TEACHING ON THE

CHARISMATIC
GIFTS
OVERVIEW
This new teaching materials is available to all YFC members, particularly as preparation
for the Youth Camp. This teaching which is based on the CFC Teaching on Charismatic Gifts, has
been adapted to fit the language of CFC-Youth for Christ.

The goal of this teaching is to help the participants appreciate, understand, and to grow
their desire for the charismatic gifts. On a more general level, the teaching can lead the
participants to a deeper experience of the workings of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Even outside the Youth Camp Schedule, this teaching could be given regularly as a topic
for the YFC Chapter Assembly.

SCHEDULE
This teaching should be scheduled at least a week before the Youth camp, to give
participants the time to do the spiritual preparation for the pray-over session. The whole
teaching will run for 2.5-3 hours.

30 minutes Arrival
Registration
Gathering
15 minutes Worship
45 minutes Part 1
Talk 1: “The Nine (9) Charismatic Gifts”
10 minutes Break
30 minutes Part 2
Talk 2: “How to be Spiritually Prepared for the Pray-over session”
20 minutes Activity: “Prayer to the Holy Spirit”

GENERAL GUIDELLINES
 1. The Youth Camp Team Leader is highly encouraged to give the workshop. (The YFC
Chapter Head can be invited to lead the activity.)
2. Please religiously follow the teaching flow.
3. The goal is to deepen the appreciation, and understanding of the members and to seek
empowerment from the Holy Spirit. Our goal is to have a deeper appreciation,
understanding, and seek empowerment from the Holy Spirit. Everything will depend on
the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let us not overdo the teaching by putting some add-ons,
additional dramatic effects or unnecessary practices that can bring confusion to our
members.
4. The whole procedure is done in a prayerful atmosphere.

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SERVICE TEAM
1. Team Leader/Speaker
2. Registration Team
3. Music Ministry

PART 1
Talk 1: The Nine (9) Charismatic Gifts

ANCHOR VERSE
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms
of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of
them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To
one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge
according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by
the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits;
to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same
Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.” -1
Corinthians 12:4-11 (NABRE)

Objectives: (For the speaker)

1. To define what are “charismatic gifts”.
2. To enumerate and explain the nine (9) charismatic gifts with special emphasis on the gift
of tongues.
3. To lead the participants to desire for the charismatic gifts.

I. INTRODUCTION
 Remember all the experiences you had during your youth camp; the laughter, the
jokes of the service team, which may or may not be funny, the songs that were
taught, the praise and worship, the group sharing, one-on-one dialogue and the
“pray over session”? Some of us might have experienced all of this at the first, and in
all honesty it might have been awkward. Eventually we got used to it, and even
learned to embrace it, leading us to be active in YFC.

Maybe one of the most intriguing and interesting parts of the Camp is when our
discussion group leader asked us what particular gift or gifts we would want to
receive. As a young person, receiving gifts is such a delight and these could have
piqued your interest. However, upon realizing that these gifts were not material gifts,
you might have had conflicting feelings, but when they start explaining to us these

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gifts, somehow, it made us realize that having these gifts will aid us in strengthening
and deepening our faith in the Lord.

But what kind of gifts do we specifically ask for? We ask for the charismatic gifts.
According to Pope Francis, “The charismatic gifts, therefore, are freely distributed by
the Holy Spirit, so that sacramental grace may be fruitful in Christian life in different
ways and at every level. Because these charisms “are perfectly suited to and useful
for the needs of the Church”, through their diverse richness, the People of God are
able fully to live their evangelical mission, discerning the signs of the times and
interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. The charismatic gifts, in fact, enable the
faithful to respond to the gift of salvation in complete freedom and in a way suited to
the times. In this way, they themselves become a gift of love for others and authentic
witnesses to the Gospel before all mankind.”1

The Holy Spirit to whom He wishes freely gives these charismatic gifts so that the
person who will receive it will become fruitful in his or her Christian life and become
powerful witnesses of the Gospel, both in personal and service life, especially to the
bigger Church.

II. GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE NINE (9) CHARISMATIC GIFTS
In our community we focus about asking for the nine charismatic gifts. These gifts
introduced by St. Paul in Corinthians are meant for the building up of the body. It is
even described as the “manifestation” of the Spirit. 2

However, we must understand that these are not the only gifts of the Spirit
mentioned in the bible. The Diocese of La Fayette, Louisiana mentions gifts from the
 letter to the Romans (motivational gifts), the Ministry gifts in the letter of the
Ephesians3 and the seven (7) sanctifying gifts found in Isaiah 11:2-3. These are
wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
We first receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism; these
gifts are strengthened in the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is one of the reasons
why the Catholic Church teaches that confirmation is properly viewed as the
completion of baptismal grace.

All these gifts do not contradict each other, but these gifts have different purposes in
our mission. The Charismatic gifts may be divided into 3 groups: two teaching gifts:
wisdom and knowledge; three sign gifts: faith, healing and miracles; and four
revelational gifts: prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of

1
Pope Francis, Iuvenescit Ecclesia (The Church Rejuvenates), May 15, 2016
2
Couples for Christ: A teaching on Charismatic Gifts
3
https://diolaf.org/gifts-and-charisms

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tongues. These gifts make us aware of God’s power and presence. Where these gifts
operate, we are assured that the Holy Spirit is working.

The nine (9) charismatic gifts:4

a) Wisdom - Concerned with the best way to live. God’s guidance on how to live as a
Christian.
b) Knowledge - More of doctrinal teaching. Speak an understanding of the truth of the
mystery of Christ.

c) Faith - The charismatic gift of faith seems to be a special gift of prayer. Praying with
God-given confidence, which produces extraordinary results. It’s knowing that what
one asks for will be given. Mark 11:23-24.

d) Healing - The Holy Spirit can manifest this special gift through any believer so He can
then heal someone of any kind of disease, illness, or sickness.

e) Miracles - Supernatural activity from Him. (E.g. Jesus turning water into wine at the
wedding of Cana, Jesus feeding 5000 people by multiplying 5 loaves of bread and two
fish, God parting the Red Sea for Moses and the children of Israel).

f) Prophecy - The gift by which God speaks through a person a message to an individual
or a whole community.
 g) Discernment of spirits - The gift by which a person can tell whether in a situation what
is at work is the Holy Spirit, an evil spirit, or just man’s own spirit. A kind of a vision or
a sense.

h) Tongues - A gift of praise that is meant to enrich our prayer life.

i) Interpretation of tongues - Does not refer to the abilities of an interpreter of

languages. The one who exercises this gift does not even understand the tongues.
What is spoken in tongues may not even be an actual language. Like in prophecy,
there is an urge to speak words. What is spoken is an accurate interpretation.

III. THE GIFT OF TONGUES

The gift of speaking and praying in tongues is one of the more unique practice that
we have in our community. Honestly, regardless of how long you have been a part
of the

4
Couples for Christ, Training on Spiritual Gifts

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community, praying in tongues may still feel awkward or may even be
uncomfortable. Ultimately some people might be directly opposed to what we are
doing.

1 Corinthians 12:4-10 says, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same
Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different
workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual
the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the
Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to
the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the
one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of
spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues.”

‘Tongues’ is part of our culture as a charismatic community. In one way or another, it

makes the CFC community as unique, vibrant, and spirit-filled. In an article written in
the website Catholic exchange, it says that “It’s certainly possible that God can
continue to use people as miracle workers, healers, prophets and speakers in and
interpreters of tongues. Both Pope John Paul II and the US Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) have expressed their support of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. In
1979, the pope characterized the Catholic Charismatic Renewal as “a sign of the
Spirit’s action[,]…a very important component in the total renewal of the Church.” 5
 In our youth camps that gift of tongues was explained to us, and we know that: •
The gift of tongues is a common experience when we receive the Holy Spirit, just like
the experience of the disciples described in Acts.
• It is a gift from God.
• But unlike the other spiritual gifts, ‘tongues’ is a gift that may not immediately
manifest.
• Once we receive it, it can have great consequences in our spiritual life, especially in
our prayer and worship.

In summary, the purpose of these nine (9) charismatic gifts is for us to be more
vividly aware of the presence and power of God and to build up the community –
the Church.

IV. DESIRING THE NINE (9) CAHRISMATIC GIFTS

1 Corinthians 12:11 tells us, “But one and the same Spirit produces all of these,
distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.”

As members of this community, we must be open to accept the gifts of the Spirit in
our lives. However, we must also remember that, we cannot force nor impose a

5
Speaking in Tongues, Amy Barragree, Information Specialist, Catholics United for the Faith, catholicexchange.com

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specific gift to be given to us. The Spirit distributes the gifts as he wishes, everything
solely depends on the grace of God and the mission that he has in store for us at a
particular moment. Nevertheless, we can always ask for it in prayer. If it is for us and
it will be beneficial for the growth of our faith and service, for sure, the Holy Spirit
will give it to us.

Lumen Gentium 12 also reminds us,

“It is not only through the sacraments and the ministries of the Church that the Holy
Spirit sanctifies and leads the people of God and enriches it with virtues, but,
"allotting his gifts to everyone according as He wills, He distributes special graces
among the faithful of every rank. By these gifts He makes them fit and ready to
undertake the various tasks and offices which contribute toward the renewal and
building up of the Church, according to the words of the Apostle: "The manifestation
of the Spirit is given to everyone for profit". These charisms, whether they be the
more outstanding or the more simple and widely diffused, are to be received with
thanksgiving and consolation for they are perfectly suited to and useful for the needs
of the Church. Extraordinary gifts are not to be sought after, nor are the fruits of
apostolic labor to be presumptuously expected from their use; but judgment as to
their genuinity and proper use belongs to those who are appointed leaders in the
 Church, to whose special competence it belongs, not indeed to extinguish the Spirit,
but to test all things and hold fast to that which is good.”

As we pray for a specific gift that we want to receive, let us also be very careful and
discerning. Let us not be careless in asking and praying for a specific gift. Once again,
we are reminded, that these gifts aim to make us all fruitful in our Christian life and
to become powerful witnesses of the Gospel, both in personal and service life, and
especially to the bigger Church.

V. CONCLUSION
“The charismatic gifts “are given to individual persons, and can be shared by others
in such ways to continue in time a precious and effective heritage, serving as a
source of a particular spiritual affinity among persons.” 6

The Charismatic gifts, are beautiful and desirable. These gifts, make us attractive as a
community and as a Church. Receiving these gifts, unites us with God, renews our
nature, and gives us the power to serve. 7It makes our Christian life and our
community alive. It makes our community relevant.

6
Pope Francis, Iuvenescit Ecclesia
7
CFC-YFC Youth Camp Talk 4: Receiving God’s gift, the power of the Holy Spirit

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Once we receive the gifts the Holy Spirit wills for us, let us use it to become powerful
witnesses in our personal, community, and church life. It must move us to desire to
serve the Lord even more.

Finally, every gift is precious, thus, must be handled with utmost care. Once you
receive the gift or gifts you prayed and discerned for, use it for the greater glory of
God.

PART 2
Talk 2: Spiritual Preparation for the Pray-over Session

ANCHOR VERSE
“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” -2
Thessalonians 3:3 (NABRE)

I. INTRODUCTION
 Preparing for the Youth Camp is a fun experience, you think of a theme, prepare
decorations for the venue, invite speakers, invite participants, and generally have fun
throughout the camp with each other. However, there are times that we forget the
spiritual aspect of our Youth Camps. There are times that we prepare logistically and
creatively for the camp, but disregard our own spiritual preparations.

It is always important to remember that in every camp, there is a spiritual warfare

that happens, particularly at the pray-over session. A good soldier, hones his/her
skills at any given opportunity, a good servant does the same. Every formation,
activity, and youth camp is a unique experience regardless of how many times we
may have done it. In all this things, one thing is always important to remember,
humility is key

II. HOW DO WE SPIRITUALLY PREPARE FOR A PRAY OVER SESSION? Admittedly our youth
camp is the opportunity for each of us to flex our creativity, but we have to
remember that the pray-over session cannot be achieved by our creativity alone.
During the pray over session, we must rely on the Holy Spirit, depending totally on
God. Asking His Spirit upon us and allowing ourselves to be used as his vessels that
will allow His grace to freely flow to the ones we are praying over.

Here are five essential things we need to do:

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1. Go to confession
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1422) states, “Those who approach the
sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed
against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have
wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for
their conversion.”

Throughout the preparation for the Youth Camp, Satan will disturb us unceasingly.
His attacks would only be strengthened during the pray-over session, thus it is
important to prepare. Humility can defeat Satan, thus as we go to our battle, let us
cleanse ourselves and humbly surrender our sins to God, in order for us to be
worthy vessels of His graces.

2. Personal prayer and fasting

“Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. Let no one try to
 separate them, they cannot be separated. If you have only one of them and not all
together, you have nothing. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want
your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to
others, you open God’s ear to yourself.” – St. Peter Chrysologus

Before starting His ministry, Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights to
fast and pray (Matthew 4:1-11). During those times, Satan did not make it easy for
Him, Satan tempted Him, taking advantage of His tiredness and hunger, but Christ
prevailed.

The pray-over session can also be a time of intense tiredness, and restlessness for us
and our participants. They have spent two days listening to sessions, not having the
comforts of our own beds and homes. This can be a time when Satan can come in
and take advantage of what we feel physically. Fasting and praying are sure fire ways
to lead us to focus to Christ, and ask his Spirit to come upon us and empower us. Let
us not consider our fasting as suffering, but let us look at it as an offering to God.

3. Focus on the Lord

The Youth Camp can be overwhelming, from the preparation until the end. One can
easily be out of focus when overwhelmed with so many things. One can easily focus
on trivial things and not on God.

As models of excellence, we want to give not only our best but our all, oftentimes
this leads us to focusing on ourselves, our sacrifices, our struggles, and our service.
We can easily fall in the trap of focusing on the “service” of the Lord, rather than to
the

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“Lord” of service. While we recognize the need to be excellent in our service during
Camp, we should never lose sight of the Lord.

4. Pray for your participants

Our participants came from different backgrounds, they may have different interest,
may study at different schools and have a diverse upbringing. At some point, through
the camp we will be having a hard time dealing with them. While we give utmost
effort to inspire them through our witnessing and personal sharing, we will always
include them in our prayers.

Pray for the challenges you face in dealing with your participants. Thank the Lord for
the victories you experience because of them as well. Pray for the good relationship
amongst your group. Pray for their families. Pray that as they finish the camp the
 Spirit may truly work in them.

5. Allow the Holy Spirit to work

Isaiah 61:1-4 says, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has
anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the
brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, To
announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God; To
comfort all who mourn; to place on those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of
ashes, To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of
a faint spirit.”

What then is it for us? We are mere instruments of God’s work. The renewal or
transformation of every person given to us is still in the hands of God. We will not
force not impose a change on people. We allow the Spirit of the Lord to move in that
person’s life. Let us only be open and allow God to use us mightily and powerfully!

Activity: Prayer to the Holy Spirit

ANCHOR VERSE
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you
everything and remind you of all that [I] told you.” -John 14:26 (NABRE)

ACTIVITY FLOW
1. After the second part “How to be spiritually prepared for the pray-over session”, the
speaker will ask everyone to dispose in prayer.

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2. While the speaker exhorts everyone to prayer, the music ministry will play a song that will
invoke the Holy Spirit (e.g. Pour and Flow, Come Holy Spirit)

3. As the song plays, the speaker will recite the “Prayer for Deliverance”.

Note: No drama or special effects needed. Our goal is not to make our participants cry, the goal is to ask God to
deliver us as we prepare for the Spiritual warfare. Just recite the prayer from the heart.

Standard Prayer for Deliverance8

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, by the power of his cross, his blood and
his resurrection, I bind you Satan, the spirits, powers and forces of darkness, the nether
world, and the evil forces of nature.
 I take authority over all curses, hexes, demonic activity and spells directed against me,
my relationships, ministry endeavors, finances, and the work of my hands; and I break
them by the power and authority of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. I stand with the power of
the Lord God Almighty to bind all demonic interaction, interplay and communications
between spirits sent against me, and send them directly to Jesus Christ for him to deal
with as he wills.

I ask forgiveness for and renounce all negative inner vows that I have made with the
enemy, and ask that Jesus Christ release me from these vows and from any bondage they
may have held in me. I claim the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God,
over every aspect of my life for my protection. Amen.

4. After the “Prayer for Deliverance”, everyone will be asked to stand and join the music
ministry in singing the song. (After the song, the music ministry will play instrumental
and the speaker will lead everyone to sing their prayers and praise to God, pray in
tongues, or have their silent prayer before the Lord.)

5. As the sounds and noises fade, the speaker will now lead everyone to pray the “Prayer to
the Holy Spirit.”

St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit:9

“Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.

8
Spiritual Warfare Prayers, www.catholicwarriors.com
9
St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit, www.catholic.org

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Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
Amen.”

6. After the “Prayer to the Holy Spirit”, the speaker will now have his short exhortation that
would focus on encouraging and empowering people to stand firm in their faith as they
continue to serve in the Youth Camp.

7. After the exhortation, full worship follows.

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