Talk No. 2: What is CLP?

Bro. Law Manimtim

INTRODUCTION• A. You're all familiar with the CLP, having gone through one.

But now you're on the giving rather than receiving end.

• B. The CLP is the initiations course leading into a life in the Holy Spirit. More specifically, it is the entry point into Couples For Christ (CFC).

GOALS OF THE CLPThe CLP is evangelism. It is proclamation

of the gospel.

The CLP is to draw couples into a renewed commitment to the Lord, to experience the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

GOALS OF THE CLPRenewal is on three levels:

1. the individual2. the family3. the church

STRUCTURE AND CONTENTThe CLP, excluding the orientation session, is

for a total of 12 weeks. It is divided into 3 months of 4 talks each.

Go over each of the modules, 12 talks and 2 one to one meetings describing the content and showing the flow from one to the next.

See the writeup on “The CLP of the CFC”.

CONTENTS OF THE CLP

Module No. 1: THE BASIC TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY

1. God's Love 2. Who is Jesus Christ?3. What it means to be a Christian4. Repentance and Faith

The CLP proper is divided into three modules of four sessions each. They are as follows:

CONTENTS OF THE CLPModule No. 2:

THE AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN LIFE 5. The Christian Ideal: Loving God6. Loving Your Neighbor7. The Christian Family8. Life in the Holy Spirit

CONTENTS OF THE CLPModule No. 3:

LIVING A SPIRIT FILLED CHRISTIAN LIFE‑9. Receiving the Power of the Holy Spirit10. Growing in the Spirit11. The Life and Mission of the Couples of Christ12. Transformation in Christ

STRUCTURE AND CONTENTThe Lord's Day celebration at the end of CLP:

1. It is an opportunity to experience the Lord's Day.

2. It is a time of fellowship and sharing.3. Announcement of groupings.

DYNAMICSEach session, except for the ninth and twelfth talks, follows the following format:

30 minutes arrival, fellowship, practice of songs‑ 5 15 minutes ‑ opening song, prayer, remarks‑ 45 minutes talk‑ 45 minutes discussion groups‑ 20 40 minutes ‑ fellowship‑ 5 minutes announcement and closing prayer‑

Thus the sessions would normally last about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

DYNAMICSHandouts are given out to participants at the

end of each talk.They include a brief talk outline, a discussion

starter, dailyScripture readings for the week, and

recommended additional readings.

ATTENDANCEThe CLP is open to all Christian couples who are

validly married, or to unmarried couples who have no impediment to becoming validly married.

The CLP is open to Catholics and non Catholic‑ Christians, and occasionally to non Christians (the ‑

latter subject to the approval of the Chapter Head). Participants need not have any current religious or

spiritual involvement.

ATTENDANCE

Being an integrated course, with one talk building on another, participants should attend all sessions.

If unavoidable, absences are allowed. Not more than one in the first module. Not more than 3 overall. Make-up sessions for absences.

THE TEAMThe team members are above all witnesses.

They are men and women who are living the life of the Holy Spirit and who can witness to its reality and effectiveness for themselves.

People should not only see the life in them but also learn about it from them.

It is essential for the team members to be faithful and reliable.

THE TEAMAnd in order to be faithful, one has to have certain characteristics:

1. He has to be growing in commitment to the Lord and to the life and mission of CFC.

2. He has to be committed to the renewal of individuals in the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. He has to be committed to his part in the CLP.

THE TEAM LEADERHe oversees the entire program. He focuses

his attention on the participants and the dynamics of the CLP.

He cares for the team members and helps them to better serve the Lord.

He should get to know everyone in the program by name and be available to them to some degree.

THE TEAM LEADER

THE TEAM LEADER’S WIFEShe listens with a special ear to the

sensitivities and peculiarities being reported at the women’s discussion groups.

She supports and advises her husband (team leader) in addressing and meeting the needs of the women in the CLP.

CONCLUSIONA. We need both faith and faithfulness. • - Faith, that we are doing God's work. • - Faithfulness, to our own part in God's work. • - study and prepare • - be punctual • - be a person who can be counted on • - be dedicated to your service • - have the heart of a servant.

CONCLUSIONb. We need to be living witnesses to our new

life in the Holy Spirit. The participants are looking at us. It's a big effect on them to see selfless caring, wholehearted service, unrestricted love, and brotherly interaction.

c. You too will grow and receive blessings. Expect the Lord to work powerfully in your life.

during the CLP • Ask the Lord for something!

Thank you and God bless.