What are the characteristics of a missionary disciple and how does one teach as Jesus did? A missionary disciple witnesses to his or her experience of the love of God in Jesus. Filled with the joy of this love, one wants to share this with others, and for the catechist this means sharing this joy with her or his students, whether children, youth, or adults. This sharing requires having an inviting spirit that accepts without judgment. Such openness follows the manner in which Jesus approached each individual who crossed his path. The catechist does not introduce the learner to his or her knowledge of Jesus but acts as a guide so that each person discovers the relationship with Jesus that already exists and flows out of one's life. The catechist must be in tune with the "culture" of the learners, because each individual or group of persons' age, ethnicity, or state in life is different. Recognizing and responding to such differences enables the catechist to teach in a way that touches all aspects of the person - the mind, heart, and body.

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