COUPLES FOR CHRIST

COVENANT ORIENTATION
The Covenant Orientation (CO) is part of the first-year formation program for all CFC members.
It is given three months after the Christian Life Program (CLP). It is a require !ourse for all CFC
members.
The CO is normally offere as a one-ay re!olle!tion. It fo!uses on the most basi! elements of
our !ovenant in CFC.
Goals of the course
". To e#poun on the meaning an importan!e of our !ovenant in CFC.
$. To e#poun on the more basi! elements of this !ovenant.
%. To eepen the !ommitment of CFC members to their life an !alling in CFC.
Topics of the talks
". Our !ovenant in CFC
$. Prayer an &!ripture
%. &trengthening family life
'. Our Christian !ulture in CFC
Scheule
()%* am +rrival an fello,ship
-)** Introu!tion
-)". /orship
-)'. Tal0 "
"*)%* Personal refle!tion
"")** 1rea0
"")". Tal0 $
"$)** nn Personal refle!tion
"$)%* pm Lun!h brea0
")". /orship
")'. Tal0 %
$)%* Personal refle!tion
%)** 1rea0
%)". Tal0 '
')** Personal refle!tion
')%* Open forum
.)%* Closing prayer
"
Resource perso!s
". 2e!olle!tion master (in !harge of ,hole ay)
$. /orship leaer
%. &pea0ers
'. 3ler for open forum (preferably a Chapter 4ea5 if not6 a more senior 7nit 4ea).
.. 8usi! ministry
9. &ervi!e team
CFC PFO. 2evise :uly .6 "--' ($9 pages)
$
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
Guieli!es for "I!trouctio!"
". /el!ome the parti!ipants.
$. 1rief re!ap of the CFC first-year formation program an the pla!e of this re!olle!tion in it.
%. &!heule for the ay.
'. Times for personal refle!tion.
; + ay of re!olle!tion. &ilen!e shoul be maintaine uring the times of personal
refle!tion.
; 8aintain a prayerful attitue. 8eitate on the tea!hings an their appli!ability to your
life an !alling in CFC.
; <ote o,n your questions for the open forum.
.. 3#hortation.
; Openness to the Lor.
; + time of gra!e an a step for,ar in your relationship ,ith =o in an through CFC.
%
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
Talk No# $ % OUR COVENANT IN CFC
E&pa!e Outli!e
A# I!trouctio!#
". In CFC ,e en!ounter the ,or >!ovenant>.
a) +fter the CLP6 as a !onition for membership in CFC6 ,e entere into the >Covenant
of the Couples for Christ>.
b) +s ,e rea the 1ible6 ,e fin out that its t,o parts6 the Ol Testament an the <e,
Testament6 are !ovenants.
!) +ll Christians a!tually have a !ovenant ,ith =o by virtue of baptism.
) +lso6 as bapti?e Christians6 ,e have a !ovenant relationship ,ith one another. /e
have a !ommitment of loyalty6 unity6 servi!e.
$. /e nee to unerstan more about our !ovenant.
a) It is at the heart of ,here ,e are at right no,.
b) /e nee to appre!iate the !on!rete situation ,hi!h allo,s us to live out our !ovenant.
'# (hat is a co)e!a!t*
". + !ovenant is a solemn agreement bet,een parties through ,hi!h they !ommit themselves
to !ertain relationships6 tas0s6 obligations or ,ays of living.
$. T,o types of !ovenant relationships.
a) 1et,een parties equal in po,er an position.
; =en $")$$-%$. +braham an +bimele!h.
; " &am "()"6%-'. @avi an :onathan.
; 8arriage partners.
b) 1et,een parties unequal in po,er an position.
; In this !ase6 it is unilaterally besto,e by the greater on the lesser.
; 3.g.6 a !onqueror ,ith his ne, subAe!ts. 4e provies military prote!tion ,hile
e#a!ting loyalty an tribute.
'
; =o an 4is people.
%. Covenant agreements o not Aust bin persons to something outsie themselves (e.g.6 a
business !ontra!t). 2ather6 the parties are boun in a personal ,ay. /hat is establishe is
a signifi!ant family-li0e relationship bet,een the agreeing parties.
; =en ".. =o ,ith +braham.
; =en %")''-.'. Laban an :a!ob.
C# So+e i+porta!t ,asic truths fro+ the Ol Testa+e!t#
". Covenant B treaty or !ontra!t ,hi!h establishe a relationship bet,een t,o parties an
boun them together.
a) Conitions an !lauses ,ere important6 but more important ,as that ,hi!h these ,ere
meant to safeguar) a lasting relationship.
b) Through the !ovenant6 =o an 4is people are Aoine together.
$. The !ovenant ,as not a treaty bet,een equals6 but bet,een a mighty person an a lesser
person.
a) It ,as bet,een =o +lmighty an a people o,ing their e#isten!e to 4im.
b) It ,as issue by the stronger 0ing at his initiative. The ol !ovenant ,as initiate by
=o.
%. The !ontents of the !ovenant.
a) 7sually began ,ith an introu!tion in ,hi!h the mighty 0ing ientifie himself as the
one initiating the treaty an then pro!eee to summari?e the history of the relationship
bet,een the t,o parties6 ,ith emphasis on ,hat the mighty 0ing ha alreay one for
the lesser party.
; @eut .)9 an 3# $*)$. Introu!tion to Ten Commanments.
; =o free the people first6 then entere into a !ovenant (=o i not give the
!ommanments first6 then free the people if they obeye).
; Our !ovenant ,ith =o is base on ,hat 4e has one for us6 an only se!onarily
on ,hat ,e o in response.
b) <e#t liste ,hat the ,ea0er party neee to o.
; The obligations flo, from ,hat the other ha alreay one.
; Ten Commanments. @eut .)C-$".
.
; +ll other !ommanments are part of our !ovenant.
!) Con!lue ,ith a list of blessings (if obey) an !urses (if isobey). @eut $(.
; 1rea0ing =oDs !ommanments B brea0ing our relationship ,ith 4im. There are
!onsequen!es.
; 1eing faithful B blessings6 promise lan.
-# Ne. Testa+e!t teachi!/#
". =o ,ants to ma0e a !ovenant ,ith us an enter into a personal relationship ,ith us.
a) :esus !ame to bring about a ne, !ovenant.
; L0 $$)$*. :n 9).9.
b) The <e, Covenant is not merely a matter of obeying a set of la,s6 but of entering into
a living relationship ,ith :esus.
$. +s ,ith the ol !ovenant6 the ne, !ovenant is not an agreement bet,een equals6 an is not
one on our initiative. 2ather6 =o a!te first by sening :esus.
%. +ll that =o as0s of us flo,s from ,hat =o has alreay one for us.
a) " :n ')"-.
b) =oDs !ommans are ta0en in the light of 4is a!tion in :esus.
; :n "%)".6%'. + ne, !ommanment of love. :esusD e#ample.
'. There are also blessings an !urses. Our response has eternal !onsequen!es.
E# Our respo!se#
$# 0! $1%12314# Co++a!+e!t of the !e. co)e!a!t#
a) 1ut in the Chur!h toay6 there is a tenen!y to interpret this as a !all to love all men
an ,omen.
b) True ,e must love everyone6 but the <e, Testament istinguishes bet,een love for
those ,ho are not Christians an the !ovenant love of Christian brethren.
; =al 9)"*. It is important to note the istin!tion an have a spe!ial love for our
brethren.
5# 6a!7 Christia! /roups are u!successful ,ecause%
9
a) Their moels are se!ular in nature.
; @emo!rati?ation of personal relationships. 8aAority rule.
; +im is self-fulfillment. Promotes selfishness.
; Priority of personal inepenen!e6 of iniviual freeom.
; 2elationships pro!ee from feelings.
b) 2elationships are not base on a !ovenant.
!) There is no authority to oversee the relationships.
) There is no !ommon life6 no signifi!ant relationships ,ithin the boy.
1# The 'i,lical +oel for relatio!ships#
a) Li0e a family.
; 8embership in one boy6 interepenen!e6 unity6 !ommon life.
; Loving relationships (brotherhoo an sisterhoo)6 sharing.
; +uthority an orer.
b) If so6 there are pra!ti!al nees)
; <ee to e#press !ommitment an love to a spe!ifi!6 !on!rete group of people.
; <ee for su!h group of people to learn a spe!ifi! set of relating an living out their
!ommitments.
2# The !ature of our co++it+e!t#
a) /e are to love an serve =o.
; /e are to be =oDs o,n servant people.
b) /e are to love an serve one another.
; /e are no longer our o,n masters.
; /e are to lay o,n our lives for one another.
; Pra!ti!ally6 ,e shoul be ,illing to meet our brethrenDs nees ,ith our personal
resour!es.
!) /e are to live our lives in true righteousness an holiness.
) /e are to be a people that the Lor !an use as a boy.
; 4ave unity6 orer6 pea!e6 support for our !ommon life.
e) /e are to be light an leaven to the ,orl.
C
4# Practical co!sieratio!s#
/hen people agree to put their lives in !ommon6 the follo,ing are ne!essary)
a) Clearly spelle out !ommitments.
; Thus our ,ritten !ovenant.
b) +n authority to govern the boy an oversee the set of relationships.
; Our pastoral stru!ture of househol6 unit an !hapter leaers.
; Our overall governing an pastoral authorities) the CFC Coun!il an the 1oar of
Trustees.
!) Ta0ing responsibility for one another an for our !ommon life.
; <ot Aust the responsibility of the leaers6 but of every member.
; Corre!tion6 inter!ession6 finan!ial help6 et!.
) + visible !ommon life.
; Our various meetings an events.
F# Co!clusio!#
". The Ol an <e, Testaments are =oDs ol an ne, efforts to establish a relationship ,ith
4is people.
$. CFC is a vehi!le6 an opportunity by ,hi!h ,e !an respon fully to =o.
(
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
Talk No# $ % OUR COVENANT IN CFC
Participa!t8s Ha!out
". + !ovenant is a solemn agreement bet,een parties through ,hi!h they !ommit themselves to
!ertain relationship6 tas0s6 obligations or ,ays of living.
; Covenant agreements o not Aust bin persons to something outsie themselves. 2ather6
the parties are boun in a personal ,ay6 in a family-li0e relationship.
$. =o ,ants to ma0e a !ovenant ,ith us an enter into a personal relationship ,ith us. L0
$$)$*. :n 9).9.
; The <e, Covenant is not merely a matter of obeying a set of la,s6 but of entering into a
living relationship ,ith :esus.
%. Our response) :n "%)%'-%..
'. The nature of our !ommitment.
; Love an serve =o.
; Love an serve one another.
; Live our lives in true righteousness an holiness.
; 1e a people the Lor !an use as a boy.
; 1e light an leaven to the ,orl.
.. /hen people put their lives in !ommon (li0e us in CFC)6 some elements are ne!essary)
; Clearly spelle out !ommitments. Thus our !ovenant in CFC.
; +n authority to govern the boy an the !ommon life.
; Ta0ing responsibility for one another.
; + visible !ommon life.
Perso!al reflectio!
". 4o, has =o initiate a relationship ,ith meE 4o, have I responeE
$. 4o, !an CFC help me in living out my !ovenant ,ith =o an ,ith 4is peopleE
-
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
Talk No# 5 % PRA9ER AN- SCRIPTURE
E&pa!e Outli!e
A# I!trouctio!#
". Prayer an &!ripture are !ru!ial tools to gro,th in the Christian life.
$. /e nee to 0no, =o an 4is ,ays more. The most basi! ,ays ,e !an o this are by
!ommuni!ating ire!tly ,ith 4im (prayer) an by stuying 4is ,or (&!ripture).
%. In CFC6 ,e !ommit to a aily personal prayer time an to a aily reaing of the 1ible.
'# So+e reaso!s .h7 .e o !ot ha)e a perso!al pra7er ti+e#
". I alreay go to Chur!h servi!es (8ass) an thatDs enough.
a) /hat ,e are spea0ing about is personal prayer time.
; +lone by ourselves ,ith =o.
; This is ne!essary for us to evelop a eep intimate personal relationship ,ith :esus.
b) 8ass6 rosary6 novena6 et!.6 are all means of prayer. 4o,ever6 ,e must not negle!t
personal prayer.
$. La!0 of unerstaning about prayer.
a) 8ost of us may have been taught to pray early in our !hilhoo. 1ut ,hat ,e may not
have learne is ,hy ,e shoul pray.
; 8ost see prayer as Aust as0ing =o for things.
b) Prayer for us shoul be a means of !ommuni!ating ,ith =o an establishing a
personal relationship ,ith 4im.
; +s ,e !ommuni!ate6 ,e get to 0no, =o more6 an thus have the basis for loving
4im more.
%. I onDt have the time.
a) /e have a lot of time for the many ifferent things ,e o in life.
; Our problem is not la!0 of time6 but our attitue.
; If ,e !onsiere prayer important enough6 ,e ,oul fin the time.
"*
b) Let us as0 ourselves t,o questions)
; If I ,ere not too busy ,or0ing6 ,oul I be busy prayingE
; If =o gave me some e#tra hours toay6 ,ill I automati!ally allo!ate it to personal
prayerE
'. I am un,orthy.
a) &ome may be so fille ,ith guilt ue to our sins an ,ea0nesses that ,e !reate a
feeling of un,orthiness to !ome before the Lor.
; Fes6 ,e are un,orthy to enter into the presen!e of a holy =o.
; 1ut ,e have forgiveness for our sins through the bloo of :esus. /e are restore to
our relationship as !hilren of =o.
b) The evil ,oul al,ays try to !onvin!e us of our un,orthiness.
; /e shoul not allo, &atanDs lies to 0eep us from the intima!y =o esires to have
,ith us.
!) 2emember that as long as there is a esire to pray6 it is a !lear sign of the LorDs
proing us to spen time ,ith 4im.
; The Lor ,ill not plant this esire only to frustrate us. 4e ,oul never lea us to
see0 something ,hi!h is impossible.
; Thus even ,hen ,e feel un,orthy6 ,e shoul Aust pray.
.. It is too iffi!ult.
a) The iffi!ulty is often of our o,n ma0ing.
; /e e#pe!t too mu!h from ourselves6 imposing a heavy buren.
; /e raise up as a stanar the lofty prayer times of others.
b) Prayer is really very simple) it is !oming into the presen!e of a loving =o an
allo,ing 4im to love us an tou!h our lives.
!) Te!hniques !an help6 moels !an guie6 but it boils o,n to our very o,n personal
relationship6 one in our o,n personal ,ay.
C# (hat shoul .e o*
". 8a0e a !ommitment to pray at a s!heule time.
""
a) @e!ie ,hen is prime time for the Lor.
; /hen ,oul I be most alert or attune to fello,ship ,ith =oE
; This is not simply left-over time.
b) If possible6 ma0e this your regular prayer time ea!h ay of the ,ee0.
; =etting into this >routine> of prayer ma0es it easier to pray faithfully every ay.
; 1e fle#ible in ma0ing aAustments if ne!essary ue to your varie ,ee0ly s!heule.
!) @efen this time of prayer.
$. If you are Aust starting to pray6 start ,ith a short time of prayer.
a) Our !ovenant !ar mentions at least ". minutes.
; 1ut if you ,oul still fin this long6 then start ,ith ,hat you ,oul be !omfortable
,ith an !an sustain.
; +gain6 ,e are not legalisti!ally !on!erne about the amount of time6 but are after
your eveloping a personal relationship ,ith =o. The length of time ,ill gro, as
this happens.
b) &pen more time as you gro, in prayer.
; Fou ,ill fin that ". minutes ,ill be very short.
%. Loo0 for the right pla!e ,here you ,ill not be istra!te.
a) :esusD e#ample. L0 .)"95 L0 9)"$5 8t "')$%-$'a5 80 ")%..
b) :esusD instru!tion. 8t 9)9a.
!) /e o,e =o our univie attention.
'. 2esolve to be open to the inspiration of the 4oly &pirit.
a) Te!hniques6 li0e +CT&6 are all right6 as long as ,e are not lo!0e in to them.
b) 1e open to variety in the 4oly &pirit.
; Guiet vs e#pressive.
; @ifferent physi!al postures.
; &pea0ing an listening.
; Praying in tongues.
"$
!) The goal is not >to pray ,ell>6 but to enter into !ommunion ,ith =o.
.. @eal ,ith obsta!les to prayer.
a) +n#ieties an !on!erns that istra!t us.
; Hno, that you are !oming into the presen!e of your loving Father6 /ho is able to
provie ri!hly for all your nees.
; Inter!ee for your !on!erns an leave these in =oDs hans.
b) Too mu!h !on!ern about the quality of our prayer.
; =o is not !on!erne about our te!hnique or the loftiness of our prayers6 but simply
,ith our esire to be in !ommunion ,ith 4im.
; Prayer is the simple reality of a !hil !oming into the presen!e of hisIher Father.
; The 4oly &pirit ,ill help us. 2om ()$9.
!) @ryness.
; &piritual ryness in prayer an even in our Christian life may happen. It is normal
an nothing to be alarme about.
; &ometimes ryness !omes from =o 4imself. 4e see0s to fin out if our
faithfulness !omes from the !onsolation an Aoy ,e e#perien!e in prayer6 or simply
from the reality of being in 4is presen!e.
; Thus ,e shoul Aust persevere in prayer through times of ryness. Prayer is our
!ommitment6 not Aust an emotional e#perien!e.
) @iffi!ulty in listening or hearing the Lor.
; Prayer is not Aust tal0ing to =o6 but listening to 4im. /e listen in the silen!e of
hearts.
; Prayer is not Aust as0ing =o for things6 but allo,ing 4im to form our hearts an
our mins.
; 1ut perhaps our human nature ma0es it easier to tal0 an harer to listen. /e nee
to learn ho, to o both.
-# Scripture a! i!spiratio!al reai!/#
". +sie from aily personal prayer6 ,e also nee to rea an meitate on the /or of =o.
"%
a) The 1ible is our boo0 of ,isom for living a &pirit-fille Christian life.
b) The 1ible has po,er to !onvi!t us an !hange our lives. 4eb ')"$-"%.
!) The 1ible !an inspire an strengthen us as ,e fa!e the iffi!ulties of life.
; Frequently6 our 1ible reaing ,ill lea us to passages that spea0 ire!tly an
personally to our situation.
$. It is re!ommene that ,e in!orporate our 1ible reaing into our aily prayer time.
a) The t,o are intera!tive.
b) + useful tool is to use a &!ripture-base aily prayer guie6 li0e >=oDs /or Toay>.
%. /e shoul spen some other time uring the ,ee0 to stuy the 1ible.
'. /e shoul rea Christian boo0s.
a) /e re!ommen reaing one Christian boo0 every month.
E# Co!clusio!#
". + la!0 of a regular prayer time refle!ts a la!0 of faithfulness to the Lor.
$. /hen ,e negle!t prayer6 ,e ,ill reap the !onsequen!es in the form of a po,erless
Christian life6 evoi of pea!e an ire!tion.
%. If ,e pray an rea the 1ible6 ,e tap on to =oDs po,er.
"'
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
Talk No# 5 % PRA9ER AN- SCRIPTURE
Participa!t8s Ha!out
". Prayer an &!ripture are !ru!ial tools to gro,th in the Christian life.
$. 2easons for not having a personal prayer time.
a) I alreay go to Chur!h servi!es an thatDs enough.
b) La!0 of unerstaning about prayer.
!) I onDt have the time.
) I am un,orthy.
e) It is too iffi!ult.
%. /hat ,e shoul o)
a) 8a0e a !ommitment to pray at a s!heule time.
b) &tart ,ith a short time of prayer.
!) Loo0 for the right pla!e.
) 1e open to the inspiration of the 4oly &pirit.
e) @eal ,ith obsta!les to prayer.
; +n#ieties an !on!erns.
; Con!ern about the quality of prayer.
; @ryness.
; @iffi!ulty in listening.
'. +sie from aily personal prayer6 ,e also nee to rea an meitate on the 1ible.
a) /e !an in!orporate 1ible reaing into our aily prayer time.
b) /e nee to set asie some other time uring the ,ee0 to stuy the 1ible.
.. /e shoul also rea Christian boo0s.
a) 2e!ommenation) one boo0 every month
Perso!al reflectio!
". 4ave I been faithful to my !ommitment (CFC !ovenant) to pray an rea the 1ible everyayE
$. 3#press your love for the Lor an your esire to 0no, 4im more through prayer an 4is
/or.
".
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
Talk No# 1 % STRENGTHENING FA6IL9 LIFE
E&pa!e Outli!e
A# I!trouctio!#

". CFC is a Christian family life rene,al ministry.
a) /e ,ant to support not Aust !ouples6 but to strengthen our families as ,ell.
b) The strength of our families in CFC ,ill etermine the e#tent that the lor !an use us
for 4is purposes.
$. The family is the basi! unit of so!iety.
a) The !onition of iniviual families ,ill etermine the !onition of so!iety as a ,hole.
b) Our ,or0 of strengthening family life is the best ,ay for us to ,or0 for the moral
regeneration of so!iety.
'# (a7s of stre!/the!i!/ fa+il7 life#
". 7nerstan better the meaning of our !ommitment to our spouse in marriage.
a) 8arriage is a relationship of !ommitment an servi!e.
; It is not base merely on emotion6 but on !ovenant fielity.
; Commitment an servi!e means entrusting oneself !ompletely to the other. It is
enying oneself for the goo of the other.
b) /e nee to re!ogni?e that ,e are first !ommitte to =o. Therefore6 our feelings6 li0es
an isli0es6 an our ,ill are all suborinate to =oDs ,ill an plan for us.
!) @uring moments of iffi!ulty6 ,e !an turn to the Lor.
; /e re!ogni?e that =o is the ar!hite!t of our marriage6 an 0no,s ho, best for it
to ,or0.
; 8t "")$(-%*
$. Live more fully the prin!iples of Christian personal relationships.
a) 1efore ,e are husban an ,ife6 ,e are brother an sister in the Lor.
"9
; Christian marriage is Aust one 0in of Christian personal relationship.
; +s in any Christian relationship6 ,e ought to manifest in our aily living the fruit
of the &pirit. /e are to love an serve ea!h other6 to hanle our feelings in the
right ,ay6 an so on.
; The husbanDs an ,ifeDs living out the <e, Testament tea!hing on personal
!hara!ter an relationships ,ill be a large part of their faithfulness in living out
their !ommitment to ea!h other as spouses.
b) The eman of Christians personal relationships is more than Aust the pra!ti!e of
human virtues. /e are !alle to un!onitional love an servi!e.
; 8t .)''-'(.
%. 8a0e the home a !enter of family life.
a) In many families6 the relationship bet,een parents an !hilren is mu!h ,ea0er than it
shoul be.
; Parents are not suffi!iently available to their !hilren. They are often preo!!upie
an ina!!essible6 physi!ally or phy!hologi!ally.
; Chilren are resistant to ire!tion an inifferent to parentsD ,ishes6 values an
beliefs.

b) One reason is be!ause the home is no longer a !enter of ,or06 eu!ation6 an !are of
the si!0 an age.
; Consequently it is no longer full of a!tivities that are essential for life an ,hi!h
involve parents an !hilren together.
!) Thus families shoul evelop opportunities to e#pan the range of tas0s an servi!es
an a!tivities in the home in ,ays that bring parents an !hilren together.
; /e must ma0e our home not merely a physi!al stru!ture6 but a pla!e ,here family
members e#perien!e love6 ,armth6 en!ouragement.
; Parents nee to ma0e a e!ision to bring ba!0 life in the home an ma0e time for it
(e.g.6 family meals6 family re!reation6 share !hores6 et!..).
; The important element is not so mu!h the a!tivity itself6 but the quality an
evelopment of relationships.
'. Intera!t ,ith Christian families.
a) <ot only has parent-!hil intera!tion in the home been reu!e6 but intera!tion
bet,een the generations outsie the home has also e!line.
"C
; In employment6 eu!ational an re!reational settings6 people are pla!e ,ith their
age peers an are isolate from people ,ho are mu!h oler or younger.
; The separate ,orls of !hilren. youth6 aults an the elerly ra, family members
out of the home into is!onne!te so!ial groupings.
; This in turn is a maAor !ontributor to the ,ea0ening of the parent-!hil relationship6
espe!ially parentsD ability to train their !hilren on!e they rea!h s!hool age.
b) Thus Christian families shoul fin ,ays to share their lives ,ith one another.
; 1y ,or0ing together6 having a so!ial life together6 an helping one another in
pra!ti!al ,ays that involve people of various ages.
; &ome pra!ti!al a!tivities) Aoint LorDs @ay !elebration6 going on va!ation together6
family outings6 et!.
!) /e alreay are in su!h a net,or0 of families in CFC.
; /ith our Family 8inistries (something for everyone in the family)6 ,e !an have
more a!tivities together.
; /e 0no, ,e o not stan alone in our esire to strengthen Christian family living.
.) 3#er!ise greater !ontrol over the family use of meia an of time.
a) 8any families o not eal strongly enough ,ith the intrusion of meia. 8ass meia
have almost unlimite a!!ess to many families.
; The formation of young mins is given over to the information an entertainment
inustries.
; +lso6 meia ampens family a!tivity an !ommuni!ation.
b) /e shoul monitor an !ontrol the flo, of boo0s6 maga?ines6 !omi!s6 re!ors6 raio
an television programs in our home.
; @e!ie ,hat is allo,e into the home.
; @e!ie ho, mu!h is allo,e (e.g6 hours of TJ).
!) =iven also the s!ar!ity of time together6 ,e must set priorities an !ontrol our time
a!!oringly.
; Parents an !hilren shoul not get overly involve in their o,n respe!tive
a!tivities that they no longer have quality family time together.
; /e also nee to be !reative in eveloping family re!reation. Our purpose here
"(
,oul be entertainment6 rela#ation6 fun6 !amaraerie6 training an evelopment for
family members.
9. @evelop Christian peer environments for young people.
a) +ge-peer environments are important.
; Peer groups are a po,erful for!e in the lives of young people.
; /e o not see0 to avoi these6 but to reire!t them.
b) /e shoul strive to get our !hilren into our family ministries.
; They ,ill evelop strong supportive relationships ,ith their o,n peers.
; /e ,ill have a real alternative to the often intensely se!ular peer environments that
are not Christian in orientation.
; They ,ill be tie intimately into the life of the larger boy (CFC).
C. 1e!ome pastors of our !hilren.

a) Parents must ,or0 a!tively to train an form their !hilren in Christian faith an
!hara!ter.
b) The ultimate goal of raising an training our !hilren is not to ma0e them ,hat ,e
,ant them to be6 but to help them fulfill their =o-given estiny.
; Our goal is to train them for life6 imbue ,ith Christian ieals an values. /e
shoul give them our Christian heritage.
; Our e#ample) the Israelites. @eut 9)$*-$..
!) /e must be etermine to ,rest the initiative from s!hool6 peers an the meia.

) Prayer is essential.

; Personal as ,ell as family prayer.
C. Con!lusion.
". Pope :ohn Paul II in Familiaris Consortio) >The future of humanity passes by ,ay of the
family>.
$. /e nee to strengthen Christian family life6 in orer to efen =oDs !reation6 an to
rene, the fa!e of the earth.
"-
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
TAL: NO# 1 % STRENGTHENING FA6IL9 LIFE
Participa!t8s Ha!out
/ays of strengthening family life)
". 7nerstan better the meaning of our !ommitment to our spouse in marriage.
; 8arriage is a relationship of !ommitment an servi!e.
; /e are first !ommitte to =o6 an therefore are suborinate to =oDs ,ill an plan for
us.
$. Live more fully the prin!iples of Christian personal relationships.
; 4usban an ,ife are brother an sister in the Lor.
; /e pra!ti!e not only human virtues6 but are !alle to un!onitional love an servi!e.
%. 8a0e the home a !enter of family life.
'. Intera!t ,ith other Christian families.
; Our net,or0 of families in CFC.
.. 3#er!ise greater !ontrol over the family use of meia an of time.
9. @evelop Christian peer environments for young people.
; Our Family 8inistries in CFC.
C. 1e!ome pastors of our !hilren.
; Train an form !hilren in Christian faith an !hara!ter.
; /rest the initiative from s!hool6 peers an meia.
; Prayer is essential.
Perso!al Reflectio!
". +m I builing up my family life in a!!oran!e ,ith Christian prin!iplesE
$. Lor6 forgive me in the ,ays I have been remiss. =rant me the gra!e to start over an be able
to raise up my family for you.
$*
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
Talk No# 2 % OUR CHRISTIAN CULTURE IN CFC
E&pa!e Outli!e
A# I!trouctio!#
". /e have a !ovenant ,ith =o an ,ith one another. /e are to be 4is people6 an our lives
are to refle!t our intimate relationship ,ith 4im.
$. 8ore spe!ifi!ally6 ,e are !alle together in CFC to live out a !ommon life. Part of this life
is a istin!t !ulture as Christians in general an as CFC in parti!ular.
'# The Ne. Testa+e!t teachi!/#
". /hat i =o o for usE Col ")"%.
a) From ar0ness to =oDs 0ingom.
b) Christians6 be!ause of their ne, birth in Christ6 are to be a ne, people6 =oDs people6
,ith a ne, ,ay of life ,hi!h is in harmony ,ith =oDs nature an purposes.
$. /hat is our responseE 3ph ')"C-"(.
a) Involve in this transfer of 0ingoms is a !on!rete !hange in behavior. 3ph ')$$-$'.
b) &piritual ignoran!e alienates people from the life of =o an results in a !orrupte ,ay
of life. 3ph ')"(-"-.
; The form of human !ulture epens on spiritual relationship ,ith =o. If ,e o
not e#pli!itly a!0no,lege an obey the one true =o6 it ,ill !ontain istortions of
true righteousness6 an ,ill oftentimes result in immoral pra!ti!es.
%. Our ne, ientity as Christians. " Pet $)--""a.
a) From ar0ness to light.
b) On!e no people6 no, =oDs people.
!) +lso6 ,e are strangers an in e#ile.
; /e live in the mist of other people ,hose ,ay of life is ifferent from us.
; /e are >resient aliens>6 subAe!t to the la,s of a !ountry but also a >nation apart>6
boun by a separate istri!t !ulture.
$"
C# (hat is a culture*
". Culture B the ,ay of life of a people.
a) It is the sum total of attaine an learne behavior patterns of a people6 regare as
e#pressing a traitional ,ay of life. It is the sum total of ,hat ma0es a people ,hat
they are.
b) Culture in!lues a peopleDs beliefs6 values6 so!ial stru!tures6 !ustoms an e#pressions.
$. Christianity is a !ulture.
a) +s a natural !onsequen!e of Christian beliefs an values6 Christians ought to have a
istin!tively Christian ,ay of life that refle!ts an supports su!h values an beliefs.
; /e ought to be istinguishable from other ,orlly !ultures. In fa!t6 Christianity is
a !ounter-!ulture.
b) /e !an be Christian an Filipino (or Inian6 +ustralian6 et!.). 1ut ,e are Christians
first an foremost.
-# Our Christia! culture i! CFC#
". CFC is a Christian !ommunity ,ith istin!tive beliefs6 values an patters of life.
a) Of !ourse6 our basi! Christian beliefs an values are those hel in !ommon by all
orthoo# Christians.
; 1eliefs) :esus is Lor6 life after eath6 et!.
; Jalues) /hat ,e !onsier esirable6 e.g.6 loyalty6 epenability6 ignity of life6 et!.
b) In aition6 ,e stress the importan!e of marriage an family life.
$. Our >statement of mission> provies our ire!tion an the rationale for our e#isten!e.
a) The family is a !reation of =o an =o ,ants us to rise in efense of 4is ,or0.
b) /e are to bring families ba!0 to the plan of =o.
%. Our >statement of philosophy> !ontains the beliefs an ieals of CFC6 ,hi!h govern our
thrust an mission.
a) 8arriage is inissoluble an is !reate by =o for love an pro!reation.
b) 1oth husban an ,ife have equal personal ,orth an ignity. =oDs orer for the
family is e#presse in roles6 ,ith man as hea an ,oman as helpmate.
$$
!) Parents are responsible for the eu!ation of !hilren.
) The family shares in the life an mission of the Chur!h.
; Prayers
; 3vangeli?ation
; &ervi!e to others
e) Christian family rene,al is best a!hieve through the po,er of the 4oly &pirit an the
full use of all !harismati! gifts.
E# E&pressio!s of Christia! culture i! CFC#
". The ,ay ,e relate to one another.
a) 4onor an respe!t.

; This is as befits ea!h oneDs ignity as a !hil of =o.
; /e are one family6 brothers an sisters in the Lor.
b) Loyalty an !ommitment.
; /e shoul be loyal an !ommitte to one another an to the boy. /e are to loo0
out for the goo of the other.
; /e shoul resolve !onfli!ts in the Lor.
e) Christian spee!h.
; Our spee!h is of tremenous importan!e for the life of the boy. Prov "()$"a.
; /e are to avoi slaner6 gossip an negative humor.
; Our spee!h must be gra!ious. Col ')9. 3ph ')$-.
- 3#press praise an affe!tion.
- Corre!t ,ith mee0ness.
- Communi!ate faith an Aoy.
- &ho, !ourtesy.
) Our goal in the ,ay ,e relate is to buil one another up in love6 an to buil up the
boy6 CFC. 3ph ')".-"9.
$. Faith. /e are to be men an ,omen of faith.
a) /hat is faithE 4eb "")".
$%
; 4ave the faith of our an!estors (4eb "")'-'*).
b) /e !an epen on ivine provien!e. L0 "$)$$-%".
!) :esus is our fo!us. 4eb "$)$a.
%. Prayer an &!ripture.
a) /e are to have a aily !onversation ,ith =o.
; 3ph 9)"(. Col ')$.
b) /e are to re!eive ,isom6 guian!e an life from =oDs /or.
; Col %)"9a. 4eb ')"$.
'. Orer in the family.
a) The Christian family is at the very !enter of =oDs plan.
; +s the basi! unit of so!iety6 the !onition of families ,ill etermine the !onition
of so!ieties.
b) /e nee to strengthen the family.
; =oDs orer) heaship an submission. 3ph .)$$-$..
; /e are to fulfill our responsibilities in the Lor.
- 4usban) govern6 provie6 prote!t.
- /ife) partner6 support6 homema0er.
- Parents) raise !hilren in the Lor. 3ph 9)'.
; +l,ays have :esus at the !enter of family life.
.. Life as a boy.
a) /e are one boy6 ,ith a !ommon life.
; <ot iniviualisti!6 but brethren.
; <ot pursue holiness Aust iniviually6 but also !orporately.
b) One !on!rete e#pression is the househol.
; + !on!rete manifestation of being >family>.
; Our ,ee0ly >spiritual filling station>.
$'
; + pla!e to truly love our brethren.
!) 2espe!t for orer an authority in the boy.
; /e nee orer an authority for the boy to fun!tion effe!tively.
; The Lor pla!es various people in positions of authority. /e are to obey an
respe!t them. 4eb "%)"C.
) Christian finan!e.
; /e have a !ommon responsibility to support =oDs ,or0.
; /e are to ma0e available to the Lor not Aust our time an our talents6 but also our
treasure.
; CFCDs ,or0 is supporte by the free,ill !ontributions of its members. /hile
giving money to CFC is not a requirement for membership6 ,e are en!ourage to
be generous.
F# Co!clusio!#
". CFC is one boy throughout the ,orl6 ,ith one vision6 one mission6 an also one !ulture.
$. =o ,ants to !reate a ne, humanity6 one that ,oul live 4is life on earth. /e are to be
,itnesses to 4is ,or0 in our lives.
%. Our response ,ill etermine the effe!tiveness of our ,itness. Our positive response ,ill
0eep us unite an ,ill enable the Lor to use us for mission.
$.
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
COVENANT ORIENTATION
Talk No# 2 % OUR CHRISTIAN CULTURE IN CFC
Participa!t8s Ha!out
". The <e, Testament tea!hing on Christian !ulture.
a) /hat i =o o for usE Col ")"%.
b) /hat is our responseE 3ph ')"C-"(.
!) Our ne, ientity as Christians. " Pet $)--""a.
$. Culture is the ,ay of life of a people. It in!lues a peopleDs beliefs6 values6 so!ial stru!tures6
!ustoms an e#pressions.
%. Christianity is a !ulture.
a) +s CFC6 our basi! beliefs an values are those hel in !ommon by all orthoo# Christians.
In aition6 ,e stress the importan!e of marriage an family life.
b) Our >statement of mission>) efen the family an bring families ba!0 to the plan of =o.
!) Our >statement of philosophy>.
'. 3#pressions of Christian !ulture in CFC.
a) The ,ay ,e relate to one another.
; 4onor an respe!t.
; Loyalty an !ommitment.
; Christian spee!h.
b) /e are to be men an ,omen of faith.
!) Prayer an &!ripture.
) Orer in the family.
e) Life as a boy.
; One boy6 ,ith a !ommon life.
; 4ousehols.
; 2espe!t for orer an authority.
; Christian finan!e.
Perso!al reflectio!
". Is my life a refle!tion of a Christianity ,hi!h is a !ounter-!ulture to the ,orlDs ,aysE
$. +m I trying to live out faithfully the !ulture of CFC in all its various e#pressionsE
$9