CFC Youth for ChristCovenant Orientation

1

Table of Contents

I. The Covenant Orientation Guidelines and Dynamics 3a. Goals and objectivesb. Resource persons (Team composition)c. Materials neededd. How to conduct a Covenant Orientatione. Basic schedule of activitiesf. Note to the team headg. Covenant Orientation

II. Expanded Outlines

Talk 1: Loving, Honoring, and Serving God 9

Talk 2: Loving, Honoring, and Serving the Family 14

Talk 3: Loving, Honoring, and Serving 17 Brothers and Sisters

Talk 4: Loving, Honoring, and Serving the Country 21

III. The Covenant of a Youth for Christ member 25

IV. Participants Hand-outs 26

2

THE CFC YOUTH FOR CHRISTCOVENANT ORIENTATION

The Covenant Orientation is the first set of teaching given to a young adult upon joining CFC Youth for Christ.  After initially responding to God’s invitation during his/her Youth Camp, he/she has learned how to put into action his/her commitment to God.  The Covenant Orientation Talks will help guide him/her how to rightfully respond to this call.

The Covenant Talks are as follows:

1. Loving, Honoring and Serving God-God, being our Creator and Father, cares and loves us so much. He wants to see us happy and live fruitful lives. It is about time that we acknowledge this and respond to God by loving Him with all our heart, soul and mind.

2. Loving, Honoring and Serving Family-Our family is one of God’s great blessings to us, no matter what situation our family may be in. One way of showing love and honor to God is through our family. We are called to be source of love and unity to them.

3. Loving, Honoring and Serving Brothers and Sisters in YFC and in School-God extends our family when He called us to belong to our community. We share the love we have not only to our blood brothers and sisters, but also to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and also to our friends who are not yet part of the community. We learn to value the gift of friendship and strive to be good influences to them, to be our brother’s keepers.

4. Loving, Honoring and Serving Country-We believe that the country we are born into is part of God’s great plan for us. We are called to take pride and to be agents of change as we help build the kingdom of God in our motherland.

The Covenant Orientation aims to achieve the following goals:

1. To learn and understand the covenant of a YFC member.2.  To renew and deepen commitment with Christ.3.  To develop a sense of identity and responsibility in his/her role as a believer, a member of the church, family, community and country.4.  To inspire the young adult as he matures in his Christian life.5.  To live out the covenant of YFC through the activities.

The following are the list of Resource Persons needed in the team:

  1. Team leaders

3

One brother as team leader and one sister to be the assistant team leader. The couple coordinator oversees pastoral content and needs of the activity.2.  Worship leader/s3.  Music ministry4.  Service team (logistics, registration, food committee, etc.)5.  Speakers and sharers for each talk (See profile of Speakers and Sharers.)

PROFILE OF SPEAKERS AND SHARERS:The following may be very helpful to the team leaders as they discern and

choose God’s messengers for each talk/session:

1. It is highly suggested that the speaker for every talk must be at least a YFC Household Head. We have to consider the exposure of the speaker to the community. It is believed that as a household head, he/she has experienced how it is to live his/her covenant with the Lord. (Please take note that the speaker for Talk 1 shall also give the Worship workshop.)

2. As for the sharer, he/she may be a YFC member (at least 6 months). One who is enjoying his/her journey with the Lord. Since the participants are very new to the community, they could very much relate to the sharing as they could see themselves through it.

3. It is up to the team leaders’ discretion whether they would choose a brother or a sister to be the speaker and/or sharer of each talk. As long as they have prayed and discern for the person who will efficiently convey the God’s message. However, it is highly recommended that a YFC brother should give the first talk as it also includes the Worship workshop.

THINGS NEEDED IN THE COVENANT ORIENTATION:

1. Expanded outlines for the speakers2. Sound system3. Instruments for the music ministry4. LCD projector5. Laptop6. Registration sheets7. Participants’ Handout8. Covenant Cards

Specific needs for each talk are as follows:Talk 2:a. Art Materialsb. Family Pictures

Talk 3:

4

a. Timerb. Whistle

Talk 4:a. Computer or VCD Playerb. LCD Projectorc. GK AVP

How to conduct the YFC Covenant Orientation?

The Covenant of YFC should be given to every member within 2 months after a Youth Camp.  The Covenant Orientation talks can be given either as a two half-day session or as an overnight activity. Like any YFC activity, the teachings should be given in a light atmosphere.  The talks should be made interesting and its importance stressed (e.g. anecdotes, jokes, stories, personal life experiences), making it real to the young adult.

The Covenant Orientation Planning should be done by the Chapter Couple Coordinator in coordination/consultation with the youth leaders in their chapter.  It may be scheduled on the chapter level or as a joint effort of a cluster/sector depending on the venue and availability of the speakers.  The talks must be delivered by young adult leaders who have already undergone this training track.

After each talk, copies of the teaching outline are distributed, and the assembly will be divided into discussion groups (or even into their own households if possible) to further discuss the teaching (Discussion starters are provided in the talk outline).  The household or discussion groups allow members to bring up and share more personal aspects of the teachings.  This system also trains Household Heads in true Christian leadership as they lead the group.

The suggested format/schedule for the Covenant Orientation is as follows:

SCHEDULE

OPTION A: TWO CONSECUTIVE HALF-DAY SESSIONS

1st Meeting12:30 -1:00 Arrival/ Registration 1:00 - 1:30          Orientation/Energizer1:30 - 2:15          Talk 1: Loving, Honoring and Serving God2:15 - 2:45         Worship Workshop2:45 - 3:00          Worship Proper3:00 - 3:15          Group Discussions/ Snacks3:15 - 4:15         Talk 2: Loving, Honoring and Serving Family

5

*Activity before the talk: Paint me a Picture4:15 – 4:30 Group Discussions4:30– 4:45 Closing Worship4:45 Announcements

2nd Meeting12:30 -1:00 Arrival/ Registration1:00 - 1:30        Teaching of Songs/Opening Worship1:30 - 2:15        Talk 3: Loving, Honoring and Serving Our Brothers and Sisters2:15 - 2:30         Activity: Affirmation Exercise 2:30 – 2:45 Snacks2:45 - 3:45          Amazing Race 3:45 - 4:30          Talk 4: Loving, Honoring and Serving Country4:30 - 4:45 Closing Worship4:45 Announcements        

OPTION B: OVERNIGHT

1st Day8:00am – 8:30 Arrival/ Registration 8:30 - 9:00 Orientation/Energizer9:00 - 9:45 Talk 1: Loving, Honoring and Serving God9:45 – 10:30 Worship Workshop10:30 – 10:45 Worship Proper10:45 – 11:00 Group Discussions11:00 – 1:30pm Lunch Break1:30 - 2:45 Gathering/Teaching of Songs/Ice breaker2:45 – 3:45 Talk 2: Loving, Honoring and Serving Family*Activity before the talk: Family Portrait Tableau3:45 – 4:15 Group Discussions/Snacks4:15– 4:30 Ice breaker4:30 – 6:30 Sharing with the whole Group/Creative Workshops6:30 – 8:00 Dinner Break8:00 - 8:45        Talk 3: Loving, Honoring and Serving Our Brothers and Sisters8:45 – 9:15         Activity: Affirmation Exercise 9:15 – 9:30 Closing of the whole day9:30 Closing Worship10:00pm LIGHTS OFF

2nd Day7:00am –7:45 Morning Worship/ Common Prayer Time

6

7:45 – 8:30        Breakfast 8:30 – 9:00        Gathering/Ice breaker9:00 – 10:30 Amazing Race10:30- 11:15 Talk 4: Loving, Honoring and Serving Country11:15-11:30 Commitment Ceremony11:30 MASS         

Praisefest

Note to the Team Head:

1. It is very important that the team should take time and plan out for this event. The Covenant Orientation is very important as this would guide the YFC member in living his/her life as a true follower of Christ.

2. Also, a recollection and story conference is very helpful for the whole team. This is one of the things that the team leader has to make sure will happen. It would really be very helpful as the team prepares for the event, their heart are also set for it.

3. It is advised that the team leader should talk and give a briefing to the speakers and sharers about their talk and/or sharing, also of what is expected from them to deliver.

4. On the Covenant Orientation Day itself, set a call time for the whole team. Have a service team worship. Give reminders to the whole team.

5. Before the first talk, give a short orientation about the activity. a. Give the short talk on Covenant. (See the talk below.)   b. Run down the schedule for the day. (Refer to schedule.)  c. Introduce the speakers.

6. Make sure to connect the talks, recalling the previous sessions and stressing the importance of each.

7. Take this opportunity to help those new members grow is worship - many of them still haven’t raised their hands, clapped, danced as an expression of love for God or have spoken out words of prophecies in faith. Encourage them to do so.

8. May God bless you and the whole service team for accepting this service for the Lord. You will be helping more young adults deepen their commitment to the Lord.

ORIENTATION TALK OUTLINEOUR COVENANT IN CFC YOUTH FOR CHRIST

I. Introduction

In the fifth talk of our youth camp, Growing in the Holy Spirit, we heard and learned how we could deepen our relationship with the Lord

7

and where we were introduced to a special relationship and a special covenant with our God.

At birth, when we were baptized by the Spirit, this covenant already started. In the youth camp, it was rekindled. We were again reminded of what this covenant is about. This session will refresh us of what it truly is. More so, re-live that moment when we stood to signify our commitment to the Lord, to this community, and to discover our identity as Youth For Christ.

We need to understand more about our covenant. The heart of where we are right now. There is a need to appreciate the concrete situation which allows us to live out our covenant and here in YFC we believe through God, our family, our brothers and sisters and our country.

II. What is a COVENANT?

A. It is a solemn agreement between two parties/persons. It establishes a significant family-like relationship between the parties. It is not just an ordinary promise - especially since our covenant is a covenant with God. It involves two important things: commitment and sacrifice to remain faithful to the covenant.

B. The two types of covenant relationships

1. Covenants between parties equal in power and position.(Note to the team leader: Please take time to read the following verses to have a better concept of this point.)

a. Genesis 21:22-32. Abraham and Abimelechb. 1 Samuel 18:1-4. David and Jonathan

2. Covenants between parties unequal in power and positiona. Conqueror with his new subjects. He provides military

protection while exacting loyalty and tribute to those he has conquered.

b. God and His people.

C. Parties are bound in a personal way.(Note to the team leader: Please take time to read the following verses to have a better concept of this point.)

1. Genesis 15. God with Abraham2. Genesis 31:44-54. Laban and Jacob

III. God’s COVENANT with US

8

God’s covenant with us is a very special one. It is bound in a personal way, like of God to Abraham; of God to us, His sons and daughters.

A. God wants to make a covenant with us and enter into a personal relationship with us.

1. Jesus came to bring about a new covenant. Luke 22:20. John 6:562. The New Covenant is not merely a matter of obeying

a set of laws, but of entering into a living relationship with Jesus.

B. Our covenant with God is not an agreement between equals, and is not done on our initiative. It means that it is God who is calling us. That is how special we are to God. He acted first by sending Jesus.

C. All that God asks of us is to follow from what God has already done for us.

1. 1John 4:192. God’s commands are taken in the light of His action in

Jesus. John 13:15,34

IV. The nature of our commitmentA. We are to love and serve God. We are to be God’s own servant

people.B. We are to love and serve our families. We are called to be a

source of love and unity to themC. We are to love and serve our brothers and sisters in YFC. We are

no longer our own masters. We are to lay down our lives for one another. We are our brothers’ keepers.

D. We are to love and serve our country. We are called to live our lives in true righteousness and holiness to be a people that the Lord can use as a body, to be light to our nation and to the world.

CFC Youth for ChristCovenant OrientationTalk 1: Loving, Honoring and Serving GodExpanded Outline

I. I believe that I am special to God.

A. God loves me.“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

9

Let us personalize this sentence as if the Lord is speaking to us: “For God so loved me that He gave me His only Son, so that if I believe in Him, I will not perish but I will have eternal life.” (Speaker leads and invites participants to say this statement with all of their hearts.)

God loves us in spite of our sinful nature. He accepts us for who we are.

B. God forgives my sins.“...for this is My blood of the Covenant, which is poured out to many for the

forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:28)

God is full of mercy. He wants to forgive our sins so we can always be close to Him.

C. I am a son/daughter of God.“You yourselves are no longer a slave but a son or a

daughter; and yours is the inheritance by God’s grace.” (Galatians 4:7)

We were once “slaves” of sin, but Jesus freed us. We became sons and daughters of God the Father and brothers of Jesus. Because of this special relationship, God assures

II. Our Response.

It is very evident that God loves us so much.  There is no other response but to love Him back.  As the scripture says, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

A. We are called to love the Lord with all our heart1. Loving God with the core of our being.

a. Loving God with all our heart means loving the Lord with our whole being. “With all our heart” means to accept totally and live out the ideals and principles of our Lord Jesus Christ even if it means to deny ourselves.

b. Loving God means that we should always include God in our decisions, may it be big or small.

c. Loving God means striving to be 100% PURE.This is by living out a true Christian life that is pleasing to the very heart of God. Living out a Christian lifestyle is loving God with all our hearts.

1.    Zero% alcohol – Abstaining in drinking any alcoholic drinks2.    Smoke Free – Refusing to smoke

10

3.    Virgin and Proud – Deciding to be virgin until marriage4.    PorNO – Rejecting any pornographic materials 5.    No to masturbation – Rejecting any action that would lead you to sexual sins6.    Zero Drugs – Choosing to be free from any abusive drugs7.    Pure in speech and action – Refusing any dirt words and gestures8.    True love waits – Not rushing into romantic relationships 9.    No to gay lifestyle – Honoring God’s plan of making you a man or a woman10.    Pro-life – Defending life at all cost.

(Note to the Speaker: Should emphasize that choosing to be 100% PURE is constantly a challenge. They may be struggling in one of these areas, but it is never too late to offer and surrender to God. This could help them realize that even if they failed, they can still love God by trying again and that God still loves them in spite and despite of it all.)

2. Loving God means entailing sacrifice because sometimes, it is hard to give up something for the Lord (A bad habit, fasting, being generous with our time, talent and treasure, etc.)

The phrase “Putting your heart into it.” means to work hard for something to achieve high standards. (e.g. a high grade, a. good thesis or project). It is also the same in loving God, it entails “putting our heart into it”, and give all our perseverance for the Lord.

B. We are called to love the Lord with all our soul

1. Our souls were created by God, who is also a pure Spirit. There is a longing for our souls to be united with God, to be one with Him. (Ps. 84: 1-2)- Prayer is a means of communicating with God and being

“one” with Him. Prayer nourishes our soul and bring it closer to God.- We must be consistent with our prayer time. Aside from

our personal prayer times, here in YFC, we are introduced to praying with brothers and sisters. We call this worship. Worship is praying and singing our praises to the Lord.

- Decide to pray everyday.- Make prayer a habit - allocate a certain place and time

for prayer. Start with a 15-minute prayer time.- Make your prayer dynamic - sing songs, read scripture,

talk with God, pray the rosary.

2. Practicing the sacraments expresses our souls’ longing for God. - Hearing Mass nourishes our souls. - Receiving Holy Communion is receiving Jesus Himself. - Going to confession, our souls are washed and polished by

Jesus and reunites us with the Father.

11

3. We should be eager to bring other souls to the Lord by our desire to serve actively in YFC activities, Youth Camps or church activities.

C. We are called to love the Lord with all our mind

1. The mind includes our thoughts, intentions, and learning.

Sometimes, we think about people who we love. We should practice also thinking about Jesus and the things He has done for us.

-Counting our small and big blessings.-Thanking God daily for each day and for all the answered prayers.

2. We should learn about Him and study His teachings to gain wisdom. We can achieve this by reading and reflecting on Scripture and/or other Christian books.

We are blessed to have in our community a scripture companion (scripture journal), In His Steps, that could be very helpful. We are encouraged to write our reflections on the readings of the day for us to develop a deeper relationship with God and understanding of His love.

3. We must learn how to witness to other people how the Lord is working in ourlives.

III. There will be times when our love for God will be tested.

A. When we experience sufferings, trials and doubts.- In all things, we should realize that loving God is not

based on feelings but on solid commitment.- We should believe and be faithful to Him no matter what

happens in our lives, because amidst all our challenges, we should remember that the Lord is faithful.

B. When we sin

- We feel guilty to come back to the Lord because we feel unworthy.- This dampens our love for God.- Solution: Go to confession and ask for God’s mercy and

forgiveness. - He will not only be happy to see you come back to Him,

but He will even embrace you. (The Parable of the Lost Son could be cited.)

12

C. When we experience dryness in prayer as if God is nowhere to be found, or we become impatient when our prayers remain unanswered.

- The Lord will test our faithfulness. The more we pray to Him in times like these, all the more He will be pleased with us and will reward us.

IV. Conclusion

God is our Creator and our Father. He cares for us. He wants to see us happy and live fruitful lives. He loves us and He considers us special. Let’s acknowledge this and respond to Him by telling Him how special He is in our lives. Let us love Him will all our heart, soul and mind.

(Note to the speaker: At this point, the speaker shall conduct a worship workshop)

We now want to strengthen and put into expression the ideas we have heard and learned in this session. What a better way to express our love for God with all our heart, mind and soul, but through Worship.

(After the worship workshop, divide the group into their households and process the worship workshop experience.)

Memory Verse:“You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

Discussion Starters: (Gather as a group. Do not forget to start and end the group discussion with a prayer.)1. How is my relationship with God after the youth camp?2. What more can I do to express my love for God with all my heart, soul and

mind? (Choose one concrete example in your life where you can grow in your love for

God.)

13

CFC Youth for ChristCovenant OrientationTalk 2: Loving, Honoring and Serving FamilyExpanded Outline

(Speaker can spring off from the set learning of the game based on the images derived from it.)

Activity: Paint me a Picture a. family in the parkb. family watching TV on a Saturday nightc. family doing a general cleaning of the house

I. Introduction There are no accidents. In the Youth Camp, we realized that God has a purpose of bringing us into YFC. That is because He wants us to know and feel His love for us through this community.  

We did feel His love that weekend, we experienced a change in our lives and we saw things differently.  People started to see the change in us and the first to witness this change are the people closest to us –our family.     In the first talk we embraced the commitment to love, honor and serve God.  This leads us to making greater and bolder improvements in our life.

Today we will face another challenge that is to be witnesses to our family, to honor our special covenant with them.

II. The Family

There are two things that we should realize about the family:

A. The family is God’s plan (Gen.1:27-28; Gen.2:18-24; Gen.7:1)- God created the family for a purpose - to be a means by

which His kingdom is established on earth.(Have speaker cite an ideal family life – loving parents, harmonious relationship between siblings, etc.)

But sometimes, God has a different plan for those who seem to live in “broken families”. Do not be angry at God for putting you in that situation. You should still recognize that your family is still God’s gift to you; that you should still honor your father and mother, and learn to forgive them.

B. The family is under attack/ is being destroyed.

14

- Realizing this, the evil one is working very hard to destroy the family so that God’s plan in the world won’t happen.

 1. People say it is outmoded or outdated. Some think that the concept of

family no longer exists at this time, as an individual busies him/herself with his/her chosen career and would just be content in engaging to casual relationships.

2. The world has distorted the meaning of being a family and had made the roles of its members unclear. Ex. Gay Marriages, Pets as Children, Abusive parents, “Under the Saya”,

3. Some say that family is a barrier to progress (e.g. issue on abortion— having too many children hinders economic growth)

4. Threats to marriages increases – divorce, separation, same sex marriage

We need to see the spiritual side to this, and take our part in this battle by offering our very families to the plan of God. This can happen when we play the role God has given us for our families.

III. Our Covenant with our Family

A. Relating With Our Parents1. Honor and Respect (Ex 20:12) - only commandment with a promise

attached to it. We respect our parents primarily because they are our parents.

(Sir.3: 1-15) They chose to participate in God’s work of creation, this in itself should be enough reason for us to honor them. When we honor them we honor God as well. We respect and honor our parent’s inspite of their faults, mistakes, and problems.

a. Show them their importance to us (e.g. stand up to greet them, pleasing our parents.)

b. Attitude of gratitude: Express our appreciation.c. Speak well of them / Avoid speaking negatively

about our parents.

2. Obedience (Eph 6:1) a. Accept direction / listen to advice: Our parents

are God’s stewards on earth.b. Accept correction (Prov.13:1 A wise son pays attention when

his father corrects him, but an arrogant person never admits he is wrong)

c. Serve our parents (joyfully doing our household chores, doing well in our studies.)

15

B. Relating with Our Brothers and Sisters in Our Families

1. Seeing our families (even our brothers and sisters) as God’s gift to us.a. Expressing to them their importance to us and

appreciating them. (ex. Checking up on them thru texts, thanking them)

b. Respecting and listening to what they have to say-even if they are younger.

c. Lovingly correcting them

2. Finding opportunities to sharea. Our time (spend quality time together—enjoying,

helping one another out— homework, school projects of brothers/ sisters.)

b. Resources- sharing our talents, money, etc.

C. We are called to be Instruments of Healing. Learning that we have received God’s healing during our youth camp, it is about time that we ourselves become God’s instrument of healing to the person/s dearest/nearest to us.

1. Loving - (Mt.22) loving your neighbor is the direct consequence/ effect of loving God.

a. Our closest neighbors are our families.b. According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 the type of love that we should

practice: 1. Love is patient and kind.2. Love that is not jealous nor conceited nor proud.3. Love that is not ill-mannered nor selfish nor irritable.4. Love that does not keep a record of wrong.5. Love that is not happy with evil but happy with the truth.6. Love that never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never

fail.c. We have to initiate ways on love can be felt in the family. (ex. Doing

chores, start good communication within the family, planning family outing.)

2. Witnessinga. Be forgiving, patient and loving towards your

brothers and sisters.b. Initiate healing - find ways to reconcile differences within the family.

3. Praying and interceding for family members

4. Serving God with our family whenever possible (Speaker mentions how she/he can serve together ex. CFC,

16

Parish, etc.)

III. Conclusion

How can we refer to God as Father if we do not have a good relationship with our parents? Having a good relationship with our family defines our relationship with our God.

There is an attack on the family. As YFC members, we need to take a stand to protect and build the family — become witnesses and a hope to other families and take our part in our vision of “Families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth.”

Memory Verse:“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

(Josh.24: 15)

Discussion Starters:1.How can I grow in my relationship with my parents?2.How can I grow in my relationship with my brothers and sisters?

CFC Youth for ChristCovenant OrientationTalk 3: Loving, Honoring and Serving Our Brothers and Sisters

Expanded Outline

Memory Verse:

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live in unity.” (Ps. 133:1)

I. Introduction: Loving Youth for Christ as a Family

A. Blood relations are often the strongest type of relationships.

1. Families have strong ties because of the same “blood” they share.2. Comrades in arms/soldiers feel a close bond among

themselves after they have sacrificed and “shed blood” together.

B. The blood that unites us is greater than any of these— the blood of Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16)1. He has made us God’s children- we are brothers and sisters.

17

2. Because we are a family, we should relate to one another in ways a family should.

II. Characteristics of Family-type Relationships

A. Commitment

1. Consistency in our relationships- being committed whether we feel like it or not (e.g. attending YFC meetings faithfully and punctually)

2. Being ready and willing to be inconvenienced on behalf of a brother/ sister. (e.g. brother giving his seat for a sister, making sure everyone has their share of food before eating.)

3. Being a brother/sister no matter what happens (choosing to be loving inspite of misunderstandings)

B. Unity (Ps. 133:1)

1. Avoid being exclusive.a. Being a brother to all -in families, you don’t

choose your parents, or your brothers & sisters, they simply are.

b. Being a brother/sister even to those you aren’t close to.

c. Go beyond your chapter, program, sector, and area2. Decide to grow in your relationship with the brother/sister.

a. Go out of your way to get to know all brothers and sisters.

3. Pray for unity always within YFC, the Catholic Church, and all Christian churches. (Jn. 17:20-23)

C. Loyalty1. Protect the brothers/sisters

a. Protecting the character of brothers/sisters(Refuse to believe/listen to gossip about brothers and sisters)

b. Loyalty means correcting a brother or sisterc. Protecting the brother/sister physically

(e.g. making sure a sister gets home safely, having concern/ looking out for one another)

2. Protect YFC as a body/ community

Keep yourself from doing things that will destroy the name of YFC

C. Love

18

Love should always be part of our relationship as brothers and sisters. “If we love God, we must love our neighbor “ (Matt. 22:39)

1. We love by showing honor and respect—giving importance (Rom 12:10) (e.g. greeting one another, listening to

one another’s ideas and opinions)2. It is God’s command that we love one another. (Jn 13:34-35)3. 1 Cor.13:4-7 expresses the kind of love we should have.

D. Service

Like any family, love and loyalty is expressed through service.1. Have a “What can I give?” attitude as opposed to “What can I get?”

(The attitude of servanthood is more important than the actual service)2. Be open/willing and ready to serve in any way (e.g. speakers, music

ministry, household heads, facilitators, clean up committee etc...)

III. Obstacles that Hinder Us from Growing in our Relationship with our Brothers/Sisters

A. Fear of Rejection- We should draw our confidence from knowing that the

King of Kings has accepted and loved us as we are. Rejection from others won’t affect us as much because of this fact.

- We should then grow in confidence in relating to our brothers/sisters.

- Let us be the ones reaching out.

B. Pride

- Take on the attitude mentioned in Phil. 2:3- Love others and reach out to others because God loved

you even if you did not deserve it.

C. Cliquishness (Being exclusive)1. Let us avoid sticking just with those we are comfortable with because it

causes division.-(1st. 4:9-10) Instead let us learn to grow in loving all the brothers/sisters more and more each day.

2. Entering an exclusive “boyfriend/girlfriend” relationship often hinders other relationships.- If we do have to enter into such relationships, we are

to make sure that we are guided accordingly (e.g. by our elders, our parents.)

19

IV. Our love for God and the YFC Family should extend and be expressed in our schools.

We do this by being:

A. Witnesses 1. Being responsible students- Being the best we can be for the Lord.- Striving to live a Christian lifestyle. In YFC we have 100%

Pure Lifestyle.

2. Being good examples to our classmates (by not cheating, respecting school authorities and property, participating in nation building activities).

B. Evangelistic1. Inviting our classmates to youth camps- Sharing our faith/service in YFC to our classmates

2. Helping establish/sustain YFC in your school

C. Loving our neighbors—classmates, teachers, janitors, etc.1.By respecting them2.By listening to our teachers3.By helping our janitors and other school personnel

V. Conclusion

If we love God, then it follows that we should love one another (1 Jn 4:20). As God’s family, each of us is called to love, honor and serve one another, building up God’s community as a witness to all.

(Note to the team leader: In lieu of the discussion group, the activity below could be used.)

Activity: Affirmation Exercise (To be given after the talk) Dynamics:1.After the talk, the speaker shall instruct the group to divide themselves into households. The “Affirmation Exercise” shall be introduced.2.They will be asked to form two lines [line 1 and line 2] facing each other. 3.At the sound of the whistle, each line makes a step –line 1 to the right, line 2 steps to the left.

20

4.Facing partners, each will have a minute to honor and share an area of accountability to the person in front of him.   5.The game master claps his hand to signal the reversal of roles, it is the other’s turn now to honor and share for a minute.  6.At the sound of the whistle, both lines must move one step –line 1 to the right and line 2 to the left.7.Repeat until everyone gets to honor and share an area of accountability.

CFC Youth for ChristCovenant OrientationTalk 4: Loving, Honoring and Serving CountryExpanded Outline

Activity: Amazing Race to the GK site: Dynamics: 1.The activity will be done before the talk.2.The groupings will be the same groupings from the youth camp and the past sessions of the covenant orientation. 3.There are questions to be answered that will allow them to get to know the families in the GK sites. The amazing race could also be done in the place where they always conduct their assemblies, choose stations that are helpful or beneficial to them like landmarks of their area.

I. Introduction

As Christians, we don’t believe in coincidences. We know that God has a purpose for everything. God has placed us where we are, for a purpose.

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

(Jeremiah 1:5)

God calls us to be a light to the nations. We should be able to do that wherever it is that He has placed us - our own countries.

II. To Love, Honor and Serve Our Country

A. Showing our country honors and respect.

1. PROTECT. Avoid treating our country like one big trashcan/toilet.

God entrusted to us the place where we are living right now. It is our

21

responsibility as stewards of His creation to take care of our environment and our country’s resources.         

-    taking care of our mountains, trees, river and seas by not throwing garbage and

cleaning up our own area.-    We help in clean up drive and tree planting activities in our area. - Let us not litter - as if we can “flush” down our dirt in

our surroundings.- We don’t vandalize.

2. ADVOCATE. Taking pride in our heritage.

- Take pride in national symbols (flag, national anthem).- Learn about your heritage (If your parents migrated, learn

about the country they migrated from. Keep positive aspects of that culture)

3. PROMOTE. Take a positive attitude about our country.- We avoid jokes or negative comments about our country,

culture, and government.- We patronize local products, local talents and tourist

spots.   

B. Serving our country - being model citizens. (Rom 13:1-8)

1. We obey the laws of the land.- By simply following the traffic laws, pedestrian crossings.- This includes the laws and regulations of our schools.

(We do not look for loopholes to cheat our school - we come to class at the time the school says we should).

- We should help in furthering the vision and mission of our government and schools especially if our school is Catholic/Christian. (However, this also means that we have to speak up when our country/ government begins to adopt unchristian policies that are against life, family and God like abortion, divorce, etc.)

2. Being aware and actively taking part in the affairs of our country. Be vigilant in what is happening in our country.

- If we are of voting age - we should exercise this right at every opportunity.

- Condemn corruption in government and society without condemning the government and society itself. We could always be part of the solution and not add to the problem of society, by

22

being agents of change through the simple ways of not engaging to bribery of traffic enforcers.

3. Use our talents, time, skills, and abilities to serve our country. We could always volunteer in our barangays whenever they need help in the activities or events they are organizing. The things we learn in our community can be shared to our neighbors as well.

III. Loving our country also means loving the poor.

Mt. 22:39 “Love your neighbor.”

A. Loving the poor.        1. Love the poor like Jesus did.

As we all know, the poor is very dear to Jesus. We can read from the bible that Jesus Himself lived among the poor. He even chose the poor to be His disciples, shared His teachings to the poor and even allowed them to witness the miracles He performs.

2. Love the poor by not treating them as second-class citizen.Each person bears the image of God and is loved by God. If we love God,

then we must love those whom He loves. (1 John 4:20)

B.    Serving with the poor.

1. In CFC, Gawad Kalinga (GK) is a way of serving with the poor. Gawad Kalinga upholds the values of stewardship, the path of peace, love, sacrifice, humility and hard work. GK believes and lives out the following: - Simplicity of lifestyle. (Less for self, more for others, enough for all) - Sharing my resources to help the poor help themselves.

- At least 4 hours in a month to serve in a GK site (Build, CYD, SOCMIN, etc.)

2. Sharing my love for the poor with my family, friends and areas of influence.

3. Our love for all those that God loves, namely our country should give us a greater desire to evangelize. (Mt. 28:18-20)

III. Conclusion

Mt. 22: 15 - 22.

23

God has placed us where we are, according to His purposes, so that we can use their circumstances that surround us to be witnesses for Him.

As we do this, we also become witnesses to the nations, by giving to our country the love, honor and respect it deserves, as responsible citizens, and giving to God our whole lives as true children of God.

When we honor our country, we must honor the poor, when we honor the poor we honored our purpose. Helping the poor people is helping this country to the first world. It is written in the bible that ‘’Faith without action is dead’’. As we believe in God we must also do His will. It is not enough that we pray. What a better way to live a Christ-like life but to be Jesus to other people. Share our lives to them. Share our time, talent and treasure to them. We must allow our faith to be expressed in the way we live our lives.

Memory Verse:

“You are the light of the world ... let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:14,16)

Discussion Starters:

1. What things am I doing that is showing dishonor/disrespect for the country that God has placed me in? How can I correct these?

2. What concrete decision can I make that will help me love, honor and serve my country better?

At this point, the participants are now ready to receive their covenant cards. This would now be the commitment ceremony that would make the participants feel that the covenant of a YFC member is something that should be taken seriously.

The team could prepare an AVP that would show concrete ways of living out the covenant. The music that could be used for the AVP as a reflection song could be SONG OF A SERVANT or I SURRENDER. The covenant cards could now be distributed.

By this time, the participants have a clearer picture of what their covenant with God is. (The reflection song could still be played during this time.) The team leader could advice the participants to sign theircards and ask them to stand just like during the youth camp when the participants accepted God in their lives once again. The team leader reads aloud the main points of the covenant, leading to the PRAISEFEST.

24

The Covenant of a Youth for Christ Member

1. I am special because I am a son / daughter of God.

* I will spend time in prayer where I can grow in loving, honoring and serving Him.* I will learn and grow in living out these ideals and principles of my Lord Jesus.* I believe that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I will not dishonor the Lord through drunkenness, drugs or immorality.* I will participate actively in the life of my Church.

2. My family is God’s gift to me.

* I will love, honor and respect my parents in spite of whatever state or circumstances they are in,* I believe that my blood brothers and sisters are God’s gift to me. I will strive to grow in unity and understanding towards them.* I will be a source of healing to whatever brokeness, or hurt.

3. It is my privilege to be studying in my school.

* I will show love and loyalty to the Lord and to my school by being a good student.* I will take responsibility in my studies.* I will respect school authorities.* I will serve my classmates and build good relationships in school.

4. I belong to the bigger family of CFC Youth for Christ.

* I will relate in love and loyalty to the brothers and sisters from other schools, cities, provinces, states and countries.

* I will serve the Lord in YFC in whatever way I can, whenever / wherever the Lord chooses to call me.

* I will follow the directions of my elders and leaders in YFC.

5. God has a special purpose in allowing me to be born / live in this country

* I commit to love and serve my country with all my heart.* I will honor our culture, our traditions and our values.* I will give the best of myself to bring out the best in my countrymen.* I commit to being a champion of the poor and inspire my family, friends and areas of influence to be the same.

25

* I will strive to preserve and protect the environment.

Loving, Honoring & Serving GodParticipant’s Handout

I. I believe that I am special to GodA. God loves me (Jn. 3:16)B. God forgives my sins (Mt. 26:28)C. I am a son/daughter of God (Gal. 4:7)

II. God is so special to us that He enables us to love Him more than anything else (Mt. 22:37)A. Loving God with all our heart

1. Heart means “core”. We love the Lord with the core of our being - Includes our ideals and principles, and decision2. Loving God entails sacrifice

B. ...with all our soul1. Our souls long for God (Ps. 84: 1-2)2. Practicing the sacraments express our soul longing for God3. Eagerness to serve

C. ...With all our mind1. Includes our thoughts, intentions and learning2. We should grow in our knowledge of Scripture/books about the

Lord3. We must learn how to witness to others about the Lord’s work in our

lives.

III. We will go through times of testingA. Sufferings, trials and doubtsB. Sin will make us feel guiltyC. We will experience dryness in prayer

Discussion Starters:1. How is your relationship with God after the youth camp?2. What more can I do to express my love for God with all my heart, soul and mind?

Memory Verse:“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Mt. 22:37)

26

Loving, Honoring & Serving the FamilyParticipant’s Handout

I. Two things to remember about the family:

A. It is God’s plan (Gen. 1: 21-28; Gen. 2: 18-24; Gen. 7:1)B. The family is under attack

II. Our role in the family

A. To our parents:1. Honor and respect (Ex. 20:12)2. Obedience (Eph. 6:1)3. Respect primarily because they are our parents (Sirach 3:1-15)

B. To our brothers and sisters in the family:1. Seeing our families as God’s gift to us2. Finding opportunities to share

C. Being instruments of healing:1. Loving2. Witnessing3. Praying and interceding for family members4. Serving God with our family

Discussion Starters:1. How can I grow in my relationship with my parents?2. How can I grow in my relationship with my siblings?

Memory Verse:“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

(Joshua 24:15)

Loving , Honoring and Serving Our Brothers and SistersParticipant’s Handout

I. Loving YFC as a family A. Blood relations are often the strongest type of relationships. B. The blood that unites us is the blood of Jesus Himself.

II. Characteristics of family type relationshipsA. CommitmentB. Unity

27

C. LoyaltyD. Love (Mt. 22:39)E. Service

III. Obstacles that hinder us from growing in our relationships with brothers/sisters

A. Fear of rejectionB. PrideC. Cliquishness

IV. Our love for God and YFC should extend and be expressed in our schoolsA. Being witnessB. Being evangelisticC. Loving our neighbor — our classmates

Memory Verse:

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live in unity.” (Ps. 133:1)

Loving, Honoring and Serving Country Participant’s Handout

I. Introduction - God’s Purpose (Jer. 1:5)

II. Loving, Honoring and Serving Our Country

A. Showing our country honor and respect. 1. Avoid treating our country like one big trashcan/toilet. 2. Take pride in our heritage.

3. Take a positive attitude about our country.

B. Serving our country - being model citizens. ( Rom 13:1-8) 1. Obeying the laws of the land. 2. Being aware and actively taking part in the affairs of our

country.

C. Loving our country means loving the poor. Mt. 22:39 1.Love the Poor as God loves them.2.Serve the Poor through GK

3.The desire to evangelize. (Mt. 28:18-20)

Memory Verse:

28

“You are the light of the world ... let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:14,16)

Discussion Starters:1. What things am I doing that shows dishonor or disrespect to the country that

God has placed me in? How can I correct these?2. What concrete decision can I make that will help me love, honor and serve

my country better?

29