ANG LINGKOD NG PANGINOON

Christian Life Program Training Manual

Talk No. 1: WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM ?

Speaker’s Outline

INTRODUCTION

1. You're all familiar with the CLP, having gone through one. But now, you're on the giving rather than
on the receiving end.

2. The CLP is an initiation course. Its basic aim is to introduce and lead people to the FULL CHRISTIAN
LIFE, that is:

 a personal commitment and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ

 yielding to the action and power of the Holy Spirit
 being part of a committed group or body of Christians

3. You can look at the CLP on two levels:

 CLP as evangelization: the proclamation of the Gospel

 the proclamation of the mercy, the love, and saving action of God in Jesus Christ
(KERYGMA)

 CLP as an initiations mechanism designed to initiate a person into Lingkod

 the CLP is an entry point into Lingkod

BASIC GOALS OF THE CLP

1. The CLP is designed primarily towards the needs of nominal Christians but it is also for non-
Christians.

 to be a guide or map to help people to come to Christ

 but not meant to be the end-all/be-all of evangelization
 the CLP is only one of the tools for evangelization

2. The CLP is aimed at the RENEWAL of the individual and that, once renewed, he can be a leaven of
renewal for his family, his workplace, the Church.

3. Caution: to look at CLP primarily as a program of entry into Lingkod. The more important thing is
evangelization and evangelization involves more than just giving weekly talk presentations.

CONTENT STRUCTURE

1. The CLP, excluding the orientation session (if there is one), consists of 10 sessions and is divided
roughly into 3 parts:

A. Who is God and what He has done for us:

TALK 1 The Love of God

2 Who is Jesus ?
3 The Mission of Jesus

B. The life of God (what He offers) and our response:

1
 TALK 4 Loving God and Neighbor: The Christian Ideal
5 The Power of the Holy Spirit
6 Repentance and Faith

C. Commitment to Christ and to His people

TALK 7 Receiving New Life in the Holy Spirit

8 Prayer Session: Baptism in the Holy Spirit
9 Growth
10 Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon: Commitment

2. The intended result of the CLp is having a group of participants who believe that Christianity is true
and are ready to commit their lives to the Lord and so be filled with the Holy Spirit and eager to grow
in Christ and have good relationship with other Christians.

DYNAMICS (PRACTICAL)

1. Basic format:

 Arrival, fellowship, mingling, registration -- building relationships, light, people at ease

 Songs and prayer -- learning to pray, get active participation gradually
 Talk presentation -- captivating, personal, not too long
 Testimony -- just as important as the talks, effective in building up faith
 Announcements -- next session, time for discussion, etc.
 Discussion groups -- for knowing where people are at, understanding of material
 Fellowship, closing announcements, exhortation -- promote books, etc.

Explain each.

2. Attendance

 Because of nature of talks, the participants must always be present; one talk builds on
another
 Policy on absence: no more than 3 absences
 Making up for talks: before the succeeding session
 given to single young professionals (who've been exposed to some evangelization)

3. Working as a team: the CLP team

 the CLP uses a team approach:

 setting the tone

 not just "putting it on for others"

 regular meetings at key points (every other week?) to:

 discuss concerns
 ask how people are doing
 the CLP Team Leader:
 overall in charge
 sets tone
 leads sessions

 the Servant: administrative tasks, specifically:

2
  facilities
 refreshments
 handouts, songbooks
 music ministry
 registration and attendance
 make-up sessions

 the Discussion Group Leader/Assistants: caring for individuals, follow-up and outside
meetings

 relationship among team members: "being of one mind, standing side by side for the faith of
the Gospel"

SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS

1. The context of the CLP is SPIRITUAL WARFARE: the battle for the hearts and minds of people

 there are two kingdoms at war: the world is in darkness under Satan but Jesus has mounted
a great rescue operation
 we are born into this battle = the CLP seeks to help out in this battle
 therefore, our enemies are "principalities, beings..."
 being combatants, we need weapons -- spirit- ual weapons

2. This war is being waged in the hearts and minds of people.

 people come from different backgrounds: various expectations, needs, concerns, etc.
 be aware of people's backgrounds and personal problems, though the CLP is not for
problem- solving

3. Take a spiritual approach

 this is God's work, not entirely ours

 have faith for the people we are evangelizing
 proceed with confidence because the message we proclaim is from God Himself, because
Christ died and rose for their sake
 Christ has already won the victory
 expect the Lord to use us: give talks, counsel, etc.; He will give us the words to speak
 their faith should rest not on our explanations, competence and skills
 God equips us
 we must intercede and do spiritual warfare
 zeal for the Father's house

4. Some things to emphasize

 guard against two extremes:

a. that there is no evil

b. that all negative happenings are attributable to the devil

 Jesus has already won the victory

 we have power to rout the devil, but such is premised on our righteousness and submission
to God (James 4:7)

3
 as good soldiers, we can expect hardships, difficulties and resistance (2 Tim. 2:3)

 be a living witness to our new life in Christ = the participants are looking at us, has a big
effect on them
 faith and faithfulness
 being punctual
 studying and preparing
 reliability
 servanthood

 expect the Lord to work powerfully in you and in the CLP

4
ANG LINGKOD NG PANGINOON
Christian Life Program Training Manual

Talk No. 3: THE DISCUSSION LEADER AS EVANGELIST

INTRODUCTION

1. Spiritual Warfare

 there are two kinds of kingdoms opposed to each other, the whole world is under satan's
dominion but Jesus has mounted a rescue operation
 all people are born into this battle
 specifically, we in Lingkod are combatants locked up in struggle, helping out in the great
rescue operation

2. If we are combatants, what are we really doing in the CLP ?

 we are doing evangelization: the great rescue operation for God's people
 evangelization: the process by which we proclaim the Good News of salvation, news that
break the bondage of men as they turn to Christ
 some elements:

a. this is personal
b. this takes time
c. this is spiritual work

EVANGELIZATION

1. The Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20)

 Jesus' final instructions, turning over the work that He had started
 these are our marching orders as well == intended for all Christians == as soon as you
accepted Jesus, you accepted His commission and entered the same war
 for Lingkod members, this is to be a lifestyle (not just for the leaders nor for those serving in
the CLP)

2. Why evangelize ?

 because Jesus commanded us so

 people need to know the good news
 out of love for our fellowmen: there is involved an eternal choice and we can contribute to
bringing salvation to men
 this brings us closer to God

QUALITIES OF THE EVANGELIST

1. The Great Commission is for all Christians and all Christians can become evangelists because what
matters is not the gifts or talents but some character qualities:

 faith: the work of evangelism depends on God's action

 love of God: if we love God, we would desire to have everyone come to know Him
 love for others

5
HOW DO WE EVANGELIZE THROUGH THE CLP:

1. First of all, do not trust the CLP to do all the work. It takes more than just talks to bring people to
Christ. There are a lot of factors involved: the music, the discussion, the people, the food, the
prayers. For the most part, it is the relationships.

2. Evangelization is through personal relationships ? (How many have been evangelized through TV ?)

3. Given this:
 do follow up: call people during the week and see how they are doing
 introduce them to other people in Lingkod
 go out with them
 help them with their needs (e.g. transportation)
 recommend literature to them, get them Bibles
 be interested beyond the CLP (do not look at them as somebody to conquer)
 pray for them everyday
 at the CLP session : fraternize with them
: help with the songbooks
: be attentive to their needs (make them feel at home)
: come early to welcome them

4. Be patient and do not give up. It takes time to build friendship. Use any opportunity to build
friendships.