like consultations, planning, or outreaches. There is also such an informal style that is quite suitable. 

What are some of the tips for effective discussion groups?

• It is a friendly gathering, so people of the same level should gather.

• A reflective and prayerful tone can be good, yet an ambiance of informality, joy, and fun will help to give up masks and to have greater openness 

• Someone who thinks, ‘I am a leader; I know much’ – such people can be real misfits there. But even if one is advanced in age and experience, they will be highly useful there if that one can join with the group in humility.

• To hold a fellowship together, you need not a leader but a facilitator, who more than being talkative, should encourage everyone to talk

• In such a group, an idea gets built up one brick upon another, moved by the great architect, the Holy Spirit. In that journey, one should learn to be all ears and not to hurry too much. 

• Won’t there be clashes of ideas? Surely. These are forums where conflicting ideas emerge, and people slowly learn to accept unexpected turns and witness how ‘the new creation’ appears.

• You must expect disturbing silences, lone voices, sudden bursting out, and other surprising developments on such platforms. When such things are handled well, real Christian formation takes place, and the Kingdom of God gradually takes shape.

For many years, we had this Tuesday-sharing group in the city. We learned the basics of personal sharing, Christian commitment, and ministry building there. Youth from diverse backgrounds shared their prayer experiences, Bible insights, and missionary dreams. We were active members of a larger group that met on Wednesdays, but this sharing group lent us real formation. Gradually, small and big initiatives like prison visits, work in a slum area, and reaching out to the sick emerged from that group. But more than all that, I learned this big lesson that a regular discussion group can be deeply formative for each participant, and it will, in turn, bring out enduring fruits of the mission. And that has also become a core style of the Jesus Youth movement. 

 = Pointers for Reflection =
1. What is the importance of the mode of discussion groups for today's youth?
2. Share an experience of a program approach that became boring and irrelevant for young people.
3. What are some of the important elements of conducting discussion groups?
4. How do you integrate the elements of discussion group mode into your group?