Resources

The following is necessary for running a session:

• Access to the DeoQuest Academy platform for each facilitator. Each unit of the program is accompanied by a set of slides and videos, as presented on the platform, which runs best on a Google Chrome browser.
• The relevant How to grow in faith Activities and Games Cards can be purchased from Freedom Publishing Books (1 deck per 4 participants) or statement cards can be downloaded and cut out for free (see downloads on the left).
• The Participants’ Journal can be downloaded on the left and printed as a booklet at the beginning of the program and made available to every participant. The journal can be edited and adapted to suit the school’s needs if required.
• It is highly recommended to give each participant a personal copy of the book Navigating with GOD (Tweeting with GOD), available from Freedom Publishing Books.

Optional further resources

• The Online with Saints book and app offer further questions, answered in dialogue with one or more saints. It is accompanied by the playful Online with Saints card game.
• The book Your neighbour is GOD helps to find answers to social questions on the basis of the social teaching of the Catholic Church. 
• The handbook Your neighbour is GOD can help facilitators to prepare their own sessions to expand on the Exploring the Catholic Faith sessions.

Preparation

The sessions can be run without much preparation, but the following can help the facilitator. Before starting the program with the participants, it would be beneficial for the facilitator to read the content summary provided on the DeoQuest Academy platform for each unit as background knowledge to help answer questions and facilitate the discussions. Further content information can be found in the Navigating with GOD book. 

Please ensure all technology is working so the videos can be easily accessed and heard during the session. It is best to run these sessions through Google Chrome as this is most compatible with the digital platform (in case of difficulty to access the platform, please go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Privacy and security’ > ‘Delete browsing data’).

The facilitator will need to print one copy of the ‘Participants Journal’ per person. This journal can help participants keep track of questions – and answers – that are found during the program. It also gives an overview of the sessions and topics. The images in the journal can be scanned using the DeoQuest app to access more information.  

Furthermore, the facilitator will have to order the How to grow in faith Activities and Games Cards or print the provided pdf and cut out the cards. You only need to purchase one deck per four participants, as each deck include four sets of cards that can indicate true/ false/ unsure for participants to use. The cards are used for the pop quiz in every session and for the Sacraments Memory in session 8. If you do not have the cards yet, people can initially use thumbs up to agree, thumbs down to disagree and thumbs in mid-air to remain neutral.

It has proven to be very beneficial for the participants if they can receive a personal copy of the book Navigating with GOD (Tweeting with GOD) to help them search for answers to their personal questions between the sessions. If this is not possible, at least consider purchasing several copies to be made available for the participants.

Slides, videos, and quiz

A set of slides for each topic provides a straightforward way for leaders to run these sessions, with additional facilitator notes to assist in running each unit. These units have been created so they follow a similar structure and allow for all to participate at various points during the unit to exchange on their understanding of the content. 

There are two videos for each session. The first video features Father Michel Remery and runs for approximately 10-15 minutes. It provides information that elaborates on the questions posed at the beginning of each unit. The second video is one minute long and features a saint related to the content. The purpose of the saints video is to see how the topic relates to someone who has lived out the Gospel messages in their own unique circumstances. 

The pop quiz is an added way to check for the understanding of staff and get them to consider anything they are unsure about; it is a true/ false/ unsure quiz. The quiz is presented briefly at the beginning of each session to engage participants. This is not the moment to discuss these statements: that can be done at the end of the session. The pop quiz is repeated at the end as a brief check for understanding. There should be no pressure or expectation on participants to get the questions all correct. A gamely sense of competitiveness can help stimulate an enjoyable meeting. The answers to the quiz will be shown on a slide at the conclusion of the session.

Facilitator’s role

During the session, it is the facilitator’s job to read the slides or ask others to read where applicable, facilitate discussion between the participants and try to stick to the time limits given for each task. It is important to note that discussion time is key to participants feeling connected to the content. As some units have content that may raise more questions than others, it is important to allow slightly more time for discussions in these sessions. It is also key to the facilitator role that if there are challenging questions or ideas presented to acknowledge these. The program does not want to impose teachings, but kindly invite to things in the light of faith and reason. If necessary, the facilitator can help find a response that focuses on the key points taught in that session to assist the participants grow in understanding – without necessarily agreeing with everything that was said (just yet).

Ways to run the sessions

As each school setting is unique, it is up to the leaders to consider how to best facilitate these sessions. The following are simply suggestions made by those who have experience with facilitating the program’s sessions in their school environment. 

Whole staff sessions

These are sessions that would be run on a whole staff basis and include everyone within the school community. This may be the best way for you to proceed if you are able to set a time when all staff members can be involved. It may be easier to do when you have a smaller staff, but good results have been obtained also with large groups (which then break into small groups for the discussion moments). 

Smaller group sessions

These sessions may be run at varying times throughout the term to allow for all staff to be present – possibly at different moments. Suggestions for the inclusion of teacher aides, administration, and grounds staff include having a time during the day when they are released from their normal duties to participate in the units. It has been noted that, when in smaller groups, participants felt more comfortable and are more ready to engage. 

DeoQuest ‘rules’

Every participant is invited to join in the conversations on different faith topics. To stimulate the participation of all, it helps to create a welcoming setting where they can share their thoughts without fear of making mistakes, touching on taboos or saying something wrong. Only thus can we progress on our path towards the truth in complete freedom of spirit. The DeoQuest ‘rules’ aim to stimulate the personal search of each participant and respect their freedom.

1. Welcome all questions regarding faith and life, regardless of the position they may represent or the answer they may imply.
2. Listen respectfully to the others in the group and try to understand the reasoning behind their statements.
3. Let the arguments behind the Church’s teaching speak for themselves.
4. Do not try too hard to convince; simply testify to your own faith. Remember that only God can convert people’s hearts.
5. Be discrete: do not discuss what people say with others outside the group.