Before Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples, He formed them. This reminds us that formation must always precede mission. We cannot give what we don’t have. The Church today needs spiritually mature, theologically grounded, and pastorally equipped disciples.

A. Biblical Context (Luke 10:1–12)

• The seventy-two were not the Twelve Apostles—they were ordinary disciples.

• Jesus chose and sent them, but not randomly—He had trained them:
  They listened to His teachings.
  They witnessed His miracles.
  They understood His heart.

What we learn from Jesus'method is that discipleship is a process.  He doesn’t send people out unprepared.

B. Why Formation Matters Today

• We are in a culture that is both spiritually hungry and deeply confused.

• Many Catholics want to serve but feel unprepared.

• Without formation, we risk:
  Preaching with zeal but no depth.
  Getting discouraged by rejection.
  Watering down the Gospel to make it “acceptable.”

C. Four Pillars of Formation

1. Spiritual Formation – Deepening one’s relationship with Christ through prayer, sacraments, Scripture.
   Encourage regular Confession, daily prayer, Eucharistic Adoration.
   Prayer life is the fuel for mission.

2. Doctrinal Formation – Knowing what the Church teaches and why.
   Catechism, Church documents, apologetics.
   Ability to explain the faith gently and clearly.

3. Pastoral Formation – Learning how to meet people where they are.
   Listening, understanding, patience, and compassion.
   Speaking the truth in love.

4. Community Formation – Being formed with others in small groups, parishes, movements.
   Discipleship is not an individual effort.

D. Practical Applications

• Encourage formation programmes: Evangelisation, Apologetics, Bible  and other Courses conducted at diocese level

• Parishes should not only form people for sacraments but for lifelong mission.

• Priests and lay leaders must walk together.

Conclusion

Jesus trained and sent the seventy-two. He still does today through different  courses organised at parish and diocese level. Here is the opportunity for you to be part of Apologetics and Evangelisation  programmes which are going to be held in the month of October this year. More details will be made available to you through this website. 

The call of Jesus is not just to serve, but to be shaped first.

“Be formed. Then go forth.”
Because when we know Christ, we can make Him known.