Basic Formation Manual: The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals

The Brotherhood of
Christian Businessmen and Professionals
BASIC FORMATION MANUAL

with BCBP Vision & Mission
for AGL
BCBP / Oct 2008

Table of Contents
The BCBP Basic Formation Manual ...................................................................................... 1

The BCBP Vision and Mission.................................................................................................. 2
The BCBP Commitment Card ................................................................................................... 3
BCBP Christian Life Program (BCLP) .................................................................................... 4
The Orientation Session ........................................................................................................... 6
G O A L S ............................................................................................................................... 6
BRIEF INFORMATION ON THE BCBP ............................................................................. 6
WHAT IS THE BROTHERHOOD CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM (BCLP)? .................... 6
Concerning Participation ........................................................................................................ 7
INDIVIDUAL INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS WITHIN THE GROUP........................ 7
CONCLUDING EXHORTATION ........................................................................................ 7
Talk 1: Who Is Jesus Christ?................................................................................................... 8
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 8
WHO WAS JESUS CHRIST?................................................................................................ 8
WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? ..................................................................................................... 8
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................... 9
FOR SPEAKERS: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION............................................. 9
APPENDIX........................................................................................................................... 10
Talk 2: What is God Like?..................................................................................................... 11
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 11
WHO IS HE? ........................................................................................................................ 11
GOD’S PLAN....................................................................................................................... 12
THE ABSENCE OF GOD.................................................................................................... 13
GOD’S SOLUTION ............................................................................................................. 13
CHALLENGE....................................................................................................................... 14
FOR SPEAKER: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION............................................. 14
Talk 3: The Power of the Holy Spirit .................................................................................... 16
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 16
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT....................................................................................... 16
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?............................................................................................. 16
RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT .............................................................. 17
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE FAITHFUL ............................................................................ 17
FOR SPEAKERS: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION........................................... 18
Talk 4: Repentance and Faith................................................................................................ 19
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 19
WHAT IS REPENTANCE? ................................................................................................. 19
FAITH................................................................................................................................... 20
THE CHALLENGE.............................................................................................................. 21
DECISION TO CONTINUE WITH THE BCLP................................................................. 21
i
Talk 5a: Praising and Raising of Hands ............................................................................... 22
DYNAMICS ......................................................................................................................... 22
MOOD .................................................................................................................................. 22
PRAISING GOD .................................................................................................................. 22
EXHORTATION.................................................................................................................. 23
SONG OF WORSHIP........................................................................................................... 23
Talk 5b: Loving God and Neighbor ...................................................................................... 24
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 24
THE CHRISTIAN IDEAL: LOVING GOD ........................................................................ 24
WHAT IT MEANS . . . ........................................................................................................ 25
JESUS: OUR MODEL IN LOVING GOD .......................................................................... 27
THE CHALLENGE IN LOVING GOD............................................................................... 27
LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR ................................................................................................ 27
WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY? ............................................................................................... 27
PRACTICAL IMPLICATION OF BEING A CHRISTIAN................................................ 30
THE CHALLENGE IN LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR ......................................................... 30
Talk 6a: Vocal Prayers ........................................................................................................... 31
DYNAMICS ......................................................................................................................... 31
MOOD .................................................................................................................................. 31
VOCAL PRAYER ................................................................................................................ 31
EXHORTATION.................................................................................................................. 32
VOCALIZING PRAYERS................................................................................................... 32
Talk 6b: The Christian Family .............................................................................................. 33
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 33
AS AN INSTITUTION CREATED BY GOD..................................................................... 33
RELATIONS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE ........................................................... 33
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY ................................................................................................ 34
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY UNDER ATTACK ................................................................ 34
WHAT CAN WE DO? ......................................................................................................... 35
CHALLENGE....................................................................................................................... 35
Talk 7: The Christian in the Marketplace............................................................................ 36
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 36
THE SITUATION IN THE MARKETPLACE.................................................................... 36
GOD 'S PLAN FOR US IN THE MARKETPLACE ........................................................... 36
THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE TOWARD WORK ............................. 37
THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE TOWARDS WEALTH AND MONEY37
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................... 38
Talk 8: Life in the Holy Spirit................................................................................................ 39
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 39
RECEIVING THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ......................................................... 39
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT .................................................................................. 40
PRAYER IN TONGUES AND PURPOSE.......................................................................... 40
WHAT IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?......................................................... 41
OBSTACLES TO RECEIVING THE GIFTS...................................................................... 42
PREPARATION ................................................................................................................... 42
FOR SPEAKER: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION............................................. 42
ii
Baptism of the Holy Spirit...................................................................................................... 43
DGL PREPARATION FOR THE PRAYER AND LAYING ON OF HANDS.................. 43
ORDER OF EVENTS........................................................................................................... 45
THE BAPTISM PROPER .................................................................................................... 47
SUGGESTED SEQUENCE FOR THE “BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”................. 49
CONCLUDING PRAYER AND CLOSING SONG ........................................................... 52
Talk 9: Growing in Relationship with the Lord................................................................... 53
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE....................................................................................................... 53
PRAYER............................................................................................................................... 54
STUDY ................................................................................................................................. 54
SERVICE.............................................................................................................................. 54
SACRAMENTS ................................................................................................................... 55
COMMUNITY LIFE ............................................................................................................ 55
Talk 10: Faith and Guidance ................................................................................................. 56
How to Grow in Faith and in Knowing God’s Will.............................................................. 56
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 56
Part I: Growing in Faith ........................................................................................................ 56
God wants to work through us. He wants us to have expectant faith. .................................. 56
Faith is not a blind leap......................................................................................................... 56
How Can We Grow in Faith ................................................................................................. 57
Part II: Guidance – Knowing God’s Will ............................................................................. 58
God wants us to know his will.............................................................................................. 58
The Way God Guides Us ...................................................................................................... 58
For most things we do not need specific guidance. .............................................................. 58
How to Grow in Guidance and Discernment........................................................................ 59
Talk 11: Entering the BCBP Way of Life............................................................................. 60
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 60
Part I: Entering the BCBP Way of Life ................................................................................ 60
The Vision and Mission of the BCBP................................................................................... 60
The BCBP is a Community of Disciples .............................................................................. 60
The BCBP’s Community Way of Life.................................................................................. 61
The Community’s Way of Life............................................................................................. 61
Action Groups....................................................................................................................... 61
The Annual National Convention ......................................................................................... 61
Other Gatherings and Events ................................................................................................ 62
The Men’s Breakfast............................................................................................................. 62
The BCLP ............................................................................................................................. 62
Mission Teams and Mission Outreach.................................................................................. 62
Social Work .......................................................................................................................... 62
Becoming a Member............................................................................................................. 62
The BCBP Formation Program: Becoming a Member in Formation .................................. 63
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 63
The BCBP Formation Program............................................................................................. 63
Being an Associate Member ................................................................................................. 65
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 66
The Associate Members Commitment .................................................................................. 66
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The BCBP Free to Follow The Lord Weekend....................................................................... 67
Talk 1: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO LIVING
AS A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST............................................................................................... 69
Introduction:.......................................................................................................................... 69
Problem 1: “The World”...................................................................................................... 69
The Solution: Christian Community.................................................................................... 70
Problem 2: “The Flesh” ....................................................................................................... 70
The Solution: Yielding to the Holy Spirit............................................................................ 71
Problem 3: The Devil and Evil Spirits................................................................................. 72
The Solution: Put on the Armor of God (Eph 6:10-17) ....................................................... 72
Problem 4: Our Past Sins ..................................................................................................... 73
The Solution: Repentance and Reconciliation (Four Steps) ................................................ 73
Conclusion : .......................................................................................................................... 74
ORDER IN OUR LIFE .......................................................................................................... 76
Talk 2: MANAGING OUR TIME........................................................................................ 76
1. OBSTACLES TO GROWTH........................................................................................... 76
2. CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES FOR MANAGING TIME .................................................. 76
3. THE SOLUTIONS........................................................................................................... 76
4. BASIC DAILY LIFE ORDER (“PERSONAL TIME MANAGEMENT”).................... 77
5. THE DISCIPLINE OF PERSONAL ORDER................................................................. 77
DISCUSSION STARTERS:................................................................................................. 77
Talk 3: MANAGING OUR FINANCES.............................................................................. 80
Faithfulness and finances...................................................................................................... 80
1. Discipleship and finances ................................................................................................ 80
2. The Christian approach to financial giving...................................................................... 80
3. Basic financial order (“personal financial management”) .............................................. 81
4. The discipline of personal order in finances .................................................................... 81
Discussion Starters................................................................................................................ 81
Finances and discipleship ..................................................................................................... 82
Tithing................................................................................................................................... 82
Offerings ............................................................................................................................... 83
Almsgiving............................................................................................................................ 83
Fulfilling our responsibilities................................................................................................ 83
Living a simple lifestyle........................................................................................................ 84
The BCBP Christian Marriage Retreat (BCMR) ................................................................... 89
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 90
Talk 1. SERVING GOD THROUGH CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE .................................... 91
OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 91
OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................... 91
EXPANDED OUTLINE....................................................................................................... 91
DIALOGUE STARTERS/NOTES....................................................................................... 93
Talk 2: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN MARRIAGE ........................................... 94
OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 94
OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................... 94
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Talk 3: THE ROLE OF A CHRISTIAN HUSBAND.......................................................... 97
OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 97
OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................... 97
Talk 4: THE ROLE OF A CHRISTIAN WIFE................................................................. 100
OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 100
OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................... 100
EXPANDED OUTLINE..................................................................................................... 100
CONCLUSIONS................................................................................................................. 101
DIALOGUE STARTERS/NOTES..................................................................................... 101
Talk 5: SEX IN MARRIAGE .............................................................................................. 102
OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 102
OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................... 102
Talk 6: HEALING OUR MARRIAGES ............................................................................ 104
OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 104
OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................... 104
COMMUNITY HEALING................................................................................................. 107
Talk 7: BUILDING OUR HOMES FOR GOD..................................................................... 108
OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................... 108
CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRISTIAN HOME ........................................................... 108
HOW CAN WE BUILD OUR HOMES FOR GOD .......................................................... 110
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................... 111
GUIDE FOR ACTION PLANNING.................................................................................. 111
The BCBP Christians in Business Retreat (BCBR) ............................................................. 112
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 113
Talk 1: GODS PLAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS OR LIVELIHOOD ............................... 113
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 113
SOME OF THE INACCURATE VIEWS OF WORK:...................................................... 113
HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN VIEW WORK? TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN: 114
WORK HAS INHERENT VALUE.................................................................................... 114
WORK HAS INSTRUMENTAL VALUE......................................................................... 114
WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE THEREFORE BE TOWARDS WORK? ............... 115
Talk 2: PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS WEALTH & MONEY................................ 116
IS WEALTH GOOD?......................................................................................................... 116
WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO HAVE LITTLE, OR NO, EXCESS, OR WHO
FACE ADVERSE SITUATIONS?............................................................................... 118
WHAT TO DO WITH EXCESS ........................................................................................ 119
WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE BE ........................................................................... 121
Talk 3: THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN BOSS AND EMPLOYEE .......................... 122
THE BOSS AS SPIRITUAL LEADER ............................................................................. 122
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN BOSS ................................................ 122
HOW A LEADER OR MANAGER LOVES HIS PEOPLE.............................................. 124
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THE CHRISTIAN EMPLOYEE: ....................................................................................... 125
Talk 4: RELATING TO OTHERS IN THE MARKETPLACE ...................................... 126
Who Are the Others in the Marketplace:............................................................................ 126
Honor and Competence....................................................................................................... 126
SOME PRACTICAL GUIDELINES: ................................................................................ 127
DEALING AS A CHRISTIAN .......................................................................................... 129
THE BATTLE .................................................................................................................... 129
Talk 5: BALANCING WORK, FAMILY & COMMUNITY........................................... 130
SOME INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES ........................................................................ 130
THE MALADY OF WORKAHOLISM. THE SYMPTOMS:........................................... 130
HIERARCHY OF VALUES: ............................................................................................. 130
STRATEGIES TO BALANCE: ......................................................................................... 131
OTHER GUIDELINES: ..................................................................................................... 133
Talk 6: BUILDING OUR BUSINESSES FOR GOD ........................................................ 134
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR LIVELIHOOD. ................... 134
BEING A WITNESS .......................................................................................................... 134
CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESS OF CHANGE .......................................................... 136
BCBP Our Way of Life Retreat ............................................................................................. 137
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 138
Talk 1: HONORING THE LORD...................................................................................... 138
I. Our Way of Life...................................................................................................... 138
II. The Offering Principle in our Relationship with God........................................... 138
III. A Common Pattern of Worship and Prayer .......................................................... 139
IV. The Community as the Temple of the Holy Spirit................................................ 139
V. Honoring the Lord Throughout the Year .............................................................. 139
Talk 2: GIVING TO THE LORD AND HIS WORK...................................................... 141
Talk 3: BROTHERLY AND SISTERLY CARE............................................................... 143
Talk 4: LIVING OUR BCBP LIFE..................................................................................... 145
Talk 5: COMMUNITY, FAMILY AND CHURCH ......................................................... 147
Talk 6: LOVE FOR COUNTRY ........................................................................................ 150
The BCBP Member as Steward ........................................................................................ 150
The Family as School for Citizenship: A Word to Parents ............................................. 152
The Workplace as a School for Good Citizenship........................................................... 153
The BCBP as a School for Good Citizenship .................................................................. 154
Serving the Country: Expressing Love of Country ......................................................... 155
Special Contributions to our Country............................................................................... 155
Talk 7: Summary Input - Where Do We Go From Here? .............................................. 159
PART II: Action Group Leaders........................................................................................ 160
Supporting Associate Members during Formation ........................................................... 160
Follow-up The BCBP CLP................................................................................................... 161
Action Group Meeting 1: .................................................................................................... 162
Action Group Meeting 2 ..................................................................................................... 163
Meeting of AGL with Unit Leaders.................................................................................. 167
Follow-up FREE TO FOLLOW THE LORD WEEKEND ................................................. 168
vi
Structure of Meetings.......................................................................................................... 168
Follow-up Matter of Formation Weekend 2: ...................................................................... 168
First Action Group: Stewardship over time:....................................................................... 168
Second Action Group: Stewardship over Finances ............................................................ 169
Stewardship over Finances ................................................................................................. 169
Third Action Group Meeting .............................................................................................. 169
Stewardship over time......................................................................................................... 169
Fourth Action Group Meeting ............................................................................................ 170
Stewardship over Time ....................................................................................................... 170
Follow-up BROTHERHOOD CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE RETREAT .............................. 171
First Follow-up AG Meeting .............................................................................................. 171
Communication:.................................................................................................................. 171
Second AG Meeting............................................................................................................ 171
Family Prayer...................................................................................................................... 171
Third Action Group Meeting .............................................................................................. 172
Communication between spouses ....................................................................................... 172
Communication with their children .................................................................................... 172
Prayer .................................................................................................................................. 172
Fourth AG Meeting............................................................................................................. 172
Follow-up BROTHERHOOD CHRISTIANS IN BUSINESS RETREAT ........................ 173
First Action Group Meeting................................................................................................ 173
Second Meeting .................................................................................................................. 173
Third Meeting ..................................................................................................................... 173
Fourth Meeting.................................................................................................................... 173
Follow-up THE BCBP WAY OF LIFE WEEKEND .......................................................... 174
One-on-One with the members........................................................................................... 174
First AG Meeting ................................................................................................................ 174
Second AG Meeting............................................................................................................ 174
Third AG Meeting............................................................................................................... 174
Fourth AG Meeting............................................................................................................. 174
Summary ............................................................................................................................. 175
Responsibility BCBP Unit Leaders........................................................................................ 176
In Support of Action Group Leaders’ Responsibilities.................................................. 176
Pastoral Responsibilities of Unit Leaders ........................................................................... 177
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 177
The Method and Process of Oversight of Action Group Leaders....................................... 177
Specific Responsibility of Unit Leaders of Action Group Leaders over New Members ... 177
Unit Leader and Chapter Governance................................................................................. 180
Appendix A ............................................................................................................................ 181
BCBP Action Group Leaders Training .............................................................................. 181
Training in Bible-Sharing Methods .................................................................................... 181
Introduction to the Weekend and Bible Sharing................................................................. 182
The Theological Dimension of Gospel Sharing.................................................................. 184
Talk 1: A Heart for God....................................................................................................... 186
vii
Obedience to God ............................................................................................................... 186
Dependence on God............................................................................................................ 187
Seven-Step Method of Bible Sharing Workshop .................................................................. 189
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 189
Materials to prepare ............................................................................................................ 189
The Seven Steps: Demonstration and explanation of steps 1,2,3,4,5 and 7 ....................... 189
Step 1: We invite the Lord .................................................................................................. 191
Step 2: We Read the Text ................................................................................................... 192
Step 3: We pick out words and meditate on them .............................................................. 194
Step 4: We Let God Speak to Us in Silence ....................................................................... 196
Step 5: We Share What We Have Heard in Our Hearts ..................................................... 197
Step 6: We Discuss Any Task Which Our Group Is Called Upon to Do ........................... 200
Step 7: We Pray Together Spontaneously .......................................................................... 200
Self-Evaluation Scheme .......................................................................................................... 202
Group Response Method........................................................................................................ 203
Aims.................................................................................................................................... 203
When and where should this method be used? ................................................................... 203
We learn the Group Response Method of Gospel Sharing ................................................. 203
The Trainer says to the group of participants ..................................................................... 204
The deeper meaning of the Introduction............................................................................. 205
Step 2: We Read the Text ................................................................................................... 205
Step 3: We pick out words or short phrases........................................................................ 205
Step 4: Which problems of our BCBP community, family, or work situation are mentioned in
the text?......................................................................................................................... 205
Step 5: What does God tell us about this problem.............................................................. 206
Step 6: What does God want us to do? ............................................................................... 207
Practice the Group Response Method................................................................................. 207
Summing Up ....................................................................................................................... 207
Look-Listen-Love Method...................................................................................................... 208
Aim of this Method............................................................................................................. 208
Learning the Look-Listen-Love Method ............................................................................ 208
Step 1: Introduction............................................................................................................. 209
Step 2: Look at Life ............................................................................................................ 210
Step 3: Listen to God .......................................................................................................... 211
Step 4: Love in Action ........................................................................................................ 212
Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 212
We Practice the Look-Listen-Love Method ....................................................................... 212
Summing Up ....................................................................................................................... 212
viii
The BCBP Basic Formation Manual
Introduction
The manual is primarily intended for those who will guide associate members through a
process of formation enshrined in the Christian Life Program, the Free to Follow the Lord
Retreat, the Christian Marriage Retreat, the Christians in Business Retreat and the BCBP
Way of Life Retreat. The formation program has for its purpose to help new members
learn to live out faithfully the commitments, which make a person a full member of the
BCBP.
The basic formation of the BCBP that is given to all new members has for its purpose to
communicate to these men and women the Vision and Mission that we believe the Lord
gave to us when he called the BCBP into existence. Our response to the vision and
mission given to us is enshrined in the BCBP commitment card. The BCBP Formation
Manual begins with the Commitment card of the BCBP, since the goal of formation is to
assist new members to understand, accept and commit to live as a committed follower of
the Lord in the marketplace and the professions through the BCBP.
The Manual has two major parts. The first presents all the speakers’ and participants’
outlines of the formation program from the CLP to the WLP of the BCBP. The first part
of the Manual will assist the Action Group Leaders who will accompany the associate
members through the formation process by giving them the outlines of all the talks
enabling them in this way to follow up and to help associate members not only know the
talks, but actually live them out faithfully.
The second part of the Manual has support material for Action Group Leaders to assist
them in the follow-up process of the formation of new members. It also includes the
training material in the various Bible-sharing methods. Thus making it possible for AG
leaders to review from time to time the various methods in order to make sure they
continue to give life and bring blessings to all the members of the group. It also contains
a short write-up of the role of the unit leaders as overseers of the ministry of the Action
Group Leaders.
We fervently pray to the Lord that he would assist the process of basic formation through
the power of his Holy Spirit in order to raise up in the BCBP men and women who will
glorify the Lord by the witness of their lives and by their zeal in bringing business people
to the Lord and the Lord himself into the marketplace.
1
The BCBP Vision and Mission
Our Vision:
Bringing Christ into the marketplace

and winning the marketplace for Christ.
Our Mission:
We are a community of
business people and professionals
committed to living out Christian values
and being change agents in the marketplace.
We accomplish this through a process of
on-going personal conversion, a commitment
to professional excellence, community and nation
building, practice of justice and integrity, and
responsible care for all entrusted to us.
2
The BCBP Commitment Card
MEMBERSHIP COVENANT OF THE BCBP
“I, ___________, commit myself to be a regular member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen
and Professionals and with the help of the Lord, I dedicate myself to the following:
A. I WILL LIVE AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST
1. I will pray everyday for at least 15 minutes and intercede daily

for the BCBP.
2. I will read the Scripture everyday for at least 15 minutes.
3. I will participate regularly in the worship life of my church.
4. I will avoid serious sin and wrongdoing.
5. I will put good order into my private and family life and in all
my relationships.
B. I WILL MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO THE LORD FOR SERVICE
1. I will regularly attend the BCBP Breakfast.

2. I will faithfully attend our action group meetings, and share with
my action group members what the Lord is doing in my life and
I commit to love and support the members of my action group.
3. I will faithfully and punctually attend and participate actively
in all BCBP activities, in general assemblies, in the chapter,
in the unit and action group I belong.
4. I will dedicate myself to bring other businessmen and professionals
to Christ through the BCBP Breakfast and the BCBP Christian Life
Program.
5. As a member of the BCBP, I will follow the directives of those who
have responsibility over my service.
6. I will support the life and mission of the BCBP with the talents and
resources that God has given me.
7. I will wholeheartedly support my spouse in his/her covenant to the BCBP.
C. I WILL BE A CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMAN AND PROFESSIONAL
1. I will be righteous and just in all my business dealings.

2. I will give my employers what is due them in terms of the time and the
effort I put into my work.
3. I will be fair and not misrepresent our products/services to our customers.
4. I will relate with my peers/subordinates/employees with justice and respect.
5. I will respect company assets and properties and use them solely for the
Company’s business operations.
6. I will take Christian responsibility for fair labor practices, just wages and
human working conditions within the company, as far as my authority will allow me.
7. I will take Christian responsibility for my financial obligations to the government and private
creditors.
May our Lord Jesus Christ help me to live the covenant of the Brotherhood of Christian businessmen
and Professionals more fully everyday for His greater honor and glory, and for the good of my brothers
and sisters.”
3
BCBP Christian Life Program (BCLP)
Speakers Outlines
BCBP Formation Manual

2008
4
The BCBP Christian Life Program
The BCBP Christian Life Program is a seminar to help newcomers find the Lord; give
their life to the him and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the
purpose of the BCLP is to lead businessmen and professionals to adult conversion and a
renewal of their baptism and confirmation.
The purpose of the BCLP is not to give people a mini course in adult catechesis. The
purpose of the seminar is to present to participants the good news of salvation through
Jesus Christ and to guide them to make a faith commitment to Jesus as the Lord of their
life and to open their hearts and minds to the transforming power of the Spirit of God.
Instruction in the faith is important and needs to happen for all members of the BCBP,
but not during the BCLP. The purpose of the BCLP is achieved, if the participants are
ready to pray the prayer of commitment at the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with all their
heart and mind: “I offer my life to you, and I promise to obey you as my Lord. I ask you
to baptize me in the Holy Spirit.”
5
The Orientation Session
GOALS
To invite businessmen and professionals to a new way of life,
to give a brief but clear explanation of the Christian message so that
they can see the things that lie behind their experience at the meeting,
be attracted towards turning to the Lord and
attending the Brotherhood Christian Life Program.
OVERVIEW
This first talk basically spells out
1. What the participants can expect out of the Brotherhood Christian Life Program (BCLP), and
2. What is expected from them
BRIEF INFORMATION ON THE BCBP
The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals is:
A. A non-profit, non-stock Corporation duly registered with the SEC.
B. A Catholic organization registered and recognized by the Archdiocese of Manila and other
archdioceses where it operates.
C. It is open to all other Christian denominations.
D. Its basic mission is to evangelize the business sector.
WHAT IS THE BROTHERHOOD CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM (BCLP)?

The Brotherhood Christian Life Program (BCLP) is:
A. A course in Christian Renewal for businessmen, professionals and their wives.
B. A venue where one who has not yet met Jesus has an opportunity to meet him for the first time.
C. A venue to re-acquaint one whom has lost touch with Jesus.
D. A venue where one who loves Jesus can grow to greater love.
6
Concerning Participation
A. Be present during all the talks. Talks are divided into 3 modules of 4 talks each. Only one absence
will be allowed per module, which has to be made up with tapes of the recorded talks, and discussed
with the DGL.
B. Strictly adhere to the time schedules.
C. Get actively involved during the group discussion.
D. Take notes during the ongoing talks (bring notebooks and ball pens).
E. Cooperate with the DGL who is assigned to their group.
F. Strictly observe the following:

1. No smoking or drinking of alcoholic beverages in the CLP premises.
2. No eating of meals or snacks during the talks.
NOTE: Inform the participants of the cost of meals or snacks, if any.
G. For any additional information, check with the BCLP Director.
INDIVIDUAL INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS WITHIN THE GROUP
Since we will be meeting for several weeks, it would be best if we could give a short introduction of
ourselves by:
A. Stating our name, status, number of children, religious background and place of work
B. Followed by an answer to the question: “What made you decide to take the BCLP?”
NOTE: The DGL should be the first to introduce himself.
CONCLUDING EXHORTATION
T h e B CL P is a lwa ys s u cc e s s fu l. However, the result of your own personal success will depend
largely on your cooperation. We count on the Lord’s abundant graces to help you out, but the end result
is dependent on how you avail of those graces.
One important feature for your success is proper disposition. We ask you not to pre-judge the BCLP. If
you came with any bias, we ask you to open your hearts and minds and allow Jesus to work in you.
At the end of the fourth session, we will ask if you wish to continue or drop off. It is only then that you will
be able to judge for yourselves the merits of this program. But until then, we ask you to have faith in what
the Lord Jesus has planned for you.
7
Talk 1: Who Is Jesus Christ?
GOALS
To capture nominal Christians’ interest in Jesus and Christianity by
helping them understand the basic Christian message
(what Jesus has done and will do for them),
to attract them with the promise of a new spiritual life and
a personal relationship with Jesus,
to help them realize the need to make a serious decision
to commit themselves to attend the whole BCLP.
INTRODUCTION
Having been born and raised as Christians, we take for granted our conviction that Jesus is the Son of God. But
aside from this conviction,
A. Is Jesus really worth paying attention to?

B. Is there any reason not to put Jesus on the same level as Buddha, Confucius, Socrates or other wise men?
C. Was Jesus more than just a great religious man or moral teacher?
D. How is Jesus different from all the others who claimed that they came from God, or that they were gods, or
that they bore messages from God?
WHO WAS JESUS CHRIST?
A. About 2,000 years ago, a young carpenter quit his job in Nazareth and for three years traveled around his
native land, preaching.
B. He never went more than 100 miles from where he was born, always on foot.
C. He never went to a city whose population was larger than 50,000.
D. Within three years he was dead, killed in a relatively small city — Jerusalem, way out on the border of
the Roman Empire — by Roman authorities on a trumped-up charge of inciting rebellion.
E. His name was Jesus.
WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?
A. SOME POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS OF JESUS CHRIST:

1. Jesus Christ Superstar (the most sensitive human ever, undergoing identity crisis).
2. The archetypal social-political revolutionary.
3. A great religious leader.
4. A great moral teacher.
B. JESUS CONTRADICTS THESE POPULAR NOTIONS:

1. He was not in some “identity crisis”. He knew who He was.
2. He was not a “revolutionary” but the Lord of history, coming to judge all.
3. Unlike great religious leaders and moral teachers, Jesus said He is God. (C. S. Lewis #3). Neither
Buddha, Confucius nor Mohammed ever claimed to be God.
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C. WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT HIMSELF?
1. He claimed to possess all authority in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28: 18)
2. He forgave sin, a role only God has. (Mark. 2: 5-7 and C. S. Lewis #1)
3. He gives life like God does. (John 5: 21-23, 18)
4. He is to judge the earth. (Matthew 25: 31 and Mark 14: 61-62))
5. He claims straightforwardly to be God. He applies the Name of God, “I Am” to Himself.
(John 8: 51-58)
6. The Jews recognized His claim and attempted to stone Him for blasphemy. (John 10: 31-38)
7. In short, as Thomas exclaimed, He is Lord and God, (John 20:28)and Jesus received this worship.
CONCLUSION
A. JESUS’ LIFE AND WORDS DEMAND A RESPONSE FROM US.

1. If Jesus was not all that He said He was, then He was not even a good man, for good men do not lie.
He would have been the greatest deceiver who ever lived.
2. If Jesus were not God, we would have to conclude that He was a lunatic by the way He spoke. We
must decide whether He is a madman, a demon or the Lord. (C. S. Lewis #2)
3. Men who encounter Jesus have always faced this question; He intended it that way. In John 8:
24 we read: “You will die in your sins unless you believe that I am He.”
B. DID GOD CONFIRM JESUS’ CLAIM OF WHO HE IS? YES.

1. In the miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus was giving a demonstration, for God
alone has the prerogative to give life and to take away life. (John 11: 41-42)
2. Testimony of Peter. (2 Peter 1: 12-18)
3. The most conclusive proof is that God raised Jesus up from the dead.
C. JESUS DEMANDS A RESPONSE FROM US.

Jesus offers a personal relationship to each one of us. We can begin to seek Him and ask Him to reveal
Himself to us. In Jeremiah 29: 12-13 it is written:
“When you call to me and come to me, I will listen to you.
When you seek me, you shall find me.”
FOR SPEAKERS: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION
“Who Is Jesus Christ?” is a straightforward presentation of Jesus’ claim to be God. The talk awakens interest
by asserting Jesus’ impact on history and by listing briefly modern misconceptions of who He is. The heart of
the talk presents His claims by citing His own words. The talk concludes with a setting aside of modern
misconceptions and an explanation of the kind of response Christ demands of those who hear His message.
The speaker wants to win people to the Lord, so he must communicate faith and some measure of excitement.
He should resist any temptation to talk down to people or belittle the modern misconceptions. But he should lay
it out plain and challenge people to face the issue — Jesus is either God, the Lord, or He is a liar, a lunatic or a
demon. There is no comfortable in-between.
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APPENDIX
“
1. One part of the claim tends to slip past us unnoticed because we have heard it so often that we no longer see what
it amounts to. I mean the claim to forgive sins. Now unless the speaker is God, this is really preposterous as to be
comic. We can all understand how a man forgives offenses against himself. You tread on my toe and I forgive you,
you steal my money and I forgive you. But what should we make of a man, himself unrobbed and untrodden on,
who announced that he forgave you for treading on the other men’s toes and stealing other men’s money? Asinine
fatuity is the kindest description we should give of his conduct. Yet this is what Jesus did. He told people that
their sins were forgiven, and never waited to consult all the other people whom their sins had undoubtedly injured.
He unhesitatingly behaved as if he was the party chiefly concerned, the person chiefly offended in all offenses.
This makes sense only if he really was the God whose laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every sin. In
the mouth of any speaker who is not God, these words would imply what I can only regard as a silliness and
conceit unrivalled by any other character in history.” (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity p. 55)
“
2. I am trying hereto prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to
accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say.
A man who as merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would
either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell.
You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse.
You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him
Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not
left that open to us. He did not intend to.” (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity pp. 55-56)
3. “I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ
and the founders of empires, and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not exist. There is between
Christianity and what ever other religions the distance of infinity.... Everything in Christ astonishes me. His
spirit overawes me, and His will confounds me. Between Him and who ever else in the world, there is no possible
term of comparison. He is truly a being by Himself. His ideas and sentiments, the truth which He announces, His
manner of convincing, are not explained either by human organization or by the nature of things .... The nearer I
approach, the more carefully I examine, everything is above me—everything remains grand, of a grandeur which
overpowers. His religion is a revelation from intelligence, which certainly is not that of man.... One can absolutely
find nowhere but in Him alone, the imitation or the example of His life.... I search in history to find the similar to
Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history, nor humanity, northe ages, nor nature,
offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
(Napoleon quoted by Josh McDowell in Evidence That Demands a Verdict p. 111)
4. “On the one side clear, definite, moral teaching. On the other, claims, which if not true, are those of a
megalomaniac, compared with whom Hitler was the most sane and humble of men. There is no halfway house, and
there is no parallel in other religions. If you had gone to Buddha and asked him,‘ Are you the son of Bramah?’ he
would have said, ‘My son, you are still in the vale of illusion.’ If you had gone to Socrates and asked, ‘Are you
Zeus?’ he would have laughed at you. If you would have gone to Mohammed and asked,‘ Are you Allah?’ he
would first have rent his clothes then cut your head off. If you had asked Confucius,‘ Are you heaven?’I think he
would have probably replied,‘ Remarks, which are not in accordance with nature, are in bad taste.” The idea of a great
moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question. In my opinion, the only person who can say that sort
of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from thatform of delusion which undermines the whole mind
of man . . . .” (C. S. Lewis——Source unknown)
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Talk 2: What is God Like?
GOALS
To penetrate deeply into the truths of our faith
in order to arrive at a clear and fundamental understanding of God,
who is the foundation of this faith;
to provide the participants with a t a s t e of who God is,
what He has done and what a personal relationship with Him is like;
to provide them with an inspiring and instructive understanding
of God’s character, thereby moving them to greater love for Him.
INTRODUCTION
“I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things
visible and invisible.”
This passage is the first part of the Nicene Creed, which is the central affirmation of all Christians. It is
proclaimed by all true Christian denominations as the essential matter of their faith.
WHO IS HE?
A. GOD AS SPIRIT
1. God is a perfect, pure spirit who embraces in the highest possible degree, everything that is
conceivably good, noble and just.
2. He thinks and directs, knows and wills, orders and arranges all things — the Creator from whom all
good things are made. (Genesis 1: 1-27)
B. THE SELF-REVELATION OF GOD TO MAN
1. “Though He was in the form of God, He did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at.
Rather, He emptied Himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men.”
(Philippians 2: 6-7)
2. “God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan He was pleased to decree
in Christ.” (Ephesians 1: 9)
“He is the image of the invisible God.” (Col. 1: 15)
“The Father and I are one.” (John 10: 30)
“Whoever has see me, has seen the Father.” 4: 9)
NOTE: It is sometimes difficult to relate to an invisible God who is pure spirit. But God became man,
one like us in everything except sin. In this way it becomes easier to relate to the Father
who is a perfect image of the Son.
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GOD’S PLAN
A. GOD’S CREATION
God created man, gave him authority over all creation and eventually to enjoy life everlasting with Him.
However, Adam and Eve disobeyed and sinned against God. God could have banished mankind to hell
like He did with the bad angels. Instead, He gave man another chance. He promised them a
Savior.(Genesis 3: 15)
NOTE: Adam and Eve represented the whole human race.
B. MAN’S KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Authentic faith — the faith of God’s — people began with Abraham. Through such faith, God’s eternal
decrees lodges in the heart and mind of Abraham and God makes a covenant with him. “My covenant with
you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations.”(Genesis 17: 4)
God also maintains a covenant with him and his descendants and promises an everlasting pact to be his God
and that of his descendants.(Genesis 17: 7)
C. GOD’S LOVE
1. God keeps His promise and becomes man that we may have eternal life. He requires that His son lay
down His life for the forgiveness of sin. The doors of heaven were closed through Adam’s sin and now
it is open through God’s love.
a. “Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not
die but may have eternal life.”(John 3: 16)
b. “There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.”(John 15: 13)
2. Another trait of God’s love is His mercy and how He deals with us personally.
a. Some conceive God as being impersonal, far removed, unfeeling. “The FORCE a la Star Wars”.
How can He have time for each one of us?
b. But our God is bigger than that. He intimately knows and loves each human being. He knows
and loves each one of us. “Even the hairs of your head are counted.” (Luke 12: 7)
D. GOD IS RIGHTEOUS
1. He is the enemy of evil and wrongdoing.
2. God’s righteousness is the objective foundation of right and wrong; it’s the foundation for our
loyalty and faithfulness to God.
3. God’s righteousness is the basis of what allows people to be civilized and social.
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4. This is both good news and bad news. Good news because of the blessings that come with being
righteous. But God’s righteousness demands reparations for those who engage in evil or
wrongdoing. They will have to contend with God’s justice.
5. How does His love mix with His righteousness? Does one cancel the other? Jesus shows us how
they work together by giving us the story of the adulterous woman in John 8: 2-11. Jesus loved
the woman, but didn’t condone the sin. He forgave it, but said not to do it again.
THE ABSENCE OF GOD
A. THE SITUATION IN THE WORLD TODAY
1. Man continues to disobey and rebel against God. As a consequence, there is serious disorder in
the world. There is war, poverty, social injustice, murder, killing of the unborn, etc.
2. On a personal level, there is loneliness, depression, fear, insecurity, mistrust, etc.
3. On the family level, we find increasing divorce, separation, maladjusted children, drug addictions,
etc.
B. WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?
1. Men have made various efforts to improve their situation. World organizations have been created
like the United Nations; regional associations and agreements have been formed; technology has
progressed beyond man’s dreams; national laws have been enacted to govern and protect man.
2. Some have even proposed solutions through man-made religions or political ideologies (ex-
amples: New Age, communism).
3. The result is a continuous spiritual and social deterioration of man. They are not succeeding
because all these are based on man’s wisdom.
GOD’S SOLUTION
A. WHAT DOES GOD SAY?
1. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are my ways your ways, says the Lord. As high as
the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your
thoughts.” (Isaiah 55: 8-9)
2. God says our human efforts apart from him will prove useless.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who lives in me and I in him will produce
abundantly, for apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15: 5)
3. “I, the Lord your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.”
(Isaiah 48: 1-7)
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B. A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
1. God is neither indifferent nor distant, but someone who loves us and is interested in having a
personal relationship with us. He is interested in what we think what we feel and what we do.
2. “Come to me, all who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you.” (Matthew 11: 28)
3. “Here I stand, knocking at the door. If anyone hears me calling and opens the door, I will enter his
house and have supper with him, and he with me.” (Revelations. 3: 20)
4. God created man and provided him with a free will, a free choice. While God desires to have a
personal relationship with each one of us, he respects our decision. A relationship calls for a two-way
rapport. God is willing; the rest depends on us.
GOD’S INVITATION AWAITS OUR RESPONSE
A. GOD’S INVITATION
1. God’s invitation is faced with serious opposition. The evil one is actively setting up barriers in our
lives, while the world is under the devil’s influence. “We know that we belong to God while the world
is under the evil one.” (1 John 5: 19)
2. Obedience to His holy will and commandments; to be righteous like He is righteous; to be holy as
He is holy.
3. When there is a conflict between God’s will and ours, turn to God and trust Him.
B. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
1. Will you love God who died for you or reject Him for the worldly pleasures?
2. Will you live a life of peace, freedom and joy, or one of insecurity, fear and emptiness?
3. Will you live under the dominion of darkness, a life of sin, or live in the kingdom of God?
CHALLENGE
Christ knocks on the door of your lives. He is asking to be invited. God has made the first move. Enter into
a personal relationship with God. Trust him with your life, your family, your concerns and your future.
Turn to God.
FOR SPEAKER: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION
A. This talk is meant to inspire people, and if possible to stun them with a revelation of who God is, who
we are, and the love God has shown us in Jesus. This information, if told in a dry academic or
theological manner, will fall flat; it will be boring. You need to have a clear grasp of the facts and marshal
them for your real purpose, which is to have an inspirational impact. You need to give the talk with
enthusiasm, demonstratively conveying the awe and the gratitude that you want them to have.
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B. Regarding ‘God is Righteous’ section. This section is tricky. It is easy to provoke reactions out of
people because notions like absolute right and wrong, objective guilt, punishment for guilt, and
remedial purposes are foreign to modern thinking. We are not interested in provoking reactions. Our goal
is to get people to relate positively to this quality in God. This means we have to be evangelistic in how
we present it (i.e. we need to be aware of where people are coming from and speak in terms they will be
able to appreciate). To do this, portray God as faithful to personal relationships, faithful to his word,
faithful in his commitments. Portray God as the enemy of evil and wrongdoing (who can argue with
that?). Do not focus on God as the stern judge of human beings on the Judgment Day, on sinners being
cast into the lake of fire. Portray our God as hating sin but loving sinners. In fact, we are building an
understanding of God here which will be the foundation for understanding sin, judgment, holiness and
righteousness. But we need to go slow, to be evangelistic. This is a first step toward the proper fear of
God.
C. Regarding ‘Jesus Reveals the Father’. What has been said above holds true here. This could be
theology or it could be a revelation. Be clear, be inspiring, convey your awe. This teaching will unfold a
new perspective, a new understanding for most people. It can affect them deeply.
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Talk 3: The Power of the Holy Spirit
GOALS
To lead the participants to the understanding that a new life is
available through a fuller reception of the Holy Spirit,
to help them see that this new life centers in
an experiential relationship with the Lord,
to stir up expectant faith and eager desire for a
greater working of God in their lives through the Holy Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
“Much of Christianity today looks feeble, lacking power.”
This led Friedrich Nietzsche, a 19th century philosopher who started the “God is dead”
philosophy to say,
“Christians will need to look more redeemed before I believe in the Redeemer.”
He has a point there. But how can this be changed?
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. THE PROMISE OF CHRIST
1. “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Paraclete to be with you always. The Spirit of
truth whom the world cannot accept since it neither sees him nor recognizes him; but you can
recognize him, because he remains with you and will be within you.” (John 14: 16-17)
2. “I send down upon you the promise of my Father. Remain here in the city until you are clothed
with power from on high.” (John 24: 49)
B. THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE
On Pentecost Day, a Jewish feast, the apostles and some of the disciples had gathered together in
prayer, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, when suddenly a noise like a strong wind was heard
and tongues of fire appeared and rested on each one present. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in foreign tongues, and boldly proclaimed as the Spirit prompted them.
(Refer to Acts 2: 1-4)
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
A. The Christian confession of faith that appears in the Nicene Creed and is affirmed by all true Christians
answers this question:
“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the
Father and the Son, together they are worshipped and glorified.”
The Holy Spirit is God, co-eternal and co-equal to the Father and the Son.
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B. Scripture understands the Holy Spirit as the creative power in all life. He animates all, binds all
together and guides all towards everlasting salvation.
C. He is active particularly in Jesus Christ — in His conception, baptism, public works, death and
resurrection.
“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, therefore He has anointed me.” (Luke 4: 18)
“. . . The way God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip
of the devil and God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38)
RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. BAPTISM is the Sacrament of Faith.
B. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day, Peter announced Jesus Christ crucified as Lord
and Messiah. His hearers asked him what they were to do. Peter answered, “You must reform and be
baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sin may be forgiven — then you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2: 37-38)
C. This text shows that from the very beginning conversion to Jesus Christ was linked with baptism in His
name. The sacrament of baptism has always been the entrance gate and foundation of the whole Christian
existence in the Church. However, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are baptized.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE FAITHFUL
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS IN PEOPLE

1. “Do you not know,” asks St. Paul, “that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
(1 Corinthians 3: 16)
2. His warmth and love are directed to the Church and to each individual. The essential task of the Holy
Spirit is to sanctify and make each one holy.
3. “I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony
hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes
careful to observe my decrees.” (Ezechiel 36: 26-27)
4. The Holy Spirit provides us with a new power to do what is right and effect changes in our nature.
He also brings us the presence of God so we can pray, hear His voice and experience His
intervention in our daily lives.
B. HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TRANSFORMS
1. A good example of changes that come over people when they receive the Holy Spirit is the classic
case of the apostles.
2. To see the abrupt change there is need to compare them before and after receiving the Holy Spirit.
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When Jesus was arrested, Peter denied him three times, all the others with the exception of John ran
away and hid themselves. When Jesus was crucified only John was present, the others were nowhere
to be seen. They had seen Jesus killed and were afraid the same fate would be theirs. They were a
depressed group, full of anxieties, fears and doubts.
3. When they received the Holy Spirit, they started to boldly preach the good news to large
crowds and that very same day, 3,000 Jews were converted.
4. They were no longer the same persons. They had changed from fearful to courageous men,
from doubtful to strong men of faith. They began to relate to God in a very personal way.
FOR SPEAKERS: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION
A. Leave out specifically the charismatic dimension that may give some people some problems and
confuse them at this early stage. This subject will be dealt with in one of the other talks. However,
should the question be brought up during the discussion groups meeting, give a brief answer and
explain that this subject will be taken up at a later talk.
B. This talk is to build up faith and desire and to channel that into seeking God. It is not to teach
people how to begin experiencing the Holy Spirit, but rather, how the Holy Spirit works.
C. For ‘How the Holy Spirit Transforms’ portion. For this section, you may give a 10-minute
testimony on how the Holy Spirit has transformed you. You can develop any one of the following
subjects:
1. How you have met Jesus personally.

2. How you constantly experience His love and presence.
3. Your prayer life.
4. Any change in your life style.
NOTE: Do not extend your testimony beyond 10 minutes.
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Talk 4: Repentance and Faith
GOALS
To help people turn away from everything
that is incompatible with the Christian life,
to repent from sin, to turn to Christ with faith and
to prepare them to ask, in faith, for the full life of the Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
“Jesus appeared in Galilee proclaiming the good news of God: ‘this is the time of
fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand! Reform your lives and believe in the Gospel!’“
(Mark 1: 14-15)
In order to understand Christianity, we need to understand what Jesus meant here.
WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
A. TO REFORM
1. In the Christian context it refers to a change in direction. Repentance needs a significant

change in your lifestyle; dropping an old set of ideals and values by which you live your life,
and adopting new ones; the way you think and act, your attitudes, motives, thoughts and
behavior.
2. More specifically, turning away from evil, sin, wrong doing; allowing Jesus to run your life;
turning to a life of obedience to God, and putting Jesus in the center of your life.
B. SOME MISCONCEPTIONS
1. A serious misconception: “We are very apt to confuse two things — sorrow for the
consequences of sin, and sorrow for sin. There are men who are desperately sorry because of the
mess that sin has gotten them into, but these men very well know that if they could be
reasonably sure that they could escape the consequences, they would do the same thing again.
It is not the sin that they hate; it is the consequences of the sin. But real repentance means that a
man has come, not only to be sorry for the consequences of sin, but to hate sin itself.” (from
Barclays’ commentary of the Gospel of Mark)
2. Repentance does not depend on feelings but an objective decision to accept God’s
righteousness into one’s life and reject anything that may not be compatible to His Holy Will.
C. WHAT MUST WE DO?
1. Be honest: admit that we have sin in our lives. Call a spade a spade. If it is sin, do not call it a
“growth experience”.
2. Exercise humility: be willing to change, be willing to receive help from the Lord to change.
Don’t expect to be able to change all by yourself. (Humility does not mean getting down on
yourself.)
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3. Renounce sin — actively turn away from sin and decide not to do it again. (You can do this.
God will help you).
1. Asking God’s forgiveness. “But if we acknowledge our sins, He who is just can be trusted to
forgive our sins and cleanse us of every wrong, removing whatsoever causes our sins.”
1 John 1: 9
4. Need to get into a personal relationship with God.
D. SPECIFIC SINS THAT MUST BE RENOUNCED
2. These are serious sins that are totally incompatible with a relationship with God. (Refer to
Romans 1: 28-32.) We are not referring to small character flaws, like getting irritated at your
wife.
a. Involvement in non-Christian religions or movements, i.e. YOGA, NEW AGE, SCIENCE
OF THE MIND, TM, etc.
b. Involvement in the occult or its practices, i.e. BLACK MAGIC, FORTUNE TELLING,
OUIJA BOARD GAMES, SPIRITUALISM, etc.
c. Adultery or fornication, whether it be heterosexual or homosexual.
“Let marriage be honored in every way and the marriage bed be kept unde filed, for God
will judge fornicators and adulterers.” Hebrews 13: 4
d. Sins against life — murder, abortion, suicide, and euthanasia.
e. Sins against your fellowmen — robbery, cheating, lying, slander, gossip, etc.
f. Sins against self — addiction to drugs, abuse of alcohol, gluttony, etc.
“You must know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you.
You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:
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2. Note carefully which of these applies to you. Remember the point of this subject is not to feel
bad about your past indiscretions, but rather to change and turn away from them.
FAITH
A. WHAT IS FAITH?
1. Faith means not just believing with our minds or our intellect that Jesus is the Savior, but believing
that He came to be our personal Savior. Faith is a personal act and decision.
It is a definite act. We must open the door for Christ to come into our lives.
2. It is an individual act. We can decide on our own to open the door. No one can decide for us to put
our hand on the knob and turn it.
3. It is a deliberate act. You do not have to wait for a supernatural light to flash upon you from heaven,
or an emotional experience to overtake you. Christ came into the world and died for your sins. He has now
come and stands outside the front door of the house of your life, and He is knocking (Revelations 2:
20). The next move is yours.
It is an urgent act. Time is passing. The future is uncertain.
4.
It is an indispensable act. It is the step we need to take to receive all God has promised. Faith is
5.
relying on all God has said like Peter relied on what Jesus said. (Matthew 14: 22-23).
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B. THREE ASPECTS OF FAITH
1. Doctrinal faith: Belief in the truths of Christianity (i.e. the Incarnation, the Resurrection, eternal life,
forgiveness of sins, etc.).
a. Not mere belief about the facts, like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west;
b. But a belief that leads me to live my life differently because of these realities. (You can believe
that Jesus is God but have no real faith, Satan believes this way!)
2. Providential faith: Confidence in God’s abiding love, grace, power — such that we believe “all
things work out for our good”. Romans 8: 28
3. Expectant faith: This is the faith that actively claims God’s promises and sees the direct results
of God’s action, His intervention. Give a story or two, i.e.
a. For whoever asks receives, whoever seeks finds, whoever knocks is admitted. Luke
11: 9-10
b. The wedding at Cana — where Mary believes that Jesus will help provide the wine.
John 2: 1-11
c. The Roman Centurion — where he tells Jesus to just order the healing of his servant.
NOTE: Tell them the story but be brief. Luke 7: 1-10
C. WHAT FAITH IS NOT
Faith is not just a feeling or wishful thinking or a blind leap. None of these would
have gotten Peter to step into the water; he was too practical a man.
Peter stepped on the water because Jesus invited him to. He relied on what Jesus said because he trusted that
Jesus wouldn’t lie, and because he knew Jesus had the power to do whatever He said He would do.
Matthew 14: 22-32
THE CHALLENGE
3. Take Jesus up on His challenge which He gave 2,000 years ago — “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
Turn from sin and all obstacles to God, and accept Jesus as Lord. Then take God up on His promises.
4. If you do, this is what you can expect. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” (Acts
16: 14) This is a promise of forgiveness and eternal Life with God.
DECISION TO CONTINUE WITH THE BCLP
!In the Orientation talk given several weeks ago, we asked you not to prejudge the BCLP; to open your heart and
mind and allow Jesus to work in you.
We also said that at the end of the fourth session, which is today, you would be able to judge properly the merits
of the BCLP and be able to decide if you wish to continue or not.
Tonight, inform your DGLs of your decision, and may God bless you all.
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Talk 5a: Praising and Raising of Hands
(NOTE: This mini-teaching should not go beyond 15 minutes because there is the main talk to consider.)
GOALS
To get participants to accept this way of prayer
by explaining the background and reasons for praising the Lord
while raising hands and to get them to worship God
in this fashion during this session.
DYNAMICS
The concept used in this teaching is to associate the praising and raising of hands to practices and events which
the participants can feel comfortable and familiar with, and which they can easily adapt to.
MOOD
At this point in time, most of the participants have some reservations and are reluctant to pray the
Charismatic way. Most of them have barely started reading the Bible and are not familiar with how
people worshipped God in the Old Testament.
In all BCLPs where this teaching was given, 90% to 95% of the participants immediately accepted this
way of worshipping God. Whatever reservation or objection they may have had prior to the teaching
quickly disappeared.
PRAISING GOD
The Bible is full of instances where we find the people of God praising Him with raised hands, dancing and
singing while praying musical instruments like the harp, strings and pipe.
Psalm 66: 12 Psalm 95: 2 Psalm 150: 3-6 1 Timothy 2: 8
Psalm 81: 1 Psalm 104: 33 Hebrews 13: 15 Revelations 19:
4-6
2. We praise the Lord because:
A. He is God, Creator and Redeemer of mankind.

B. He excels in all things except sin. He is superior to anyone; perfect in everything.
C. No one can compare with His goodness, patience, mercy, mercy, justice, intelligence and
creativity.
D. Because of all these, does He not merit praise?
5. Praising is very human.
3. We read a good book and praise the author.

4. We see a good movie and praise the actors and the director.
5. We see a good stage play and praise it for its brilliant dialogue.
6. Foremost — we are continually praising ourselves.
7. Why not God?
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C. Why do we raise our hands?
Man has raised his hands for many reasons:
1. We raise our hands as a sign of greeting.

In the BCBP, we raise our hands to greet Jesus, our Lord and God, in worship.
2. We raise our hands as a sign of welcome.
In the BCBP, we raise our hands to welcome Christ when we come into Hispresenceinprayer.
3. We raise our hands to salute our country’s leaders.
In the BCBP, we raise our hands to salute God, the leader of all leaders.
4. We raise our hands as a sign of joy during festive occasions.
In the BCBP, we raise our hands when we come in contact with God in prayer — what more joyful
or festive occasion than to be in His presence.
5. We raise our hands as a sign of respect to authority, like in the military establishment. In the BCBP,
we consider the Lord our highest ranking officer who demands total recognition and respect.
6. We raise our hands as a sign of victory during sports or other activities.
In the BCBP, we raise our hands as a sign of victory. We are victorious with God!
7. We raise our hands as a sign of surrender to a superior adversary.
In the BCBP, we raise our hands to joyfully surrender ourselves to God. We surrender our will to
His will.
8. We raise our hands when identifying with someone or with a cause. During the EDSA revolution,
those who were with the opposition raised their hands and formed an L sign, while those following the
party then in power raised their hands and formed a V sign. Each group was proud to be associated
with one or the other party.
In the BCBP, we raise our hands to be identified with the cause of Jesus Christ, proudly
identifying ourselves with the Man on the cross.
EXHORTATION
1. Those of you who may have felt ill at ease with this demonstrative way be which we honor and worship
God should by now realize why in the BCBP praising and the raising of hands is so important. We hope this
explanation has cleared any wrong notions you may have had.
2. This way of prayer should in no way change your regular way of praying. We in the BCBP still continue
to pray in the conventional established way. But when we get together in prayer meetings or assemblies,
we worship God in this fashion. You should try it — it is something very meaningful.
SONG OF WORSHIP
Immediately after the mini-teaching, a song of worship should be sung where all the participants are urged
to raise their hands. Use discretion when suggesting it.
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Talk 5b: Loving God and Neighbor
GOALS
To move the participants to apply their idealism to that of loving God and
to encourage them to invite Christ to be the center of their lives,
to lead the participants to the understanding
that the essence of Christianity is union with God
and that this is made possible only through Jesus Christ,
to make them feel the need to enter into a personal relationship with God and
to love one another as Christ loves us.
INTRODUCTION
A. In MODULE I, we focused on:
1. Who Jesus is and the part He played in man’s salvific history.

2. How God revealed Himself to man and the love He bears for him.
3. The power of the Holy Spirit; how He dwells in and transforms man.
4. God’s call for us to repent and believe in the gospel.
B. In MODULE II, we will focus on:
1. How we can live successfully as Christians in the modern world.

2. How we can live out God’s plan to experience his power and peace.
THE CHRISTIAN IDEAL: LOVING GOD
A. SOME OF US TRY TO EXPRESS OUR LOVE FOR GOD IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
1. By psyching up pious feelings.

2. Through humanistic or philantrophic endeavors.
3. Through acts of piety.
These are not wrong concepts but neither are they adequate expressions of loving God.
B. LOVING GOD AS AN IDEAL
1. Goals direct our human behavior and plans for life.

2. These goals become our ideal of life, influencing and directing our lives
3. We can give our lives to pursuing good goals, but if our ideal is not focused
on loving God, then this falls short of the ideal.
C. LOVING GOD, OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY
When questioned by a scribe as to which was the first of all commandments, Jesus replied: "This is the
first: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! Therefore you shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12: 29-30
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WHAT IT MEANS . . . .
A. TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART
What does it mean to love God with all our heart? To answer this we have to understand what Jesus meant
by heart.
1. Modern day understanding of heart

For most of us, heart has something to do with feeling or emotion.
2. Biblical understanding of heart

1. Definition of heart (source: Dictionary of the Bible by Fr. John McKenzie)
• Biblical idiom differs from modern day idiom.
• Heart is understood as the seat of intelligence and decision.
• Heart is used in the Bible where in English, we should use mind or will
• The heart is the symbol for the core of man - who the man is - includes intelligent thought and
will, along with feeling.
The biblical understanding of heart makes more sense when we try to understand what Jesus meant
by loving God with all our heart. The kind of love God requires cannot depend on feelings, which are
changeable but rather, is based on a commitment, a decision to love.
3. To love God with our heart is to be committed to him.
• It is a commitment to seek the Lord first and foremost.

• It is a decision to put God first, to be loyal to him, to place his will and interest above our own,
no matter what.
4. How do we put the Lord first in our life?
1. This requires a basic decision to put him first.

1. Decide to love God above everything and to do with my life whatever the Lord wants.
1. This requires a decision to obey him. John
14:15
2. This requires a desire to develop a personal relationship with God.
1. Relationship is dynamic and alive.
1. Loving God is a personal experience arising from our relationship with him as sons and
daughters.
Spend regular time with God (in prayer and in scripture reading).
B. TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR MIND
1. Love in the gospel denotes committed service. It is something we do rather than something we feel.
Jesus taught his disciples to wash one another’s feet.

He said, “No greater love has he than to lay down his life for his friends.” John 15: 13 Loving
God with our minds means serving God with the use of our mind or simply making available
our minds for God’s purposes.
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2. Using our minds has incredible consequences for society.
a. It can become an instrument for destruction e.g. Hitler.

b. It can be applied to contribute to world progress.
3. How do you love and serve God with your mind?
Keep your mind clean and holy.

Free of all evil thoughts (Matthew 5: 28 - adultery in the heart).
Free of uncharitable thoughts(Matthew 7: 1 ff.)
Away from suspicion that can lead to estranged relationships.
Away from speculative thoughts that can lead to sin.
Use your mind according to God’s truths and not according to the ways of the world. The way
we think and conduct ourselves in all human endeavors must reflect the fact that we are not just
living for the temporal world but for the everlasting kingdom of God. Our decisions and choices
must be guided by the revered Word of God in scripture; and faith in God’s promises.
Let your mind be pre-occupied with the things of God.
How family can be holy, not how it can be rich materially.
How we can please God, not how we can glory in the praises of men.
Protect and preserve your minds from unholy influences so that God can use you for His
purpose.
Be very discerning in the use of TV and other media that can expose our minds to input
not consistent with Christian living.
Fill your minds with the thoughts of God. Read the Bible and other helpful Christian
readings that can form our Christian minds.
Use your mind actively for God’s purposes.
In your business, family, peer groups, etc.
In serving him in BCBP.
C. TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR STRENGTH
Loving God with all our strength means giving him all our resources — time, money, energy,
possession, gifts, abilities. Let us not set limits in our giving.
Some concrete ways we can love God with our resources:
1. Money
Develop proper attitudes towards money.
God is interested in our money, not because He needs money but to see the condition of
our heart.
We are stewards, not owners.
We have the responsibility to manage and use well the resources given to us.
Concrete steps we can take:
Tithing Malachi 3: 7-10
Almsgiving 2 Corinthians 8: 1-4
2. Time
a. Attitude about time
We don’t own our time, we manage it.
The Lord wants us to be generous with our time.
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b. Concrete applications:
Seek God’s direction as to how you are to spend your time
Examine what you do with your free time.
Volunteer to do Christian service.
JESUS: OUR MODEL IN LOVING GOD
DEDICATED TO ACCOMPLISHING HIS MISSION:

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.” John 4: 34
OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH:

“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will but Yours to be done.
Luke 22: 42
CONSTANTLY SEEKING THE FATHER’S WILL:

“And in the morning, a great while before the day, He arose and went out to a lonely place, and
there He prayed.” Mark 1: 35
“After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on a mountain by himself to pray.”

Matthew 14: 23
THE CHALLENGE IN LOVING GOD
Loving God is not as vague and impractical as you may think. It involves specific, practical actions and
decisions and commitments. Can you make the love of God your first and highest ideal? Are you ready to
make Christ the model of your life?
LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR
The essence of Christianity is union with God, made possible through the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
What makes one a Christian is a loving personal relationship with God. Our whole life becomes an
expression of this relationship.
To love one another:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 34-35
WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY?
GOD’S LOVE AND OURS
It is a love relationship initiated by God. His love consists of this:

“. . . not that we have loved God, but that He has loved us and has sent His Son as an offering for our
sins.”1 John 4: 10
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We enter into the same relationship Jesus has with His Father. Our identity is changed and we
become sons and daughters of God.
“To deliver from the law those who were subject to it, so that we may receive our status as adopted
sons.” (Galatians 4: 5)
We share in the eternal life of God.

“This is God’s dwelling among men. He shall dwell with them and they shall be His people and He
shall be their God who is always with them.” (Revelations 21: 3)
Love of neighbor.
“Let us love one another beca use love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten of God and has
knowledge of God, for God is love.”(1 John 4: 7)
WHAT DOES GOD MEAN BY LOVE?
Jesus spoke of love that is connected with keeping God’s commandments. John 15: 9-10) The
world’s experience shows that love apart from God has become polluted with sin.
Jesus was specific about how we are to love one another. John 15: 12 We are not free to change or
dilute Jesus’ commandment of love: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Jesus meant a self-sacrificial love. “. . . to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15: 13
Dying on the cross was not the only example Jesus gave about loving. He demonstrated Christian
love as service love in the foot-washing episode. John 13: 1-7
The life of Jesus was one of service and love. He set the example for us to follow. “Out of love
place yourselves atone another’s service. The whole lawhas foundits fulfillment in this one saying,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5: 14
Is it possible to choose the people you will love?

a. The Jews asked Jesus: “Who is my neighbor?”
b. Jesus answered them by telling them the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Implication: All men in need of your help are your neighbors. Serve them.
Love them. Help them.
C. HOW DO WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR?
We love our neighbor in the same manner that Jesus loves us. Throughout his earthly life, Jesus taught us
how to deal with one another. The golden rule clearly spells this out, “Do unto others what you would
want them to do unto you.”
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he clearly points out what love of neighbor is all about.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 This is how Paul defines LOVE in 1Corinthians 13: 4-7:
Patient — quality of persistent courage in trying circumstances; giving allowances to the

shortcomings of others.
Kind — implies a sympathetic attitude towards others; considerate of others’ needs.
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3. Not jealous — being jealous is an attitude of envious resentments against the success or
advantages of others; it is usually associated with coveting material possessions of others.
4. Not boastful or proud — being boastful or proud denotes excessive pride and vanity;
exaggerated speech; bragging and self-praise, usually claiming superiority over others.
5. Not rude — to be rude means to be discourteous and impolite. We are required to give honor and
respect for others.
6. Not self-seeking — self-seeking is to be self-serving with selfish ends; primarily seeking own
interest over others.
7. Not prone to anger — anger is revengeful emotions directed against one who inflicts a wrong;
resentment caused by injury, accompanied by an impulse to retaliate.
8. Does not brood over injuries — does not hold grudges or resentments over injuries.
9. Does not rejoice in what is wrong — seeks the good of others, even of one’s enemies.
10. Rejoices with the truth — the quality of honesty, uprightness and integrity; being truthful to one
another.
11. Forbearance — loyalty; protecting each other’s reputation.
12. Trust — reliance on the integrity of others; confident expectation in the intention of others.
13. Hope — positive attitude and confidence towards life and problems; remaining joyful and
peaceful, relying on better things to come.
14. Perseveres — one who perseveres is he who can bear things; not with passive resignation, but
with confidence that he can overcome whatever comes his way.
D. CHRISTIAN LOVE IS COMMITTED SERVICE
Examine your basic Christian responsibilities in life. If you were to be tested, how would you fare out in
your responsibilities in the following areas:
Husband
Wife
Parent to your children
To your work/profession
To your parish/community
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PRACTICAL IMPLICATION OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
A. TRUSTING IN GOD’S LOVE

1. If God is our Father, trust Him. He has a plan for us. We cannot expect anything better. "For I
know well the plan I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plan to give
you a future full of hope.”(Jeremiah 29: 11)
2. Our Father knows our needs. He will provide for us; and expect more where it came from.
Read Luke 12: 22-31
3. We are sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ.
“The proof that you are sons is the fact that God has sent forth into our hearts the spirit of his Son
which cries out ‘Abba!’ (Father). You are no longer a slave but a son! And the fact that you are a
son makes you an heir by God’s design.”Galatians 4: 6-7
Having the same Father makes you brothers and sisters to Christ.
THE CHALLENGE IN LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR
Jesus showed us the way to true Christian love by dying on the cross. He also taught a new way of life —
what it really means to live as a Christian.
Did Jesus die in vain? Or do we who call ourselves Christians take up the challenge hurled by Jesus to follow
in His footsteps?
What is your response?
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Talk 6a: Vocal Prayers
NOTE: This mini-teaching should not go beyond 15 minutes

because there is the main talk to consider.
GOALS
To get participants to start vocalizing their prayers
by explaining how the people of the Old and New Testaments
worshipped God in this fashion,
to get them to vocalize their prayers aloud during this session
and to continue getting them to raise their hands as they do so.
DYNAMICS
Most of the participants are used to the more conventional way of quiet prayer. In this session, they will be
exposed to yet another way of praying.
MOOD
During the past several sessions, the BCLP Director has led the participants into vocalizing one-sentence
prayers of thanksgiving in preparation for this teaching. By this time, they have become familiar with
prayers said aloud.
VOCAL PRAYER
Most Christians are used to the more conventional and quieter way of praying. We in the BCBP continue to
also pray in this manner but today, we will teach you another way of praying, which you may not be familiar
with or used to.
The Bible has given us several instances of how the people of God would at times pray in a more
expressive and demonstrative manner when worshipping and praising God.
Some examples can be seen in the following scriptural passages: Psalm 81: 1 Psalm 95: 1-2
Psalm 150: 3-6
In these passages, the Lord is being acclaimed and worshipped with shouts, songs, dancing and playing
of musical instruments.
What is Vocal Prayer and why is it important?
When people get together to honor and worship God with raised voices, making up their own individual
prayers as they go along — this is Vocal Prayer.
Vocal Prayer can build your ability to pray and bring you to an atmosphere of worship. You get inspired
as you become part of a congregation individually lifting up your own personal prayers in this manner.
Vocal prayers can also make our prayer more straightforward and objective. It can be easy for silent
prayers to become more introspective, thinking rather than speaking with God. Vocalizing prayers, whether
one is alone or part of a group, can help us speak to God.
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EXHORTATION
We are going to do some vocal prayers in a short while. We would like you to follow the example of your
Discussion Group Leaders. At the start, it may seem strange and confusing, but it is neither. After a short while,
it will feel much more natural and pleasant until you start to really enjoy this manner of worship.
First, we will sing a song and immediately after, we will go into worship. You can start with the one-sentence
worship prayer that you are familiar with, then just allow God to lead you into more lengthy prayers.
Concentrate on your own prayers and forget those around you.
Remember you are coming into God’s presence, the Lord who loves you, the one who gave Himself up on the
cross for You.
VOCALIZING PRAYERS
Start with a song and lead the participants to vocalize their prayers.
Let us now start with a song and then allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in vocalizing our own individual, personal
prayer.
Conclude the vocal prayer session with the same song you started with.
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Talk 6b: The Christian Family
GOALS
To stress the importance of marriage and
the need to build strong Christian families,
to strengthen relationships between spouses and
to have parents seriously assume their responsibility over their children.
INTRODUCTION
Marriage and family are counted among the most precious of human possessions. Families are the basic units
of human society. “The well-being of the individual person, and of both human and Christian society, is
closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life.”
Gaudium et Spes 47 *
* The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
AS AN INSTITUTION CREATED BY GOD
“The Lord God said: ‘it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him. ‘”
(Genesis 2: 18)
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and the two shall become as
one.” (Matthew 19: 5)
“Thus they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, let no man separate what God has joined.”
(Matthew 19: 6)
“God blessed them saying: ‘Be fertile and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it . . '” (Genesis 1: 28)
RELATIONS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE
“Wives should be submissive to their husbands as if to the Lord, because the husband is head of his wife
just as Christ is head of his body, the Church. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the Church. He
gave Himself up for her. Husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies.” Ephesians 5: 22,
25, 28
“This passage doubtless reflects features of the prevailing understanding of marriage, according to which
women were subordinated to men. Yet it also bursts through any patriarchal understanding of marriage.
It speaks of the love and self-surrender of spouses and so of a mutual subordination.”The Church’s
Confession of Faith - page 318
Mutual and loving fidelity presupposes the fundamental equality of the partners in marriage. “Firmly
established in the Lord, the unity of marriage will radiate from the equal personal dignity of wife and
husband, a dignity acknowledged by equal and total love.” Gaudium et Spes 48*
“The Church does not want a subjection of the wife to the husband’s dictates. Her teaching is that there
must be a subordination in love.”Christian Morals for the Laity
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St. Paul carried this principle of equal rights into the home:
“For the wife does not rule over her own body, but the husband does;
likewise the husband does not rule over his own body, but the wife does.” 1 Corinthians 7: 4)
“The intimate partnership of married life and love has been established by the Creator and qualified
by His laws and is rooted in the conjugal covenant of irrevocable personal consent.” Gaudium et
Spes 48*
“They receive a share in the divine life and is directed and enriched by the redemptive power of
Christ and the salvific action of the Church.” Gaudium et Spes 48* * Gaudium et Spes 48: The
Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY
God made the married state the beginning and foundation of human society.
“The apostolate of married persons and of families has a special importance for both the Church and
civic society.”(A. A.)*
“Christian couples are for each other, for their children cooperators of grace and witnesses of their
faith.” (A. A.)*
“Parents have the obligation to pass on the faith and to educate them in it. They are to accomplish this by
word and example; they offer them wise guidance in the choice of vocation.” (A. A.)*
“To assert with vigor the right and duty of parents to give their children a Christian upbringing.” (A.
A.)*
“To defend the dignity and legitimate autonomy of the family.”(A. A.)*
“ The mission of being the primary vital cell of society has been given to the family by God Himself. This
mission will be accomplished if the family, by the mutual affection of its members and by family prayer,
presents itself as a domestic sanctuary of the Church.” (A. A.)* * A. A.: Decree on the Apostolate of
Lay People - V. C. II
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY UNDER ATTACK
A. FROM SECULAR HUMANISM

1. Contrary to some popular misconception, secular humanism is a movement with specific people
promoting it and with a well-defined declaration of principles. The secularists, as their name
suggests, limit their vision only to this world and refuse to see things in the light of eternity as
Christians do.
Read: Article #6 of Humanist Manifesto II, as an example of a position they take which is
contrary to Christian doctrine.
“In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions
and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right of birth control, abortion and
divorce should be recognized.
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While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual exploration; they should not
in themselves be considered “evil”. Without countenancing mindless permissiveness or
unbridled promiscuity, a civilized society should be a tolerant one. Short of harming others or
compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their lifestyles, as
they desire.
We wish to cultivate the development of a responsible attitude toward sexuality, in which

humans are not exploited as sexual objects, and which intimacy, sensitivity, respect and
honesty in interpersonal relations are encouraged. Modern education for children and adults is
an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity.”
2. Excerpt from encyclical “Divini Redemptoris”

“Refusing to human life any sacred or spiritual character, such a doctrine logically makes of
marriage and family life a purely artificial and civil institution, the outcome of a specific
economic system. There exists no matrimonial bond of a juridico moral nature, that is not
subject to the whim of the individual.”
B. FROM ECONOMIC PRESSURES
Economic pressures have added to the woes of the family. Millions more were and are disrupted
by the mothers’ being forced to work. Even more babies and children were and are being deprived
of good parenting. The number of babies and children who are now deprived of good family life is
increasing geometrically.
When a child is denied good parenting, he develops personal disturbances of one kind or another,
he passes these psychological difficulties on to his children and ultimately society loses its vitality
as the number of disturbed people increases.
WHAT CAN WE DO?

Decide if you want your family to live in an environment of Christian life.
Plan and take the time to build a strong family with Christian values.
Schedule your priorities to ensure that the family has time together.
Schedule frequent family recreations, i.e. outings, movies, eating out, etc.
Pray together. The family that prays together stays together.
Participate in Church services and activities together as a family.
As parents, assume your obligation as educators to teach your children Christian faith and morals.
CHALLENGE
You know what has to be done to accomplish this Christian environment for your family. Living as a
Christian family is demanding. Much is expected of you. The decision is yours to make; no one else
can do it for you. What is your decision? Remember, Christ is counting on you.
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Talk 7: The Christian in the Marketplace
GOALS
To emphasize the sanctity of work,
to encourage businessmen and professionals to trust only in the Lord
for the fruits of their labor, and to understand their mission in the marketplace.
INTRODUCTION
Our lives as Christians have to be totally integrated - not just in Church and in our families, but as well as in
our workplace. We spend an enormous amount of time at work, and at work we are especially called to be
vigilant because this is where our faith in God will be severely tested.
In the parable of the seed (Mark 4: 18-19), Jesus explains,

"Those sown among thorns are another class. They have listened to the word, but anxieties over life's
demands, and the desire for wealth, and cravings of other sorts come to choke it off; it bears no yield."
THE SITUATION IN THE MARKETPLACE

Money is king. The "world" measures success by what it possess, our job title, the bottom line. The objective
is to acquire more money, at the least possible cost. The tendency is to take short cuts, to ignore all other
considerations (such as health and safety, human dignity, relationships, etc).
We ascribe our achievements to ourselves, our talents, our abilities and competencies.
Does this mean Christians have no place in the marketplace (workplace)? Can a Christian survive in the
marketplace, and keep his holiness intact? A Christian in the marketplace is not a contradiction in terms, but it
is difficult to survive in the marketplace as a Christian. In Matthew 19: 23-26 : "Jesus said to His disciples: 'I
assure you, only with difficulty will a rich man enter into the Kingdom of God. I repeat what I said: it is easier
for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' When the disciples
heard this they were completely overwhelmed, and exclaimed, 'Then who can be saved?' Jesus looked at them
and said, ' For man it is impossible; but for God all things are possible."
GOD 'S PLAN FOR US IN THE MARKETPLACE

God loves us. His plan is to save all mankind through Jesus Christ and make us part of the new creation (John
3: 16 and Romans 1:1-8). He plans to save us in the marketplace or wherever we are.
God intends to transform us. Romans 12: 2

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may
judge what is God's will, what is good, pleasing and perfect."
He desires for us to have the proper attitude, the proper values in order to survive it.
And once we see the light, He desires to use us in the marketplace in order to be His instruments of love and
healing. Matthew 5: 14-16 :
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"You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and
puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on the lamp stand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In
the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and
praise your Father in heaven." We are Christians, first and foremost, called to be businessmen and professionals.
If there is any place that the light of Christ must be illumined by us, it is in the marketplace where we have been
called.
THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE TOWARD WORK
Genesis 2: 8-15
" And the Lord planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had
formed . . . Then the Lord took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it."
Even God worked, and everything that God did is good. Therefore work is good.
God made man His co-worker, and a steward of the resources that he entrusted to him. God began
the work of creation, and that His plan is to make man His co-worker.
Work is not a curse; God set man out to work even before the fall. (The fall just made work
burdensome.)
Our attitude towards work should be :

This is not a curse, but a gift. Let us thank God for the dignity of work.
Our work/career/business is not our god. It is not an end in itself. God has a plan for our work, for
what to do with our resources, talents and gifts. Work is meant to serve those who benefit from our
products or services, to obtain money to meet our personal and family needs, society's needs, as well
as to provide for those who are less fortunate and the church. Everything about our work must glorify
God.
Colossians 3:23-24
" Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being. Do it for the Lord rather than for men . . . . It
is the Lord Christ you are serving." Nothing short of excellence and diligence is demanded by the
Lord in our work.
We ought to pursue and protect the following values: Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Humility,
Excellence, Service and Trust (RICHEST). Let us remember the earlier teachings about loving others
as this applies to everyone we encounter in the marketplace - our fellow workers, our bosses, our
customers, our suppliers, creditors, partners and shareholders.
Bring Christ into the marketplace - pray at work. Call others to join you in prayer at work. Jesus
says," if two or more of you agree together in prayer, there will I be in your midst."
THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE TOWARDS WEALTH AND

MONEY
A. What scripture says about wealth and money.

It is a gift. Ecclesiastes 5:9
"Moreover, when God gives man wealth and possessions and enables him to enjoy them, to accept
his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God."
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But it is not a measure of God's love for us. God loves everyone, both the sick and the healthy, both the
rich and the poor. In fact, the reverse might even be truer, namely that God especially cares for the
suffering and the poor. To understand this mystery, we only need to look at Jesus Christ, God's only
beloved Son, who came into this world with no material wealth.
It can be a curse - whether you have it or not. Proverbs 30: 8-9 " Keep falsehood and lies
far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise,
I may have too much and disown you and say, ' Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor
and steal and so dishonor the name of God."
It can be your god - Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters. He wil either hate one and love the
other or be attentive to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
People tend to acquire it and accumulate it in a way that does not conform to God's plan nor glorifies
God. Therefore it cannot serve as a measure of a man's true success.
B. What should our attitude be toward wealth and money:
Be content. 1 Timothy 6 : 6-9 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing
into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content
with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction."
Be thankful. Deuteronomy 8:10-18 " But when you have eaten your fill, you must bless the Lord, your
God, for the good country he has given you. Be careful not to forget the Lord, your God . . . Otherwise, you
might say to yourselves, 'It is my own power and the strength of my own had that has obtained for me this
wealth.' Remember then, it is the Lord, your God, who gives you the power to acquire wealth, by
fulfilling, as he has now done, the covenant which he swore to your fathers."
Do not make it an end in itself. Do not fall in love with it. Listen to be detached. 1 Timothy 6: 10 "The
love of money is the root of all evil. Some men in their passion for it have strayed from the faith, and have
come to grief amid great pain."
Do not acquire it unjustly or dishonorably -- otherwise, it shows that we do not trust in God's goodness as a
means of providing for our needs. God is a wise, perfect and loving Father who will provide you your
needs. Psalm 23 "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." Matthew 16:28 "What profit
would a man show if he were to gain the whole world and destroy himself i the process?"
Focus your efforts on the things eternal. You cannot take your money with you when you die. Matthew
6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where
thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not
destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also." Matthew 5:6
Instead of yearning for material comforts, we must "hunger and thirst for righteousness" .
CONCLUSION
God has created us for a purpose - to love Him and to serve Him with all our hearts, minds and souls. He has made
it so that we spend most of our time in the marketplace - for the same thing : to love Him and to serve Him and
glorify Him in the marketplace.
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Talk 8: Life in the Holy Spirit
GOALS
To prepare the participants for next week’s Baptism of the Holy Spirit
by explaining the role the Holy Spirit plays in men’s lives,
to understand the gifts of the Holy Spirit
and how these gifts can provide them with a deeper sense of Christ in their lives.
INTRODUCTION
This talk is in preparation for next week’s Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the explanations of His gifts. We
suggest you write any questions down as they come up during the talk. We hope to answer all of them before this
session is over.
Tonight we will discuss the role of the Holy Spirit; how He brings us a new heart; a new power to do what is right
and a new nature. How He also brings us the presence of God so we can pray, hear His voice and experience His
intervention in our daily lives.
We will learn how the Spirit works through what the bible calls “spiritual gifts.”
RECEIVING THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit. “I will send down upon you the promise of my Father. Remain in Jerusalem
until you are clothed from the power on high.” Luke 24: 49
“I will ask the Father and he will give you another Paraclete - to be with you always: the Spirit of Truth . . . He
remains with you and will be within you.” John 14 :16-17
“The Paraclete, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send you in my name will instruct you in everything and
remind you of all that I told you.” John 15: 26 Paraclete — meaning advocate and consoler.
“Peter had not finished these words, when the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to Peter’s
message.” Acts 10:44
The Jews who had accompanied Peter were surprised that the gift of the Holy Spirit should also have been poured
out to the Gentiles.
“Whom they could hear speaking in tongues and glorifying God ....“Acts 10: 46
We see that the Holy Spirit does not play favorites. “Rather the man of any nation who fears God and acts
uprightly is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:35) The Spirit descends not to some, but to all who fear God and acts
uprightly. This is a promise that each of you can expect to receive at the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
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THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. SPIRITUAL GIFTS
“To each person, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one the Spirit gives WISDOM IN DISCOURSE,
to another the power to EXPRESS KNOWLEDGE.
Through the same Spirit another is given the GIFT OF HEALING
and still another MIRACULOUS POWERS.
PROPHECY is given to one,
to another power to DISTINGUISH ONE SPIRIT FROM ANOTHER.
One receives the GIFT OF TONGUES,
another that of INTERPRETING THE TONGUES.
But it is one and the same Spirit who produces all these gifts, distributing them to each as he wills.”
(1 Corinthians 12: 7-11)
B. EXPLANATION OF THE GIFT OF TONGUES
Due to time constraints, we will limit our explanation of the gifts to just the Gift of Tongues.
The gift of tongues is the only gift that manifests itself almost immediately. Most of you, if not
all, will receive this gift during the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
It is the only gift where we benefit directly. All the other gifts are for the benefit of the
community. When one heals another, it is the sick person who benefits from this gift of healing.
When one makes a prophecy, it is the community that benefits by hearing God’s message. It is the
same with all the other gifts.
The other gifts manifest themselves only during certain occasions or situations when the Holy
Spirit sends us a strong sense and the opportunity to use them. An urge to pray over a sick person
results in his healing after prayer. It is only then that you realize you have been blessed with this gift.
Similar opportunities can present themselves with the rest of the gifts. However, unlike the gift of
tongues, the others are made available only during occasions when the Holy Spirit guides and
leads you to make use of the gifts.
PRAYER IN TONGUES AND PURPOSE
WHAT IS PRAYER IN TONGUES?

Prayer in tongues is a prayer of praise to God in a language we do not understand. “A man who
speaks in a tongue is talking not to men but to God. No one understands him because he utters
mysteries in the spirit.” 1 Corinthians 14: 2
It is a prayer and is based on the faith that this gift described in the New Testament is still available
to us in our day.
In regular prayers we use the gift of intelligence, memory and understanding. In the gift of tongues,
our mind is at rest, while our spirit is at prayer. In regular prayers we use the gift of intelligence,
memory and understanding. In the gift of tongues, our mind is at rest, while our spirit is at prayer. “If I
pray in a tongue my spirit is at prayer, but my mind contributes nothing.” 1 Corinthians 14: 14
Prayer is controlled by the prayor; he can start or terminate it at will.
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WHAT DOES THIS PRAYER SOUND LIKE?
It has all the qualities usually associated with languages: accents, patterns and rhythm. It sounds at
times foreign, composed of four to six words, repeated and not always in the same sequence. At
times the sounds are only syllables which after a while change into words.
WHEN DOES ONE GET THE GIFT?

Normally during the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, there are those who have received it
before or way after the Baptism.
In a previous talk we enumerated the three facets of faith. One was EXPECTANT FAITH. Here
we rely on God’s promise, believing that God will provide us with this gift, because he has
promised it to us.
Next week during the Baptism, pray and ask for this gift of tongues and for any of the other gifts
you may desire, always conforming to what the Holy Spirit sees fit to dispense. (Read 1 Corinthians
12: 11)
HOW DOES ONE GET THE GIFT?

The receipt of this gift has no bearing on whether you deserve it or not. It’s a free gift to you.
However, this gift requires acceptance on your part. You need to yield to the Spirit by cooperating
with Him.
We cooperate by moving our lips and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us.
One way to yield is by attempting to imitate the one praying over you. As you do, strange words
or syllables are formed, and you discover yourself praying in tongues.
Another way will be to say a word of praise, repeating the word faster and faster until the Holy
Spirit blesses you with the gift. In any case, follow the leading of the one praying over you, who
normally is your DGL.
WHAT IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
Some confuse this Baptism with the sacramental one received after birth. Another area of confusion is in the
sacrament of Confirmation, with that of praying for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Let us
explain each of these subjects and their effects.
The Sacrament of Baptism is that by which through the action of the sacrament and the power of the Holy
Spirit, we are liberated, reborn and incorporated. We become united to Christ and born to a life of Grace. We
are liberated from original sin, reborn to become children of God and incorporated into the Church as one of its
members.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is that by which we are initiated into God’s priestly people. At this point God
confers the gift of the HolySpirit, perfecting and strengthening the new life begun in Baptism. This life entails a new
degree of responsibilities to the mission of witnessing for God and service we must render as members of his Church.
Through this sacrament, we become members of God’s priestly nation and temples of his Holy Spirit.
The Charismatic Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a religious experience where one becomes aware in a decisively new
way the presence of God in our lives. The gift given in this Baptism is not the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s activity in
our lives. However, it is a release or further development in the realm of experience, in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The
Spirit gives us a deeper sense of the presence of Christ; blesses us with a stronger desire to pray; and a greater zeal to
witness to God’s work in the Church and in the world.
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OBSTACLES TO RECEIVING THE GIFTS
A person may feel unworthy because he is a sinner and not worthy to receive these gifts of the Holy Spirit.
This is false humility. Who are we to deny God’s prerogative as to whom He wishes to dispense these gifts?
Another obstacle is doubt. The devil cannot prevent the Holy Spirit from dispensing these gifts. So he sows
doubts to prevent you from using those gifts which you have received.
All these are beyond human reason, and try as we may, we will never be able to grasp the things that are of
God. The only way is to accept and in faith, believe in these gifts which the Holy Spirit dispenses for our own
good.
PREPARATION
There is need to be spiritually prepared for this occasion. We urge you to go to confession, strengthen your
prayer time and receive the sacraments.
As part of your preparation, we encourage you to read a wonderful book available at the book table that
clearly explains the various gifts of the Holy Spirit and answers many questions asked by Catholics. It is titled
“A Key to Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church”, authored by Fr. Vincent M. Walsh. We strongly
recommend that you buy your own personal copy of this book.
FOR SPEAKER: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION
Regarding ‘The Gift of Tongues’ section. You may give a brief (5 to 7 minutes) sharing of your own
Baptismal experience.
Depending on the choice of the BCLP Director, the group discussions will continue or the floor will be open
for a question and answer period where you and/or the BCLP Director will answer and explain.
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Baptism of the Holy Spirit
GOALS
To lead participants to receive the power of the Holy Spirit,
to renew their Baptismal commitment to Christ, and
to yield to the gift of tongues.
DGL PREPARATION FOR THE PRAYER AND LAYING ON OF HANDS
BE PREPARED!
There is need for the entire staff, but especially the Discussion Group Leaders and their prayer partners, to be
spiritually prepared for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
Prepare yourself spiritually throughout the week, but particularly on the day of the prayer session.
Pray, pray unceasingly and read scripture.
Go to Mass, receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
Fast and intercede for your participants.
Have faith and trust in the Lord!
DYNAMICS
This is the moment at which many of the people in the seminar begin a new life with Christ.
Be especially open to Spiritual gifts during this time. The Lord will work through us with prophecy and
words of wisdom, with discernment and faith, even with healing.
Obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit and we will see God work in many ways that we might not have
expected.
For ourselves, it can be a real time of renewal and rededication, one of the times when we can feel most
assured that we are performing a genuine service for the Lord.
However, we should not approach this session as if it were to be the culmination of a person’s Christian life.
Our attitude should not be “This is it; we’ve reached the summit. ” but “Now let’s get started!”
We want to convey in both what we say and do that it is the life in the Spirit, the life of following Christ, that
is important, not the experience of being baptized in the Spirit.
MOOD
Turn to the Lord and put faith in Him. The more we are centered on the Lord, the more we have faith, the
easier it will be for the participants. Faith CATCHE S . In an atmosphere of worship and faith, it is much easier to
have faith.
There should be an atmosphere of peace. We do not want to encourage emotional excitement. Rather, we
want to encourage a relaxed joy.
We should be warm and friendly and relaxed and should ourselves convey a mood of peace and calmness to
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those who are seeking to be baptized in the Spirit.
REMINDERS / ADVICE FOR THE DGL
Make arrangements with your discussion group members about sequence.
Are all your participants coming?
Do you have prayer partners? The DG L should get a prayer partner to assist him / her during the Baptism.
Avoid getting more than two prayer partners.
Do you have your prayer cards / “codigos” ready? Did you study the guide?
Introduce your prayer partner/s to your participants.
Be close enough so you can exchange prayers with your participants and so you can respond to each other.
Pray in a low but audible voice. Usually there will be other praying teams in the same room. Your prayer
should be loud enough to be heard only by the participant and no one else, especially during the Prayer of
Deliverance and Concerns.
Apply the right amount of encouragement and understanding for each participant. Some people will yield to
the Spirit beautifully without any encouragement at all. Some will need just a little push. Some will need
patient encouragement. Some should not be pushed at all. Let the Spirit lead you and give you wisdom in how
to help your participants.
Should the participant become restless, immediately pray that the peace of the Lord be upon him/her.
If the participant cries, alleviate his / her embarrassment by telling him / her that tears is a gift from the Lord.
It is called gift of tears or the gift of cleansing.
For your participants who resist praying in tongues, continue to do praise and worship. Pray for the grace
that will enable your participant will surrender completely. Then ask / encourage your participant. Make sure
he / she vocalizes his / her praising.
Be aware of what is happening to the participant. Don’t be lost in your own prayers. Be sensitive to the
situation, and adapt your prayers, your procedures and your whole self to it.
There is no set length of time for this prayer. It can range from as short as 5 minutes to as long as 30 minutes
or more. It is not how long it takes that is important, but how effectively the participant is led to the Baptism in
the Holy Spirit.
Congratulate your participants.
Maintain a spirit of joyful praise and thanksgiving.
Avoid loitering when you have finished.
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ORDER OF EVENTS
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION WITH RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If the officiating priest is a charismatic priest, the Mass may precede the Baptism.
Request the priest to explain either The Baptism of the Holy Spirit or How the Holy Spirit Can
Work Changes in a Person’s Life during the homily.
If it is possible, expose the Blessed Sacrament after the Mass. Remind everyone to pay their
respect to the Blessed Sacrament by maintaining prayerful silence and genuflecting every time they
pass in front of it.
In this case, the Course Director will explain the Baptism sequence after the Mass, right before
the Baptism proper.
The activity is culminated with a merienda cena or dinner.
If the officiating priest is not a charismatic priest,
The Course Director will begin by giving his talk on the Baptism and the Baptism sequence.
This talk is immediately followed by the Baptism proper.
Serve merienda cena or dinner after the Baptism.
During this meal time, the priest may be fetched and the Mass will culminate the activity.
DELIVERY OF TALK ON Praying for Baptism in the Holy Spirit (To

be given by the BCLP Course Director)
1. INTRODUCTION
Good afternoon, brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today is your special day. It would be worthwhile remembering it, as you remember your
birthday or your wedding anniversary because today you will form a stronger and more
permanent bond of unity with the Holy Spirit of God.
Today is a day of rejoicing, a festive occasion, one that you have been preparing and praying for
all these past weeks. It is also a day of thanksgiving for what the Lord will do for each one of
you.
2. BRIEF EXPLANATION
Before we proceed into the prayer session proper, let me give you a brief explanation of the
following:
The Prayer of Commitment to Christ

The commitment to Christ can be understood as a renewal of our baptismal vows. During our
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Baptism, our ninongs and ninangs made this vow in our behalf; we were too young to make this
commitment. Now that we know what it entails, we can with full knowledge make this
commitment ourselves.
The Prayer of Deliverance.

During the laying of hands, your DGL will pray over each one of you for deliverance from any
malignant influences, habits or practices which you may have adhered yourself. This prayer of
deliverance is necessary to prevent any existing barrier, which may prevent you from fully enjoying
the fullness of the Spirit. You are to cooperate by also praying for the same thing.
The Laying-on of Hands

In the 19th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, Paul in Ephesus, began to talk of the good news
about Jesus.
“When the people heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the
moment Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began
to speak with tongues and to prophesy.”
When Paul was done, these disciples had definitely received the Holy Spirit. They knew it, and
so did he. There was a change in them.
In Acts 8:17 we read that the same thing was true when the Spirit came upon the group of
Samaritans who had believed because of Philip’s preaching. "Peterand John came andlaid hands
on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
The same passage in Acts goes on to say,

“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the imposition of hands by the
apostles, he offered them money.”
In other words, the giving of the Holy Spirit was obvious enough and good enough that Simon
could see that something was going on and that it would be worth a small investment to obtain the
same power.
During the prayer session, your Discussion Group Leader will imitate St. Paul, St. Peter and St.
John by gently laying his hands on you, either on your head or on your shoulder, praying that the
Holy Spirit will bless you with His pardon, His healing and His gifts.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

While you are being prayed over, ask the Holy Spirit to bless you with His gifts:
Teaching Gifts: Gift of W isdom Gift of Knowledge
Sign Gifts: Gift of Faith Gift of Healing

Gift of Miracles
Revelation Gifts: Gift of Discernment

Gift of Prophecy
Gift of Tongues
Gift of Interpretation of Tongues
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Yielding to Tongues
A person should claim this gift in confidence when he is prayed over. It is a gift God gives freely,
simply because one asks for it.
“Make love your aim and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts.”(1 Corinthians 14: 1)
We should desire it and ask for it in faith, expecting to receive it. We must cooperate with God by
speaking out in faith and expecting God to give us the utterance. Here we need active faith, not
passive.
3. IMPORTANT REMINDER: RIGHT ATTITUDES
It is important to have the right attitudes in order to take full advantage of the gifts.
Relax and remove all anxieties. Don’t entertain the thought that you may look or sound
foolish. Just follow whatever sense the Holy Spirit may be leading you.
If you feel the urge to pray in a strange tongue or to utter spontaneous prayer, go ahead, it is
the Lord leading you.
THE BAPTISM PROPER
1. THE PRAYER OF COMMITMENT TO CHRIST (To be led by the BCLP Course Director)
a. Before we start with the prayers for the Baptism of the Spirit, we will first commit ourselves
to God. As we earlier said, we were too young to make this commitment personally when
we were baptized into our church. Our baptismal godparents made them in our behalf. We
are now mature persons, who are fully aware and who, understanding the implications, are
now ready to personally re-commit ourselves to Jesus Christ.
I will lead you in the Prayer of Commitment to Christ by asking questions. Please reply
aloud in the affirmative to these questions while repeating the contents of the questions.
For example, I will ask you: Do you renounce Satan and all wrong doings? You
will then answer: Yes, I renounce Satan and all wrong doings.
b. Let us now say the Prayer of Commitment to Christ. Please stand.
Do you renounce Satan and all wrong doings? Yes, I

renounce Satan and all wrong doings.
Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Yes, I

believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Do you believe that He died to free us from sins; Yes, I

believe that He died to free us from sins.
Do you believe that He rose to bring us new life? Yes, I

believe that He rose to bring us new life.
Will you follow Jesus as your Lord?

Yes, I will follow Jesus as my Lord.
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Please repeat after me:
Lord Jesus Christ, I want to belong to you from now on. I want to be free from the
dominion of darkness and the rule of Satan, and I want to enter into your kingdom and
be part of your people. I will turn away from all wrong doing and will avoid everything
that leads me to wrong doing. I ask you to forgive all the sins that I have committed. I
offer my life to you and I promise to obey you as my Lord. I ask you to baptize me in the
Holy Spirit.
c. You may now take your seats.
2. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT/LAYING OF HANDS

(Instructions for the sequence to be followed for the Baptism to be given by the BCLP Course
Director)
a. We are now ready for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Laying-on of Hands.
Each one of you will be asked to come forward to sit in front of the tabernacle. Put yourself in the
proper disposition, open to the workings of the Holy Spirit. Your Discussion Group Leader,
together with a praying partner, will lay hands and pray over you.
After you have been prayed over, your Discussion Group Leader will bring you back to your seat.
Please do not leave, but wait until everyone has finished. While waiting, continue to praise,
meditate and say prayers of thanksgiving. If you were blessed with the gift of tongues, use this
beautiful gift to pray for all the rest who are still being prayed over.
Let me now acquaint you with the sequence that we will follow for the Baptism of the Holy
Spirit. The suggested sequence to be followed for the Baptism is:
• Prayer of Praise Leader and Participant

• Prayer of Protection Leader
• Prayer of Deliverance/Concerns Leader
• Prayer Intentions Leader
• Commitment Leader and Participant
• Prayer for the Baptism Leader
• Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Leader
• Prayer for the Gift of Tongues Leader and Participant
• Closing Prayer of Thanks Leader and Participant
If there are no questions, we will now begin the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Laying-on of
Hands.
The Discussion Group Leaders and their prayer partners begin to lay hands and pray over their
participants.
The music ministry provides the music for the entire activity.
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SUGGESTED SEQUENCE FOR THE “BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”
Place candidate at proper disposition, open to the workings of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Ask the participant to sit down, be relaxed, and be open to the working of the Holy Spirit.
Find out if there are any other specific areas that he wishes to be prayed over, in addition to what was
previously taken up during the 2n d one-on-one dialogue.
PRAYER OF PRAISE (Leader and Participant) (Begin by praising the Lord and ask the participant to join
you. Keep your voices down to avoid disturbing the others. When you have finished praising, ask the
participant to repeat the following prayer after you.)
Heavenly Father, we praise, bless, glorify and worship You. We thank You for Your infinite
love. Your steadfast love picks us up every time we stumble and makes us feel cherished; Your
mighty love rights all wrongs; Your redeeming love has opened wide the gates of heaven for
us; Your healing love soothes all our wounds and makes us whole; Your stubborn love keeps
us close to You even when we continually struggle over the same transgressions. Beloved
King, without Your love we can do nothing . . . we are nothing. With it we are transformed
from glory to glory. Majestic God, as we now bask in the light of Your love, we ask that You
send Your angels and archangels to completely surround this place of worship so that we may
focus our concentration on You and Your love for us.
PRAYER OF PROTECTION (Leader) (This short prayer of protection is to cast out any evil spirits that may be
lurking around, commanding them to leave the person or the place free from any influence or disturbance. This
should be done simply, without any dramatics and in a quiet voice.)
Heavenly Father, I pray that the power of the blood of Christ surround and protect every
person in this place, I pray that no evil force be able to harm anyone here present or anyone else
as a result of it being cast out through our prayer of deliverance. Lord, we claim your power
and victory over these evil spirits.
PRAYER OF DELIVERANCE / CONCERNS (Leader) (Pray that the participant be delivered from the
bondage of sin. Pray for all areas of wrong doing or of weaknesses, all negative emotions, all areas of concern and
difficulty and any other obstacles that may prevent the full release of the Holy Spirit. Pray for healing of memories
and for inner healing. While you are praying, take precautions that no one, including your prayer partner, is aware
of what you are praying for.)
In the name of Jesus Christ, I take authority over each and every spirit that has come against
(participant’s name), and I bind you away. I command that the force and power of the spirit of
resentment, jealousy, anger, envy, pride, worry, fear, doubt, etc. in (participant’s name) be
bound and lose its force to resist. Depart without harming (participant’s name) or anyone else
in this place or anywhere else, and without creating any disturbance. I send you straight to
Jesus that He might dispose of you as He wills.
(A discussion group is composed of five or six participants. Unless the DG L has an excellent memory, he
/she may not remember all of the things they should pray for each participant. You may use a codigo like
the sample below to help you remember what to pray for. Make sure this codigo does not fall into the hands
of others and is destroyed as soon as you are finished. Confidentiality is very important.)
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SAMPLE PRAYER CODIGO OF DELIVERANCE / CONCERNS
JUANDELA CRUZ
• Deliver from sin/wrongdoings:

1. Drunkenness
2. Fornication/adultery This codigo should be made as
• Negative emotions: small as possible, so it can be
1. Envy hidden in the palm of your hand,
2. Vindictiveness and destroyed immediately after
3. Hatred its use to avoid it falling into
• Healing of Memories: other hands.
1. Parental abuse
2. Separation of parents
• Gifts of the Holy spirit desired:
1. Gift of Healing
2. Speaking in Tongues
• other Concerns:
1. That his mother/father
recovers from illness
2. That he finds a new job
E. PRAYER INTENTIONS (Leader)
Father God, I present to You Your child, (participant’s name). Look deep into his / her heart,
Lord. Clean and purge it of all that is not of You so that nothing but the light of Your love will
shine within its recesses. Deliver him / her from the bondage of sin. Forgive him / her his / her
wrong doings, his / her weaknesses, all his / her negative emotions and any other obstacles that
may prevent the full release of the Holy Spirit in his / her life. Lord, heal all his/ her painful
memories and physical weaknesses. Let Your light shine in his / her life so that everyone he /
she meets is touched with the beauty of Your love.
COMMITMENT (Leader and Participant)

Do you renounce Satan and all wrongdoing?
Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died to free us from our sins, and that
He rose to bring us new life?
Will you follow Jesus as your Lord?
Repeat the following prayer after me:
Lord Jesus Christ, I want to belong to You from now on. I want to be free from the dominion
of darkness and the rule of Satan. I want to enter into Your Kingdom and be part of Your
people.
I will turn away from all wrongdoing, and I will avoid everything that leads me to
wrongdoing. I ask You to forgive all the sins that I have committed.
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I offer my life to You, and I promise to obey You as my Lord. I ask You to baptize me in the
Holy Spirit.
PRA YER FOR THE BAPTISM (Leader)
Father, we now ask You, in the name of Your Son, Jesus, that You pour upon (participant’s
name) the Holy Spirit so that he / she may receive new life and that he / she may be able to do
Your will.
PRAYER FOR THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Leader)

(Pray that the participant receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially those he specifically desires.)
Almighty Father, as Your love glows in (participant’s name), I pray that You draw him / her
close to Your bosom and activate all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Grant him / her the
spiritual gifts of KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, PROPHECY, HEALING,
FAITH, and in particular,
Lord, the gift which will make him / her carry out the special plan you have designed for him /
her in this earthly life.
PRAYER FOR THE GIFT OF TONGUES (Leader and Participant)

(Pray that the participant receives the gift of tongues.)
Holy Spirit, God’s Paraclete, I pray that You grant (participant’s name) the grace to praise God
in the beautiful heavenly prayer used by angels and saints. Release his / her captive spirit to
glorify our God and King in this form of prayer.
Follow me in praising God using the special, personal gift of tongues with which He has
graciously blessed you with.
(Lead the participant in praying in tongues. Assist him / her to pray in tongues by encouraging him / her
to cooperate with the Spirit either by trying to imitate you while you are praying in tongues, or by the use of
a word, i.e. “Halleluyah”, repeating it fasterand faster until they receive the gift from the Spirit. Remember
that some participants take longer than others. Be patient and continue praying. If, after a time, you
realize the participant is not getting it, continue with the other prayers.)
CLOSING PRA YER OF THANKS (Leader and Participant)

(Pray that the participant be given the grace to become a strong Christian and to commit himself to the
Lord. End with a prayer of thanks to the Lord for having baptized the participant.)
Finally, Lord God, grant (participant’s name) all the graces necessary to help him / her fulfill his
/ her commitment to You to become a good Christian.Please answer all his / her heart’s
desires and help him / her fulfill all his / her plans. Bless him / her with Your peace, the peace
that goes beyond all human understanding.
Thank You for healing all his / her hurts, his / her pains, his / her sufferings; but most of all,
than You for Your enduring and infinite love.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
K. Bring the participant back to his / her seat, exhorting him / her to continue praying in tongues for all the
rest who are still being prayed over.
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CLOSING EXHORTATION (To be given by the BCLP Course Director)
Different people have different experiences. Feeling is not the important thing.
Look for the new ways God is at work in you and respond to it. It may be a new desire for prayer, for reading
scripture, etc.
If you did not speak in tongues tonight, don’t worry about it! Expect it to come soon. Don’t make the mistake
of identifying “being baptized in the Spirit” with “getting the gift of tongues.” In your prayer during this
coming week, give plenty of time to praise and thanksgiving, doing this aloud — if you can do so without
disturbing anyone — and you may well discover that you can praise the Lord in tongues.
It is not important whether you use tongues or your own words to praise Our Lord. What is important is that you
praise and thank Him for His gift of the Spirit. If you are not sure, just keep doing what you are doing and ask
the Lord to form it into the gift of tongues if it isn’t.
Be aware that Satan can tempt one to doubt. Satan is seeking to rob everyone of God’s gift. For him the next
best thing to keeping you from getting it is to keep you from using it.
If he can convince you that the key in your hand is not the key to the door, he can keep you from using it to open
the door. Don’t let feelings of doubt bother you.
Remember the fact that God promised it and you asked for it.
You can’t expect all your problems to go away at once, though many will. The Holy Spirit will make a big
change in you, and you will see it. Not everything will be changed. Some things will take a while to get worked
out. What is different now is that you have a new power which you can use in working them out.
What happened tonight is just a beginning. Be faithful to a regular time of daily prayer and to regular
participation in the meetings of the BCBP. Pray in tongues every day. Be sure that a good portion of your
prayer time is spent in praise and thanksgiving, in your own words.
“He who is faithful with a little will be set over much.”(Matthew 25: 21)
Go easy in your sharing of this with others. . Go easiest with those who are closest to you — especially your
family. It is possible to scare people off, to give them more than they are ready for.
The first thing to do is to love them more than you did before, and serve them. The change in you will be a witness
to Christ
CONCLUDING PRAYER AND CLOSING SONG
Terminate the session with prayers of praise, worship and thanksgiving for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and
a closing song, incorporating singing in tongues.
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Talk 9: Growing in Relationship with the Lord
GOALS
To stress that last week’s Baptism
was the beginning of a growth process in a new way of life, and
to help people make a commitment to take the steps they need
to ensure that they will grow in the life of the Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
Last week’s Baptism of the Holy Spirit is just the beginning of a new life. In order to grow in the life of the Holy
Spirit, we have to make use of the basic means of growth.
In order to grow each of us needs certain practices in our lives: prayer, study, service, and fellowship in our own
community.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel. It has three components.
(Explain the Wheel Diagram)
OUTER RIM - THE CHRISTIAN'S

DAILY LIFE
HUB - JESUS CHRIST
SPOKES - TRANSMITS THE POWER OF

THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM
CHRIST TO OUR DAILY LIVES
THE OUTER RIM — The rim of the wheel represents the Christian’s daily life.
THE HUB OF THE WHEEL — The hub of the wheel is the source of power and direction for the whole wheel. It holds
the wheel together. The hub of the Christian life is Christ.
THE SPOKES — In order to transmit the power and direction from the hub to the rim, spokes are needed. In Christian
experience, the spokes transmit the power of the Holy Spirit from Christ to our daily lives. There are 5 spokes :
PRAYER , STUDY, SERVICE, SACRAMENTS and COMMUNITY LIFE.
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PRAYER
A. Prayer is the primary means for establishing and maintaining a deep and loving personal relationship
between ourselves and the Lord. To love God more and more, persons should spend more and more time in
personal contact with God.
B. A successful prayer life involves three important principles:
Our prayer must be faithful.

Decide to spend time with the Lord everyday.
Decide on the practical details — when, where, how long.
Adopt a format to begin.
Open yourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will guide you to a more fulfilling and
meaningful prayer. You will see your prayer grow in richness and intensity for God.
It must be centered on a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer is a means to an end in itself.
Concentrate not on prayer but on the Lord.
STUDY
Christians should adapt their life values to the values of their faith. Study, education and maturing in the
faith help us to better realize the ultimate reason for living. We want study to offer us, through more and
better information, a greater Christian formation, which will reform and change our lives. We want this
formation to conform our own lives to God’s plan so that through Him we can transform everything around
us with His values.
THE BIBLE
Read the Bible so we can be open to know where He speaks and what He tells us. We want to learn how to
discover God in all his creative, redemptive and sanctifying facets through his Word —the Bible. Set a
minimum of 15 minutes aside for daily scripture study.
SPIRITUAL READINGS
There are many Christian books, magazines, etc. that can enhance a person’s knowledge for a greater love for
God.
TEACHINGS AND PREACHINGS

Sunday Mass homily, the word of God spoken at prayer meetings, conferences, parish events, teaching
programs of BCBP, etc. Begin the habit of taking notes.
SERVICE
Jesus, through His Holy Spirit, is at work in us, not just for our personal development but also to equip us
for effective service for Him and His people.
We need to take on a mentality of service where we see our whole lives given over to God’s work.
(Matthew 20: 26-28)
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Some ways we can serve:
Serve God by the way we live. Daily prayer and scripture study. Pursuit of righteousness and holiness.
Setting examples for others.
Serve by performing the basic responsibilities God has given us in our daily lives, i.e., as father/ mother,
as spouse, as office worker, etc.
Serve our fellowmen by recognizing numerous built-in opportunities for service in day-to-day life.
Serve by sharing our faith with our family, friends, neighbors and all those with whom we touch base.
Serve by making ourselves and our resources available forthe service of the Lord. Do good works.
(James 2: 14-17)
Assist your Church and your community by prayer and financial support.
Look for opportunities to give your time and energy on a regular basis to serve your Church and your
community.
SACRAMENTS
As Catholic Christians, we believe that our spiritual lives are strengthened by the sacraments.
Growth occurs when we support our personal prayer and study with the sacraments, especially the
sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and the Eucharist.
COMMUNITY LIFE
This term refers to almost everything that Christians do together as a body: praying, serving, learning,
spending social time together. It is the concretization of a spiritual reality that we belong to the same family.
We do not become complete Christians by ourselves. We must be joined to others to experience the fullness
of Christian life.
Some ways to experience Christian fellowship:
Worship in Church, community activities such as prayer meetings, community assemblies, and action
groups.
Coming together for teachings.
Serving together.
Social gatherings.
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Talk 10: Faith and Guidance
How to Grow in Faith and in Knowing God’s Will
Introduction
Someone once compared the Christian life to swimming in a river. You can never stop
swimming. As soon as you stop, you are being swept away by the current. We have given our
life to the Lord and have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. That is just the beginning of our life as
a follower of Christ. In order to grow in Christian maturity, we need to become regular in our
prayer. We need to deepen our faith in the Lord and we need to learn how to recognize what God
wants of us in the circumstances of our life. In this talk we shall first discuss how we can grow in
faith and then how to recognize God’s will.
Part I: Growing in Faith
God wants to work through us. He wants us to have expectant faith.

Faith is the way in which we let God into our lives and allow him to work through us.
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 Jn 4:4)
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all
generations, for ever and ever. Amen (Eph 3:20-31).
God works in us through faith, not because he wants to make it hard for us and give us an
obstacle to get through (having faith). He wants us to rely on him to work for or through us.
Faith opens us up and makes it easier to receive from God. Finally, faith allows us to use what
God gives us.
Faith as understood here is not just doctrinal faith, i.e. believing in the doctrines of the Church,
like the divinity of Christ. It is not just trust in God’s goodness either. It means believing in
God’s word, expecting it to come true and acting on it. We can call this type of faith expectant
faith. A good example of it is Peter walking on the water (Mat 14:22-33).
Faith is not a blind leap

It is a response to God’s revelation
Faith is a response to certain promises God has made that apply to everyone, e.g. Baptism in the
Spirit.
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much
more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Lk 11:13)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9)
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For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16)
A response to revelation about this situation (discernment, “leadings”)

God’s will becomes clear in a certain situation, e.g. whether or not to take a certain job or
whether or not to move to Canada with the family. Once it is clear what God’s will is in such
a situation, we can act on this discernment in expectant faith of God’s support.
A response to what we know about the Lord
For example, we read in the New Testament about Jesus healing the woman with a
hemorrhage (Mk 5:24-34). Based on that we can approach the Lord for healing with
confidence.
Note that this is not giving in to an emotion. It is a decision based on good reasons. Just
because at times we can be mistaken, does not mean that having faith in this way is irrational.
Expectant faith is fundamentally a response to God himself that comes from hearing truth
about him and believing it. In Galatians 3:2, Paul writes: “Let me ask you only this: Did you
receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?”
How Can We Grow in Faith
Be part of the BCBP community:

The most important way is to be part of an environment of faith. In other words, become really
part of the BCBP. There you will be surrounded by men and women who are trying to respond to
the Lord in faith. The brothers and sisters of the BCBP will support you by example and by
advice in how to respond to the Lord more and more fully.
Read the Scriptures with Faith

Paul writes: “. . . so faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of
Christ (Rom 10:17).
Read books that build faith, beginning with the Bible itself
Practice at praying and acting in faith
Don’t get tense about it, but relax and be willing to try – let the Lord teach
you how.
Don’t try to work up feelings of faith – that makes us focus on ourselves when what we need to
do is focus on Christ, his power and his promises.
When you pray for things, do not beg, but rather pray with confidence, thanking God for what he
will do, confessing his lordship and power, praising him.
A very good way to realize how God really answers our prayers is to keep a notebook. In it write
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what you are asking of God, put the date when you began asking or interceding for this. Review
your journal every month. You will be surprised at much God answers our prayers.
Pray for more faith: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Part II: Guidance – Knowing God’s Will
God wants us to know his will

If we truly love the Lord, we desire to surrender our will to him. Jesus says in John 14:18: “If
someone truly loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him.” God does not
want us to be hesitant or in confusion about what he wants of us. Jesus says in the same verse in
John: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” In Psalm 32:8 we read: “I will instruct
you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
God has given us the Holy Spirit, who is within us as our counselor and friend:
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he
will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know
him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you (John 14:15-17)
The Way God Guides Us

God teaches us either through study (especially Scripture) or Christian tradition or other
Christians or experience. About Scripture we read in 2 Tim 3:16-17)
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be
proficient, equipped for every good work.
For most things we do not need specific guidance.

If you would enter life, keep the commandments (Mt 19:17).
How are we guided?
Through the general direction of our lives

The commitments we have. If we are married, God wants us to live out our marriage
commitments as husband, wife, parent faithfully.
The challenges and needs that face us. If we have a growing family and the children are of
school age, we know that we need to provide for them in a good way and care for our livelihood.
How he has worked with us spiritually over the years. If I go over my life, I can see how God
has led me, e.g. to the breakfast, to the BCLP, to the BCBP, etc.
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By specific guidance, whether by circumstances or “leadings” or signs
If we think we are getting specific guidance from the Lord, we always need discernment. It is
easy to confuse our emotions and desires with the voice of the Lord.
Circumstances could be an obstacle to overcome as well as an indication of his will.

A person has been out of a job for quite some time and can’t seem to find work. This, obviously
is a great difficulty and obstacle. It could also be an indication that the Lord wants that individual
and his family to seek work elsewhere.
We need to grow in discernment between our impulses and God’s leading
We should be careful about how we speak about receiving guidance from the Lord.
It is good never to say the Lord told me to do this, this is the will of the Lord for me, before it has
been properly discerned.
By specific guidance that is “mediated”
Counsel through “pastors”, mature Christians, parents.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice (Pr 12:15)
Through the authority we are under.

But we beseech you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you and are over you
in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be
at peace among yourselves (1 Th 5:12-13).
How to Grow in Guidance and Discernment
Desire to grow in it and ask God to help you want what he wants as Ps 40:8 says: “I delight to do
your will, O my God.”
Specifically
Pray and seek God’s guidance
Study
Meditate on your experience (what is God teaching you through it)
Talk decisions over with others (the Lord can speak to others about us).
We need to trust the Lord and his desire to reveal his will to us. We should not be over-anxious
to get it just right.
We need to be patient. If we are new in a committed Christian life, i.e. if we have just finished
the BCLP, it will take us time to grow into a mature understanding of God’s will for our life.
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Talk 11: Entering the BCBP Way of Life
Introduction
At the end of the BCLP a question probably has entered your mind. What will happen next?
What are the next steps to be taken on the way to becoming a member of the BCBP community?
The present talk wants to answer this question. It will do so in two parts.
The first part will deal with the BCBP life and mission in general giving an overview. It tries to
answer the question what does it mean to be a member of the BCBP. The second part deals with
the BCBP formation program. It wants to describe the way of formation that leads to
membership.
Part I: Entering the BCBP Way of Life

As mentioned already, the purpose of this part of the talk is to explain what it means to become a
member of the BCBP and to participate in its mission. This will help you in your discernment
whether the BCBP is the right place and community for you. Is it really the place the Lord is
calling you to be and the organization he wants you to join? Remember only an overview will be
given at this time. The picture will be fleshed out for you as you go through the BCBP formation
program.
The Vision and Mission of the BCBP

The BCBP came into existence as a result of a call from the Lord to business people to bring
Christ into the marketplace and to win the marketplace and the professions for the Lord. The
mission is thus to win business people and professionals for the Lord through evangelization and
to transform the marketplace and the professions with the values of the Gospel. The BCBP is a
missionary organization or a community of disciples with a very specific task: to evangelize the
marketplace and to transform the marketplace and the professions.
The BCBP is a Community of Disciples
Disciples
The members of the BCBP are men and women who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
They wish to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s word into people the
Lord can use for the transformation of the business world. BCBP members are very aware that
they need to be formed and transformed by the Lord.
Community
The members of the BCBP have banded together to form a community of life and mission. They
want to make available to the Lord their joint resources for his work and to support one another
in life and service. BCBP members know that they need the support and encouragement of each
other in order to be faithful and committed to the work of the Lord in the marketplace.
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The BCBP’s Community Way of Life
There is no community possible without participating faithfully and in a committed way in that
community’s way of life and mission. This means making time available and supporting the life
and mission of the community with our financial resources.
The BCBP Community

The BCBP is divided into chapters and outreaches. Outreaches are groups in formation. They are
on the way to becoming chapters. Chapters are local communities of the BCBP that have
accepted the vision and mission of the BCBP and have learned to live it out faithfully. They are
formed groups, while outreaches are groups in formation.
The entire BCBP is led by a national leadership team. This national team is the guardian of the
vision and mission of the BCBP and responsible for relating the BCBP nationally to both
ecclesiastical and secular society.
The Community’s Way of Life

The BCBP’s as a community is sustained and supported by a set of activities:
First Friday Mass and Teaching

The chapter or outreach presents itself before the Lord through a Eucharistic celebration. This is
followed by a teaching, which is introduced by a longer time of prayer. During that time
especially the chapter or outreach presents itself before the Lord and allows the Lord to speak to
it as a community. The Lord speaks to his BCBP through prophecy. He gives it direction and
encouragement. He ministers to it and builds it up and equips them for service.
Action Groups
Every member is placed in a small group led by a pastoral leader, an Action Group Leader. The
purposes of the groups are as follows:
Prayer
Personal sharing
Scripture mediation
The small group environment makes it possible to love and serve one another
Members receive encouragement and advice from the leader and also from the other members
for life and service
The Annual National Convention

Every year the BCBP celebrates its anniversary by a convention. It is a joyful occasion for
thanking the Lord for the grace and blessings of the past year, to seek his blessing for the year to
come and above all to get to know one another from all around the country and to share with one
another the many wonderful ways in which the Lord has used us for his kingdom in the
marketplace and the professions.
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Other Gatherings and Events
These have for their purpose to support the individual member of the BCBP in living out
faithfully our life and to participate in our mission. They are also an opportunity for the
individual member to support our life and mission with his presence, time, talents, and resources.
Members are invited to make themselves available for service and to set aside a part of their
income in support of the mission of the BCBP.
The Men’s Breakfast

The Men’s Breakfast is our chief instrument of evangelization. In tone and atmosphere it needs
to be attractive to men who are captains of industry or the professions. The breakfast needs to be
welcoming to all whether they are Christians or not, whether they Catholics or not. The breakfast
is primarily for those who need the Lord, who need a personal relationship with him. It is not
primarily for those already converted and active in their Christian life. The sharings are most
important since their purpose is to introduce newcomers to the Lord.
The BCLP
This is a seminar to help newcomers to find the Lord, give their life to the Lord and to be filled
with the power of the Holy Spirit. Another way of saying this is that the purpose is to lead them
to an adult conversion and renewal of their baptism and confirmation.
Mission Teams and Mission Outreach

Most chapters undertake mission that is they help other groups to be formed into chapters of the
BCBP. Serving on the mission team is a great challenge, because the purpose of the team is to
help groups understand and accept and live the vision and mission of the BCBP.
Social Work
The BCB is engaged in helping the poorer sector of society through its Ecoreach program. This
is a program of micro-financing the small business of women in depressed areas. Contributions
come from members. The BCBP also supports a campaign against corruption.
Becoming a Member
The first step into the BCBP community is going through the CLP. All of you have already taken
this step. You have made a commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior. You desire to live for him
more and more fully and to service in and through the BCBP.
The Formation Program

New members need to be trained in how to live as a member and how to participate in our
mission. Or in other words, training and formation is needed to be able to live the commitment
card of the BCBP. Thus the second step toward full membership is entering the formation
program and attending all the courses faithfully.
As you commit yourself to the formation program you will be placed in an Action Group and
you will be invited to participate in the life and to a limited extend in the service of the BCBP
chapter. Specifically you are invited to attend chapter gatherings, the Breakfast and to bring
newcomers to the breakfast.
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The formation program is a time of great blessing for new members. It allows the Lord to train
and transform us and enable us to bring him into the marketplace and the professions. It is also a
time to get to know our fellow-apostles in the BCBP.
The BCBP Formation Program: Becoming a Member in Formation
Introduction
The next step forward toward becoming a committed member of the BCBP is to enter the BCBP
Formation Program. In this part of the talk we will explain the following:
The BCBP Formation Program

Being members in formation
Requirements for commitment
The BCBP Formation Program

All of us need formation, but especially at the beginning of our life of discipleship in the BCBP
we need formation and training in order to follow Christ faithfully and consistently. We need two
types of formation: (1) character formation and (2) formation in how to live as responsible
members of the BCBP.
Character Formation
Proverbs 6:23 states: “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs
of discipline are the way of life.” Proverbs 5:23 adds: “They die for lack of discipline and
because of their great folly they are lost.”
These Proverbs tell us that is a great blessing to be taught by God. It helps us to live according to
his will and to become his sons and daughters. People can be lost if they are not formed, if they
are not corrected, if there is no discipline in their life.
Training for participating responsibly in the life and mission of the BCBP
Mark 1:16-20 narrates that the first thing Jesus did was to call disciples. He called them to follow
him and promised to make them fishers of people. From the beginning Jesus makes it clear that
to become a disciple involves training and formation.
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An Overview of the BCBP Training Program
The BCLP:
The first step toward becoming a member of the BCBP is the BCLP
After the BCLP those who aspire to become part of the BCBP make a commitment to enter the
BCBP Formation Program and to participate in the program and the BCBP life as described
below faithfully. In general, the formation program consists of input and follow-up. After the
BCLP those who want to continue are placed in Action Groups under an AGL. In the meetings
for about two months the AGL will follow up and assist the members of his group to grow in
faithfulness in prayer, Scripture reading, and attending the AG and certain chapter gatherings.
Free to Follow the Lord Weekend:
After about two months, the members in formation are invited to attend the Free to Follow the
Lord Weekend. This weekend has two parts. In the first, the members are made aware of
obstacles to growth and how to overcome them. During the weekend they will also be prayed
with for deliverance from anything that might hold them back from following the Lord. In the
second part they will be helped to put good order into the way they manage their time and
finances.
After the weekend and in the Action Groups the AGL will help the members of his group to put
good order into the way they manage their time and their finances. Members in formation will be
asked to begin to support the BCBP also with their finances.
The BCBP Christian Marriage Retreat:
After the two months follow-up, the members in formation will be invited to attend the BCMR.
The purpose of the weekend is to help members in formation to live their married vocation in the
power of the Holy Spirit.
This weekend, too, will be followed by two months of follow-up focusing especially on the area
of communication between spouses and between parents and children. Another focus for follow-
up is family prayer.
The BCBP Christians in Business Retreat
This weekend retreat assists the members in formation to understand more deeply their calling to
bring Christ into the marketplace and to win the marketplace for Christ. It helps them concretely
to live out a most important part of the vision and mission of the BCBP.
This retreat, too, will be followed by about two month in which the AGL can assist the members
in formation to begin to live out the last part of the commitment of a BCBP member.
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The BCBP Way of Life Weekend:
This is the final weekend in the formation program. It recapitulates what was learned in the
formation program and helps the members make the transition from being in formation to living
as committed members of the BCBP.
After about a month the BCBP chapter leadership will invite those who have gone through the
formation program faithfully and who show by their participation that they actually live the
BCBP life and mission to become committed members of the BCBP.
Being an Associate Member

Once you make a commitment to join the Formation Program, you enter a special phase of
membership, which is primarily devoted to helping you to deepen your walk with the Lord and
to enable you to serve him in the BCBP. As a member in formation you share in all the benefits
of membership. There are, however, some limitations.
As an associate member, you cannot serve in major positions in the BCBP. The reason for this is
obvious. You do not know the life of the BCBP well enough from personal experience to serve
that way.
Membership in Formation: A Time for Discernment

During the time of formation you will have the chance to take a good look at the BCBP, its life
and mission. It is a time for the Lord to make clear to you whether or not he wants you as a
member of this organization or whether he is calling you to serve him somewhere else. During
this stage you can leave the BCBP at any time. You only need to inform your AGL for the sake
of good order.
The time of formation also gives the BCBP a chance to take a good look at you and to ask
whether or not the Lord is calling you to the BCBP. An indication that the Lord is calling you to
BCBP membership is beginning to live the BCBP life more and more fully. In other words, are
you actually living out what you are taught in the various weekend retreats. Are you becoming
over time a person with the habit of regular prayer and scripture reading. Do you have regular
and ongoing communication with your spouse and your children? Does your family become a
family centered on Christ? Can the BCBP see that you are becoming a faithful steward over your
time, finances, and resources? Can it see you faithfully supporting the BCBP with your time and
financial resources? Etc. etc.
In the end it only makes sense to invite those who become committed members, actually living
out the commitment card of the BCBP.
The BCBP realizes that the Lord gives grace in different measures to different people. We know
that people have different growth rates and thus it is understandable that not everyone will be
ready to be invited to make the commitment a month after finishing the formation program.
Some may need some additional time. And that is perfectly OK.
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However, it must be remembered that it is not possible to be a permanent member in formation
in the BCBP. After a certain time it should be clear that someone is called to be a committed
member of the BCBP, because he or she is actually able to live out the BCBP life and mission
and can be invited to become a committed member. If, however, after time there seems to be an
inability to live the life then it is only right in the Lord to direct that person to some other
organization, where he or she can actually participate fully.
Conclusion
The time of formation is a time of great grace from the Lord. You will be helped to grow as
persons, spouses, parents, business people, and members of the BCBP. You will learn how to
follow the Lord in joy and peace.
One great help for you during this time will be your AGL. He will help you to understand more
fully what is presented in the retreats and weekends. He will help you to live it in your daily life.
Your AG will support you on your journey with prayer and by journeying at your side.
You were generous with the Lord in giving him the time of the BCLP. He is asking you to
continue to be generous and follow him in this period of formation. He is asking you to open
your heart and mind to being formed so that he can equip you to serve him as his disciple in the
BCBP.
The Associate Members Commitment
“I, ___________________, desire to become an associate member of the

BCBP and promise to attend the formation program of the BCBP faithfully.
In addition, I will faithfully attend my Action Group and participate
in other BCBP activities as far as I am able. I will make myself
available for service as far as the concrete circumstances in my family
and professional life permit and contribute financially to the BCBP’s
life and mission.”
Date: _______________________ Signature: ______________________
You are free at any point to stop being part of the formation program and the BCBP. We only ask that
you tell us when you decide that. In the meantime, however, we are asking you to be faithful to the
stipulations of the commitment above.
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The BCBP Free to Follow The Lord Weekend
Speakers Outlines and Participants Handouts
The BCBP Formation Manual

2008
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The BCBP Freedom to Follow the Lord Weekend
After the BCLP associate members 1 are invited to attend the “Free to Follow the Lord
Weekend.” This weekend has two parts. In the first, the weekend participants are made
aware of obstacles to growth and of ways to overcome these obstacles. During the
weekend there will be prayer for healing and deliverance from anything that might hold
them back from following the Lord. The second part of the weekend focuses on putting
good order into the way they manage their time and finances.
The purpose of the weekend is achieved, if members not only become aware of the
sources of difficulties to the Christian life and of ways to combat those, but also when
they begin to put good order into their life, by providing leadership and management for
their life, especially in the area of time and money, in other words, when they begin to
live in a disciplined way according to a schedule and a budget.
1
Associate members are those who have completed the BCLP and made the associate members commitment.
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Talk 1: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO LIVING
AS A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST
Introduction:
In this talk we will focus on the major obstacles to Christian Living:
The world, the flesh, the devil, and our past wrongdoing, i.e. our past sins. We will also pray
with each one of you for greater freedom so that you can follow the Lord more faithfully. Most
importantly, we will also talk about the greatest help God has given us for living as his faithful
sons and daughters.
Most of you have problems with regards to emotions, relationships, sexuality, etc. In fact, even
serious and committed Christians continue to experience difficulties with problems such as
anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger, sexual sin, etc.
In this talk we want to learn how we can be on top of the situation or how we
can live as Victorious Christians. We will also learn how to deal with the
sources of your problems.
After the talk there will be a period of prayer. During that prayer time ask the
Lord to reveal to you what is holding you back from following him more
completely. We will then pray for deliverance from those major obstacles.
Problem 1: “The World”
In the Bible, the word “world” has two meanings
everything that God has created

--- God created the world to be good (Gen 1:31)
--- the human world, human beings
--- God loves the world (John 3:16)
system of ideas, values, relationships, etc., which are opposed to God and his ways.
--- This “world” signifies human society that is closed to God and is not
following his plan. This “world” is in the power of the evil one (1Jn 5:19)
--- This is the “world” which St. John tells us not to love (1Jn 2:15-17).
Where do we find this “world”?

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We are dealing here with environments
----- Ask: Is Jesus honored here?
It is not always a question of black or white, good or evil, but of value patterns and ideals of life.
We can encounter “the world” even among people who are Christians.
-When watching TV, ask: Is Jesus or God being honored in this story or
advertisement?
The effect: “the world” blinds us and twists us

We become like our environment; we are unconsciously molded into the image of the world.
The world significantly influences our values and priorities and desires. We learn to think and
reason the way the world does.
The way we are is not totally our fault. The world has such a powerful effect or “hold” on us.
What can we do about this?

---- We need to be realistic. If we want to overcome the sin, distortion and twistedness of
our lives, we need to place ourselves in the right environment.
The Solution: Christian Community
By “Christian Community” we mean Christians who are explicitly Christian in their beliefs and
behavior. In such a community, Christianity determines the way the members interact with one
another. Christianity is openly accepted, talked about, and lived.
It is an environment in which we can change and be transformed
----- We can receive teaching about how to follow Christ more fully, how to live
in a new way and experience a new pattern of life.
------ We can acquire Christian understanding of life and be freed from
unchristian ways of thinking.
------ We can be transformed by new relationships with other committed
Christians.
------ We can be supported by others in such a way that Christian values are
reinforced.
Christ wants us to be “in the world” to be its salt and light, to proclaim the Gospel. He also
wants us in Christian community
Problem 2: “The Flesh”
a. What is it?
---- By “flesh” we mean the entire human person: intellect, will, emotions, etc.
with a basic inclination toward sin.
---- It means our inordinate desires (not just wrong sexual desires) that pull us into
the wrong directions
---- It refers to the desires and tendencies within us that lead us to disobey God.
---- It is unredeemed human nature
---- It is our old nature
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A wrong approach at a solution: Fulfilling the Law
---- This approach emphasizes hearing the commandments, understanding them,
deciding to do them, and exerting our will power to fulfill them.
----- Paul argues that the law, although good in itself, only arouses in us perverse
desire (Rom 7:17-11).
----- The law-fulfillment approach does not work because sin has a certain power
over us (Rom 7:14-20). Most of us know this from experience. How often
have we made a resolution not to do a certain thing anymore only to do it
again?
c. The “flesh” works against us

----- The “flesh” is not to be equated simply with our body, our emotions, or
sexual desires. While these can often be disordered and lead us into
unrighteous behavior, these are not evil or problematic in themselves.
----- An example of how the flesh works may be helpful. During the Spanish civil
war, Franco’s army was marching on Toledo in four columns. He had
arranged with sympathizers in the city that they would stage a coup just at
the right time and open the gates of the city to Franco’s army. The press
called these insiders the “fifth column”. The “flesh” works like a “fifth
column”. It opens the gates of our heart to the devil and sin.
The Solution: Yielding to the Holy Spirit

---- We are freed from the hold of “the flesh” through the Holy Spirit within us
(Rom 8:9-11)
=== God will change us, if we let him. This does not mean that we will
ever lose all our sinfulness, but that God will enable us to live a
life pleasing to him.
=== Our victory and the assurance of that victory come from Christ’s
death and resurrection.
---- We must not be intimidated by the persistence of “the flesh”, but cooperate
with the Holy Spirit’s transforming work.
How to do it?
1. Surrender every area to Christ

Allow him to change you and desire to be changed
Have expectant faith. Expect to be changed even in areas where nothing seems to change.
Approach your problems in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving
Cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s transforming work
Healing prayer
Follow the Spirit’s direction
Put away all bitterness, resentment, and grudges
Accept persistent problems as “crosses”’
Give some things time. Be patient. Not all healing is instantaneous.
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Problem 3: The Devil and Evil Spirits
The reality of spiritual warfare

We must never forget that Christian life is a life of spiritual warfare. The main battle is not good
versus evil, but God versus the devil (1Jn 5:19)
=== Satan is opposed to God and works against him
=== Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, he may use good
things to lead us away from God.
In our own lives we face this power that is opposed to God (Eph 6:11-12)
We must never forget that our Lord has defeated Satan and that victory is ours.
Detecting the work of evil spirits in our lives

The signs of their presence (this area, too, needs discernment).
----- Strange things: odd impulses, perception of presence
Ex. You stand by a window on the 10th floor of an office
building and all of a sudden you have the impulse to jump.
----- At work in daily life – leading to despair and lack of
confidence, fears, doubts, temptations (with the lie that
we cannot resist them).
----- Attempt to block the work of the Lord, like being present at the
BCLP or the formation courses
----- At work in psychological problems
----- In the occult (get rid of it, avoid it)
Not everything is the work of evil spirits, but we need to learn to detect their work when it is
there.
We can break any “hold” they have over us.
The Solution: Put on the Armor of God (Eph 6:10-17)

1. Gird your loins with truth
---- base your life on the truth of God’s word
2. Put on the breastplate of righteousness
---- live a righteous life. Turn away from sin more and more.
3. Take up the shield of faith
---- base your life on the promises of God
Wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
---- use Scripture not only to defend yourself, but also as your offensive
weapon.
---- learn from Jesus who used the word of God to counter the devil’s
temptations in Mt. 4:1-11
Finally, remember Jesus is Lord and we belong to him. No evil spirit has a right
over us or authority over us. They must acknowledge his authority and leave us free.
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Problem 4: Our Past Sins
Up to this point we talked about the three main obstacles to living the life of Christ. And
although these enemies are strong and can have great influence over our minds, hearts, bodies,
and even our spirits, they can be overcome. God has given us powerful and effective ways of
dealing with them.
* Against the world, we have the BCBP Community.
* Against the flesh, we have the purifying and transforming power of the Holy
Spirit
* Against the devil and evil spirits, we have the sure victory of Christ as we put
on the armor of God (Eph 6:11).
We need to consider one more obstacle, the final obstacle to living the life of Christ: sin and
wrongdoing.
a. What is SIN?
.* It is everything not in accordance with God’s plan.
b. What is WRONGDOING?
.* Wrongdoing is one kind of sin. It refers to our actions and attitudes
when they are not in accordance with God’s plan.
* Wrongdoing is disruption of right relationships
* We must take responsibility for our actions, and not find excuses or
blame something else for them.
The Solution: Repentance and Reconciliation (Four Steps)

a. Steps we do by ourselves
Step 1: Admit the wrongdoing; be honest.
* Acknowledge it simply and forthrightly, without having
either to blame or to excuse yourself.
* We are not called upon to condemn ourselves but to see our
true condition.
Step 2: Renounce the wrongdoing; have sorrow for what you did.
* Do this openly (verbally if possible)
* Be specific (call a spade a spade)
* Resolve never to do it again (take specific steps)
* Sorrow for sin” is not condemning ourselves, or having guilt
feelings. Not “I am a wretch”, but admitting that “what I did
is wrong”.
b. Steps to do with God and others

Step 3: Ask forgiveness; confess the wrongdoing
* Recommended formula: “What I did (name the specific action)
was wrong. I repent. Please forgive me”. And the recommended
response: “ I forgive you”.
* We ask forgiveness from others when we have actually done some
concrete and external action (Not simply negative thoughts or
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feelings)
* We ask forgiveness from God for every action which displeases or
offends him (not for temptations, unless we entertain them).
As Catholics we bring serious sin to the confessional to be reconciled
with God and with the Church.
Step 4: Make up for the wrongdoing

* Restitution
* Penance
Conclusion :
We should be concerned about keeping our relationships with God and with others,
strong and healthy. If some relationships become strained or broken because of wrongdoing, we
need to re-establish them quickly, if possible.
Prayer Session:
The participants should have a time to reflect on the various areas of their lives where
they may experience obstacles to following the Lord in preparation of the prayer session for
inner healing, deliverance and freedom in order to move forward on their way to becoming
faithful servants of the Lord in the BCBP.
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PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE
At the beginning of the section that deals with obstacles to our Christian life, viz. the world, the
flesh, and the devil (evil spirits), there should have been mention of the prayer session for
deliverance, explaining what we will do and why.
At the beginning of the session for prayer for deliverance, the leader should give a SHORT
introduction, including a short explanation once more of the work of evil spirits and the Lord’s
desire that we be free of these oppressive forces.
People should be prayed with individually. A team of men should pray for the men and a team
of women with he women. These should be more mature members of the BCBP and not new
comers. The others of the group going through the formation program with the individual should
not be part of the team praying over. This helps to observe confidentiality. The person may be
asked whether there are areas he or she would specifically want to be free of. Then the team
prays that the person would be set free in the Lord’s name from all oppressive forces.
Thank the Lord for the grace of calling this person to be his disciple
and bringing him to the BCBP. Invoke over him or her the power of
the Lord. Command in Jesus’ name any evil force or power to leave
this person. Command specific areas mentioned by the person to
yield to the power of Jesus. Pray for healing of memories for any
damage done by such forces. Thank the Lord for the gift of freedom
given to the person.
An example of such a prayer could be the following: This is only an example, the individual
team should pray spontaneously in a way that fits the specific situation.
“Lord, we praise and thank you for the grace you have given our brother. You led him to
yourself and brought him to the BCBP. Lord, he has given himself to you and you graciously
renewed the grace of his baptism and confirmation when you released the power of your Spirit in
him at his baptism in the Holy Spirit. Lord, our brother desires to follow and serve you as a
disciple. Lord, overshadow him with your power and drive from him any evil spirit, any evil
force that would prevent him or block him from serving you more and more fully.
“Lord, you drove out evil spirits during your earthly ministry and you also gave this same power
to your disciples and thus we pray in your name and authority.
“In the name of Jesus and in his authority, we command any evil spirit, any evil force oppressing
our brother to be gone. He belongs to Jesus; you have no right over him. In Jesus’ name be
gone. (If the brother had mentioned for example problems with alcohol or women, you can be
more specific, e.g. spirit of indulgence be gone from our brother in the name of Jesus Christ, or
spirit of sexual infidelity be gone, etc.
“Lord, we thank you for setting our brother free. Lord by your Holy Spirit heal our brother’s
memories that he may belong totally to you. Lord , let your peace stand guardian over his mind
and heart all the days of his life.”
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ORDER IN OUR LIFE
Talk 2: MANAGING OUR TIME
[You need the following handouts (attached to this talk): priority worksheet and weekly planning
sheet. After the talk run a workshop about how to plan the following week. Make sure everyone
knows how to schedule their week.]
1. OBSTACLES TO GROWTH
Disorder, Lack of discipline, Laziness

-We can’t say “NO”
-We PROCASTINATE, “mañana”
We simply react to infinite possibilities calling for constant choices and a variety of
decisions
-We lack priorities, purpose
-“Tyranny of the URGENT”
2. CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES FOR MANAGING TIME
Generosity:
We should be generous with the Lord and with our brothers and sisters
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will
also reap bountifully. (2 Cor 9:6)
Faithfulness:
We should be people who can be counted on, whose word is reliable.
Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matt 25:23)
Peace: (good order)

We need good order to be able to answer for ourselves so we can be faithful and
therefore consistently generous. We want to have enough hold of our lives that we
can be faithful and consistent disciples.
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (I Cor 14:33)
For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your
good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. (Col 2:5)
3. THE SOLUTIONS
Put God First
-Mt 6:33
Put Order in our daily lives
-Focus on what we do know
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Schedules actually free us
-It is our basis for saying NO to conflicting activities based on their relative
importance and not on 1st come 1st serve basis
Reject laziness, easy way out
Seek help from AGL and other strong Christians
4. BASIC DAILY LIFE ORDER (“PERSONAL TIME MANAGEMENT”)

Personal Priorities list (Refer to Personal Priorities Worksheet)
Begin by seeing what your main responsibilities are.
- Make a list of priorities by area.
Identify what are essential (1st priorities)
- Activities which would make me irresponsible if I do not do
Ask: What else would be good to do if I could?
- Activities you would like to do if you had the time (2nd Priorities)
- Rank them
Strategic observations:
Conflicts do not usually occur between the major areas, but between the lower priorities
in each area.
We should not let ourselves be pressured by the expectations of others.
Before committing ourselves do to something, we should try to see if we can do it.
The weekly schedule

Make a basic weekly schedule that contains all your set commitments.
The rest is what you have to work with, where you balance your lower priorities.
Make monthly and yearly schedules for things that do not go on a weekly schedule.
The regular planning time

-We recommend a weekly planning time.
Put it into your weekly schedule first.
5. THE DISCIPLINE OF PERSONAL ORDER

We recommend that you take on scheduling as a practice.
Keep working at it. It will get easier.
Discuss this in your Action Groups and in your one-on-one meetings with your
Action Group Leader.
There is an appointed time for everything. . . . . Eccl 3.
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
1. Is there anything that needs clarification?

2. What benefit can you see in making and living according to a schedule?
3. What will make doing this regularly hard for you or is there anything in your life
that might make scheduling impossible?
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Form A
PERSONAL PRIORITIES LIST
FAMILY COMMUNITY CHURCH JOB PERSONAL GOD
1st Priority
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2nd Priority
Form B
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Time SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
5:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
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12:00
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
Talk 3: MANAGING OUR FINANCES
[Budget Worksheet is attached to this talk. After the talk, run a workshop on how to
make a Monthly Budget.]
Faithfulness and finances

Generosity, faithfulness and good order (peace) are key for our finances, as for our use of
time.
We should be generous, but we should order our finances so we can be faithful to our
responsibilities and commitments.
This implies first getting out of debt and staying out of debt (cf. below on budgeting)
1. Discipleship and finances

The call of the Lord to discipleship begins with the call to “sell all” and follow him.
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, You lack one thing; go, sell what
you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
(Lk 18:21)
We are concerned about our possessions because we rely on them to live.
The Lord does not expect us to literally give everything away but to seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness. (Matt 6: 33)
If we have given our lives to the Lord, he owns our time and money and we are simply his
stewards.
As his stewards, we have various financial responsibilities according to our vocations.
We exhort you’ brethren…to work with your hands, as we charged you; so that you may
command the respect of outsiders, and be dependent on nobody. (1 Th 4:11 – 12)
We should live a simple lifestyle. (1 Tim 6:6-10; Matt 7:21)
To live this out, we need a practical approach to Christian discipleship in the area of
finances.
2. The Christian approach to financial giving

We should give a tithe of our income for church and community
(Lev 27:30, 32; Mal 3:8 – 10).
The tithe is given to support the Christian workers.
Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the
temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way,
the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the
gospel. (1 Cor 9:13-14)
The tithe is given where we worship the Lord and receive our Christian support.
The tithe comes first.
You may need to work towards giving the tithe.
Giving to the Lord brings blessings to us.
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Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with
wine. (Pr 3:9-10)
We should also make “offerings”.
These are over and above the tithe.
We should also give alms and share our resources for those in need.
(Lk 12:33; Deut 15:7-10; 1 Tim 5:8)
They especially go to brothers and sisters in the Lord.
We have a special responsibility to our natural family when in need.
It is a Christian service to work to provide more money for the Lord’s work and
those in need.
3. Basic financial order (“personal financial management”)
See “Budget Worksheet”.

Keeping track of our expenses (record-keeping).
Know where your money goes
-You are accountable to the Lord
The basic budget
We should have a monthly budget for regular expenses.
We should compare our actual spending with our budget.
We should not use all our income for regular expenses but set aside some
for long-term needs.
Have a long-term financial plan.
Have a regular weekly time for financial work and monthly time for
budget review and financial planning.
-A budget is the method of worrying before you spend rather than after.
4. The discipline of personal order in finances
We recommend that you take on financial record keeping and planning as a practice.
-Decide on your priorities
-Stay faithful to making and keeping your monthly budget
-Manage your debts. Prepare a plan to get out of debt and follow it.
=seek help/advice
We will talk about this in the Action Groups and in your one-on-one with your Action
Group Leader.
Discussion Starters
1. Is there anything that needs clarification?

2. What benefit can you see in making a budget and living according to it?
3. What are some of the challenges you will have to overcome in this area?
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SCRIPTURE PASSAGES ON CHRISTIAN FINANCES
Finances and discipleship
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, You lack on thing; go, sell
what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come, follow me. (Lk 18-21)
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’
or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly
Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. (Mt. 6:31-33)
Tithing
All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, is
the LORD’s, it is holy to the LORD. (Lev 27:30)
And all the tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the
herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to the LORD. (Lev 27:32)
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How are we robbing
thee?’ In your tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing
me; the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there
may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if
I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an
overflowing blessing. (Mal 3:8-10)
Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food
from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the financial offering? In
the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get
their living by the gospel. (1 Cor 9:13 – 14)
Honor the Lord with your substance

and with the first fruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting wine. (Pr 3:9 –10)
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Offerings
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will
also reap bountifully… for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:6-7)
Almsgiving
Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not
grow old,
with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no
moth destroys. (Luke 12:33)
If there is among you a poor man, one of your brethren, in any of your towns within
you
land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart or shut
your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open you hand to him, and lend
him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be… You shall give to him freely, and
your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him; because for this the LORD
your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. (Deut 15:7 –
10).
If any one does not provide for his relatives [his parents and grandparents if in
need], and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse
than an unbeliever. (1 Tim 5:8)
Fulfilling our responsibilities
We exhort you, brethren….to work with you hands, as we charged you; so that you
may command the respect of outsiders, and be dependent on nobody. (1 Th 4:11-
12)
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Living a simple lifestyle
There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the
world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and
clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into
temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men
into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through
this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts
with many pangs. (1 Tim 6:6 – 10)
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt 7:2 1)
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Form 1
PERSONAL / FAMILY BUDGET ANALYSIS
CURRENT MONTHLY AVERAGE

INCOME SOURCE
(in pesos)
SALARIES
Gross Income (include allowances)
Less W/Tax/Deductions
Net Monthly
INTEREST EARNINGS
Bank Accounts
Loans to Others
Others
RENTAL INCOME
Building / Rooms
Equipment
FARM INCOME
Net Crop Income
Sale of Animals
BUSINESS INCOME
Salary
Net Profits
SERVICES RENDERED
Consultancy
Community / Civic
COMMISSION INCOME
Sales Activity Commission
Others
GIFTS RECEIVED
PENSION PLANS
SSS / Others
OTHER INCOME
TOTAL FIXED INCOME
TOTAL VARIABLE INCOME
GRAND TOTAL
85
Form 2
CURRENT MONTHLY AVERAGE

MAJOR EXPENDITURES
(in pesos)
FIXED
BCBP TITHE
Rent or Mortgage
Utilities (Electricity, Water, LPG,
Telephones, Cell phones)
Helpers / Laundry
Children’s Education
Gasoline / Transportation
Vehicle Maintenance
Loans Amortization
Insurance / Pre-Need Plans
Miscellaneous
SEMI-FIXED
Food / Groceries at home
Meals Outside Home
Clothing
Personal Care
Medical Expenses
Recreation
Miscellaneous
VARIABLE
Entertainment
Vices
Gifts
House Repairs
Miscellaneous
TOTAL EXPENSES
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Form 3
SUMMARY
ITEM CURRENT MONTHLY
FINANCIAL ITEM
No. AVERAGE (in pesos)
1 FIXED INCOME
2 Less FIXED EXPENSES
3 Net of FIXED EXPENSES

(Item# 1 – Item#2)
4 VARIABLE INCOME
5 Item# 3 + Item# 4
6 SEMI-FIXED EXPENSES
7 VARIABLE EXPENSES
8 Item# 6 + Item# 7
9 Item# 5 - Item# 8
10 SAVINGS – 30% if Item#9 is positive
11 NET DISPOSABLE INCOME

Item# (9) – Item# (10)
12 REQUIRED ADDITIONAL INCOME

If Item#9 is negative.
87
Form 4
EXPENSE ANALYSIS
REQUIRED ADDITIONAL INCOME ( Item# 12) P _______________
EXPENSES
NEW AMOUNTS
TO BE REDUCED /
ACCOUNTS SAVED
ELIMINATED
1________________ P _______________ P _______________

2________________ P _______________ P _______________
3________________ P _______________ P _______________
4________________ P _______________ P _______________
5________________ P _______________ P _______________
6________________ P _______________ P _______________
7________________ P _______________ P _______________
8________________ P _______________ P _______________
TOTAL SAVINGS P __________________
NET SURPLUS (NEGATIVE) P __________________
WHAT CAN I/WE DO TO AUGMENT MY/OUR INCOME ?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
WHAT CAN I/WE DO WITH MY/OUR SURPLUS INCOME ?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
88
The BCBP Christian Marriage Retreat (BCMR)
Speakers Outlines
BCBP Formation Manual

2008
89
The BCBP Christian Marriage Retreat
Introduction
After about two month of putting the teachings of the “Free to Follow the Lord
Weekend” associate member couples are invited to the BCBP Christian Marriage
Retreat (BCMR). The purpose of this weekend retreat is to help BCBP couples to
live out their married vocation in the power of the Holy Spirit and to put into
practice what was taught about Christian marriage in BCLP Talk 6.
The Retreat will help the participants to take a giant step forward in their ability to
live out the BCBP commitment with respect to family life. They will experience a
strengthening of the relationship of husband and wife and parents with children.
The retreat has for its purpose to assist associate members to put good order into
their family life and to make it a strong foundation for Christian witness in the
marketplace and in the professions.
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Talk 1. SERVING GOD THROUGH CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
OVERVIEW
Gods plan is to save all mankind through Christ and make us part of the new creation (John 3:16 and Romans
21:1-8). His plan requires a response from us: to accept it and base our lives completely on His plan. Gods
call is for our wholehearted participation. He wants us to serve Him and there are many ways we can do
this. But the more important service God is calling us, married couples to do is to build strong Christian
marriages and families. Everything else that we do to serve God springs from this primary service.
OBJECTIVES
To review Gods plan for our salvation and what our response as married couples should be to that plan.
To discuss our covenant of service with the Lord.
To show how we can receive the power of the Holy Spirit for our marriages.
EXPANDED OUTLINE
A. INTRODUCTION
Gods Plan for our Salvation(Ephesians 1:3-14)
He destined us to be His sons through Jesus on Gods initiative.

In Jesus, we have redemption and forgiveness for our sins.
Ultimately, to unite all things totally under Christ.
We, too, were chosen and sealed with the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our
inheritance. (Example: our Baptism and recent Charismatic renewal.) God is
releasing the power of His Holy Spirit in us. Its exciting!
Our Response to God(Matthew 13:44-46)
Keep the pearl of great price attitude all out for God.
For His sake, I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that
Christ may be my wealth.(Philippians 3:8)
After our baptism in the Holy Spirit, we were willing to do anything for God. Our lives
changed - the way we used our time, our set of friends, the things we delighted to talk about, the
books we read.
Service to God became a high priority (includes evangelism).
COVENANT OF SERVICE
1. Whole Attitude of Serving God
Our hearts are transformed to a desire to serve God. (Philippians 2:1-ff.)

Serving God requires a sacrifice of our time and resources.
Many of the things we do are good, but if we arent careful we could neglect the most
important thing God has given us to do as married couples: building strong marriages and
families for Christ.
2. Serving God through our Marriages
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The family is Gods plan for the human race. (Genesis 1:27-28 and Genesis 2:18)
We have an important part in this plan of God.
The larger human society is a collection of families.
The family is the basic unit of the church.
From families come the future generations of the people of God.
The strength of the Church depends upon the strength of the individual families
that comprise it.
Successful family life administration is considered an essential qualification for
serving in the Church. (1 Timothy 3:4-5)
3. What God Wants of Us is a Solid, Strong Home and Family
a. Being alight of the world how we live as men and women of God at home and outside
the home. This is our best witness Christian family life.
b. No fragmented type of Christian living.
c. Christian personal relationships in the family how we love, honor, respect and serve one
another in the family. Some enduring values such as obedience, love, honesty, courage and
faith are lived and taught. God is the center of the home.
d. Children are being raised to know, love and serve God. Children are growing up to be
obedient, respectful and humble. (Maccabeus 7: story of a courageous mother and her seven
martyred sons.)
e. Our home and family become a source of blessing, enrichment and strength to others. The
home is a place to encounter God, to receive healing and encouragement like an oasis in a
desert.
SERVING GOD AS A PASTORAL TEAM
1. What do we mean by pastoral?
The word pastoralis derived from pastor. Pastor is another word for shepherd. In the New
Testament, Jesus uses the word shepherd to refer to His relationship to the people He cares
for.
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.
THE HIRED HAND WHO IS NO SHEPHERD NOR OWNER OF THE SHEEP CATCHES SIGHT OF THE WOLF COMING
AND RUNS AWAY, LEAVING THE SHEEP TO BE SNATCHED BY THE WOLF (John 10:11-12)
He again uses the same principle of relationship when He installs Peter as leader of His
flock. (John 21 :15-17What does team mean?
Members have clearly stated roles and functions.

Members complement one another.
Members help and support one another in achieving their purpose.
Members are united, cohesive.
Pastoral work is traditionally applied to the work of priests and ministers of God in caring for
their people their flock. Such work, to take care of people as though feeding and caring for
sheep.
Being pastors over the family
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Operating as a Team is a Primary Requisite for Husband and Wife
For the sake of unity.

Acceptance of joint responsibility.
It is Gods idea. Man needs woman. Woman needs man. (Corinthians 11:11) Each one is
incapable of fulfilling Gods plan alone.
Pastoral Team as Applied to Husband and Wife in Their Joint Responsibility over the Family
Connotes total care, as shepherd caring for sheep. (Note nature of sheep.)
Presumes dedication and love for the sheep. Proper exercise of authority is a product of a love
relationship. (Hired hand comparison of Jesus.)
Infers that the family is a domestic church as St. John Chrysostom called it. (Refer also to
Vatican II and Familiaris Consortio.)
D. RECEIVING THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR OUR MARRIAGES
The Lords ideal of marriage is a lofty one. By ourselves, it is unattainable. But the Lord reminds us
that our marriages have received the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Yet, by our insensitivity to the Lord,
we have not opened up our marriages to the greater blessings and power of the Holy Spirit. (Psalm
127:1-2)
The Lord calls us to rededicate our marriages, our homes and families to Him. He calls us to
view our marriages as a service covenant with Him, so that by our marriages, God can
draw more people unto Him.
This weekend, let us open ourselves up to the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may
receive what we need for our marriages. Ask much, expect much. The Lord is
generous!
DIALOGUE STARTERS/NOTES
Individual Reflection: A. WHY DID I GET MARRIED?
B. IN WHAT WAYS HAVE I FAILED TO SEE THE IMPORTANT

ROLE OUR MARRIAGE HAS IN THE WORK OF THE LORD?
Couple Dialogue: C. WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE OUR MARRIAGE MORE ATTUNED FOR
THE LORD?
93
Talk 2: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN MARRIAGE
OVERVIEW
Relationships improve with good, effective communication. This talk discusses how this principle works
in a Christian marriage. It presents communication as an expression of a love relationship. It also brings out
some of the common obstacles to good communication between husband and wife and offers practical
advice on handling disagreements and improving communications.
OBJECTIVES
To discuss the purpose of communication in marriage.
To explain the obstacles and barriers to good communication.
To suggest specific steps in handling disagreements.
EXPANDED OUTLINE
LOVE AND COMMUNICATION
The Husband-Wife Relationship is a Love Relationship.
It is a personal, life-long, stable commitment to love and serve each other.

It is important to express that love (sexually, gifts, making a home, providing,
verbalizing).
Communication in Marriage is More Than Just a Basic Function (e.g. exchanging

information, passing on facts, expressing understanding).
We communicate with our spouse in order to love and serve him/her.

Communication is one concrete expression of love.
OBSTACLES TO GOOD COMMUNICATION
Self-Image and Ones Image of His/Her Spouse
If your perception of yourself is always right and better and your spouse as always wrong,
communication will not work.
Not Listening to Each Other
Being selective in listening.

Not spending enough effort to understand the message and not just the words.
Preparing a rebuttal even before the other has finished talking.
Not paying attention to what the other is saying.
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Resignation to the Current Situation
a. He never talks.; or She just never stops.

b. We don’t have anything to talk about.
c. We don’t seem to have the time.
Basic Differences between Men and Women
Men deal more in ideas and concepts; women more in personal feelings and
reactions.
Men tend to see the whole picture and can live with a problem; women want the problem dealt with
immediately.
HANDLING OF DISAGREEMENTS IN MARRIAGE
Because we are human and are living an intense life together, we will have to deal with disagreements
from time to time. Handling them the right way will make them less traumatic and actually turn
them into something constructive.
Be Objective and Focus on the REAL Issue
Avoid calling each other names.

Do not be judgmental.
Do not allow the discussion to lead you to discussing other issues.
Deal with Issues Before They Build Up Always remember that
the best defense is a good offense.
Both partners should agree that whoever recognizes that the disagreement has taken a bad turn will
immediately begin to change things by repenting for his/her responsibility in it. In the face of this, the
other partner should respond in kind.
Afterwards, Evaluate the Argument
Discuss the dynamics. (i.e. what caused each person to react wrongly and how to avoid such
reactions in the future).
Make agreements. (e.g. do not be silent, do not walk out of the room, to control emotions,
to be eager to repent)
Make sure adequate reconciliation happens even though you still disagree.
Sometimes you need to deal with more immediate problems raised by the issue and save the issue
itself for later. (e.g. one partner having a bad day)
CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS
1. Good Communication is Something We Need to Learn.
a. We should recognize its difficulties and obstacles. Be realistic in your experience.

b. It will take time.
c. Discuss both failures and successes.
2. Seek the Help of Brothers and Sisters if You Need It.
95
Some difficulties may need an outside perspective to get connected.
Seek help of your action group or unit leader.
Make time as husband and wife to talk, share and grow in unity of heart and mind in
caring for the family. Recommended: Once a week dialogue (one-on-one).
Have Faith in God.
Remember that the power of the Holy Spirit is at work in our marriages.
Individual Reflection: A. WHAT PERSONAL ISSUES DO I HAVE THAT CREATE BARRIERS TO

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION?
Couple Dialogue: B. WHAT AREAS NEED CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENT IN OUR

COMMUNICATION?
C. AGREE NOW ON A DEFINITE DAY AND TIME FOR YOUR WEEKLY

ONE-ON-ONE.
D. OTHER RESOLUTIONS
96
Talk 3: THE ROLE OF A CHRISTIAN HUSBAND
OVERVIEW
The husbands role is to take over-all responsibility for the family. He governs, protects, provides and leads. This
talk discusses what taking responsibility for the family entails in the concrete. It explains and clarifies in greater
detail some of the principles presented in the previous talk regarding the husbands role in the Pastoral Team.
Note: During the talk, the Wife w i l be present
OBJECTIVES
To explain the role and responsibility of a Christian husband.
To discuss specific areas in family life where the husband should take active leadership and responsibility.
EXPANDED OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION
For us to grow as a Pastoral Team in the family, we must understand more clearly our role as a husband.
For many of us, our understanding of responsibility is one-sided (in business, civic affairs, etc.)
We have authority.
We manage/direct things.
The other side of responsibility i s t o give an account. (Hebrew 13:17) Not only do we, men have Gods authority
to get things done; we will also be held accountable for what we have been given to do.
Websters definition of accountable suggests imminence of retribution for an unfulfilled trust or violated
obligation. Some applications in this context are:
Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Silver Pieces.

God does not hold us accountable for things beyond our control (situations, peoples lives).
SCRIPTURAL TEACHINGS ON THE HUSBANDS ROLE
1. As a general rule, men are supposed to be responsible for the people of God. They take the leadership.
(Women are also responsible but in a different way.)
2. Areas of responsibility are:
Governance of people as a whole. (1Timothy / Hebrews 13:17 / Exodus 3:16)

Leadership in worship.(1 Timothy 2:8 / 2Chronicles 5)
Providing protection.(James 5:14 / Acts 20:28-31)
Head of the family.(Ephesians 5:22)
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HUSBANDS RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAMILY
The husband needs to understand more the importance of the family and his responsibility to make the
family what God intends it to be.
Man’s typical pattern is to leave home and family to wife, while he is responsible only for providing the money.
Scriptures teaches us the father’s proper role:
Samue l2:12-ff.
Josua 24:14
Ephesians 6:4
Areas where the husband needs to actively lead the family:
a. Wife
Make sure that her basic personal needs are met

Make sure of adequate communication
Help her maintain her perspective for self and family, and for the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen
and Professionals (BCBP).
Help her in her spiritual growth: spiritual life, prayer, also in her schedule.
Make sure she has sufficient and good relationships with other persons, particularly with members
of the BCBP.
b. Children
Take leadership and responsibility for teaching them about the Lord; do not leave this to the church,
school or peer groups.
Take leadership in training sons in manly character.
Take leadership in disciplining children.
c. Family Life and Home
Set the emotional tone for the home (not the wife).
Oversee the family schedule (meals, prayers, entertainment and outside activities).
Teach and lead the family into living the covenant and patterns of relationship in the BCBP.
Take charge of social situations (don’t leave this to the wife).
Be the spiritual protector (intercession, spiritual warfare, blessing) of the family.
SOURCES OF SUPPORT AND STRENGTH OF THE HUSBAND
1. The Lord is our ultimate source of strength: He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the source of wisdom.
When we feel weary and find life burdensome, we should turn to the Lord. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Turn to your action group and/or unit leader for guidance and direction. The Lord anoints His leaders.
During your weekly action group meetings, open yourself up to your brothers that you may receive the
needed support from them.
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Individual Reflection: A. HOW AM I DISCHARGING MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A HUSBAND IN THE

AREAS MENTIONED? ON A SCALE FROM 1 - 10 ( 1 being the lowest) HOW DO I
RATE MYSELF AS A HUSBAND BASED ON THE TALK?
B. FOR THE WIFE: WHAT HAVE I DONE TO SUPPORT MY HUSBAND

IN FULFILLING HIS ROLE AS A CHRISTIAN HUSBAND?
Couple Dialogue C. OTHER RESOLUTIONS
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Talk 4: THE ROLE OF A CHRISTIAN WIFE
OVERVIEW
Gods intent for a woman is to be a helpmate for the man. The purpose is to complement each other so that
full unity is achieved. Given the social pressures, this task of being a helpmate is indeed a tremendous
challenge.
Note: The husband is present during the talk.
OBJECTIVES
To explain the role and responsibility of a Christian wife.
To discuss specific areas in marriage where a wife can live her role effectively.
EXPANDED OUTLINE
A. GODS ORIGINAL PURPOSE FOR WOMAN
Woman is a helpmate. (Genesis 2:18-25) Purpose is unity: one goal, life and vision. This is a
tremendous challenge to do well.
B. THE WOMAN AS A HELPMATE
1. What This Reality Brings About in the Relationship and in the Family:
It helps form the vision for family life.

It helps carry out the vision with all the gifts, ability and creativity given to woman.
It helps the husband carry out his work and service.
It helps raise children and form girls in Christian womanly character.
It helps by motivating the wife to generously serve everyone in the family go the extra mile.
2. What Helpmate is Not:
Pastor of husband showing up his faults.

Foe in a tug of war his way vs. my way.
Coach or figure head - directing how he should discharge his responsibility as head of the family.
C. LIVING OUT THE WIFES ROLE FFECTIVELY
1. Spiritual Life:
Make sure her own prayer life is in order.

Pray and intercede for the husband.
Pray for the pastoral head of the husband.
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2. Practical Life:
a. Care for the personal needs of her huband: clothes, food, etc.
b. Make sure that the environment of the home serves him.
c. Sexually be available and know what his needs are.
3. In Actions
a. Express love, honor and respect for her husband.

b. Raise her children to love, honor and respect their father.
c. Allow her husband to lead in all social and family gatherings.
4. Speech Patterns
Be a source of blessing and kindness. (Proverbs 31)

Speak gently with love.
Put aside critical speech and sharp remarks.
CONCLUSIONS
In the eyes of the world, we will look like fools. Only in an environment of mutual trust, honor and respect
based on the Lord can the above guidelines become a possibility. The end result is a woman who ministers.
Blessings not Curses

Healing not Hurt
Life not Death
Encouragement not Destruction
We need the power of the Holy Spirit and patience with ourselves and others.
Personal Reflection:
A. HOW AM I DISCHARGING MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A WIFE IN THE AREAS MENTIONED?
ON A SCALE FROM 1 - 10 ( 1 being the lowest) HOW DO I RATE MYSELF AS A WIFE BASED ON THE
DISCUSSION?
For the Husband:

B. WHAT HAVE I DONE TO SUPPORT MY WIFE IN FULFILLING HER ROLE AS A CHRISTIAN WIFE?
Couple Dialogue:
C . OTHER RESOLUTIONS
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Talk 5: SEX IN MARRIAGE
OVERVIEW
As one of Gods gifts, sex is not ours to use in any way we please. God has a purpose behind His creation and wants
us, as responsible stewards, to respect His purpose in the way we use His gifts.
Note: Pieces of paper are distributed during the talk for questions during the open forum after the talk
OBJECTIVES
To discuss Gods purpose of sex in marriage.

To explain the Christian attitudes in sexual relations.
To suggest specific steps in establishing and improving the sexual relationship.
EXPANDED OUTLINE
A. WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY?
Genesis 1:27
The Lord designed our sexuality as a key element in His plan to make husband and wife truly one flesh.
Intercourse expresses in vivid physical terms the self surrender, profound intimacy and total union that belongs to
the marriage contract.
Because intercourse has such serious spiritual implications, Christian teaching has always asserted that it should
take place only within the framework of life-long committed marriage.
B. WHAT DOES OUR MODERN CULTURE SAY?
Depending on Individual Circumstances of How We were Brought Up or Taught

Problematic Attitudes our Culture Imparts
Handling Negative Attitudes
Handling Pagan Attitudes
C. CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES IN SEXUAL RELATIONS
1. Joyful
God designed sexual intercourse as a source of great pleasure.

God delights in seeing married couples enjoying His gift.
As Christians, we don’t have to be bound by guilt or fear in our sexual relations.
Under the lordship of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can experience the joy and freedom of
marriage as God created it.
2. Committed
We think of sexual commitment in terms of fidelity of husband and wife. Sexual commitment also has
implications for the way they conduct their sexual relationship. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
When balanced by concern and willingness, a couples commitment to be available to each other will
spare them a great deal of tension and misunderstanding.
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3. Chaste
Chaste defined as freedom from any kind of immoral or lustful behavior.

Worldly approach husband and wife has no bounds in their sexual conduct.
(1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
4 Centered on Christ
Christian marriage does not depend on compatibility or natural attraction or the pleasure
bond, but on the love of Christ poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
D. ESTABLISHING THE SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP
Learning About Each Other

Frequency
Sexual Expression
Family Planning
E. IMPROVING THE SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP
Problems or Difficulties
Adjustment
Premature Ejaculation
The Orgasm Controversy (due to modern polemics)
F. FINAL REMARKS
Sex is only one part of married life.

Most problems will yield to patient effects of growth and improvement.
Married happiness depends not on the number or intensity of sexual experiences but on your commitment
to love and support each other in every facet of your life together.
What will endure is what has been built on faithful, Christ-empowered love, in all the ways that love is
lived.
Personal Reflection: A.. DO I HAVE ANY PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES WITH REGARDS TO THE
AREAS DISCUSSED?
B. WHAT PAST EXPERIENCES DO I HAVE THAT EITHER GAVE ME A BETTER

APPRECIATION OF, OR ANXIETY ABOUT SEX IN MARRIAGE.
C. IN WHAT ASPECT OF OUR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP DO I FEEL

FRUSTRATION?
Couple Dialogue: D. WHAT THINGS DO WE NEED TO RESOLVE IN OUR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP

THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO GREATER LOVE AND UNITY BETWEEN US?
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Talk 6: HEALING OUR MARRIAGES
OVERVIEW
By the time we get married, many of us may have already experienced some hurts or may be suffering
from scars of traumas or painful memories from the past. Unconsciously, we carry these hurts into our
marriages and they could become obstacles to a positive and open relationship. Jesus wants our relationship
restored and healed. If we believe that God is love, then it is easy for us to believe that healing is an ordinary,
not extraordinary, sign of His compassion and love.
OBJECTIVES
To understand and appreciate the importance of the role of inner healing in marriages.
To discuss the different kinds of healing.
To explain the various sources of hurts in marriage.
To discuss practical steps in dealing with and healing hurts in marriage.
EXPANDED OUTLINE
A. INTRODUCTION
1. What is Inner Healing?
Inner healing is the healing of the inner man. By inner man we mean the intellectual,
volitional and effective areas commonly referred to as mind, will and heart and
including such other areas as related to emotions, psyche, soul and spirit.
Inner healing is distinguished from other healing commonly called physical healing.
2. Why Inner Healing?
We believe that Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever can take the memories and hurts
of the past and:
Heal the wounds that still remain and which affect our present lives;
Fill with His love all those places in us that have been empty for so long, once they have been
healed and drained of the poison of the past hurts and resentment;
Once freed of past hurts and memories, we are able to upbuild one another.
3. Good Health is One of the Basic Things that God Desires for Us
a. Wholeness of man healthy mind, body and emotions.

b. If we believe that God is love, then it is easy for us to believe that healing (Individual inner
healing) is an ordinary, not extraordinary, sign of His compassion and love.
4. Jesus Desired to Heal Us
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Mark 1:40-42 Of course, I want to heal you.
Matthew 4:23-24 Jesus healed all kinds of diseases and sickness. His ministry was not limited to
physical healing.
Luke 22:3 1 -34 Jesus prays for Peter that he may be strengthened.
FOUR BASIC KINDS OF HEALING
It is important to know that different kinds of sicknesses require different prayers so that we can appreciate fully the
healing that God wants us to experience.
Repentance - for personal sin

Physical Healing - for physical sickness
Deliverance - for demonic oppression
Inner Healing - for emotional sickness
DEALING WITH HURTS IN MARRIAGE
Hurts that we Bring into our Marriages
By the time we get married, many of us may have already experienced hurts or are suffering from scars of
traumas or painful memories from the past. Unconsciously, we carry these hurts into our marriages and they
could become obstacles to positive and open relationships.
Example: A young woman born to a family whose father is openly carrying on extra marital relations with
several women, will have difficulty believing that she can marry a husband who will not womanize.
Sometimes we experience some fear or alienation from some people which we do not even understand.
In the Marriage Relationship, Hurts can Happen in Various Ways:
Deliberate
We speak unkindly or carelessly and expect our partners to understand. Some enter into extramarital
relations (this can start with simple flirting) that eventually breaks down the family.
Insensitivity to each other’s needs and expectation
Husband has a strong sense of responsibility and wants to provide for the family well. He spends a lot of his time
working and earning money. In the meantime, his wife feels left out and unloved.
Scars and memories of past sins or guilt
Sometimes our past sins continue to have such a hold on us that we find it hard to forgive even our own
selves.
Example: Woman who had an abortion. (Refer to The Prayer that Heals by Francis McNutt.)
Fears and insecurities Oftentimes, fears and insecurities arise because of past experiences.
Example: The wife maintains a secret bank account. Why? Because in the past, her husband squandered
their money. Her secret bank account has become her security.
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How Can Hurts be Healed?
Forgiveness
A tale of two priests:
Father Matt who handles retreats, asks his participants, When did you feel closest to God?
Father Dennis Bynn who works with inmates in psychiatric wards, asks them, When did you experience
the world falling in on you?
It is interesting to note from the experiences of these two priests that the event that brought some to the
psychiatric ward was the same event that brought others to the loving arms of God.
What is the difference? The way the people dealt with the hurts brought about by these events whether
they have been able to forgive or not.
Learn to forgive
Difficulty to forgive is sometimes experienced especially if the hurt is deep and well-nursed. Do not rely on
your own power. Pray to Jesus for the power to forgive.
Once a person is able to forgive, he experiences freedom that allows him to be peaceful and joyful.
Prayers for inner healing
Sometimes we experience that even after we have forgiven, we still hurt, get fearful or angry. Somehow
we have not yet overcome that feeling that came with the negative experience. Oftentimes, we need to
pray for inner healing for these hurts to be dealt with.
Example: Single woman in her forties could not forgive her mother. Even after finally forgiving her
mother, she still needed prayers for inner healing.
Counseling
To give specific directions and guidance in order to help a person overcome a problem or difficulty.
Involves entering into a counseling relationship where the counseled promises to obey directions
given by the counselor.
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COMMUNITY HEALING
HEALING PRAYER The speaker shall then exhorts everyone to recite the standard healing prayer as
follows:
PERSONAL REFLECTION
The participants are asked to separate, husbands from wives and spend at least 15 minutes of personal reflection by
themselves. It is then during this time that each one writes a letter H o n o r i n g his/her spouse.
PLENARY - LETTER READING

The participants are then regrouped to form two circles. The inner circle shall compose of the wives and the outer one
are the husbands. The Course leader now requests anyone to start reading his/ her honoring to the plenary. It would
be best that if a husband reads his letter his wife could follow suit. Everyone should be encouraged to read his/her
letter.
SHORT ASSEMBLY - PRAISE AND WORSHIP

It is recommended that the praise and worship should follow the traditional ACTS prayer to be led by the Course leader.
All should be encourage to exercise their gifts. In the portion of the Contrition, the Course leader says a short prayer
and then asks everyone to write his/her sins, particularly those against his/her spouse, on a piece of paper that are
being distributed. Moments of silence. And then the course leader prompts the participants that when they are finished
writing they can go to the middle of the circles where a lighted vigil candle has been earlier set. One by one each
participant now goes to the candle, say a prayer of contrition/repentance silently and burns the piece of paper where he
wrote his/her sins.
After everyone has done so, the Course leader continues with the Thanksgiving portion and onto the Supplication part
and ending with a fast and vibrant praise song.
RECOMMENDED SONGS
Acclamation: Let Us Exalt His Name; Ascribe Greatness; I Exalt Thee; Praise the Lord O My Soul
Contrition: Create in Me, Change My Heart O God; God is My Refuge; The Light of Christ
Thanksgiving: Thanks be to God; Be Exalted O God
Supplication/Closing: The Lord Reigns; To Love You and To Make You Loved; The Magnificat
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Talk 7: BUILDING OUR HOMES FOR GOD
OBJECTIVES
To describe what a Christian home is and its essential characteristics
To give specific steps and suggestions in building up a strong Christian Home
EXPANDED OUTLINE
1. Introduction
A. Our task:
Our task as Christian couples is to build our homes for God. This talk in fact gives
a vision or picture of how we want our homes to be characteristics of a Christian home
some suggestions as to how we can go about building our homes for God
B. Christian Home
Provides the environment that allows us to raise a Christian family
Center of our Christian life
CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRISTIAN HOME
Faith
1. place where the Lord Jesus reigns
- the very air proclaims His presence

2. place where prayers and Scripture form an integral part of family pattern of life (Deut. 6:4-9)
daily family prayers
blessing of the children - seal them with Gods protection
prayers for healing

reading of Scripture
3. place where the goodness of the Lord is recounted and remembered often
a. builds up faith and confidence in God our Father foster grateful hearts Deut. 8:10-18
Service love
place where each one is eager to serve the others both couples of our household and outsiders
Father leads, i.e., - sets directions as to what services to do or to accept.
a. set limits
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Mother makes the home a place of hospitality
brothers and sisters are welcomed
needy are cared for
distinguish between Christians (to serve) and worlds view (to impress) of hospitality.
Children are introduced to service as natural part of life.
let the children serve snacks, merienda

let them welcome the guests
do not send them away when guests come
Open your home tot he Lord so that He can use it in any way He wants it.
Peace
place where relationships are working well

does not mean that there will never be relationship difficulties but it does mean that we have matured in our
relationships so that we know how to tackle them when they arise
pattern of life is relaxed and orderly to enable couples of the family to serve the Lord in various ways and to free
us from the frantic pace of the world
place where Gods providence and provisions are experienced

free from anxieties and pressures of the world
Order - which flows from our relationship with God
1. roles of husband, wife, father, mother and children are clear, defined and lived out
a. father
confidently and responsibly takes care of the family leads, prays and teaches
provides financial needs
provides physical protection
b. mother
makes home a place of warmth, a place where life can happen
c. children
honor, respect and obey their parents

2. order in schedule - in life together
not boarding house
ample opportunities for family couples to interact with one another, enjoy each others presence
Ex. TV and outside activities should not usurp family time
Focus on recreation that allows interaction
Do some relational type of family recreation at least once a week.
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Exert extra efforts to have times together as a family.
3. financial order
4. physical order
cleanliness
system for storage
HOW CAN WE BUILD OUR HOMES FOR GOD
A. Make pastoral plans for the whole family and for each member. You are often ruled by circumstances when
you have no plans or directions. Usually, making such plans can mean simply knowing what the family is
supposed to do to be more Christian and pursuing it. In the case of each child, character formation is usually
involved. Make a decision that you will do what it takes to have a Christian home.
- Father takes active headship in bringing this about
B. Evaluate your home
What elements are not Gods dominion (be honest)
Review the relationships within your family (include those who are living with you)
Review the values of your family and action group
Identity areas which may need change or improvement
C. Prepare a plan (goals, time frame, specific things to do) for building your home for God
Prioritize your goals
Husband and wife agrees on the plan

3. Explain the plan to the rest of the action group get their input and cooperation
Have the right mind and attitude
Be open to the leading of the Spirit
Be obedient to G o d s word
Pursue your plans with decisiveness and determination; be consistent

Be realistic in your expectations
Periodically evaluate your progress against your plan
1. Be flexible, do not hesitate to change if such are needed
2. Repent if you have not been faithful and steadfast
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CONCLUSION
We are living in a society where support structures for a good Christian and family life are slowly collapsing;
because we are a victorious people, we are not weakened; we are a people of hope.
We are people called by the Lord, a people He set apart. Let us be proud of this and be faithful to Him. Let us build
with the Lord (Ps. 127)
We are given the task of building a Christian home, a place where Christian culture truly will be lived to the full.
Pray, fast and intercede. The building of a strong Christian family requires some spiritual effort. Open your homes
to Gods outpouring of strength, wisdom and grace through prayers and fasting. We are engaged in spiritual warfare.
(Ephesians 6:10-ff)A. Make a decision that you will do what it takes to have a Christian home
Have no fear because Jesus promised to be with us. (Mt. 18:19-20)
Concluding exhortation
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.(Psalm 127:1). The task of building a strong
family is a God-given task. It requires God-given effort. Let us constantly invite the Holy Spirit to guide and
strengthen us for this task.
(NOTE: Give your own examples)
GUIDE FOR ACTION PLANNING
WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DEVELOP AND/OR GIVE UP AS A PRACTICE IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR HOME A
TRULY CHRISTIAN HOME?
WHAT STEPS SHALL WE TAKE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION IN OUR HOME?
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The BCBP Christians in Business Retreat (BCBR)
Speaker’s Outlines

2008
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The BCBP Christians in Business Retreat
Introduction
Work plays a very important role in our lives. We spend a large amount of time in our occupations. As
disciples of the Lord, we need to reflect on the meaning of our work for us. What is God’s plan for us
in the marketplace and the professions? Understanding his plan will enable us to cooperate with the
Lord and to bring him not into the marketplace, but also to win the marketplace for him.
The purpose of the retreat is to help us understand our vocation as business people and professionals in
the context of the Lord’s plan of salvation for the world.
Talk 1: GODS PLAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS OR LIVELIHOOD
INTRODUCTION
Work plays a very important role in our lives. We need to reflect on the question: Why do I
work? What is God’s plan for me at my place of work?
Some of us may have work that is clearly helpful to society: doctors, engineers, social workers,
ministers. But what about the majority of people whose contribution to society isn’t so significant?
What is God’s plan for them?
Some of us have been very successful at work achieving high levels of position, or large economic
rewards. How about those who haven’t made it? What is God’s plan for them?
God has a plan for us in the marketplace and at work. We need to know what this is, so that we can
understand our true roles in the marketplace and appreciate the challenges of a Christian in the
marketplace.
SOME OF THE INACCURATE VIEWS OF WORK:
Some people go to work simply to provide for their family’s needs. As long as I get paid for it, and it
provides for my family, I ’ m okay with w o r k . I t is important to provide for our family’s needs, and
by working we will be able to provide for our family’s needs.
The danger with this attitude is that we may think that any work will do, no matter what our talents
are, what the circumstance of work is, or what the end result of work is.
Another wrong attitude closely follows: I wish I didn’t have to go to work, implying that work is
such a burden that one has to endure in order to make ends meet. This results in an uninspired worker
that turns up mediocre or poor results.
Success in work is measured by material wealth, professional recognition, or title.
This attitude leads to dangerous attempts to succeed at all costs, including dishonorable means.
(More will be said about this in subsequent talks.)
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This is followed by another wrong attitude: success in work means success in life. What happens
during economic downturns? Or how about those who don’t have the resources (or contacts) to result
in economic success? (More will be said about this in subsequent talks.)
The ultimate purpose of work is to fulfill yourself. For some, work is a career; it is a goal worth
fighting for, something which will make us, and others, realize that we are valuable, that we exist,
and that we matter.
This is wrong because work and career could become our god. It could define who we are, and what
we think of ourselves. It could define what we think of others.
Unless pursued with Gods plan in mind, ambitious, self-centered work will ultimately lead to
emptiness, if not destruction.
HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN VIEW WORK? TWO SIDES OF THE SAME

COIN:
Work has inherent value it is good in, and of, itself.
Work has instrumental value work is meant to accomplish something that is good.
WORK HAS INHERENT VALUE
God views work as very significant. After all, God Himself is a worker. And work and working is
intrinsically good because God, Himself, works, and everything that God does, by nature, is good.
Because God created man in His own image, then we can say, by extension, that God created man as
a worker as can be seen in Genesis, where work involves ruling over the fish of the sea, subduing the
earth. Let us not have the mistaken notion that man was cursed to work as a result of sin; sin only
made work and the work environment much more difficult.
Work is a gift of God’s grace. Work is gracious

Man was created not as a worker unto himself, but as a coworker with God. God planted the garden,
man cultivated it. There is dignity to your work.
Does this mean that God approves of every sort of work that humans do? Obviously not, especially
considering that humans are sinful by nature and sin and evil affects all areas in man’s life, including
work. The kind of work that God considers significant and part o His plan is that which somehow
contributes to what God wants done in the world, and which does not actively contribute to what He
does not want done.
WORK HAS INSTRUMENTAL VALUE
Work is also good because of what is produced out of work. Scripture gives us four major reasons for
work. All of these reasons must be present in our motivation to work.
Through work, we serve other people. Explain the chain of relationships and flow of goods and
services to see which need it is that God is ultimately able to fill through the work we do. We should
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find ourselves on that chain, no matter how seemingly insignificant our task might be.
Through work, we meet our personal and family’s needs. Each of us has a responsibility to take care
of ourselves and our family. For many of us, this is the single biggest reason why we go to work,
namely that we want to provide for the family.
Through work, we earn money to give to others. Beyond meeting our family’s needs, God also wants
us to contribute to helping meet other people’s needs, viz., the poor and those who minister to the
word of God. (More will be said about this in subsequent talks.)
Through work, we love God. Work provides us many opportunities to show our love for God, and to
glorify God. We must spend some time examining our work and our motives for work, and subject it
to the test of love.
Does our work accomplish something that God wants done?
Do we do our work because God wants it done?
Let us be guided by the greatest of Gods commandments.
MATT 22:37-40: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like
it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two
commandments.
WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE THEREFORE BE TOWARDS WORK?
You are a servant of Christ. He is using you and your work to accomplish His purpose. Reference to
Colossians 3:17, 22-24, and Ephesians 6:7-8.
Discerning as to what Gods plan is for us.
Review our motivations towards work, repent, and seek Gods guidance and strength in this area. Be
prepared to allow God to make changes.
Grateful, that we are His instruments.
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Talk 2: PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS WEALTH & MONEY
IS WEALTH GOOD?
Is money good? Numerous passages in scripture (e.g. Gen 1 & 2; Zech 12:1) tell us that God made the
heavens and the earth and everything in them. There is nothing in existence that God did not make.
Scripture likewise tells us that everything that God created is good (Gen 1:31).
Wealth is a gift (providence) since God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them, and
then God owns everything. But we also read in scripture (Ps 115:16) that heaven belongs to the Lord
alone, but He gave the earth to man. The earth is Gods gif to man.
Deut 8:10: When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good
land he has given you. :11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to
observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. : 12 Otherwise,
when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down,:13 and when
your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and al you have is
multiplied, :14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God,
who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. :15 He led you through the vast and
dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He
brought you water out of hard rock. :16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something
your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well
with you. :17 You may say to yourself, My power and the strength of my hands have
produced this wealth for me.:18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you
the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your
forefathers, as it is today.
Especially when acquired righteously: Ps 37:16 Better the little that the righteous have than
the wealth of many wicked; :17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord
upholds the righteous.
¨ ECC 5:19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to
enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work this is a gift of God.
Wealth is the result of our efforts (i.e., hard work, efficient work).
But let us not be too proud because it also is the result of other people’s efforts. And let us not forget
that it is God who gives us the talent, the ability, the good health, other people, and the resources to
be able to produce wealth.
Note that wealth can also be acquired by unlawful or unjust means. Obviously this is not the path we
wish to take, nor the path people will admit that they are taking.
However, the danger is when we start believing that Christianity doesn’t make sense for business,
that Christianity is not profitable, and that the only way to acquire wealth is by unlawful and
unjust means. This is wrong because it shows lack of faith and trust in God.
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But it is also a distraction, a temptation that is why Jesus told His disciples how hard it is for a rich
man to enter the kingdom of God.
PRO 30:8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me
only my daily bread. : 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, who is the
Lord? Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
MAT 13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears
the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it
unfruitful.
MAR 10:25 It is much harder for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God than for a camel
to go through the eye of a needle.
1 TI 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. : 7 For we brought nothing into the
world, and we can take nothing out of it. : 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be
content with that. : 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into
many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. : 10 for the love
of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the
faith and pierced themselves with much grief. : 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this,
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Wealth is a reward for good and efficient work, but not a yardstick of success in life.
As stated above, because it can be acquired through corrupt and dishonorable means.
At the same time, there are many successful and honorable persons who are esteemed by society and by
the church who are not wealthy, and who choose not to pursue wealth at the expense of honor and faith.
Examples: lives of the saints, Mother Teresa, Jesus Christ
MAT 6:19 do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and
where thieves break in and steal. : 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth
and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. : 21 for where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.
PRO 11:4Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
PRO 11:28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green
leaf.
PRO 15:16Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. : 17 better a
meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
Wealth is not a yardstick of God’s love for us. Some people equate wealth with God’s love. Jesus
Christ, Gods only beloved son, came into this world with no material wealth. He spent His whole life
on earth without anything more than the clothing that He wore and the sandals on His feet. The
genuineness of God’s love is recognized by his willingness to give sacrificially of Himself sacrificing
His only son that we may have life, life in its fullness.
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Is wealth a reward for obedience to God? For Christian service? Is it right to expect our material
rewards for faithfulness? In what way can God assuredly reward His faithful servants? Although God
may pour out material blessings on those who obey and serve Him, we should not expect material
rewards for our faithfulness. Otherwise, we may have the wrong motives for obeying and serving God.
To give, in order to get, is the language of the world. It is selfish, manipulative, and insincere.
Rather we should look for contentment and the peace that is beyond human understanding
because it results in joy in diversity and in poverty. God rewards His faithful servants with an
abundance of life with Him for all eternity. This reward is infinitely more than any material
reward which is very temporary.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO HAVE LITTLE, OR NO, EXCESS, OR

WHO FACE ADVERSE SITUATIONS?
What is God’s plan for us? What should our attitude be? Doesn’t God want all of us to be wealthy in
material things? If it is the best for us, yes; for God desires the best for us. One of the first teachings of
Jesus in fact addressed the mystery of this when He said, Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the
Kingdom of heaven.(MAT 5:3)
What should our prayer attitude be? We must realize that God is in control and that He loves us and
cares for us. Our attitude must be one of security and victory, even in material need. Our desire must be
centered on the knowledge and the presence of God. Instead of yearning for material comforts, we
must hunger and thirst for righteousness(MAT 5:6)
Psalm 2 3 : T h e Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Doug Sherman & William Hendricks, Your Work Matters to God, pp. 128-129: God, in His
sovereignty, may select you to go through adversity in your career. He would allow that to show a
watching world the reality of your faith and how you deal with adversity as His coworker. On
the other side, He might shower you with incredible success and achievement, again to show a
watching world you handle it. Either way, the outcome of your work is largely out of your
control. Not totally (of course): You have some measure of control over what happens. You must
make decisions, perform as best as you can, monitor your character and ethics. But so much is
beyond your direct control: the overall economy; decisions made by foreign governments; the
value of the dollar; the choices of your coworkers. You have no way of controlling these events.
Consequently, you must ultimately trust God for the results of your labor, and do whatever is
within your limited sphere of power to promote a God-honoring outcome. But having this
perspective can be a tremendous relief from the stress and anxiety that plague our culture.
We must be aware and avoid the temptation: Envy for those who acquire wealth by unlawful and
unjust means PSA 37:1Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong; for like grass
they quickly wither, and like green herbs they w i l t : 7 Be not vexed at the successful path of the man
who does malicious deeds.
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WHAT TO DO WITH EXCESS
Sharing with the less fortunate
1 TI 6:17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their
hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with
everything for our enjoyment. : 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be
generous and willing to share. : 19 in this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1JO 3:16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought
to lay down our lives for our brothers. : 17 if anyone has material possessions and sees his
brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? : 18 Dear children,
let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
ACT 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the
weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to
receive.
2CO 8:12 the willingness to give should accord with ones means, not go beyond them. : 13 The
relief of others ought not to impoverish you; there should be a certain equality. :14 Your plenty
at the present time should supply their need so that their surplus may one day supply your need,
with equality as the result. :15 It is written, He who gathered much had no excess and he who
gathered little had no lack.
2CO 9:6Let me say this much: He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will reap bountifully. :7 Every one must give according to what he has inwardly
decided; not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver. :8 God can multiply his
favors among you so that you may always have enough of everything and even a surplus for
good works.
Share with the church tithing. This has been the practice in the BCBP and is covered in the culture
talks. Emphasize that we give our tithes simply because it is our duty, not because we want to bribe
God to make us materially prosperous as some would like to put it.
Fr. Schneider: Your tithe is the rent you pay for living in this w o r l d . I n fact, tithing isn’t only
done when one has excesses. Recall the incident of the poor widow, when Jesus rebuked the rich
people who gave out of their excesses, but praised the widow who gave from her poverty.
(MAR 12:38-44)
The Christian businessman’s lifestyle (setting personal lifestyle goals): How much is enough? The
writer of Ecclesiastes (ECC 5:18-19) urges us to enjoy life, and we should. Enjoy life, but with the full
awareness that we cannot avoid having to give a final accounting to God for everything we have done.
We are only stewards, not owners. Christian stewardship rules out anything which can be described as
conspicuous and wasteful consumption and ostentatious display of wealth.
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The correct lifestyle for a faithful steward is the simple lifesty le which differs from
society to society. There are no easy answers and guidelines. But it is important that we
manage our resources well, so that after meeting our family’s genuine needs we are still able to
make available resources to others who are in need.
MARK 8:36: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
PRO 2 3 : 4 D o not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restrain :5 Cast but
a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky
like an eagle.
ECC 5:10Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never
satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. :11 As goods increase, so do those who
consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on
t h e m ? : 1 8 T h e n I realized that it is good and proper for a m to eat and drink, and to find
satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given h i m
f o r this is his lot. :19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and
enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his w o r k t h i s is a gift of God.
ISA 5 : 8 W o e to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is le and you
live alone in the land. :9 The Lord Almighty has declared in my hearing:
Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants.
MAT 6 : 1 9 D o not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. :20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. :21 For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
LUK 1 2 : 1 5 T h e n he said to t h e m , W a t c h out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;

a m a n ’ s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.:16 A he told them this
p a r a b l e : T h e ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop :17 He thought to himself,
What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.
Then he s a i d , t h i s is what I ’ l l do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger o and
there I will store all my grain and my goods. :19 And I ' l l say to my s e l f , Y o u have plenty
of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. : 2 0 B u t God
said to h i m , y o u fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will
get what you have prepared for y o u r s e l f ? : 2 1 T h i s is how it be with anyone who stores up
things for himself but is not rich toward God.
LUK 12:15Then he said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against a l l kinds of greed; a
man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
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WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE BE
Whether we are rich or poor, regarding material wealth, or material possessions?
Not to be acquired unjustly or dishonorably otherwise, it shows that we do not trust in G o d s

goodness as a means of providing for our needs. (More will be said about practices of acquiring wealth
in subsequent talks.)
Demands a clever use of resources, so that these too can be multiplied for the benefit of others. (More
will be said about stewardship in subsequent talks.)
Contentment in contrast to the feverish grabbing spirit of our age, contentment is a mark of the
Christian. Not only is it a marvelous witness to our generation, but it will result i n g r e a t g a i n f o r the
believer.
1 TIM 6:6-9But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the
world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content
with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish
and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Life of simplicity, so we can give and share more with others

Gratitude towards a generous and caring God knows what we need. Together with being contented, we
should always be grateful and thankful to our God who provides us with our needs and sustains us each
day. Gratitude follows contentment.
Generous with whatever little we have whether we have much or little, God will always give us the
opportunity to share the little that we have. (Recall the widow’s mite.)
LUK 12:48To whom much has been given, much will be expected.
Detachment gives you freedom to enjoy what you have. It takes away the worry of losing what you
have. If you lose anything, it is not your loss, it is G o d s . And He could always replenish the loss. He
owns everything.
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Talk 3: THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN BOSS AND EMPLOYEE
THE BOSS AS SPIRITUAL LEADER
There is a difference between a good boss, and a Christian boss.
Christian business leaders (emphasis on the word Christian) are nothing short of being spiritual leaders,
but placed in the marketplace.
A Christian business leader is therefore someone who is spirit-filled. (From J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual
Leadership, p 9 7 ) T h e spiritual leader influences others not by the power of his own personality alone
but by that personality irradiated, interpenetrated, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Because he permits
the Holy Spirit undisputed control of his life, the Spirits power can flow unhindered through him to
others.
Competence is also important from a practical standpoint. You need to be technically equipped with the
teachings on effective management and business or professional principles. Otherwise, you cannot be a
responsible steward and cannot inspire confidence of your stakeholders. But competence must never be the
dominant pursuit at the expense of character.
From J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, p38:

Might these prerequisites not also apply to Christians who are in positions of professional and business
leadership?
1 Tim 3 : 1 - 4 Y o u can depend on this: whoever wants to be a bishop aspires to a

noble task. A bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, of even temper, self
controlled, modest, and hospitable. He should be a good teacher. He must not be ad-
dicted to drink. He ought not to be contentious but, rather, gentle, a man of peace. Nor
can he be someone who loves money. He must be a good manager of his own house-
hold, keeping his children under control without sacrificing his dignity.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN BOSS
Service to serve was Jesus definition of leadership, and that is true whether in the realm of the
secular or of the sacred. According to Oswald Sanders (p 1 5 3 ) , T h e true leader regards the
welfare of others rather than his own comfort and prestige as of primary concern. He manifests
sympathy and concern for those under him in their problems, difficulties, and cares, but it is a
sympathy that fortifies and stimulates, not that softens and weakens. He will always direct their
confidence to the Lord.
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Mark 10: 4 1 - 4 4 : Y o u know how among the Gentiles those who seem to exercise
authority lord it over them; their great ones make their importance felt. It cannot be like
that with you. Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest; whoever wants to
rank first among you must serve the needs of all.
Setting direction and a vision, and establishing a culture the manager must know where he is going and go
ahead of his workers. But the Christian manager does this without ruthlessly asserting his will. The effective
leader pulls rather than pushes people. A pull style of influence works by attracting and energizing people to
an exciting and uplifting vision of the future.
The leader must be able to envision the future, and enlist others to that vision.
Jesus called His disciples to a vision: Matt 4:19Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
The leader also prescribes and defines the culture, including the conscience of the team. This is a very
powerful aspect of the responsibility of the leader, powerful from the point of view of being a witness
for Christ. Because of his position in influencing the culture and the conscience of the organization, the
Christian leader is responsible in making sure that his organization is doing business according to Gods
plan, purpose, and ways.
Challenging the process Leaders must challenge the process and push for continuous
improvement because any system will unconsciously conspire to maintain the status quo and
prevent change. It includes searching for opportunities, and experimenting/taking risks.
Jesus especially challenged the practices which were hypocritical: Luke 11:37-52, and clearly
encouraged his followers to look at many things very differently from the traditional and
common sense ways.
Instructs and coaches his people Jesus almost focused his entire management approach to his disciples
in this fashion. He was a great coach. In fact, that’s why they were called disciples, not workers, but
people who were to carry on after Him. Jesus said, Come to me. Learn from me. And so, Jesus gave his
disciples many teachings and mostly instructions, warnings, stories, parables.
Modeling the way Leaders show the way. They set the example. Their position/ rank/title gives them
authority, but their behavior earns them respect. (You cannot demand true respect, except by your
behavior and character.) Jesus showed his disciples true servanthood, in John 13:14-15, when he
washed their feet.
Prays for wisdom always the indispensable trait of a Christian leader, as Oswald Sanders says. Jesus
prayed constantly, and long, in order to gain guidance and oneness with His Father.
The Christian manager builds the faith of his people in Gods providence and guidance. His people have
to know that he trusts in God at all times, that He seeks Gods guidance in all things involving the work.
He is constantly thanking God for these things, and does this in a way that is communicated to his
people. This goes a long way in strengthening other people’s belief in a living God.
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HOW A LEADER OR MANAGER LOVES HIS PEOPLE
Treating employees fairly define expectations, give feedback, provide resources, balance the work
load, pay appropriately
LEV 25:43 Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.
COL 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you
also have a Master in heaven.
LEV 19:13Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him. Do not hold back the wages of a hired
man overnight.
JER 22:13Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by
injustice, making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.
Especially for good employees who leave you: DEU 15:18Do not consider i t a hard-ship to
set your servant free, because his service to you these six years has been worth twice as much
as that of a hired hand. And the Lord your God will bless you in every-thing you do.
1 TI 5:18 For the Scripture says, Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,*
a n d the worker deserves his wages.
Encouraging the heart it is vital that leaders give courage, spread joy, and care about people, product,
and process all along the way. It means recognizing individual contribution and celebrating
accomplishments. It means building and/or preserving self-esteem. One of the most important, if not
the most important, things that motivates people is appreciation and respect for what they have done. In
many of his stories, Jesus spoke of masters praising faithful workers.
Corrects disciplines, when necessary
Jesus disciplined and corrected his followers: Luke 10:41 (Martha, Martha), Luke 9 46-48
(against ambition), Why did you f a l t e r ? W h a t little faith you have. Matt 20:20-2 (The
Mother of James and John).
Galatians 6 , 1 M y brothers, if someone is detected in sin, you who live by the spirit should
gently set him right, each of you trying to avoid falling into temptation himself. The
fundamental requirement in all disciplinary action is love. Admonish him as a brother, (2 Thess
3:15).
The Christian manager, as the shepherd of his people, must care for their spiritual well-being as well.
1 PE 5:2Be shepherds of Gods flock that is under your care, serving as overseers not because
you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but
eager to serve; :3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. :4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade
away.
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The Christian manager prays for his workers, knows their concerns and intercedes for them. Jesus
prayed for His disciples in John 18:9: For these I pray not for the world but for these you have given
me, for they are really yours.
Whenever he can, he ought to bring them to a closer relationship with Jesus. The BCBP culture as
well as its partners in mission has set up sufficient strategies in order to help the Christian manager in
effecting this. He simply has to act on it with resolve and out of love for his workers.
THE CHRISTIAN EMPLOYEE:

Loyalty, and diligence (love for work)
PHI 2:13- 1 5 F o r God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to
work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and
innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world.
Must put in his share of the work, cannot live off others efforts. In Paul’s letters: members
of community must work, or get nothing.
Excellence a Christian employee strives to do his best, seeks for better ways to do things all the time,
and always aims to go beyond what is demanded. He does this not out of selfish ambition, but
because of a different source of inspiration:
COL 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye
is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. :23
whatever you do, work at it with a l l your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, :24 since
you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ
you are serving.
Conscience / Vigilance pointing out, and demolishing un-Christian business practices &
influencing change (more about this in talk # 6)
Teamwork and cooperation
PHI 2:3Never act out of rivalry or conceit; rather, let a l l parties think humbly of others as
superior to themselves, each of you looking to others interests rather than to his own.
Jesus new commandment, especially to fellow Christian workers: John 13, 34-35: I give you
a new commandment: Love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must your
love be for each other. This is how all will know you for my disciples: your love for one
another.
Intercede for his company and co-workers A Christian employee ought to bring before the
Lord the concerns of his company and co-workers in his daily prayers. Perhaps if anything
else, that is Gods appointed role for him in that company at that particular point in time.
Be a witness Daniel is a good example of how a very dedicated worker was able to become
an effective witness of his faith even in times of adversity
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Talk 4: RELATING TO OTHERS IN THE MARKETPLACE
Who Are the Others in the Marketplace:

our customers, our suppliers and creditors, our stockholders and partners, the community and
government in general, and even competitors. They are special to us not just because we need them in
order to survive in the marketplace, but more importantly because God placed them in our lives where we
are given a chance to regularly, if not constantly, receive and to give His love. They are special to us
because sometimes often times even their business interests may not be aligned with our interest and
those of our fellow workers.
Honor and Competence

THE CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMAN AND PROFESSIONAL HAS TO BE AN HONORABLE
BUSINESSMAN AND PROFESSIONAL. He cannot be Christian, if he does not at least practice
business and his profession with honor.
He stands up for his values and his principles, and he will not compromise his principles in order to achieve
economic results. He does the right thing whether or not i t ’ s the convenient thing, the fun thing, or the
profitable thing. For him, honor is doing what is right, regardless of the consequences. Honor is making
commitments and keeping them.
In the BCBP, we uphold the following values: Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Humility, Excellence, Service,
Trust (RICHEST). Furthermore, in all our business dealings, and in relating to others in the marketplace, we
abide by the teachings and commands of Jesus Christ.
We would rather sacrifice our business than sacrifice our Christianity because we believe that we are
Christians first and businessmen or professionals only by calling. As Christians, not only is our name at stake
when we act dishonorably in business, but our entire BCBP community, our church and our Christian faith, is at
stake.
We fear and honor God, we are not ashamed to proclaim our trust in Jesus, and we are inspired by the Holy
Spirit, in all our business dealings.
We believe that God has placed us in the marketplace precisely for a purpose. The marketplace is a place where
many people are exposed to us, to who we are, and to what we are. And our behavior, as honorable, and as
Christian businessmen and professionals, is guided by what Jesus s a i d , N o one, after lighting a lamp covers it
with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp stand so that people coming in may see the
light.(Luke 8:16) He s a i d , y o u r light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do and
praise your Father in Heaven.(Matt. 5:16)
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SOME PRACTICAL GUIDELINES:
In treating customers:
We should provide high quality products and services, and make sure that our products or
services do not harm the health and safety of our customers.
We should respect human dignity, especially in the area of marketing and advertising. Honorable
Christians do not capitalize or glorify lewd conduct, licentiousness, idolatry, impurity, violence, etc.,
to lure customers to their products or services.
We should give each customer fair treatment in all aspects of the transaction, including order taking,
billing, collecting, and in handling and processing complaints. Indeed it would be unfair to be vague
in your commitment schedules. Entering into a business transaction, no matter how hurriedly, where
the terms and conditions are not spelled out and agreed upon clearly, is a dishonor to both parties,
because disagreements are bound to arise.
In treating suppliers (whether for products or services, including financial services), we want to be
treated as we treat our customers.
We should truthfully respect licenses and agreements.
We should seek to foster long-term stability in the relationship (in return for value, quality,
competitiveness, reliability).
We should pay our bills promptly, and without unnecessary hindrances. And if we can’t, the best
thing to do is to be straightforward about it, and treat the supplier / creditor with respect and
truthfulness.
We ought to be just and forgiving in handling failures of our suppliers to fulfill their obligations to
us perfectly, and our dealings should be free from coercion and unnecessary litigation.
In relating to our stockholders or our partners in the business, we need to follow the stewardship
principle.
We need to honor and protect the trust placed in us by our stockholders and partners, and do our
utmost, and honorable best, to conserve, protect, and increase the owners invested assets (including
the name, the brand, and the reputation of the company).
We have to provide full and complete disclosure, and be prepared to be subjected to scrutiny. We
have to avoid any potential conflicts of interest, or if these are unavoidable, we have to be
transparent in these dealings and keep our partners and stockholders completely and proactively
informed.
In dealing with the community and the government at large:
Our products, services, and manufacturing processes should respect the native culture, and
conserve and protect the natural environment. This should include the manner by which our
products are used and discarded after use.
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We have to practice good corporate citizenship charitable donations, educational
and cultural contributions, participation in community and civic affairs.
We definitely should observe all legitimate laws, including payment of correct taxes and dues.
This does not mean we cannot do what is legally within our means to minimize these expenses.
A special word about our competitors.
Fair and honest competition leads to increased wealth of nations, and to the just distribution of
goods and services. Therefore, in that sense, competition is for the common good.
There are also beneficial sides to competition: they compel us to be clever and wise in our use
of resources and business judgments; and they move us to pay greater and more diligent
attention to our customers’ needs.
While competitors might seem like they are out to drive you bankrupt, the honorable way to deal
with competitors is with mutual respect for each other’s talents and competencies.
A word about bribery. You must differentiate between a bribe and extortion. At all times, you must
exert honest effort to do things according to what is prescribed by the rules governing the
transaction or situation.
Extortion is when the other party gives you no choice but demands extra payment before he gives
to you what already is rightfully yours anyway. You are, in this case, a victim. And the decision to
yield to extortion or not is an economic one.
Bribery, on the other hand, is when you entice another in order to make him disregard what he
should be doing rightfully, and in a manner that will favor you. This is deceitful and dishonorable.
Never accept nor give bribes, as scriptures say:
EXO 23:8Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the
righteous.
DEU 16:18 A appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God
is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. :19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality.
Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
JOB 36:18Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. :19
Would your wealth or even a l your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?
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DEALING AS A CHRISTIAN
Not only is the Christian businessman and professional required to be good, honest, and honorable,
he is expected to be Christ-centered when dealing with others.
Matt. 7, 12: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. The Golden
Rule. It covers a multitude of situations. In fact, it covers every business and non-business
dealing. (Jesus said, in everything.) It may not be the economically right thing to do, but it is our
Christian duty to follow Christ’s will.
The Golden rule is actually the corollary to that other great commandment: Matt. 22:39 You shall
love your neighbor as yourself. This is reiterated in 1 John 4:20One who has no love for the
brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not s e e n . D o we ever think of our marketplace
contacts simply as people whom we can gain or get something from? Or as neighbors whom we
should love as we love ourselves?
Phil 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more
important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of
others. Ask yourself, what would Christ do?
Matt. 5:39: If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other a l s o . A n d Matt.
5:44: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matt. 5:9 blessed too the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of G o d . T h e Christian is
called to be the peacemaker in the marketplace because he sees all men as brothers, children of the
same, true God, all part of a family. He sees that the essence of a family is peace, and that
therefore, as Gods child, he seeks peace instead of strife.
James 5:12 says, Above all else, my brothers, you must not swear an oath, any oath at all, either
by h e a v e n o r b y earth. Rather, let it b e y e s i f you mean yes, a n d n o i f you mean no. In
this way you will not incur condemnation. There are many occasions when we are tempted to be
dishonest, whether slightly or gravely, in our business dealings. The Lord prohibits stealing.
THE BATTLE
The battle is not against business competitors aiming for greater market share. Rather it is a
battle for hearts and minds of all those with whom we come in contact. It is hard because our
competition is the love for money, and the love for self. Jesus says, what I am doing is sending
you out like sheep among wolves. (Matt. 10:16)
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Talk 5: BALANCING WORK, FAMILY & COMMUNITY
SOME INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES
From Maximized Manhood: Many wives attest to the fact that, for most men, their sin of adultery is
not with another woman, but with their work.
Share some anecdotes about the result of too much attention to work, little on family. E.g. The prodigal
father
THE MALADY OF WORKAHOLISM. THE SYMPTOMS:
Obvious sign: too much time spent at the workplace, not just for short durations (say, during budget
season), but habitual and seemingly never-ending.
Work-related emotional energy consumed even outside work

From Hendricks and Sherman, Your Work Matters to God, p. 209-210: Some of the signals that
work may be holding you captive emotionally are when your spouse tells you something or asks you a
question and you realize you haven’t heard a word he or she has said; when you wake up at night with
thoughts and emotions about work streaming out of your mind; when you spend hours on the phone
with an associate talking about a work situation, even though you’ve both talked about it all day, and
you’ll talk about it all day the next day; when your only friends are friends at work; when your only
serious reading is work-related; when you spend a good portion of your hours after work at your
place of employment, whether working or not; when in your prayer life your only thoughts are about
work God never intended for work to become psychological slavery. On the contrary, as we have
seen (Matt. 11:28-30, Come to m e ) , He desires us to be freed from emotional and spiritual
dependence on work, and to find rest for our souls.
Sense of guilt at spending time in relaxation. The workaholic can’t seem to relax, or cannot enjoy a
reasonable amount of leisure or vacation without feeling guilty.
HIERARCHY OF VALUES:
Family, work, community? What matters most? From Hendricks and Sherman, pp.205-206:
Must take a comprehensive approach to life; what you do in one area affects the others. The analogy with the
pentathlon In Europe, this is the most demanding and prestigious sporting contest: running, swimming,
horseback riding, pistol shooting, and fencing. You must excel in all five to be a champion. Not one is more
important than the other.
The New Testament addresses life in terms of five major categories:

your personal life, including your relationship with God, your emotions, and any other private,
individual areas;
your family, including your marriage, your children, and your relationship to your own parents and
any dependents;
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your church life, including both your local church as well as your involvement with all Christians
everywhere;
your work, including what you do, how you do it, how you relate to employers, coworkers, and
customers, and the products and results of your labor; and
Your community life, including your responsibilities toward governments, and your relationships in the
broader society, especially with non Christians.
(This talk will not dwell on why these five areas are equally important. It presupposes that people
put an inordinate amount of time and attention to only one area, namely work. Therefore, the
talk will discuss strategies to regain balance.)
God says we need to honor Him in all of these five diverse categories. And because they all impact
each other, we cannot arrange them into a hierarchy (linear thinking). We need to strike a realistic
balance among these areas, each of which presents many demands that compete with our time.
Unless we see work as only one of five areas in which God wants us to be faithful, we will merely
excel at work and fall down in most of the other areas.
STRATEGIES TO BALANCE:
(Mostly from Hendricks and Sherman, pp. 207-21 2)
Organize your prayer life around the five areas: (the five fingers prayer approach). In our prayers, we
should think through each of the five areas, and lift up our concerns regarding our responsibilities in
each of these areas.
Determine how much time you really need to spend at work. It depends on:
The nature of the job. In some jobs, you don’t have much choice but to put in many hours. (E.g.
surgeon, entrepreneur trying to establish a business, athletes during the season, etc.) Also, it is affected
by seniority and/or level of responsibility, and remuneration and compensation structure.
Your stage in your career. Amount of time spent at work depends on whether you are at the start of
your career, or in mid-life or retirement.
Those who are starting their careers, of course, spend more time learning the ropes, and exceeding
basic expectations in order to achieve recognition and distinction. They are the work horses of
industry, excited, ambitious, and driven. The need to balance becomes critical when the new career
coincides with a new marriage or a new family.
Those who are in mid-life and yet spend an inordinate amount of time at work may be driven, not so
much by ambition or career, but by the need to pay for
A lifestyle that is too rich for his means. Others may discover at this stage that their work is their life,
and cannot any longer make a healthy distinction between the two.
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But regardless of the job, or stage in the career, the key is to count the costs involved in terms of
what is being sacrificed as a result of time spent on the job: namely the impact on your family and
relationships. If holding down your job means sacrificing your marriage and your children, then
biblically you need to reevaluate whether you are in the right job. This is a complex area, and your
family has to be realistic about what it takes for you to honor God in your work.
Examine why you need to spend so much time at work, and evaluate what part work plays in your life, and
what importance you want to attach to it.
Be honest in your assessment. You may need to enlist someone to help you do this, someone who
can ask some hard, honest questions and give you objective feedback about your answers.
Examine your own ambition and drive, as compared to the true demands of the work. Is the
problem with the job, or with you?
Examine other ways of organizing and managing your work so that you don’t take work home with
you, or you don’t spend too much time at work.
Make sure the main part of the work day is productive and efficiently used (too many useless
meetings, or loafing off, or whatever.)
Learn to delegate properly.
Don’t over-commit
Learn to manage time wisely (urgent vs. important, etc.)
Schedule non-work areas just as you would work areas, including weekends and vacations with
family. Discuss this with your spouse and family.
Guard your use of emotional energy (you might leave work but work may never leave you: you’re
always thinking about work).
From Hendricks and Sherman, p 210: One small step I try to take on my way home is to
mentally and emotionally disengage from work. My goal is that by the time I arrive home, I
want to be in a proper frame of mind to relate to my family. This may mean foregoing the
news. Or if you have a car phone, it may mean not calling or accepting calls related to work.
Instead, you might want to begin reviewing why your family told you they had planned for
that day, or the things you intend to do with them that evening. All of this is a sort of
psychological change of clothes in which you take off your work clothes and slip into
something more comfortable.
Does this mean you can no longer be ambitious? If ambition means that we pursue goals and
dreams that force us to lose balance, then we cannot be ambitious. Instead, as a Christian
businessman and professional, we must always discern what Gods plan is for us, rather than seek
to have God approve our plans for ourselves. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness
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MATT 6:33
Does this mean we should take it easy at work? No, not if it means being lazy, being
unimaginative, and not maximizing the resources that God has given to us. As seen in earlier
talks, our responsibility is to work diligently and in pursuit of excellence at all times, for it is the
Lord whom we serve.
Temper your lifestyle. Especially be guarded against lifestyles and business goals which
involve an inordinate amount of indebtedness. A Christian businessman or professional must
temper our use of credit obligations, not just for personal acquisitions, but also for business
acquisitions. Leveraging our businesses and our lifestyle with undue indebtedness is wrong and
can enslave you to work harder to make ends meet.
Cultivate interests and commitments outside of work.
OTHER GUIDELINES:
Balance and honor your commitments. Learn to s a y n o . B u t when you s a y Y e s , t o a
commitment, honor it.
Define what are the absolutes that we must make time for, and then do it. Examples: daily
prayer time, weekly one on one with each family member and spouse, etc.
Help one another in your Action Group in praying for order in your schedules and
priorities.
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Talk 6: BUILDING OUR BUSINESSES FOR GOD
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR LIVELIHOOD.
There is a spiritual battle going on for hearts and minds. The marketplace is the battle ground
where we are called.
God wants to use us in the marketplace in order to be His servants in establishing His kingdom
in the marketplace. He wants us to build our businesses and to use our livelihood for His plan.
The basic strategy in building our businesses for God is found in Rom 1 2 : 9 D e t e s what is
evil, and cling to what is good.
BEING A WITNESS
By what we do and what we are
By living out and upholding the BCBP values in the way we work: RESPECT,
INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, HUMILITY, EXCELLENCE, SERVICE, TRUST
(R-I-C-H-E-S-T)
Through Christ-like attitude
By proclaiming the providence of God and the position of Jesus in your work/business overtly
glorifying God through Jesus C h r i s t : who do you say I am?
The difference between a good businessman and a Christian businessman Statements of thankfulness
to God. Statements of reliance upon His guidance for decisions. Introducing prayer at work
Reflecting Christ in your physical surroundings introducing symbols of your faith; re moving un-
Christian objects
By sharing the good news at and through work:
Evangelizing
Providing opportunities for your workers to find Jesus, by organizing, say retreats, LSS.
Bringing others to Jesus; using work as your platform to invite other persons of influence in the marketplace
into the BCBP. Teaching others about Jesus. Going against institutional evil is a serious and difficult
challenge
Basic observations about institutional evil.

You must expect evil. There is little, if anything, we can do to stem evil. Things may be out of control,
but it is never out of Gods control. There is always one thing we can do: we can pray.
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God never gives us the option of throwing up our hands in despair. We need to take what action we can
do to appropriately deal with evil. This does not mean we should be moral policemen. We should at
least begin to concentrate on our holiness. God holds us accountable for faithfulness to do our part of
the job correctly and properly. God uses the evil of the workplace to build our character.
Need for discernment: Regarding the legitimacy of our work, and our involvement in it. Discern whether
you are contributing or detracting from Gods work. It is good to look at your company and ask
yourself, would Jesus put together a group of His most devout followers to engage in a business such
as yours?
Some work is clearly illegal.

Others, though legal, have products unduly harm people physically, spiritually,
emotionally.
Be careful to avoid making legalistic, uninformed pronouncements.
When to take action
Scriptures do not regard indirect participation as wrong, if it is truly indirect and innocent. Key:
determine who is doing the wrong. If your career calls for direct participation in what you know to be
wrong. You must definitely act. The Bible clearly rules out any direct involvement in what we know is
wrong. Act when your conscience is violated. The better your conscience is informed, the clearer and
easier is the discernment process. Act when it is in your power to end or to avoid evil. PRO 3:27Do not
withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do i t . G A L W h i l e we have
the opportunity, let us do good to all men. Act when innocent people stand to be affected by evil.
Strategy of action:
If possible, go to the source of the problem, or the source of power to the solution.
Join the battle where you feel you can be most effective. No matter who you are, God can use you. He
has not commissioned us into a battle without a weapon.
Seek limited, measurable gains.
Expect positive results, but also expect some negative consequences. Jesus said, blessed are those who
have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Rejoice, and
be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
If necessary, leave your job, especially when remaining would mean a direct participation by yourself
in evil.
Use a strategy of prayer. Seek counsel and spiritual support from fellow Christians, especially in the
BCBP. Engage in spiritual warfare. Pray for those who oppress you.
Start with yourself. We have a responsibility before God to live pure lives above reproach. We have to
be fit for the fight.
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESS OF CHANGE
Actively promote this program in your chapters; build materials, speaker’s bureau, etc.
In the BCBP or in others do research; share what works, doesn’t work.
Build the community’s sense of victory share Gods victories in the marketplace during assemblies,
action group meetings, breakfast.
Actively discuss workplace situations and challenges in your action group meetings, and support one
another through sharing of Gods wisdom and promises.
Be ready to provide other kinds of support as people make the difficult choices. Such support can
mean: referrals for better business, referrals for employment, referrals of contacts among
bureaucracies etc to those who are more receptive and cooperative in our quest towards honorable
business dealings, etc.
Pray for strength and greater faith in Gods plans and promises for us
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BCBP Our Way of Life Retreat
Speaker’s and Participant’s Outlines

2008
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BCBP Our Way of Life Retreat
Introduction
The BWLR is the last formation weekend and brings the formation process to a close. It
synthesizes the BCBP way of life and mission for those who have gone through the formation
process and prepares them for the life of a committed member of the BCBP. At this stage of
formation our new members should have begun to live out faithfully the various stipulations on
the commitment card. The last two months prior to the commitment ceremony for those who are
ready is devoted to an evaluation of the progress of the member and discernment whether the
BCBP is really the community the Lord is calling him or her to.
The BWLR does not really present any new teaching, but it summarizes the life and mission of
the BCBP and pulls it together for the participants in the formation process and helps them to
make the transition from associate members in formation to committed members of the BCBP. It
is precisely for its synthesizing function that the last formation weekend is so important. It pulls
together into a unified whole all that the formant has learned and tried to live.
Talk 1: HONORING THE LORD
I. Our Way of Life
The focus of this retreat will be our common way of life as a community.
Our way of life is the Christian way of life made practical for the circumstances of modern life
for a community of disciples on mission.
We will begin with the first commandment: to put God first (Ex 20:2-6).
II. The Offering Principle in our Relationship with God
God gives us everything. Out of gratitude, we give back to him what we have – our lives =
primarily by living daily for his glory. (1 Peter 4:11; Rom 15:15-16; 12:1)
As an expression of the offering of our life to him in gratitude, we give him gifts or offerings
(Heb 12:28-29). We do this when we “come before the Lord”.
We offer our time to God by taking some of it and making it an offering of worship and prayer
to him. (Ps 141:2; Heb 5:7; Heb 13:15).
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III. A Common Pattern of Worship and Prayer
We consecrate the main events of the day to the Lord; at least

the blessing before and after each meal (1 Tim 4:4-5)
prayer at the beginning and end of each day
As a community, we have a common pattern of worship and prayer that is part of
our way of life.
Daily personal prayer and scripture reading
Family Prayer
The Lords Day Celebration
-Sunday is the Christian Sabbath, we honor the Lord
by participating in the Eucharistic celebration of the Church.
Our Community Assemblies/Meetings
-Action Group Meetings
-Community Teachings/Assemblies
-Special celebrations
IV. The Community as the Temple of the Holy Spirit

Eph 2:17-22
The Church as a whole is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, but every genuine Christian
community within the church participates in this.
V. Honoring the Lord Throughout the Year
1. Yearly celebrations according to the Old Testament and the New Testament
The Old Testament
Yearly calendar marked by great feasts (Lev 23 and Num 28)
-The chief feast was the Sabbath (Lev 23:3).
The three great pilgrim feasts
-Passover
- Pentecost
-Tabernacles
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The New Testament
Jesus is the fulfillment of the feasts of the old covenant.
* Sunday was the weekly feast that celebrated the new beginning through
the resurrection of the Lord.
* Easter was the yearly Christian Passover, which celebrated the deliverance
from sin through the death & resurrection of Christ.
* Pentecost celebrated the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the founding of
the church.
*Christmas//Epiphany started in the fourth century to commemorate the
Incarnation
*Seasons of preparation were added for the two major celebrations: The
Forty Days (Lent) before Easter and Advent before Christmas/Epiphany.
2. Benefits of Yearly Christian celebrations
It is a way of honoring and thanking the Lord
These celebrations help us to recall what God has done for us in Christ and to
live our lives in the light of Christ’s deeds
It is a way of strengthening family life and community life.
3. The BCBP Yearly Pattern

The BCBP Anniversary – we celebrate the founding of our community and
thank God for the work of beginning our corporate life and sustaining it
throughout the years.
Seasons of Preparation
-we try every year to enter more deeply into the periods of preparation for
Christmas during Advent, by extra prayer and sacrifice and do the same
during Lent.
Annual Retreats – for the various groupings of our membership and leadership.
Finally, celebrations are a way of centering our lives on the Lord. They are a
great way of fulfilling the first commandment.
Discussion Starter
How will you live this out concretely in the BCBP?
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Talk 2: GIVING TO THE LORD AND HIS WORK
1. An offering of our money

“Money“ here stands for all our economic resources, not just our cash.
Discipleship demands that we trust the Lord with our lives and our resources, our money.
We are stewards now of what belongs to the Lord. We want to take a closer look at how
to use our resources for the advance of his Kingdom.
The Offering Principle we discussed in the first talk also applies to our money: we need to
take some of it and give it as a gift to the Lord. Some of what we give is like a tax, the
tithe, which we give so that the temple of the Lord might be built in this world and his
worship maintained as we look forward to the heavenly temple. Some of what we give is
for special offerings, which we give out of zeal for the building of the temple, including
the building of the BCBP so that it can maintain its life and do its mission.
2. Contribution to our Community, the BCBP

Tithing normally means setting aside 10% of our income.
-Tithing is an act of worshipping the Lord (Lev 27:30,32), a way of honoring and
glorifying the Lord (Pro 3:9-10).
-We should be tithing before we can make a public commitment and become full
members of the BCBP..
-The tithe should be divided between our community and our parish, the bodies from
which we draw our spiritual life and support. It is not a contribution we can give as we
wish to whomever we wish (Mal 3:8-10).
Special Offerings
-These are over and above the tithe, special acts of devotion for the sake of building the
temple, a way we show our zeal and generosity to the Lord.
(Ex 35:20-29, 1 Chr 29:14-18, 2 Cor 8:1-4, Phil 4:18).
-In general we should give priority to supporting our outreaches financially. It is a work
entrusted to us by the Lord. Others will give to other worthy causes, but our
outreaches do depend on our generosity for support.
-We should give in proportion to our means. Some may give a lot, others little. (Mk
12:41-44).
Almsgiving
-It is a Christian responsibility to give to the needy, especially the needy who are our
brothers and sisters in the Lord, including those in need in our own extended family.
-Contributing to the micro finance program of the BCBP is a way of helping the needy.
*Special contributions and almsgiving are over and above tithing, they do not
replace the tithe obligation to the community..
3. Community Service
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-Our community service is a contribution of work to the building of the kingdom, the
temple of the new covenant. Like our tithe, we give a certain amount of work-time
regularly.
-Regular intercession is a form of community service.
-Showing hospitality is also another form of community service.
-For some of us, making more money to give to the Lord’s work can be a special
service.
4. Additional Principles
Living according to a budget
-We need to fulfill our responsibilities financially. This is part of our community life
and our life as followers of the Lord. This means that we live according to a budget and
financial plan. What we set aside for our community and church is budgeted in every
month.
Living a simple lifestyle
-A simple lifestyle means that we are ordered to using what we need, and we ask how to
use the rest to advance the kingdom of God. Our needs include rest and recreation and
adapting to our environment (e.g. keeping pace with normal technology). However,
Christians should be oriented to personal simplicity, and if they are, they will have what
they need to give to the Lord and others in need.
-Is is easy to become accustomed to affluence and to think we need much of what we
really don’t need.
-The Lord may bless us by allowing us to advance financially, but that should result in
generosity and should not undermine personal simplicity and the desire to use our
resources for the kingdom (1 Tim 6:17-19).
-Our heart will be where our treasure is. Where we place our treasure, our heart will
eventually follow.
Discussion Starter
What challenges will you have to overcome to support the BCBP regularly with
your time, financial and material resources?
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Talk 3: BROTHERLY AND SISTERLY CARE
“ I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your
faith in Christ. “ (Col 2:5)
We are called to respect and support the pattern and order of our life together in the BCBP.
1. Action groups
These are cells in the body, part of a “system of love”.
Fraternal care
-This is our main point of connection and the main place where we receive input
and help, as well as the main place we are responsible for other community
members.
-The primary purpose is supporting one another and calling one another as
disciples of the Lord and as community members.
Five qualities of Action Groups
1. Brotherly and sisterly love: we have the primary responsibility to keep
an eye on one another and care for one another.
2. Faithfulness to the meetings: attending our action groups is one of the
highest priorities in our membership in BCBP.
3. Living in the light: this is the main place we do share our life, although
for some things we can or should talk one-on-one with our action group
leader or chapter head.
4. Confidentiality: members do not share outside of the group what they
hear from one another.
5. Mutual accountability: we have the primary responsibility to call one
another on to our commitments in life and in the BCBP.
2. Relating to your Action Group Leader and the Chapter Head
a. The Responsibility of the Chapter Head

- He oversees the chapter and the life and mission of the chapter.
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor
(1Tim 5:17).
- To care for each person in the chapter
“But we beseech you brethren… (1 Th 5:12-14).
- Your chapter head is the governor of the chapter to whom you are personally
accountable for your BCBP commitments and for your place in the
community. You should go to your chapter head for the following:
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questions that concern the chapter
questions about how to handle chapter commitments
problems with your community involvement
if you need help with personal difficulties or practical emergencies.
b. The Responsibility of the Action Group Leader

-He has more of the day-in, day-out interaction with you and should see that you
are tied into the chapter well. You should go to your AGL for
keeping him/her informed, especially about important upcoming decisions that
might impact on your BCBP involvement.
input about things you do not think you should discuss in the action group
any concerns/complaints about the chapter life or how your involvement is
working.
advice
3. The Men’s Breakfast

- The Businessmen and professionals of the chapter have the responsibility
to support the evangelistic outreach of the chapter, the breakfast
- It is our responsibility to establish a strong manly atmosphere, where men
feel comfortable
- It is our responsibility to evangelize businessmen and professionals who
are decision makers in their particular business or profession.
4. Various Chapter Events

- Members are committed to support the various gatherings of the chapter.
- Here we build one another up by sharing how we experienced the goodness
of the Lord and by praying for one another.
- Here we can respond to the invitation of the Lord for service and support the
common work with our talents and resources.
Discussion Starters:
1. Is there anything in the talk that needs clarification?
2. In what way have you experienced the love and support of your AG?
3. What challenges will you face in order to be faithful to your brothers and sisters?
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Talk 4: LIVING OUR BCBP LIFE
1. The Elements of Good Membership

The BCBP Life is primarily the Christian Life and is based on scriptural teaching as
understood by the tradition of our church.
- We are not seeking to live a higher way, to add things to Christianity
- We have made certain decisions about how we will live this together in order to make
the Christian Life practically effective in modern circumstances, e.g. action groups,
chapter assemblies, our breakfasts, etc.
2. The Christian Basics

We cannot live the Christian Life without believing the creed and keeping the
commandments.
- Gal 1:8
- 1 Cor 7:19
- 1 Th 4:1
We consider the charismatic dimension as part of Christian basics, although someone
can be a good Christian and not belong to a charismatic community.
-This means that baptism in the Holy Spirit is basic together with the various
charismatic gifts, which are power tools for evangelization and community
building.
3. A Personal Relationship with the Lord
Our relationship with the Lord is at the center of our lives. Without this, being involved
in the BCBP makes no sense.
We expect members to pray regularly as individuals and as families.
We expect our members to be immersed in the Word of God, which they read. daily,
study and meditate upon.
We also expect them to participate actively in their church.
-This will be discussed in the next talk.
4. Community Life
In order to be living members of our community, we need to do certain things.
Attend the basic formation weekend, which gives us the instruction we need
to live and work together as members
Be actively committed to our common life and mission
- regularly attend action group meetings, teaching nights, assemblies,
breakfasts and other activities of the BCBP.
Be open for the various services that are needed by the chapter
- consider it an honor to be chosen to contribute to the work of the Lord
through the BCBP, in whatever way we are called.
5. Order in our Relationships as Married or Single People
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Good order in our basic relationships is necessary because we give witness to the
Lord not only by our words, but by way we live our lives. For BCBP members, this
includes both our families and our business relationships.
If you are married, your family should be in reasonably good order before you take any
major leadership function in the BCBP.
- This includes good order in the husband-wife relationship with the husband taking
responsibility for his wife and family
- This includes good order in the parent-child relationship
Our business relationship as business owners, employees, customers, suppliers, etc. need
to be in good order before taking any major service in the BCBP.
- As far as depends on us, we need to show ourselves trustworthy and competent.
- Righteousness and justice, excellence in work performance should characterize
every BCBP member.
6. Relating to Modern Life
We can only give witness to the Lord if we have begun to put off the old self and
have really begun to put on Christ and his values in all our relationships, especially
to those in the world.
- In the BCBP we need to deal well with the undermining effect of modern life
without losing appreciation for what is really good in it.
- Dealing with media is crucial, both for us and our families.
- We need to find ways to deal with affluence and consumerism of modern life.
Final Word
We need to understand all these matters and why we are committed to live this way. Is it not a
question of legalistically observing what is required. We are called to live this way so we can
grow as disciples of the Lord, supported and equipped for participating in the mission to which
the Lord has called us.
1. Is there anything in the talk that needs clarification?

2. How do you understand faithful participation in the BCBP way of life?
3. What will be the easiest and hardest part of this participation for you?
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Talk 5: COMMUNITY, FAMILY AND CHURCH
1. Personal Commitments
- We do not give up our personal commitments when we become members of the
BCBP, and we should not give them all up.
- In modern society and the modern church, our various commitments are usually not
integrated with one another. It is up to us to put order into how we relate to them.
- As brothers and sisters, we are committed to supporting one another in the relationship
we should have. Thus, we need to respect the family, work, and church commitments
of our members and not set up things in such a way that community will prevent or
hinder members living out these legitimate commitments.
2. The Family
a. Those of us who are married have a primary commitment to each other as spouses
and to the children as parents. The BCBP is committed to those commitments.
b We need to make sure that service assignments and events of the BCBP do not
seriously take away the time parents need for their children and for each other.
c. The BCBP is committed to support family life in the following ways:
The BCMR lays the foundation of Christian marriage and marriage relationship of
husband and wife.
The Youth programs support parents in their responsibility to raise their children as
children of God and to hand over to them the faith.
The Action Groups support the couple in their life of discipleship and thus indirectly
also as Christian spouses and parents.
The various BCBP retreats are for couples and thus help both to grow in their
Christian life and mission as disciples of Christ.
3. Our Church
. We, in the BCBP, see ourselves as a special community, i.e. a community of

disciples committed to evangelization in the market place. Like many special
Christian communities in the past, we seek to live a life of more consistent
discipleship and to carry out our special mission.
We need to avoid two extremes:
Spiritual elitism, BCBP triumphalism.
- “we are spiritually filled,” those parishioners with their priest are not
looking down on others who do not belong to us
Idealization of the church, “church triumphalism”
- there are many good brothers and sisters in the church, but also a great
number who need renewal.
- many Catholics are baptized but not evangelized
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Another thing that needs to be avoided is to think that the church is the parish.
-The parish is only one way, although an important way of being incorporated
into the Church, but not the only way.
We should fulfill the obligations of church membership, but beyond that our
involvement can vary
- we should try to help the people in the parish understand the BCBP mission
and life and how we view this as an expression of church membership.
- some will have their parish as the main area of their community service,
but most will not
- for most of us, our membership and service in and through the BCBP will
be the primary way we serve the church.
. Our goal is to foster unity, and so we seek to have good relationships with the parish
we belong to. However, we need to realize that our mission transcends the parish
and concerns the work environment.
Summary: Phil 2: 14 – 16
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and
innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so
that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain”.
4. A Communal Spirit
Being corporate-minded. Community must play a central role in the way we look at things
and handle our life, both personal and professional.
The Example of Christ, Phil 1:27 – 2: 13

-the chief obstacles mentioned are vainglory and self-ambition
=now, we need to add: individualism, the self-fulfillment ethic, and the
self-esteem ethic.
-central to our spirituality is a servants hearts and the humility of Christ, who
came to serve and not to be served (Mark 10:45).
Four Key Orientations of a Communal Spirit
Taking responsibility for our own lives in the community.
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will
set you over much; enter into the joy of your master”. (Mt 25:33)
-We are the ones, who are committing ourselves to the BCBP and its way of life
and mission. Thus we are primarily responsible for our lives as BCBP
community members.
-To have the primary responsibility is not to have the sole responsibility: we are
accountable for our commitments to the BCBP in its leadership.
-We need to take the initiative, to be proactive, in living as BCBP members.
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Choosing for the common good
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of
others”. (Phil 2:4)
-We need a family spirit (brotherly and sisterly love): our resources (time and
money) belong to the rest of the community when they need them unless we
cannot spare them (2 Cor 8:12-15)
-We are disciples committed to evangelizing the marketplace. Our resources
belong to our common mission as well.
Submissiveness in community life and service

-Submissiveness means having a cooperative spirit, showing respect, relating
well to leaders, even to those in whom we do no have complete confidence.
-Submissiveness also means that we are open to correction and receive it well
irrespective by whom or how it is given.
-Submissiveness is active not passive. It means taking the initiative to
submitting our ideas of what is best in given circumstances, but also with a
willingness to let go of our ideas.
Making decisions with the BCBP community membership in mind.

-Here are some decisions that can affect your community membership:
Where you look for a job
What kind of job you look for
Where you buy a house or settle to live
What style of life you adopt
- Decisions that could easily take you out of the BCBP or make participation
in its mission difficult if not impossible should be discussed either with you
Action Group Leader or with the Chapter Head.
- Remember the final decision is ours, but we should normally be open to

accept our BCBP leader’s input or at least take it seriously into
consideration as we make our decisions.
Is there anything in the talk that needs clarification?

Do you feel that you can now live well the stipulations of the commitment card?
What would be one important area where you will still have to grow in order to be
faithful to the BCBP?
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Talk 6: LOVE FOR COUNTRY
Introduction
In Mark 12:30-31 the Lord teaches the great double commandment: Love of God and love of
neighbor. Jesus bases his teaching on Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord
your God is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength” and
on Leviticus 19:16: You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not
keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning.” Neighbor here means fellow citizen,
fellow Israelite. Scripture talks about the way we ought to relate to one another. It talks about
certain virtues and values: honesty and justice in our example from Leviticus. This brings us to
a most important point. Good citizenship is a matter of the heart, of governing principles and
values. Another way to put it is that love of country begins in our heart, with our character, our
values. It is something that radiates from the inside out. This is the reason that we need to
begin our discussion of this topic with the character of the BCBP citizen.
In this talk we shall first discuss the fundamental character qualities of the steward/manager,
then the areas where these qualities are exercised radiating out from family to society at large,
suggesting practices that are within the control of each individual.
The BCBP Member as Steward
Steward is probably the best description of what we are in our relationship to God and others.
Let us begin by first understanding what the word means. There is a difficulty in this, because
the only experience we have today of stewards are those who serve on airplanes showing us
where our seat is, possibly helping us to get our carry-ons in the overhead pins, and serving us
something to eat or drink. This is not really what a steward is in the Bible and in the past all
the way up to our own times.
The word “steward” comes from Old English “sty” and “ward” and refers to a person
employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of
servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts). We could describe the steward as the
manager of a large estate.
Isaiah 22:15-24 relates the story of God removing the steward Shebna, master (manager) of
the palace of the King of Judah, because of injustice and nepotism and giving the job to
Eliakim. In this story we learn that the key to the treasury and storehouses of the king is the
symbol of the steward’s office. In Matthew 16:19 Peter is made steward of the Kingdom of
God when Jesus says: “I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” In Medieval
Norway as well as in other European countries of those days, the wife was most often the
steward of the estate of the husband. Sigrid Undset describes this beautifully in her novel
Kristin Lavransdatter:
While the married pair stood thus, hand in hand, the priests were walking the
round of the hall, blessing house and hearth and bed and board. Next a serving-
woman bore forth the keys of the house to Erlend. He hooked the heavy bunch
on Kristin’s belt . . . . Erlend drank to her: “Hail and welcome to thy house.
Lady of Husaby!” (Kristin Lavransdatter, II “The Mistress of Husaby” (New
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York: Vintage Books, 1987), 7).
The Bible gives us a great description of the wife as steward in Proverbs 31:10-31.
What is a Steward?
A steward is a person to whom the possessions of another have been entrusted. He is

authorized to manage these possessions. The welfare of the owner and others who have a stake
in the venture is entrusted to the steward. The position of the steward is always a position of
trust calling for trustworthiness.
Character Qualities of the Steward

1 He/she must take on the mind of the owner and that means in our case, the mind of
God. The steward needs to know God’s vision for this earth, for our country, our
business, the BCBP, our families, and ourselves.
2 He/she needs to be trustworthy and trustworthiness flows from integrity and

competence. Honesty and transparency are not enough to engender trustworthiness.
Competence in whatever we do is crucial, but needs to be paired with integrity,
transparency, and honesty.
3 He/she needs to balance courage with concern. A steward must be dedicated to the
enhancement of his master’s business in line with the master’s intention. If the steward
emphasizes courage, i.e. getting it done and done his way and if he disregards concern
for others, he may be unjust to those he works with. If he is all concern and lacks
courage, he may not get the master’s business done.
The Circle of Influence and the Circle of Concern
When it comes to putting good stewardship and love of country into practice, we need to do so
wisely. There are basically two domains. One is made up of all those things we can influence,
change, or impact for the better. The other is made up of all those things, we may be
concerned about, but we have no influence over them, we cannot change them for the better.
We need to learn to work within our domain or circle of influence and not waste our emotions
and psychological energy on the domain or circle of concern. We can diagram these two
circles or domains in the following way:
Circle of Concern
Circle
of
Influence
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It is important to focus on our circle of influence and do those things over which we actually
have influence and control. The most important area is our own character and behavior. If we
consistently work in our circle of influence, it will grow, we will have greater impact and
make more and more of a difference whether in family, business, the BCBP or public life. On
the contrary, if we neglect the area of our influence and focus on our concerns, on all those
things about which we can really do nothing, then our circle of influence will shrink and we
will be able to do less and less and make less and less of a difference. This, too, can be
diagramed as follows
Circle of Concern Circle of Concern
Circle
Circle of
of Influen
Influence
Learning Stewardship
There are four areas which give us the opportunity to act and serve as stewards. Another way
of looking at it is that there are four schools of stewardship: Family, the workplace, BCBP,
and society at large.
The Family
The family is the most fundamental school for stewards. The family teaches and trains
husband and wife, parents and children concern for the others. No family will be very united,
if the members do not learn habitually to put themselves in a position of service and actively
work for and promote the welfare of the others. A family does not work well if the members
are not trustworthy and do not balance courage with genuine concern for one another.
The Family as School for Citizenship: A Word to Parents
If you want to raise up responsible citizens for our country begin with your children. Here are
some suggestions:
1. Begin to delegate stewardships to them in line with their age and set up a system
where they have to give an account of their stewardships.
a. Perhaps make them clean their own room
b. Make them give an accounting of how they use their allowance
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c. Give them assignments in the house
2. With respect to household servants

d. Always make sure your children are polite to those who work in your house.
i. Make them always say “please” and “thank you”
ii. Make it clear what they can ask for and what they have to do
themselves
iii. Make absolutely sure that they cannot boss the help around
iv. Do not let your children grow up being waited on hand and foot,
becoming señoritos and señoritas.
3. When your children have graduated and work, but still living in your house
a. Have them contribute financially to the family, even if you do not need their
money
b. You need to teach them financial responsibility
i. Food and drink cost money
ii. Electricity needs to be paid for, etc.
c. If you don’t need the money have them contribute anyhow and put the money
in a special account and give it to them when they get married.
4. Use every opportunity to teach respect, honor, integrity, till it becomes habitual
behavior
5. Teach your children the necessity to sacrifice and go without from time-to-time.
It goes without saying that you cannot teach the above, if you do not model that behavior for
your children.
The Workplace as a School for Good Citizenship
We achieve what do achieve always together with others. Our achievements depend on our
work relationships and here, too, certain character qualities are foundational.
1. Developing a win-win attitude:
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Relating to owners, peers, employees, suppliers, and customers, the good steward
works in such a way that all stakeholders gain or win.
a. He works toward increasing the profitability of the business
b. He/she is committed, cooperates and communicates openly with all
c. He/she takes a concern for safety and just compensation for employees
d. He/she makes sure that the company produces first-rate, world-class products
and services, etc.
2. The Businessman or Professional as Steward develops the following character qualities

a. Integrity (his values, words, and actions are lined up, they are all the same)
b. Competence (he/she is at the cutting edge of his/her profession)
c. Efficiency (he/she works towards achieve excellence with the least expenditure
of time and money)
d. Courage (he/she has the guts to insist on what is right and just) but balances
that with
e. Concern (he/she never forgets to work for the good of all stakeholders,
especially the least of the employees)
The BCBP as a School for Good Citizenship
The BCBP helps us in a very special way to develop the qualities needed to be good citizens
1. It leads us to deeper conversion to the Lord and helps us to grow as men and women of
God
2 Through the basic formation it strengthens not only our relationship to God, but our
role as spouses and parents. It does this in the BCMR
3. It spells out what it means to serve as God’s steward in the marketplace and the
professions in the BCBR
4. Through our AG it trains us to open our hearts to others beyond our immediate
families and love and care for others in concrete ways.
5. It gives us the chance to serve the wider community, be that by doing administrative
tasks at the breakfast or the various programs, or by serving on teams ministering to
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new members or groups that want to become chapters, or through outreach to the poor
or the “Be Honest” campaign.
Our BCBP involvement teaches us to be concerned for others and to serve them actively even
at the cost to our own convenience and our time and money.
Serving the Country: Expressing Love of Country
A Misconception
There really is no special category of love that could be called love of country for the
following reasons:
1. If we build strong families, if we are faithful to our spouse and raise our children as
responsible sons and daughters of God, we love our country, because the family is the
smallest building block of society. If we are unfaithful to our spouse or neglect spouse
and children. If we do not raise our children as responsible people, we are neglecting
our country and are not showing love of country.
2. If in the BCBP we grow in our relationship with the Lord and become responsible
disciples, who understand that greatness means service and we put our time, talents
and resources at the service of the Lord for others, we are showing love for our
country, because we care for, love and serve our brothers and sisters, our fellow
citizens. If we let our relationship with the Lord drift, if we want to take it easy, try to
get out of service, ignore the needs of our brothers and sisters then we also neglect our
country and are not showing love of country.
3. If in our workplace and professions we work for the good of all stakeholders and bring
into our places of work integrity and competence, courage and concern and work for
justice and fairness for all and for honest products and services, we are contributing to
the development of our country and show love of country. To the extent that we are out
for ourselves, show crab mentality or kanya-kanya mentality to that extent we are
neglecting our country and lack in love of country.
Special Contributions to our Country
In addition to being faithful as described above in what has been entrusted to us and serving
the Philippines through that, there are also special contributions that are totally within our
capability and will go far in the developing a country to be proud of.
1. Elect those who bring integrity and competence to their office
Make sure that the candidates have known track records and have shown integrity and
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competence in the past.
2 Do all to promote integrity, honesty, and competence in all sectors of society in line
with the major thrust of the BCBP’s “Be Honest” Campaign.
3. Follow Traffic Rules
One thing that strikes any foreigner coming to the Philippines is the disregard of
Filipinos for the rights of others in traffic. They habitually cut others off, take over
lanes reserved for oncoming traffic. The highest value is to get ahead never mind
anyone else. Unless this attitude behind the disregard for traffic rules changes there
cannot be any real development of our country.
Of course, the attitude behind the disregard of traffic rules extents to other areas of
public life as well.
4. Care for the Environment: Do not litter
It is very common to see the window of the car ahead of you open and garbage being
thrown out on the road. People toss their garbage into the estuaries and contribute to an
unhealthy environment and at times to a dangerous one that can bring about floods.
Some bury their garbage in plastic on beaches. Sooner or later the flow and ebb of the
water will dig up the garbage and pollute the beach. Boats toss garbage into the sea and
the plastic that washes up on shore not only pollutes the shore, but is a real danger to
sea life.
In order to get more fish even today fishermen use dynamite. What they don’t realize is
that they assure that there will be no more fish, because dynamite also destroys the
coral and the newly spawned fish.
For the sake of profit whole environments are destroyed. In the 60s, for example,
Marigundun on the other side of Mactan was a paradise of white sand beaches, crystal
clear water and an abundance of coral fish. Today the white sand has disappeared and
the area is destroyed, because there was no planning to allow tourism or rest houses
while preserving the environment.
In the 70s Lake Buhi in Bikol was one of the most beautiful lakes in the Philippines.
Thirty years later the lake was mostly covered with lilies and the shoreline “littered”
with abandoned tourist facilities. People did not take the environment seriously into
their planning and in the process largely destroyed it.
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5. Pay just Taxes, Buy Local Goods
The government provides services and needed infrastructure and for that it needs
money, which comes from the taxes we pay. We should not falsify our records in order
to avoid taxes. The government does not have the right to collect taxes unjustly. In
other words, the individual or business is not obligated to pay just any amount, but
what the law obliges them to pay. There are many problems connected with the
collection of taxes and in this area good advice and at times a good accountant or tax
lawyer is needed.
Foreign versus local goods.

Filipinos gravitate toward imported goods. The story goes that the patient on the
operating table heard the doctor say, “let’s give him just local anesthesia” to which the
patient replied: “No, don’t, please make it stateside.” One of the problems is that often
Filipino manufacturers cut corners and put out products of inferior quality, in spite of
the fact that they have the training and technology to produce world-class products.
A corollary is that we are always looking for bargains and thus we will buy smuggled
goods rather than what is produced either locally or what is imported legitimately.
Doing so we deprive the country of needed tax income.
When you buy always ask for a receipt. Tax is already included in the price of the
article. If you don’t ask for a receipt you allow the seller to pocket the tax portion in
addition to his profits and you again deprive the country of needed income.
Summary
Going back over what we discussed above, we realize that love of country depends on the
following:
1 Being God’s steward over all that has been entrusted to us.
a. Developing our own character so that we can bring into all we do and into all
our relationships these qualities
i. Integrity and competence
ii. Courage and concern
b. Helping others to develop these same qualities, especially raising our children
as good stewards over what has been given to them
2 Using the “schools” of stewardship

c. Learning to love and care for our spouse and children and wider family
d. Learning to love and care for others through the BCBP
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e. Learning to work for win-win in all our work relationships
3 Making it our special concern to live out good stewardship in public life
f. Always respecting the rights of others
g. Caring for the environment
h. Helping to develop local business and industry
i. Paying just taxes
j. Electing people who bring to the office integrity and competence
4. If time allows, make yourself available for civic service projects.
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Talk 7: Summary Input - Where Do We Go From Here?
Congratulations, you have completed the BCBP formation process.
By successfully completing the formation program, you have shown a growing

commitment to the BCBP as well as your faithfulness to the Lord.
The Formation Program as a Time for Discernment
A time for finding out the will of the Lord with respect to your life.
Is the Lord calling you to the BCBP?
Does he want you to join this evangelistic community in the marketplace?
Is this the kind of life the Lord is calling you to do?
One real indicator of being called to the BCBP

Living out the commitment card more and more faithfully is a real indicator of the
Lord calling you to the BCBP.
- Are you becoming regular in prayer and scripture reading?
- Are you regular in your attendance of BCBP meetings?
- Have you begun to support the BCBP regularly with your time
and finances?
- Over the past year, have you grown closer to the Lord?
You may need more time to grow

- BCBP leadership will help you to grow in faithfulness and to bring into good order
those things that are not yet in place.
Talk to your AG leader and get an evaluation of how you are doing as a member and
get specific input on how to prepare for the commitment.
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PART II: Action Group Leaders
Supporting Associate Members during Formation

2008
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BCBP Action Group Leaders
Supporting Members after the BCLP
Follow-up
The BCBP CLP
The members of your action group have just finished the BCLP. They have been baptized
in the Holy Spirit, they are full of zeal for the Lord, but most of them are just beginning a
life of discipleship. They are just at the beginning of their life in the BCBP. In other words,
they need to be evangelized, taught, encouraged, and shown the way into the BCBP. One
of the most important that needs to come into good order and to grow is the individual new
member’s prayer life. In the next two month prior to the weekend dealing with obstacles
and good order, you need to help each member acquire the habit of praying regularly and
reading Scripture regularly.
To understand your task better, we need to begin by asking what goes into acquiring a
habit. There are three basic ingredients of a habit: (1) Knowledge of what is involved, (2)
the ability to do it (skills), and (3) motivation, you must want to do it. Here then is your
task. You need to help your members to deepen their knowledge of prayer, you need to
teach them how to do it, i.e. give them the necessary skills, and finally you need to exhort,
encourage, and motivate them to actually do it. You have for this four action group
meetings.
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Action Group Meeting 1:
The purpose of this AG meeting is to find out where your people are at with respect to prayer.
You want to know, whether they pray regularly, whether they have a regular prayer time, and
how they pray. Here is a suggested structure for this first AG meeting. Have the men and
women meet separately.
8:00 – 8:30 Worship
8:30 – 9:30 Sharing on the prayer life of the members

Explain to the members that this evening will be devoted to sharing about
their prayer life. Explain that each one should share whether they pray and how
they pray. Let each one share, but don’t be afraid to ask questions
after the sharing. The aim is for you to know where each one is at with respect
to prayer.
9:30 – 10:00 Input from you. This depends on where your members are at. Explain to them
that a regular prayer time every day is very helpful in acquiring the habit of
prayer. Tell them that they should decide on a regular time for prayer and that
they will report on that at the next meeting.
If some members do not know how to pray or if their prayers are only prayers
of petition, explain to them the ACTS (Adoration, confession, 2 thanksgiving,
and supplication). Show them concretely how to pray using ACTS as a model.
Suggest that your members try it and then report back how they did at the next
meeting.
10:00 End with prayer, especially praying for the gift of prayer for all the members
and end the meeting.
2
Confession does not mean admitting sins, but professing Jesus as Lord and Savior, etc.
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Action Group Meeting 2
Men and women should meet separately. This does not mean that there cannot be a common
meal before the meeting. The group of men and women can also pray together and then go
into separate groups after the common worship.
8:00 – 8:30 Common prayer or prayer in separate men and women’s groups.
8:30 – 9:15 Sharing on prayer, whether or not the members were able to set up and stick to
a regular prayer time. Where they able to follow the ACTS method and did it
help them? Did they encounter difficulties?
You should not be hesitant to ask questions of your members in order to

understand more completely where they are at. Encourage them to continue
sticking to their prayer time and place.
9:15 – 10:00 Ask your members whether they read Scripture regularly or whether they pray
with the Bible regularly. Explain to them the importance of knowing God’s
word and making it the foundation of our life in the BCBP. Tell them that
BCBP members are committed to read Scripture regularly every day for 15
minutes. Ask them to begin to read the Scriptures, beginning with one of the
Gospels for 15 minutes each day in addition to prayer. Tell them to bring their
Bibles with them to the following meeting, because you will show them a way
of praying with the Bible.
10:00 Pray with your people that the Lord would help them to grow in prayer and in
love of Scripture. End the meeting.
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Men and Women meet separately for sharing on prayer and reading of Scripture. They come
together in the second half for the little instruction in how to pray with the Scripture.
8:00 – 8:30 Worship
8:30 – 9:00 Sharing on prayer

Everyone should share briefly how they are doing with respect to establishing a
regular prayer time, their actual prayer, and reading of Scripture.
9:00 – 10:00 Instruction on praying with the Bible

Tell your participants that you will first outline the steps, then give a
short demonstration to be followed by a short practice.
Steps:
1. Put yourself in God’s presence.
2. Read the chosen passage audibly if possible.
Underline with a straight line any word or phrase that consoles
you, gives you peace and joy.
Underline with a broken line any word or phrase that disturbs you,
puts questions in your mind, takes away your peace or joy.
3. Read the passage again silently and pay attention to your reaction
to the underlined phrases.
4. Reflect: Ask yourself why you reacted the way you did? What is
going on in you to bring about such a reaction.
5. Talk over what you discovered with Jesus.
6. Spend time in silence listening to the Lord, giving him a chance to
speak to you.
7. End your prayer with an Our Father or a Glory be, or any one of
your favorite prayers.
Short Demonstration:
This needs to be well prepared beforehand by you. Choose a short
passage. Read it slowly and then voice your though processes while you
actually underline. Then talk it over with the Lord.
Example: Mark 3:31-35.
Begin by telling the group members how you start by putting yourself in
God’s presence. Then read the passage slowly, pause slightly, and
underline with a broken line “are outside, and they want you.” Continue
and underline with a broken line “Who is my mother? Who are my
brothers?” Continue reading and underline with a straight, continuous line
“Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister, and mother.”
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Reflect: Re-read the first phrase underline with a broken line. Pause and
say: “Why do these words disturb me? I am very busy with the BCBP.
I am out a number of nights every week and my family, my children want
me home and yet I am convinced the Lord wants me to serve.” Move on
to the second phrase underline in a broken line, read it slowly and say:
“My brothers and sisters in the BCBP seem to understand me more
and what I do than my wife and children. I am really torn as to where
to invest my time.” Read the next underlined phrase and say: “Doing
God’s will really gives me joy. I have really found brothers and sisters
in the BCBP who I love.”
Talk it over: Lord, I have difficulty balancing my life. There is such

a great need in the BCBP, but at the same time my family also needs
me. How do you want me to respond? Please help me.
Silence: Lord, please speak to me. Let me know your will.

End with a “Glory be.”
Any questions? Answer any questions people may have and then propose
a short text for a short practice, not more than 15 minutes. Let them
share on their experience briefly.
Tell them to try this method of praying with the Scriptures till the next
meeting. The sharing during the next meeting would be on praying
with the Scriptures.
[You need to explain the steps and do your short demo within 30
minutes. The participants have 15 minutes to 20 minutes to try it out. This
leaves you 15 minutes for feedback and sharing.]
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The purpose of this meeting is to teach the participants the 7-step Method of Gospel Sharing
and secondly to set up date and time for a one-on-one meeting with the participants.
8:00 – 8:15 Short period of prayer and worship
8:15 – 9:00 [In separate men and women’s groups]

Sharing on prayer: regular time, place, ACTS, praying with
Scripture.
Last 15 minutes explain that you want to talk to them individually

to find out how they are doing with their life in the Lord and in the
BCBP. Set up a time and place for the meeting with your members.
Men and women should have a separate one-on-one.
9:00 – 10:00 Teaching the 7-Step Method of Bible Sharing

Bring the men and women together and explain that the 7-Step
Method is the ordinary framework for the Action Group Meeting.
Distribute the Bible Sharing Cards and then take them through
the 7-Step Method step-by-step similarly to the way the Action
Leaders were trained in the method. Skip the 6th Step, but tell them
that during the 6th step, they would ordinarily share about their
life or any common mission or task of the group.
Make sure that a spirit of prayer is present even if this is only a

training session.
At the end, tell your members that the next meeting would begin with
the 7-Step Method of Bible Sharing. They all need to bring their
Bibles to the meeting. Couple bibles not allowed. Tell them that
during the 6th step, the group would share about how their prayer
life is going.
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Meeting of AGL with Unit Leaders
Toward the end of this 2-month period, the AGL should have a meeting with the unit leaders
and give a report of how their members are doing with respect to prayer. The next weekend
dealing with obstacles and putting good order into life should only be scheduled, if the
prayer life of the members is beginning to show good progress.
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Follow-up
FREE TO FOLLOW THE LORD WEEKEND
Structure of Meetings
(Based on a timeframe of 8:00 to 10:00 pm: men and women divide into two groups,
both groups follow the schema below)
8:00 – 8:10 Opening song followed by one or two individuals inviting Jesus in a
prayer followed by spontaneous worship (NOT ACTS)
8:10 – 9:00 Steps 2 through 5 (personal sharing)
9:00 – 9:45 Step 6: Devoted to follow-up on Formation Weekends
9:45 – 9:55 Step 7: Individuals are invited to pray spontaneously. This is followed
by a song and a concluding Our Father or Glory be. . . .
9:55 – 10:00 Any announcements or other information that needs to be given the
group.
Please note that only 45 minutes are set aside to make sure that the formation is understood
and lived out.
Follow-up Matter of Formation Weekend 2:

Stewardship over time
Stewardship over finances
First Action Group: Stewardship over time:

At the first meeting the AGL reviews with the group the time-management method taught in
the formation weekend. The purpose is to make sure all have really understood how to put
together a weekly schedule. He gets those who are already living according to a well-though-
out schedule to share the benefits of living according to a schedule. He asks all in the group to
make a weekly schedule and live according to it. He tells them that they will have to share
about this at the next AG meeting.
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Second Action Group: Stewardship over Finances
REVIEW: The AGL gets the members to share about their schedule and how well they had
been able to follow it. He has them share successes and difficulties. He then tells them that
they need to continue to make a weekly schedule and live according to it. They would again
share about living out their schedule at the next meeting.
Stewardship over Finances

He then reviews with the members what they were taught at the weekend concerning making
and living according to a monthly budget. He makes sure all members understood the need for
discipline in the area of finances and how to budget and live according to it. He then gets those
who are already doing this to share about the benefits, but also the difficulties they have
experienced.
He then assigns the members who are not yet doing so, to put together a monthly budget with
their wives. He asks them to bring the budget with them to the next meeting. He tells them that
they should begin to implement their monthly budget
Third Action Group Meeting
Stewardship over time

General review and sharing on their schedule comes first. The AGL then asks them whether or
not they scheduled in their BCBP activities and whether or not they were faithful in attending
BCBP meetings.

General review and sharing about making a budget and beginning to live according to it comes
first. The AGL then focuses on the following:
Did they take concrete steps in their budget to get out of debt
Did they budget to control credit-card expenses (high interest) and limit cell-phone bills
Did they budget for their tithe to the BCBP
Did they budget to set aside money to save for bigger purchases
The AGL tells them that they would review these four points at the next meeting and they
should bring their budget with them for the discussion.
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Fourth Action Group Meeting
Stewardship over Time

The AGL leads the members in a general review of their making a schedule and executing
around it. He then focuses on the following:
Were the members making a distinction between what is essential in an area of responsibility
and what is good, but not essential to fulfilling the responsibility? Where they able to fulfill all
their responsibilities: that of husband/wife; parent; various responsibilities at work;
responsibilities and commitments in the BCBP, etc. The AGL tells them how important a
schedule is to get balance in one’s life. He tells them that they would periodically share about
how their schedule is working even after the next weekend, which would focus on Christian
marriage.

The AGL leads the members in a general review of their living according to a budget. He then
asks them to share whether or not they are using their budget in planning their family’s
financial stability in reducing debt, superfluous expenses, etc. He also tells them that if the
members have teenage children, they need to include the children in the financial planning of
the family in some way.
It is important for AGL to realize that members will have different needs. Possibly in one AG
all the members live according to a schedule. Not too much attention has to be given to that
area as a consequence and more time can be invested in financial responsibility.
The overall purpose of these meetings is to get the members begin to be regular in living
according to a schedule in such a way that they have time for the important things in their lives
including faithfulness to BCBP meetings and services. In the same way, the AGL want to get
their members to live according to a budget, to get out of overspending and to be able to be
responsible in this area and to be able to take co-responsibility with other members for the
expenses of the BCBP through regular tithing.
AGL should remember that if their members really need much help in this area, they should be
willing to give up the Seven-Step Method in Bible Sharing and devote the time in working
with their members on Stewardship over Time and Finances.
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Follow-up
BROTHERHOOD CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE RETREAT
The follow-up AG meetings should be devoted to the following areas:
Good and regular communication between husband and wife (one-on-one)
Good and regular communication between parents and children, especially fathers with sons
and mothers with daughters
Family prayer
First Follow-up AG Meeting

The structure of the AG meeting is as described above.
At the first meeting the AGL first of all gets his members to share whether they do have
regular communication between the spouses and between them and their children. He also
tries to find out whether the members pray as families and how.
Communication:
The AGL tries to find out whether the members have understood what was taught in the
weekend about communication between spouses and parents and children. He then asks the
members to set up a time every week for a one-on-one between themselves and their spouse
and with at least with one of the children. Do they foresee any problems or difficulties? What
would they cover during that one-on-one? The task of the members is to have at least one or
two one-on-ones with their spouse and at least one with one of the children.
Second AG Meeting
The AGL gets his members to share about their one-on-ones. They then discuss difficulties
they encountered and how these might be overcome.
They then discuss the purpose of these meetings and a possible plan for subsequent one-on-
ones. The goal would be for the spouse to feel and experience the care of her husband and for
children to experience the care of their parents and to create an atmosphere that would allow
the children to share both successes and failures knowing that their parents are for them.
Family Prayer
The AGL gets the members to discuss the area of family prayer and various possibilities.
Included should be the Lord’s Day celebration.
Possibilities are at least once per week to have a common family meal and to have a short
participative prayer service before the meal. Key will be finding a common time during the
week.
The AGL tells the members that they should talk this area over with their spouses and their
teenage children and make some agreements and be ready to share about those at the next
meeting. He also tells them that it is very important that the children should see their parents
praying and that is why at the next AG meeting there would be a sharing also about how their
personal prayer life is going.
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Third Action Group Meeting
Communication between spouses

The AGL leads the members in sharing about their regular communication with their spouses,
what went well and where there might have been problems.
Communication with their children

The members share about their one-on-ones with the children, what went well and what
problems they might have encountered.
Prayer
The AGL gets the members first to share about their personal prayer life. Do they really put in
15 minutes of prayer each day and 15 minutes of Scripture reading? What is going well and
where do the members have difficulty?
Next he gets them to share what they decided in terms of family prayer and what they were
able to actually implement. He encourages them to put their plans into action and to share
about it next meeting. He reminds the members that scheduling family prayer is part of living
according to a schedule and he would ask them to share about their faithfulness to a weekly
schedule next meeting.
Fourth AG Meeting
This meeting is devoted to sharing about the three areas: communication between spouses,
parents and children, personal and family prayer.
He asks them to share about how they are doing with their schedules and living them out
faithfully.
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Follow-up
BROTHERHOOD CHRISTIANS IN BUSINESS RETREAT
The members come out of the weekend with an action plan. This action plan becomes the
basis for sharing in the AG meetings.
First Action Group Meeting

The AGL gets the members to share about their plan from the weekend. He then discusses
with them the implications of their plan for their schedules and monthly budgets. He makes
sure that the members understand that their plans, if they are not totally restricted to their
workplace, must be communicated to their spouses and older children before they can be
implemented.
He asks them to think it through and to be ready to discuss their plans with respect to
implementation through schedule, budget, and above all with prior communication.
He also tells them that the next meetings would also be devoted for a general review of their
formation up to this time.
Second Meeting
The main part will be devoted to the implementation of their plans.
The AGL reviews personal prayer and Scripture reading with the members. By this time the
men and women should have become quite regular in this practice, but the AGL needs to
make sure. He also reviews family prayer.
Third Meeting
The main part will be devoted to following up the implementation of their plans.
The AGL reviews weekly scheduling and executing around this schedule. He also reviews
making and living according to a monthly budget. The AGL needs to see that there is growing
faithfulness in attendance and tithing.
Fourth Meeting
The main part will be devoted to following up the implementation of their plans.
The AGL reviews regular communication between husband and wife by means of weekly one-
on-ones and regular communication between parents and children through regular one-on-
ones.
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Follow-up
THE BCBP WAY OF LIFE WEEKEND
The last two months have for their purpose preparing underway members to accepting the
commitment of the BCBP and becoming full members. The follow-up sessions have basically
two purposes. The AGL wants to make sure the members understand what it means to live as a
member of the BCBP and that are already living the stipulations of the commitment card in a
committed and regular way and are therefore ready for the commitment.
One-on-One with the members

The AGL needs to schedule a one-on-one with all his members. He should talk to them
individually first and then as couples about their readiness to make the BCBP commitment
Determine where each member is at, what is working well, where he or she needs more work
or help or has to make greater progress.
He should point out to members where they need to improve before they can be recommended
for the commitment.
He should also find out concerns or difficulties members might have with moving forward in
the BCBP.
First AG Meeting
The AGL reviews with the members the talks of the weekend. This meeting is devoted to the
talk “Honoring the Lord”. The purpose is for the members to understand that the Lord and
honoring the Lord is central not only to the life of the individual member, but also the
communal life of the BCBP is devoted to honoring the Lord.
Second AG Meeting
The AGL reviews with the members the second talk: “Giving to the Lord and His Work”. He
reviews the commitment of the members to give of their time and their material and financial
resources.
Third AG Meeting
The AGL reviews with the members the third talk: “Brotherly and Sisterly Love”. This talk
explains how we care for one another, how we relate to our AGL and governance in the BCBP
Fourth AG Meeting
The AGL reviews with the members the fourth talk: “Living the BCBP Way of Life”. This
talk focuses on the elements of good membership.
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Summary
For most members these last four AG meetings help pull things together with respect of living and
serving the Lord through the BCBP. For some it may bring with it the realization that they need more
time before they can commit and that is fine. At this time, each member should have solid
understanding of what it means being a member of this organization and where he or she is on the way
to living as a mature member.
Associate members who are not yet living out the commitment card faithfully and consistently are not
yet ready to make the commitment. They should remain associate members till they actually begin to
live the commitments faithfully and consistently over time.
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Responsibility BCBP Unit Leaders
In Support of Action Group Leaders’ Responsibilities
The BCBP Basic Formation Manual

2008
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The BCBP Basic Formation Program 2008
Pastoral Responsibilities of Unit Leaders
Introduction
In the BCBP, unit leaders care for Action Group Leaders. They take responsibility not
only for the life of the action group leaders under them, but also for their service. What is
specified below applies primarily to those unit leaders who oversee action group leaders
caring for new members in the formation program, although mutatis mutandis it concerns
as well those who oversee action group leaders over committed BCBP members. In
general, the pastoral responsibility of unit leaders is to make sure the action group leaders
they are responsible for actually are able to do and do what they are supposed to do.
The Method and Process of Oversight of Action Group Leaders

The unit leader’s action group meeting should be divided roughly into two parts. In the
first personal life issues of the action group leaders are taken up and in the second, issues
arising from their service are handled. If the unit leader uses the Seven-Step Bible
Sharing Method, Step 5 is devoted to personal sharing and step 6 to sharing about
service. If no Bible sharing method is used, then after prayer, the first half of the meeting
should be devoted to the members sharing how they personally are living out their BCBP
commitments. Putting it another way, the members should share about their personal life
and concerns. In the second half of the meeting the focus is on the service of the action
group leaders.
Specific Responsibility of Unit Leaders of Action Group Leaders over New

Members
Unit Leaders are responsible to find out if the action group leaders do the following
After the BCLP
Do the action group leaders actually follow the meeting structure as outlined in the
formation manual and if not, why not.
If the action group leaders encounter problems and difficulties, the unit leader needs to
help them solve these problems
If the action group leaders do not know how to assist their members in how to pray, the
unit leader needs to instruct and train his action group leaders to help their members in
the area of prayer.
The unit leader needs to make sure the action group leaders know how to teach their
members the Bible sharing methods the correct way.
The unit leader needs to use his group meeting to get the follow-up after the BCLP to
happen so that the new members actually get into the habit of praying regular as it states
on the commitment card.
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At the end of the two months after the BCLP, the unit leader needs to schedule a one-on-
one with his action group leaders, in order to assess together with each one, how the
members in the group are progressed with respect to prayer and prayer with scripture and
their beginning integration into the BCBP.
After the “Free to Follow the Lord Weekend”
The unit leader needs to assist his action group leaders in the following way and make
sure that the follow-up takes place and bears fruit.
Where the action group leaders able to get their members make a regular schedule and
life according to it.
Help the action group leaders with any difficulty they encountered and train them to teach
their members with respect to schedule.
Where the action group leaders able to get their members to make a budget and to begin
to live according to it.
Help the action group leaders with any difficulty their men encountered and train them to
teach those under them with respect to budgeting.
Toward the end of this two-month period, the unit leader needs to schedule a one-on-one
with his action group leaders in order to assess with each one where the new members are
at with putting good order into their life as stated on the commitment card. Regular
prayer should also be reviewed, because the action group leader is supposed to make sure
that new members don’t forget or neglect what they learned first over new aspects of
BCBP life.
The BCMR
The unit leader assists his action group leaders in the following way and makes sure that
the following are achieved for the Lord:
That the action group leaders are able to help their members to come into regular and
good communication between spouses
That the action group leaders are able to help their members to grow in their ability to
communicate regularly with the children through one-on-ones, especially fathers with
sons and mothers with daughters.
He makes sure the action leaders get their members to begin and to grow in regular
family prayer.
Toward the end of the two-month period, the unit leader needs to schedule a one-on-one
with his action group leaders to assess where the new members are at in all the areas so
far covered by the various formation weekends.
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The BCBR
The unit leader assists his action group leaders to follow up effectively the action plans
made by the weekend participants.
He helps them with problems or difficulties and trains them to help their members to live
out the Lord’s values in the marketplace and in the professions
At the end of the two-month period he schedules a one-on-one with the action group
leaders under him in order to assess where the new members are with respect to all the
various areas. Together they determine specific areas that need to come into better order
in the lives of individual new members before these new members can make a
commitment to the BCBP. This is in preparation of the one-on-one the AGL will have to
have with the new members after the final formation weekend: “The BCBP Way of Life
Weekend” (cf. Manual).
The BCBP Way of Life Weekend
The unit leader assists and trains his action group leaders to use these last two months for
a complete review of the formation and how it has been translated into the life of the new
members.
He makes sure the action group leaders were able to get their new members to see that
the heart of the BCBP life is a life dedicated to the Lord
He makes sure the action group leaders were able to get their new members to understand
the importance of supporting the BCBP life and mission with their time, material and
financial resources.
He makes sure the action group leaders were able to get their new members to see the
importance for caring for one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord in the context of
the BCBP’s governmental and pastoral structure.
He makes sure that the action group leaders were able to help their members understand
what it means to live the BCBP way of life.
He schedules a one-on-one at the end of these two months. The purpose of the meeting is
to determine the readiness of each new member to make the commitment. Just having
gone through the formation course is not enough. There needs to be concrete evidence
that the new people have begun to live the commitment card in a consistent way. This
should be concretely visible in the following way:
They have become regular in prayer and reading of Scripture
They attend faithfully BCBP Action Groups, Assemblies, etc.
They’ve put good order into their lives: they live according to a schedule and budget
They support the BCBP with their finances
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They are generous with their time and are open for service.
Their marriage and family life and their business life are in good order according to the
Lord.
If the above have not come into basic good order the new members should be told that
they need to first work on these and grow in these areas with the Lord’s grace, before it
makes sense to commit to a life they are not yet able to live. They should be assured the
BCBP will continue to support them and help them to grow.
Unit Leader and Chapter Governance

After this final one-on-one, the action group leader should be warned not to tell members
that they will make their commitment until that has been approved by the Chapter
Governance Team.
The Chapter Head and the Unit Leaders need to go over the assessments made by unit
leader and action group leader and determine in each case whether an individual new
member is ready to make the commitment. Those that are ready should then be officially
invited to make the commitment by the Chapter Head.
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Appendix A
BCBP Action Group Leaders Training
Training in Bible-Sharing Methods

2008
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AGL Training Weekend A
The AGL basic training will happen in two weekends. The first will be devoted primarily to
learning various methods of Bible sharing, which serve as a basic framework for action group
meetings. The second will focus on skills needed to run an effective action group. It will cover
such important items as worship and sharing in the action group. It will also give basic
training about how to conduct a one-on-one, etc.
The structure of the weekends is basically the same. The weekends begin Friday evening with
an orientation to the weekend and a talk on the spirituality and character of the action group
leader. Saturday all day and Sunday are devoted to the specific training objectives of the
weekend. The structure of the first weekend looks something like this:
Introduction to the Weekend and Bible Sharing

The aim of this weekend is to help the prospective action group leader to understand more
deeply the kind of person the Lord desires for this service and secondly, to equip the action
group leader with the skills he needs to do the service. Specifically in this weekend the focus
is on various bible sharing methods.
Why do we need more than one method? Is not one, for example, the Seven-Step Method
enough? The pastoral use of the Bible demands different methods to address the different
dimensions of the biblical message. We can summarize these dimensions in the following
way:
What does God want to tell ME personally?
What does God want to tell US as a Christian community?
There are my own personal experiences in life. What does God say about them?
There are our social, economic and political problems. What does God say about them?
One gospel sharing method cannot do justice to all these dimensions. It is also common sense
that we cannot do everything at the same time. Thus we need different methods. In this
workshop weekend, we will introduce you and train you to handle three different methods:
The Seven-Step-Method
The Group Response Method
The Look-Listen-Love Method
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The Aims of the Seven-Step-Method
To experience the presence of the risen Lord
To help each member in the action group to be touched personally by the word of God
To encourage mutual deepening in the faith by personal sharing
To deepen personal bonds among the member of the action group
To create trust within the group
To create a spiritual climate for planning the action or service of the group
The Aims of the Group Response Method
To see how daily situations and problems are reflected in the biblical text
To help the group to look beyond their immediate personal spiritual needs.
To make the gospel a driving force for “self-help” in tackling life issues
The Aims of the Look-Listen-Love Method
To start from a life issue
To share life experiences in which members of the group are emotionally involved, feeling
happy or unhappy about them
To listen to God’s call regarding this experience or event even if no biblical text can be quoted
To arrive at common action
Different Methods – Different Points of Departure
The different Gospel Sharing Methods adopt two different points of departure
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From LIFE to BIBLE
Look-Listen-Love Method
From the BIBLE to LIFE
7-Step Method
Group Response
Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. If we always start with the Bible,
life issues may be neglected. If we always start with life issues, the biblical messages may be
neglected. We want to avoid the two extremes. We do not want to use only those Bible texts
which suit us. We also do not want to remain in the “pious and remote land of the Bible”. The
solution lies in alternating between different methods.
The Theological Dimension of Gospel Sharing

Many of us are used to doing Bible studies, quoting the Bible to prove a theological point,
drawing moral implications from scripture and enjoying private Bible reading. Gospel sharing
in groups, however, emphasizes or adds a certain theological dimension to the use of scripture.
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A Community of Believers Welcomes the Risen Lord
The group of members in the action group that comes together for gospel sharing does not
assemble round a dead book of many words. They “invite the Lord” and welcome him before
they read the text. This indicates the theological direction of gospel sharing from the very
start.
They have come together in the name of Jesus and welcome him in their midst. They believe
in the risen Christ who promised his disciples that he would stay with them until the end of the
age (Mt 18:20; 28:20). The same, of course, is true for the Liturgy of the Word and the
Eucharist in church.
The Words of the Bible Become “Sacramental Signs”

In Bible study groups, the words of scripture are words of information which can be “cut to
pieces” (discussed) and talked about. For others, the biblical words are messages of wisdom
and spiritual insights. In gospel sharing the biblical text becomes a “sacramental sign” of the
Lord’s presence.
“The Word became a human being. . . and lived among us” (Jn 1:14). The many words of
scripture become a sign of the living Word and a concrete possibility of meeting the risen
Christ. The aim of gospel sharing, therefore, is not to “understand” a text but to touch a loving
person and come in contact with him like the woman in the crowd who touched the edge of his
cloak (Mt 9:20).
The reality of Christ’s presence when we do Gospel sharing in our AGs is as real as in the
Eucharist. “The Church has always venerated the divine Scripture as she venerated the Body
and Blood of the Lord.” (Vatican II Constitution on Divine Revelation, 21). The experience of
the Lord’s presence through sacramental signs is not generated by magic. It depends on the
loving and believing community being open to their Lord and recognizing that he comes to
them through these signs. This, of course creates a challenge not only for gospel sharing
groups but also for the Eucharistic assembly.
Gospel sharing and orthodoxy

The question may be asked: What happens if one member of the group comes to an absolutely
heretical interpretation of the text? How can a biblical text be applied to life if the original
meaning is not understood?
Let us begin with the last objection. Gospel sharing is an “alternative way” of using the Bible.
The text becomes a sacramental sign as mentioned above. It becomes a means of “first-hand”
encounter with Christ. Even if the actual text is “wrongly” understood in the strict exegetical
sense, it may be right in the context of the whole Bible with its basic message: I am your God.
I am with you. I love you.
It may also be argued that scripture itself has sometimes “re-interpreted” biblical texts. For
example, Mk 4 (allegorical explanation of the sower); Gal 4:24 (Sarah and Hagar); John 6 (re-
interpretation of the Last Supper). Even the liturgy assumes the right to “re-interpret” biblical
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texts without following the strict exegetical meaning. This we observe, for instance, in the
choice of the first readings on Sundays. They are chosen in order to correspond to the main
theme of the gospel.
People in gospel sharing can be confident of being addressed by God without understanding
fully, or even interpreting wrongly, the original meaning of the text. What is important is that
Jesus himself is accepted in the text. For this reason we respond after the proclamation of the
gospel: “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.”
To return the original question, what happens when one member of the group comes to a
really heretical explanation of the text?
In this case we trust that the other members of the group can give guidance according to the
“instinct of the faithful”. A difficult problem can be presented to an expert later. After all,
gospel sharing is not the only way of dealing with scripture in the community and in the
church. There are homilies, adult catechesis classes, Bible study groups etc. All of these will
exercise their corrective influence. “The whole body of the faithful who have an anointing that
comes from the Holy One (cf. 1 Jn 2:20.27) cannot err in matters of belief” (Vat II:
Constitution on the Church, 12). In other words, gospel sharing must be seen within the whole
life of the Christian community.
Talk 1: A Heart for God

There are two parts to A Heart for God, both describing essential elements of heaving a heart
for God: (1) Obedience to God and (2) Dependence on God.
Obedience to God
As leaders we are servants at the Master’s disposal. The Master is Jesus, the Chief Shepherd.
Whatever our service, we do it in obedience to his will. We serve as one entrusted with the
task. To be effective servants we need a heart that is obedient go God. The following describe
obedience to God.
Living according to God’s Word and the Teachings of the Church
Having a heart that is obedient o God also means living our life according to God’s Word and
the teachings of the Church. Keeping the words of Jesus is a sign of our love for him.
John 15:9-11: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my
commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.”
Without this fundamental obedience, our “Lord, Lord” will be just idle talk. If we wish to
enter into a deep and meaningful relationship with God our Father, we need to look at how
Jesus relates to the Father. He is our great model for obedience to God.
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John 4:34: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.”
Everything that Jesus does he does in obedience to the Father. His obedience keeps him united
with the Father. A similar obedience will keep us united with Jesus and through Jesus with the
Father.
Living the Christian Life with Conviction
Having a heart that is obedient to God also means having the conviction that this is what we
believe in and this is how we desire to live our life. Such conviction helps us to face tests to
our faith.
Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes #17: “Man’s dignity requires him to act out of conscious and free
choice, as moved and drawn in a personal way from within and not by blind impulse in
himself or by mere external constraint.”
There are many who live according to God’s law only as long as it is convenient or it does not
lead to conflict and suffering. The Lord will not really find servants among that class of
people. He wants men and women who are not swayed by trials and suffering
Dependence on God
As servants, we do not act independently of the Master. This is a basic principle in servant
leadership. We are dependent on God for everything in our life and service.
Dependence for life itself
In Luke 12:16-34, Jesus speaks of the rich whom who has so many good things stored on for
himself that he thinks he can rest, eat, drink, and be merry for the rest of his life. Jesus says
"you fool; this night your life will be demanded of you, and the things you have prepared to
whom will they belong. Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not
rich in what matters to God" (verse 20-21).
Jesus admonishes us to depend on him for life itself. "All the nations over the world to seek
for these things, and your father knows that you need them. Instead seek his kingdom and
these other things will be given you besides" (verse 30-31). I'll let dependence on God flows
from our personal knowledge and experience of his love for us.
Dependence for service
In Jeremiah 3:15, the Lord says: "I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart, who
will shepherd to you wisely and prudently." It is God who we initiates the call to service and
it is he who will empower and equip us so that we can serve effectively.
Many of us approach our service with a lot of hesitation and an awareness of our inexperience
and unworthiness. In many ways we echo the fear of Jeremiah when God told him to serve:
"Ah, Lord God! I say at, and I you know not how to speak I am too young." (Jeremiah 2: 6)
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When the Lord calls us to serve, he knows the kind of men or women he is getting. He knows
our gifts and capabilities. He also knows our weaknesses and limitations. He knows we are
often pressured for time. He knows that we feel in- adequate. And yet, in spite of ourselves,
he chose to call us to serve. He must have his own reasons for doing that. What is needed on
our part is our "yes" to his call and our willingness to depend on him and to use what ever gifts
we have for his greater honor and glory.
Dependence on God for our service also means seeking his will for the people entrusted to our
care. Intercessory prayer for our members should be a common feature of our prayer time.
Some people understand dependence on God as simply waiting for God to act. If we read the
book of Nehemiah we will find an excellent leader who was authentically dependent on God.
Nehemiah realized his own limitations, He knew that only God can change a man's heart and
so he turned to God – praying and waiting – but he also organized a feasible plan of action
(while waiting for the Lord to answer); and pressed on, despite vocal opposition, to execute
the plan -- once God opened the way.
Continually dependent in spite off adversaries and trails
Jesus is our model of one who remains dependent on God in the midst of adversaries and
trials. On the cross, while breathing his last, he cries out: "Father, into your hands I commend
my spirit." In this he makes a tremendous act of love and trust in the Father.
Jesus knows that the Father loves him. He clings to that conviction even when the
circumstances seem to indicate that the Father has abandoned him. In our life, we will
encounter situations in which we cannot seem to feel God's presence. When that happens,
hold on to the Lord. Believe that he's there for us.
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Seven-Step Method of Bible Sharing Workshop
Introduction
The following description will help you to train the participants of the weekend in leading and
training others to lead the Seven-Step Method of Bible Sharing. If the group is relatively large,
the best method of demonstrating the method is the “fishbowl” method. Get a small group of
people who know the Seven-Step Method to assist you in demonstrating. You and they are in
the center and the rest of the participants sit around your small group (and watch the
fishbowl).
Make sure you practice with the small group steps 1 and 3 beforehand. They will assist you
especially in demonstrating these steps.
Materials to prepare
The card containing the seven-step, group-response, and look-listen-love methods, plus an
evaluation approach. Before you begin with the training, the cards should be distributed. Make
sure all the participants have a Bible. Don’t allow “couple-bibles”. Husband and wife should
bring their own Bibles.
The Seven Steps: Demonstration and explanation of steps 1,2,3,4,5 and 7
Trainer: Distributes the Gospel-sharing cards.
Explain to the participants: We have come together to learn the 7-step-method for gospel
sharing. Let us begin by reading these steps on our 7-step card.
Ask the participants to read the steps aloud in turn. Do not give any explanation yet.
[If the cards are not available for any reason, prepare a PowerPoint slide of the seven steps,
see card on next page]
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Ask the people you have prepared beforehand to form a “fishbowl” in the middle of the larger
group.
FB
Larger Group
The Seven Steps

We invite the Lord Explain:
We invite the Lord
The small group in the center
We read the text are called a fishbowl. Those of
Let us open ….. chapter ……. you around are to observe what
Will someone, please, read verses ….. is happening without taking
(Will someone, please, read the text part. (Just as you sit watching
again, if possible from a different version.) fish in an aquarium without
joining them.)
We pick out words and mediate on them.
We pick out words or short phrases. Read them aloud We shall demonstrate to you
prayerfully, and keep silence in between. (We read the whole steps 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7. After
text again) each step we shall reflect on
what we have seen and heard.
We let God speak to us in silence
We keep silence for ….. minutes and allow God to speak to [Each member of the smaller
us. group sits in a circle. Each has a
Bible.]
We share what we have heard in our hearts
Which word has touched us personally? The trainer facilitates (unless
(We may share also on any “spiritual experience,” e.g. how some have lived there is someone else who
the Word previously received in the group. We do knows the 7 steps well already
We discuss any task which our group is called to do

a) Report on previous tasks
b) Which new task has to be done? WHO is doing WHAT
and WHEN
We pray together spontaneously

a) All are invited to pray spontaneously
b) We end with a prayer/hymn which all know by heart
The trainer needs to make sure that the steps are well announced and practiced. The text to be
announced in Step 2 for this practice session is Luke 10:38-42. The facilitator invites a second
person to read the same text from a different version.
The trainer also needs to explain that ordinarily we begin our AG with a worship session of a
few songs, spontaneous prayer, but no scripture readings or sharings. Toward the end of the
worship session, we would do step 1: “Would someone please invite Jesus in a prayer.” Here,
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however, for training purposes, the spontaneous worship is left out.
The trainer or other facilitator leads the fishbowl group in Step 1 of the 7-Step Method.
Afterwards the trainer invites the larger group to reflect on what they have just seen and heard.
The trainer makes sure that everyone gets a chance to answer the questions to be posed. Avoid
lectures. Allow the participants to discover whatever they can for themselves. The trainer only
supplements their findings, if necessary.
Step 1: We invite the Lord
What did we do in the fishbowl in step 1?

(You should get something like the following: You did not just pray any prayer, you invited
Jesus in a direct, personal way as he was invited by the people in NT times)
Why did we invite Jesus in such a direct way?

(Get people to discuss this question first in “Buzz-Groups”. Each participant should talk to his
or her immediate neighbor and discuss the question without leaving their places. After two or
three minutes they tell the whole group what they have found.)
Supplement the findings of the people:

(We believe Jesus is risen from the dead and is alive with us. He is the “Word” of God. He can
explain to us the many words of the Bible. By inviting him we open ourselves to his presence.
Often Jesus is near us. But we and our hearts are far from him. Without Jesus we cannot do
anything. Therefore we “invite the Lord”.)
Do you remember people in the Bible who invited Jesus into their homes?
(For example: people in Cana, Mary and Martha, tax-collectors, disciples on the way to
Emmaus, Zacchaeus.)
We practice step 1:
Ask several participants to invite Jesus in a personal prayer using a reference to people in the
Bible who did this. For instance:
“Jesus, you were invited by the people in Cana . . . we also invite you today . . .”
Why pray this way? [Read the following summary]

Praying this way indicates the theological direction of gospel sharing. We do not assemble in
order to talk “about” Jesus nor do we plan to discuss the original meaning of the biblical text.
This is also an activity of believers, but should be distinguished from sharing. There is a time
for Bible discussion and a time for sharing.
A group of people who gather for gospel sharing assemble as a group of believers who
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welcome in their midst Jesus himself, the risen Jesus, the Word behind the many words of
scripture. The promise of Jesus becomes a reality: “Where two or three come together in my
name, I am there with them.” (Mt 18:20).
It is not the aim of 7-step gospel sharing to gain new intellectual insights (although this may
well happen), but rather to make it possible for the participants to encounter the living Christ.
This approach accepts the biblical text as a spiritual meeting place where the participants can
hear directly, at first-hand as it were, the call of the bridegroom: “I love you, I am here for
you.”
An expression of mutual love is much more than something which has to be understood
intellectually or something which had to be discussed. Two lovers will not discuss the
philosophical and psychological meaning of the words: “I love you”. They wish to experience
each other’s love. It is for this reason we find it important to invite Jesus personally in step 1
and to make ourselves aware of his presence and love.
Step 2: We Read the Text

The facilitator goes through step 2 with the small group, the fishbowl. He then turns to the
larger group of trainees and asks:
Do you remember how I announced the text?
(He/she announced the book and chapter first: Luke, chapter 10.
Then he/she waited, looked around and made sure that everyone in the group had found the
chapter.
When all had found the chapter, the facilitator invited someone in the group to read verses 38-
42.)
Why did the facilitator NOT announce the verses together with the book and chapter?
(To give everybody a chance to find the text. Sometimes it is difficult to remember the number
of the chapter and the verses if they are announced at the same time. What often happens is
that people mix up the numbers and then start asking one another, “What chapter is it?” and
“Which verses?” This takes from the atmosphere of silence and prayer which was created
through step 1.)
Why did the facilitator ask a second person to read the same text from a different
version?
A different version of a different translation of the Bible shows the text in a new light. Every
translation is also an interpretation of the text.)
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Why did the facilitator not read the text him/herself?
(A facilitator tries to involve everyone in the group. All should feel at home. What someone in
the group can do, the facilitator will not do himself or herself. A good facilitator says with
John the Baptist: “I must grow smaller, members of the group must grow and develop”. A
good facilitator puts into practice what Jesus said: “He who wants to be first, must become the
servant of all.”)
We practice step 2:
(You have prepared 3 or 4 little papers on which is written one of the following texts:
Matthew 5:14-15
Matthew 18:19-20
Luke 10:23-24
Isaiah 55:10-11
Give the first paper to the first person and ask him/her to announce step 2.
Give the second paper to the second person who is asked to do the same.
(The group evaluates by saying what was good and what can still be improved in
announcing the text).
Read the summary of step 2 below for deepening.
Why does the facilitator not read the text him/herself? Or why does he/she not appoint
somebody in the group to read the text?
In this practice, a renewed leadership style becomes visible.
The facilitator enables as many as possible in the group to exercise their gifts. He/she treats
the participants as equals, as sisters and brothers. He or she withdraws in the background to
allow the group to become alive. In this way we can follow the command Jesus gave us:
“Whoever wants to be first must place himself last of all and be servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
This attitude of the leader should become visible in all the seven steps of gospel sharing. The
facilitator encourages the members of the group to offer their contributions first before he/she
does so.
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Step 3: We pick out words and meditate on them
Demonstrate the step with the fishbowl.
Do you remember what we did in step 3?
(One single word or short phrase was chosen. They were repeated three or four times in a
prayerful way. There were pauses in between these repetitions and in between individual
contributions).
We picked out short phrases in the following way:
Verse 38
HE CAME TO A VILLAGE (Pause)

MARTHA WELCOMED HIM (Pause)

Verse 40
MARTHA WAS UPSET (Pause)

Verse 42
JUST ONE THING IS NEEDED (Pause)

JUST ONE THING IS NEEDED (Pause)
JUT ONE THING IS NEEDED (Pause)
NOTE:
The pause between the individual repetitions should give the participants a good chance to
repeat the particular word or phrase silently in their hearts. A quick repetition destroys the
spirit of prayer.
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Why did we repeat the word or the phrase three times?
(To allow a phrase to sink into our heart. To have time to “sit down” with Mary at the feet of
Jesus and to remain in the situation sketched in the text, to remain in the presence of Jesus).
Repeating a word or a phrase can help us to become involved in the situation of the text: e.g.
to sit down with Mary at the feet of Jesus.
By picking out a word we show each other our diamond which we have found. By looking at
other people’s diamonds we may find out that their diamonds shine brighter than ours. In the
same way a word which was picked out by others may become more meaningful to us that the
one which we have chosen ourselves. It will then be this most important word or phrase which
we are going to take along with us into step 4 where we “turn it over” and remain with it in
silence and meditation.
We practice step 3
Announce the text: Mark 9:33-37
Announce step 3:
We pick out words and meditate on them.

We pick out words or short phrases,
read them aloud prayerfully,
and keep silence in between.
Remember:
No long sentences are to be read out.

Each word or phrase is read slowly and prayerfully
Each word or phrase is repeated several times.
There should be a pause between each repetition or contribution.
This pause should be long enough for the respective word or phrase to be repeated silently by
each participant at least two or three times.
Interrupt gently if a participant chooses too long a text or is too quick in repeating a word or
phrase.
Experience has shown that a prayerful atmosphere may descend on the group even if it is only
an exercise. Of course, the condition is that this step is done well. If step 3 is done well, the
participants will find it easier to share in step 5. People will find it difficult to share in step 5 if
this step 3 is done superficially or left out completely. It is one of the most important steps in
this meditation.
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Which word should the participant choose?
We suggest that the members of the group do not look for the “most important word for me”.
This can be a subtle way of manipulating the text, choosing for ourselves a word or message
which suits us best. The whole idea of this group sharing is to help each other in discovering
the full treasure of the text. The participants allow themselves to be touched by any (although
for them still insignificant) word which they pick themselves or which others “dig up” for
them. Only later will they decide which word will be the most important one in the text for
them personally. In this way God has a chance to talk to us, even challenging us with an
uncomfortable message.
What is the deeper meaning of this step?
If this step is done well, the participants have a chance to experience one of the deepest forms
of prayer, contemplation.
Even a very insignificant word, repeated prayerfully aloud or silently, can help the members of
the group remain in deep union with Christ. For instance, while somebody repeats the words,
“He sat down”, we can find ourselves sitting down next to Jesus, remaining in his presence
and allowing ourselves to be loved by him.
This remaining in the situation next to Jesus can happen without clever mental exercises, for
instance by asking ourselves, “What does this word mean for me?” or “What does God want
to tell me in these words?” We suggest that in this step people are asked to refrain from these
mental exercises or even formulated silent prayers. At this stage we would like to become
silent from within by just looking with wonder at the Lord and being with him. It is marvelous
to experience how a group can help its members to achieve this in a very simple yet
demanding way
Step 4: We Let God Speak to Us in Silence

Demonstrate this step in the fishbowl and then ask the rest of the participants:
How did the facilitator announce step 4 in our fishbowl?
(He/she read from the 7-step card, “We let God speak to us in silence. We keep silence for (3)
minutes and allow God to speak to us.” The length of the silence was announced in minutes.)
Why do you think the facilitator should announce the number of minutes during which
we keep silence?
Let the participants answer first and then supplement.
(Supplement: people in the group will feel at ease if they know the length of the silence. If
the facilitator has a watch she/he will check the time carefully. For instance, if she/he
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announced two minutes of silence the question can be asked after the meeting if the time of
silence was too long or too short. He/she can then adjust the time when the group meets the
next time.)
What do you do during the time of silence?
(Supplement: Mary, listening to Jesus is a great example of our way of “listening”.

Mary left behind unnecessary things and worries. Mary was “listening” with her whole body,
she sat next to Jesus, she looked at him, she drank in his words, she enjoyed the Lord’s
company, she allowed herself to be loved by Jesus.)
Many people repeat over and over again a certain word or phrase which touched or challenged
them in step 3 while the group was picking out words or phrases. Others just remain in the
presence of the Lord, looking at him.
It will be important to tame our imagination and mental activity which remain in action all the
time, even during our sleep.
Step 5: We Share What We Have Heard in Our Hearts

The trainer discusses personal sharing with the trainees;
What is “Personal Sharing”?
Ask one person of the group to read step 5 from the 7-step card (including the text in small
print).
The explain
In step 5 we are not asked to “comment” or to “discuss” the text or a word. We should rather
“share what we have heard in our hearts”.
What do you think is the difference between ”discussing” and “sharing” on a text?
Possible answers:
In sharing we talk about ourselves . . . about our personal experience . . . about the way we feel
about things. . .
In discussions we talk “about” other people, other things, but not about ourselves.
In discussions, an idea or a word is “cut to pieces” (this is what the word “discussion” means
literally).
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Then ask:
Give examples of personal sharing in daily life.
For instance how do parents “share in a personal way” with their

children? Or what do friends “share personally” with each other?
(The participants talk to their immediate neighbors without leaving their

places. They talk in “buzz-group”. After some minutes the little groups
report to the plenary group.)
Possible answers may be:
Parents share their life, their love, their language, their customs, their way of walking and
talking etc. All this is very “personal”. Friends share secrets, personal belongings, personal
views.
Then continue:
Let me give you an example of personal gospel sharing
We imagine that we have used the text of the blind man who was sitting at the road side,
shouting for Jesus. The people, however, told him to be quiet. In step 5, one of the participants
may share in this or a similar way:
”I was touched by the word. ‘But he shouted louder’. This word reminds me of myself. I am
often disappointed if my prayers are not heard immediately. This blind man, however,
encourages me not to give up so quickly, even if other people may say, ‘Stop praying: this is
of no use.’”
Why can we say that this person was “sharing” personally on this text about the blind
man?
Possible answers may be:
He talked about himself

He said something about his secret prayer life.
He said what the text means for him personally.
He did not tell others what to do.
He did not “explain’ the text in other words.
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We want to avoid preaching and discussion in this step. The aim of preaching is explaining
and proclaiming a message to be followed by all. Discussions on biblical texts search for the
original meaning of a text and how a text was understood in the history of the Christian
Church. “Sharing” on the other hand exposes something very personal and offers it to others.
It does not claim to “explain” a text or to present a “doctrine” which has to be followed by
others. It rather allows others to understand better the personal relationship which exists
between God and one member of the group.
God reveals himself to us by sharing himself with us. God has saved us by sharing his Son
Jesus with us in a total, radical and most personal way. This personal witness of one’s faith is
an important means of proclaiming the gospel and handing on the message.
Sharing should not become a public confession of sins. It should rather be a grateful
proclamation of God’s great power in the life of a person.
Do not destroy the spirit of prayer by discussing.
If somebody in the group offers a comment on a text without personal sharing we do not reply
or discuss his/her comment. Discussions will destroy the spirit of prayer which we would like
to safeguard by all means.
Need for explaining the text.
If there is need for a technical explanation of a word or concept in the text, this can be done
before step 1 of gospel sharing is announced. It can also be done after the personal sharing in
step 5. However, we should not so much talk about Jesus and his words but rather allow
ourselves to be touched by him personally.
An easier way of sharing
If somebody finds it very difficult to share in a personal way, then he/she can address Jesus
directly and not the group. For instance, “Jesus, you heard the blind man calling. Listen also to
me. . .” Others are shy to share with the whole group but find it easier to share in small buzz-
groups of two or three people who sit next to them. There is also the possibility in step 5 that
people who find it hard to share just read aloud a word or a phrase which has become
meaningful for them. It is especially in step 7 that everyone can share by formulating a
personal prayer which is nourished by the message of the text.
Remember, nobody should be forced to share. Sharing is something very personal. Some find
sharing really difficult. They just cannot do it.
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Step 6: We Discuss Any Task Which Our Group Is Called Upon to Do
The facilitator only describes this step. It is not demonstrated, because many groups will not
be able to put it into practice, since the members are not all engaged in a common ministry in
the BCBP.
After the personal sharing in step 5, the facilitator announces step 6: “We discuss any task
which our group is called to do.” It will depend on the type of group as to how this step is
done. In steps 1 to 5 we create for us a spiritual atmosphere and allow us to experience the
presence of Jesus in our midst. In step 6 we get “down to business”, discussing our service or
ministry within the BCBP. Some members might give a report on a previous responsibility or
the time is used to planning upcoming action, concluding with WHO is doing WHAT and
WHEN?
Step 7: We Pray Together Spontaneously
The facilitator only needs to explain how this step is to be done. It does not need to be
demonstrated. The explanations for the step follow.
After the discussion and planning in step 6, the facilitator announces the last step saying: “We
pray together spontaneously”. The facilitator allows as many people as possible to formulate
their own prayers. Then he/she ends the 7-step gospel sharing with a prayer like the Our
Father and a final song. This is the sign that the meeting has come to an end.
What is the deeper meaning of this last step?
Gospel sharing is a beautiful chance to develop our way of praying. It helps us to pray
spontaneously. People like us in the BCBP who are used to praying spontaneously, we may
tend to repeat ourselves in stereotyped phrases. Gospel sharing can offer inspiration for our
prayers.
Gospel sharing can be seen as a school of prayer for the faithful who otherwise have little
chance to develop their prayer-life.
Gospel sharing helps people to come into a personal contact with God (e.g. in steps 1 and 3).
Gospel sharing introduces us to the value of silence before God (e.g. in step 4).
Gospel sharing offers the possibility for us to experience contemplation (e.g. in step 3).
Gospel sharing helps us to see our daily life with God’s eyes (e.g. step 6).
Gospel sharing liberates us from looking at ourselves only. It develops a concern for the needs
of others (e.g. steps 5 and 6).
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In step 7, therefore, we should encourage as many people as possible to pray spontaneously.
Their prayers can make use of the prayer experience of the session and can include words
from scripture and the needs of daily life.
Practice of Steps 1-5/7
Divide the participants into groups of 8 to 12 people for this practice of steps 1-5 and 7.
Texts recommended for the practice are:
a) Matthew 8:1-3 (Jesus heals a leper)

b) Matthew 14:22-32 (Jesus walks on water)
c) Matthew 26:36-46 (Jesus prays in Gethsemane)
d) Mark 3:31-35 (Jesus’ mother and brothers)
e) Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus calms the storm)
Encourage the members of the group to facilitate in turns. One person can facilitate steps 1-3.
Another does steps 4, 5 and 7.
After the session the group should evaluate itself by using the “self-evaluation scheme” at the
back of the card.
What the facilitators should remember
Just read the steps as suggested on the 7-step card

Never do anything which can be done by one of the group
Contribute yourself, for instance in step 3 and 5. Remember, however, that you should never
be the first one to contribute. Allow others to contribute before you.
Try not to be the last one either, as some may believe that you are the one now giving the
“right answer.”
Encourage all participants to take an active part. Do this in a gentle, non-dominating way.
This way of “facilitating” puts into practice what Jesus commanded his disciples to do,
“Whoever wants to be first must place himself/herself last of all and be the servant of all” (Mk
9:35).
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Self-Evaluation Scheme
STEP 1: Was there a spirit of prayer? Was there anything which disturbed or
destroyed the spirit of prayer?
STEP 2: Did everybody find the text before it was read?
STEP 3: Did we allow a time of silence in between the words which we were picking
out? Did we read them aloud in a prayerful way?
STEP 4: Was the time of silence too short or too long?
STEP 5: Was there real personal sharing or preaching to others?
STEP 6: Did we allow the Spirit of Gods Word to guide our discussion of our task?
STEP 7: Did we allow enough time for everybody to pray spontaneously?
What did our facilitator do well/ What can he/she still improve?
Self-evaluation after a gospel sharing session will help a group to improve the practical use of
the 7-steps.
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Group Response Method
Aims
We saw above that there are two basic approaches to Gospel Sharing. The one begins with the
Scriptures and moves into life; the other begins with a life situation and moves back into the
Scriptures. The Seven-Step-Method belongs to the former group and its emphasis is on
personal sharing. Group Response is another method which begins with the Scripture text,
although it does not use personal sharing. Rather, it holds up the Scripture text as a kind of
mirror in which the participants of a group can recognize their own problems and situations of
daily life.
The Group Response method asks, which problems which we face in our families, society, and
especially in the world of business and the professions is similar to the problem mentioned in
the Scripture text? It asks: “What does God tell us about this problem?”
This method can help BCBP members see situations and problems of daily life in the light of
the gospel. It can sharpen their prophetic insight and enable them to detect God’s will in daily
events.
When and where should this method be used?

The Group Response Method offers variety to groups which normally follow the Seven-Step-
Method. If they use it from time to time, it will help the participants widen their spiritual
horizon by looking beyond their own personal lives.
We learn the Group Response Method of Gospel Sharing

The trainer asks the participants to take turns in reading aloud all the steps of Group Response
(see the card below). A group which is used to the Seven-Step-Method will find it easy to
practice Group Response immediately by following the instructions well. We want to use
Mark 3:31-35 (Jesus’ Mother and Brothers) for learning how to use the Group Response
Method.
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The Trainer says to the group of participants
We shall now learn a Bible Sharing method called Group Response. We shall not share with each other
how the Word of God has touched us personally. We will think of our BCBP community, or the
marketplace or our homes and the problems which we face there together.
After we have read the text of the Bible we shall ask the question: “Which problem or situation in the
BCBP or in our business is mentioned in the text? What is God’s will for us as a group? Before we get
started can I ask one to read the introduction to the method on the card distributed to you?
Today we follow a Bible method called Group Response. We

shall not share with each other how the Word of the God has
touched us personally. Today we rather think of our BCBP
community, our families, our work situation. After we have
read the text of the Bible we shall ask the question: “Which
problem in our BCBP community, work situation, or family is
mentioned in the text? What is God’s will for us as a group?
Would someone please invite the Lord in a prayer
We read the text

Would someone read the text again from a different version.
We pick out words or phrases, read them out prayerfully three

times and keep silence in between.
Which problems of our BCBP community, family, or business

are mentioned in the text
Let us discuss in buzz groups with our neighbor the following:
Which problems in the BCBP community, marketplace or
professions are similar to the ones mentioned in the text
We discuss for five minutes afterwards every group reports
back
Let us choose one problem for further discussion.
What does God tell us about our problem?

We keep silence for three minutes and let God speak to us
about the problem
We share what we heard from God
What does God want us to do?

WHO will do WHAT and WHEN?
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The deeper meaning of the Introduction
All participants should know from the very beginning which particular gospel sharing method
will be used in a meeting. Thus the facilitator mentions the method of Group Response in
his/her introduction. Then someone in the group is asked to “invite the Lord in a prayer”
similar to the first step of the seven-step-method. “Inviting the Lord” creates a spiritual
atmosphere and reminds the participants of the risen Lord in whose name they have gathered.
They have come together as a group of disciples, as people who belong to the Lord and who
wish to remain close to him.
Obviously the group meeting can start with songs and some spontaneous praise, but then
always someone should specifically invite the Lord to be present to the group. Inviting the
Lord shows in a flash how we use the Bible in this kind of meeting. We do not use it as an
object which has to be discussed and talked about. We rather open ourselves to the Word
behind the many words of scripture. We use the biblical words as a ‘quasi-sacramental sign’
which helps us to experience the presence of the risen Lord.
Inviting the Lord should therefore be done in a warm and personal way, welcoming Jesus as,
for instance, Martha and Mary did.
Step 2: We Read the Text

The text is announced exactly the same way as in the seven-step-method. The facilitator
announced first the Biblical book and chapter (e.g. Please open your Bibles to the Gospel of
Mark, chapter 3). He waits till everyone has found chapter 3 of Mark and then announces the
verses to be read (Would someone please read verses 31-35).
The facilitator then invites a second person to read the same verses from another translation.
Step 3: We pick out words or short phrases

This step, too, is done exactly like step 3 of the seven-step-method. It is essential that the
words or phrases be said slowly in a prayerful way three times, with a pause in between. If this
step is done in a hurry, it becomes a meaningless step.
Step 4: Which problems of our BCBP community, family, or work situation are
mentioned in the text?
The facilitator says: “Let us now discuss in small groups. Each one should talk to his/her
immediate neighbor. We discuss the question, which problems are reflected in this Scriptural
text? We will discuss for five minutes. After five minutes each group reports back. After that
we shall choose one problem from among those mentioned for further discussion.
After the five-minute discussion and reporting back, the group chooses one problem to discuss
further. After the problem has been selected, the group is ready for Step 5.

In this step the Bible becomes a mirror in which life today becomes visible. The particular
situation in the Bible becomes a parable: “you yourself are this man”. (See 2 Samuel 12:7:
Nathan and King David).
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It is not important if our own situation of today is not the exact situation which we find in the
biblical text. This can never be, in any case. The biblical text is offered a home within a
believing community, thus becoming a visible sign of the risen Lord. “In his light we see
light”.
The text makes it possible to come into contact with Jesus as the woman of the gospel who
touched the cloak of the Lord. This may look quite superficial even superstitious. But Jesus
turned round and said: “Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well.” (Mt 9:22). It is
the faith of the participants, the community of believers, which is the theological justification
for the way in which we use scripture as we do here.
Step 5: What does God tell us about this problem

The facilitator introduces the step as follows:
We keep silence for three minutes

During this time of silence we ask ourselves:
“What did God tell us in our text?

What does he tell us about this situation?
After three minutes:

We tell each other what God is advising us to do about our problem.
The deeper meaning of this step

In these minutes of silence we regard ourselves as standing at God’s side. We view our
problem or situation with the eyes of God. Not only will the actual text throw light on this
situation, but so also will the “sensus fidelium”, the common sense of the faithful, which we
believe to be alive in all believers.
Viewing a situation with the eyes of God is a prophetic event. The faithful are reading the
“signs of the time”, even if they may appear to the human eye as humble daily events. To
discern God’s will in situations of life is the prophetic function to which all members of the
church are enabled and called (Vat II, Lumen Gentium 31).
In this step we do not share with the group a word or message which has touched us
personally. We rather tell each other how we think God looks at our situation and what he is
advising us.
It may be that different members of the group come to different conclusions about God’s view.
In this case more prayer and more advice from others will be necessary in order to discern
God’s will.
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Step 6: What does God want us to do?
This step should lead to some concrete plan of action.
Remember:
Choose an objective (action) concrete and small enough to be tackled by the group.
Allow all the participants of the group to make suggestions.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of one or two suggestions – remembering God’s
view.
Decide on one solution.
Make sure you know: Who does What and When.
Conclusion:
All are invited to pray spontaneously at the end of the meeting. The meeting concludes with an
Our Father, e.g. and a final song.
Practice the Group Response Method

The facilitator divides the participants into groups of 6 to eight members for this practice. He
tells them to use one of the following texts:
Luke 16:1-8
Luke 17:7-10
Luke 18:1-8
The facilitator should allow about 1 ½ hours for this practice.
After the session, the participants should evaluate how their session went using the evaluation
scheme.
Summing Up
After the session the trainer gets feedback from the various groups and he should be ready to
answer any questions that the participants may have.
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Look-Listen-Love Method
Aim of this Method
The final method of Bible Sharing that you will have to teach to the participants is the Look-
Listen-Love Method. This method starts with a personal life-issue of individuals in the group.
They share personal experiences, happy or unhappy ones, in which they were involved
personally. This can be an event which happened at home or in public. The members of the
group attempt to see these life-issues in the light of the gospel, even if no particular text from
the Bible can be quoted.
When to use this method

This method can only be used if a certain level of trust exists already in a group. The group
will use this method occasionally, it will help the participants to detect God in ordinary daily
events of their lives.
Learning the Look-Listen-Love Method

The facilitator asks the participants to take turns in reading aloud all the steps of the Look-
Listen-Love Method from the card that had been handed out (see below). Each step is then
practiced carefully. This is followed by a group practice. Finally in an open forum the deeper
meaning of each step is discussed.
The outline of the method is found on the next page.
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Introduction Today we do not begin our meeting by reading the word of God, but we begin by
looking at the reality of our daily life. We follow the steps of the Look-Listen-Love
Method
Prayer Would someone please invite the Lord in a prayer
LOOK We ask several of the group to relate a recent experience

at life
Please tell us of a recent experience, which you found important, an even in which
you were involved personally. Please tell us briefly in a few words. It can be an
event at work or in public life, in your neighborhood, or in your home.
Let us now select one of these experiences for further discussion
The facilitator leads the discussion and asks the following questions
What exactly happened?
Why did it happen?
How do you feel about it?
LISTEN What does God think and feel about this event?
to God
Let us listen 3 minutes in silence to God
In these few minutes of silence let us put aside our own feelings about this event
and listen carefully to how God thinks and feels about this event. We do not open
our Bibles, but remember silently words or events, which we already know from
the Bible. We imagine if God were to speak about this event, what would we hear?
Please share with us what you think God feels about this event
Relevant words from the Bible may be read out or shared from memory. If no
suitable passage comes to mind continue with the next step.
LOVE What does God want us to do?

in action WHO will do WHAT and WHEN?
Step 1: Introduction
The facilitator begins as follows demonstrating the method to the group.
Today we do not begin our meeting by reading God’s Word, but we begin by
looking at the reality of our daily life.
We follow the steps of the “Look-Listen-Love” method.
Would someone please invite the Lord in a prayer?
At the beginning, the facilitator should announce the method which will be followed. After a
song and some spontaneous praise, the facilitator invites one or two to invite Jesus with a
prayer, similarly to the Seven-Step Method. In these invitations Jesus should be invited as he
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was at Cana, by the disciples on the road to Emmaus, by Martha and Mary, and Zacchaeus,
etc.
The deeper meaning of the introduction

To invite Jesus this way can help the participants to become aware of the Lord and to open
themselves to his presence. Of course, Jesus is always present, but often we remain far from
him.
In our Look-Listen-Love method we do not necessarily use a particular text from the Bible. It
is, therefore, especially important to become conscious of the Lord’s presence. We need his
inspiration when we are going to ask the question during the meeting: “What does God think
and feel about this event?”
In order to sense God’s opinion we must be aware of Christ’s presence among us who have
gathered in his name.
Step 2: Look at Life

May I invite some of us to relate a recent experience?
“Please tell us of an experience which you found important, an event in which you were involved
yourself. Please tell us briefly in a few words. It can be an event of your daily place of work, or an
event in public life, or in your neighborhood or in your home.
Let us now select one of these experiences for discussion

When the experience has been selected, the facilitator leads the discussion asking the following
questions
What really happened? Do we know all the facts? Can we be told more about it?
Why did it happen? Let us look for the reasons why it happened.
In this step all the group members are invited to share with the group any event in which they
were involved personally. It may be a happy or unhappy event. It may have happened
anywhere.
It is not necessary that all the group members share such an experience. Full freedom should
be given, nothing should happen under pressure.
When all the participants have shared a problem or happy event, the facilitator leads them in
choosing one particular event to reflect on during the session. To help them understand the
situation more clearly the person who first suggested the event is asked to give more details.
Then the facilitator asks the other members of the group to express their thoughts and feelings
about the event under discussion
The participants of the group should not be left alone in their personal needs. They should
experience a loving community which is waiting for them and ready to stand at their side. St
Paul tells the “house-church” of Thessalonica: “And so encourage one another and help one
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another just as you are now doing” (1 Thess 5:11).
It frequently happens that the emotions one is caught up in die down if a group helps that
person reflect on a certain event and find more facts and reasons about why it happened.
However, not only personal problems are dealt with in the method. By the emotional
involvement of one members of the group in a social or economic event, all can be helped to
recognize their common responsibility for public issues.
Step 3: Listen to God
What does God think and feel about this event?

Let us listen in silence for three minutes to him.
In these few minutes let us put aside our own feelings about this event, and listen
carefully to the way God feels and thinks about it.
We do not open our Bibles but remember silently words or events which we know
already from the Bible.
We just imagine: if God would speak about this event now, what would he say?
Please share with us now what you think God feels about this event?
Relevant words from the Bible may be read or told from memory at this time. If no
suitable passage comes to mind, continue with the next step.
In this period of silence we wish to step back from the actual situation and look at it from
“God’s point of view.” We try to see the situation with God’s eyes without searching for a
suitable Bible quotation too quickly. It is more important to look at the problem or happy
situation in the spirit of the entire Biblical message.
After the silence we do not share on something which has touched us personally. The idea is
different here. We rather tell each other what God may think about our situation.
Some important words from the Bible may come to mind which we can quote by heart.
However, there is the danger of solving a problem in a cheap manner by quoting the Bible. It
will often be helpful to pray a text from the Psalms which may be generally suitable.

The group will scarcely be able to answer theological questions, but it may have a sound and
inspired opinion about what God may think of this problem. The bishops of Vatican II tell us:
“It is the sense of faith which enables the believers to penetrate deeper into the faith with right
judgment and apply it fully in daily life”.
It may happen, of course, that the participants come to different conclusions about what God
thinks about our problem. Then the time has come for more prayer and consultation with
others in the community. A majority vote does not establish what God thinks about a problem.
211
Step 4: Love in Action
What does God want us to do?

Now the participants of the group decide what they can do for the person who finds himself or
herself in a difficult situation.
If the event related was a happy event, they plan a feast together, a celebration.
Or they decide together how to tackle a public issue.
In all their discussions and decisions the participants remember what God thinks about our
problem. In this way they fulfill their prophetic function as baptized Christians.
Conclusion
As usual the facilitator invites all to pray spontaneously at the end of the meeting. The specific
needs of the participants which emerged in the meeting will be included in the prayers. If it
fits, all can lay their hands on the person whose problem was considered to lift him or her up
to the Lord in a special way. The group needs to remember the Lord’s promise “Whenever
two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in
heaven.”
We Practice the Look-Listen-Love Method

The facilitator divides the participants into groups of 6 to 8 members for this practice. It is
important to assign about 1 ½ hours for this session, since the sharing of what God thinks and
praying over may take a long time.
At the end of the session, the participants should use the evaluation scheme to evaluate how
the Look-Listen-Love Method worked for them.
Summing Up
The trainer should get feedback from the groups how things went. He should be ready to
answer questions, participants may have.
(End of Manual)
212

Basic Formation Manual: The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals

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The Brotherhood of

Christian Businessmen and Professionals

BASIC FORMATION MANUAL

BCBP / Oct 2008

The BCBP Basic Formation Manual ...................................................................................... 1

Bringing Christ into the marketplace

MEMBERSHIP COVENANT OF THE BCBP

A. I WILL LIVE AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST

1. I will pray everyday for at least 15 minutes and intercede daily

B. I WILL MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO THE LORD FOR SERVICE

1. I will regularly attend the BCBP Breakfast.

C. I WILL BE A CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMAN AND PROFESSIONAL

1. I will be righteous and just in all my business dealings.

BCBP Formation Manual

This first talk basically spells out

2. What is expected from them

BRIEF INFORMATION ON THE BCBP

The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals is:

A. A non-profit, non-stock Corporation duly registered with the SEC.

C. It is open to all other Christian denominations.

D. Its basic mission is to evangelize the business sector.

WHAT IS THE BROTHERHOOD CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM (BCLP)?

A. A course in Christian Renewal for businessmen, professionals and their wives.

C. A venue to re-acquaint one whom has lost touch with Jesus.

B. Strictly adhere to the time schedules.

C. Get actively involved during the group discussion.

E. Cooperate with the DGL who is assigned to their group.

F. Strictly observe the following:

G. For any additional information, check with the BCLP Director.

INDIVIDUAL INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS WITHIN THE GROUP

A. Is Jesus really worth paying attention to?

WHO WAS JESUS CHRIST?

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?

A. SOME POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS OF JESUS CHRIST:

B. JESUS CONTRADICTS THESE POPULAR NOTIONS:

A. JESUS’ LIFE AND WORDS DEMAND A RESPONSE FROM US.

B. DID GOD CONFIRM JESUS’ CLAIM OF WHO HE IS? YES.

C. JESUS DEMANDS A RESPONSE FROM US.

FOR SPEAKERS: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION

B. THE SELF-REVELATION OF GOD TO MAN

NOTE: Adam and Eve represented the whole human race.

B. MAN’S KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

1. He is the enemy of evil and wrongdoing.

THE ABSENCE OF GOD

A. THE SITUATION IN THE WORLD TODAY

2. On a personal level, there is loneliness, depression, fear, insecurity, mistrust, etc.

B. WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?

A. WHAT DOES GOD SAY?

GOD’S INVITATION AWAITS OUR RESPONSE

B. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

FOR SPEAKER: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION

He has a point there. But how can this be changed?

RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. THE PROMISE OF CHRIST

B. THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. BAPTISM is the Sacrament of Faith.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE FAITHFUL

A. THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS IN PEOPLE

B. HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TRANSFORMS

FOR SPEAKERS: COMMENTS ON THE PRESENTATION

1. How you have met Jesus personally.