(2006 Edition)
Chapter 1: Organizing a CFC Youth for Christ Youth Camp
THE YOUTH CAMP
The entry point to the Youth for Christ (YFC), the Young Adults Program of the Couples for Christ (CFC), is the Youth Camp. It is a three-day live-in camp usually conducted during the summer or semester break to officially bring teenagers and/or young adults into YFC.
To fully appreciate the value of the Youth Camp and to make the most out of it, it must be seen not just as a three-day experience where the teenagers can have fun, (although this is also important), but in the light of the overall objectives of the Youth Camp, so that the youth can develop to be joyful, responsible and fruitful men and women of God. We should realize that the camp is not an end in itself or an annual diversion for teenagers that will give them something to do during the summer or semester break, but it is the beginning of what will, hopefully, be a lifetime commitment to God.
It is the place where they will hear the Word of God proclaimed by other young adults like themselves in an environment of fun and excitement, where they do not experience any form of pressure from adults.
It is the place where they can form friendships with one another through sports, games and as they share ideas and experiences, and entertain one another in a wholesome environment where Christian values are talked about and are actively practiced.
It is the place where they will be stimulated and encouraged to develop their gifts and potentials for leadership as they are exposed to other young adults who are actively involved in serving them as speakers, facilitators, sports and games coordinators, and other services that are essential to the life of the Youth Camp.
CHALLENGES
For the Youth Camp to be successful, it is important for the team to be aware of the challenges that they will face.
1. Many teenagers will come to the camp due to parental pressure encouragement. Many will come with the idea that the activity will be dull and boring, and that it will be a waste of time. This is reinforced when people refer to the Youth Camp as simply a Life in the Spirit Seminar or LSS which makes it sound too serious and unexciting to the ordinary, normal young adult or teenager. Besides, this is really a misnomer because the LSS is just one of the many key elements of the Youth Camp.
2. The participants will be meeting a lot of people for the first time. Teenagers act normally and openly in the company of friends but take a while to warm up to new faces. Having a Service Team of friendly and warm young adults at the time when the participants start coming in will help make them feel at ease and welcome.
3. Some of the young adults will be difficult. Some of them may even have serious addictions to drugs and alcohol. Others will come with a rebellious spirit, while others may be harboring serious resentments towards their parents and other people. For this reason, a responsible Couple Coordinator need always be present during the Camp.
4. Many teenagers will find difficulty in committing to the Lord, to YFC, and to the whole new way of life that is being offered to them. There will be a real fear of giving up a lot of
their attachments to their established set of friends and to the regular activities that they are accustomed to. This poses a real challenge to the team in as much as making the Youth Camp fun and exciting, and to always manifest a joyful and friendly spirit. The team must also come up with activities that appeal to and challenge young adults who are full of energy and spirit.
YOUTH CAMP OBJECTIVES
To plan effectively, it is important for the team to understand both the short-term and the long-term objectives of the Youth Camp.
Short-Term Objectives
1. To make the Youth Camp a fun, exciting and life-giving experience to the young adult.
2. To help the young adults undergo a "conversion to Christ" experience.
3. To help the young adult experience healing and reconciliation with the immediate members of their family, especially their parents.
4. To give the young adults the opportunity to make new friends in a wholesome environment.
5. To expose the participants to young people of their age who find joy and fulfillment in serving the Lord, and in serving them.
Long-Term Objectives
1. To make the Youth Camp the start of a life-long process of conversion and transformation in the life of the young adult.
a. By joining YFC, the young adults are placed in a support environment where they can be sustained in their Christian lives.
b. By joining YFC, they can sustain and develop the friendships that were established during the camp.
c. The young adults can also be supported in the renewed relationships that they have with their parents and the other members of their family.
2. To create a desire, as well as a real opportunity to develop the gifts and talents of these young adults in serving the Lord and other young adults in future Youth Camps.
3. Hopefully, the positive experience of the Youth Camp will remain a special memory that the young adult may look back to and draw strength from throughout his or her life.
IMPORTANT CONDITIONS
Given the above objectives, both short and long-term, it is important to make the following conditions in planning and conducting YFC Youth Camps.
1. It is the entry point to the CFC Youth For Christ Ministry. It should not be conducted if there is no intention to invite the participants into YFC (although, it is possible for some of them to decide not to). This is just to preclude the possibility of making the Youth Camp an end in itself. This is the same condition that is true for the CLP (Christian Life Program) of Couple for Christ. The CLP, or Youth Camp for that matter, is not conducted unless there is a real intent to establish CFC, or YFC or to integrate those who graduate to existing CFC groups.
2. It is possible to invite children of non-CFC members to the Youth Camp and for them to eventually join YFC provided:
a. A real effort is made to invite children of CFC members to the Youth Camp first, and that there are still available slots for children of non-CFC members. In case of space limitations, children of CFC members are given priority.
b. Priority may be given to non-CFC members if the team is able to determine that there is a real need for the individual to join the program as deliberated by the team leader responsible and the YFC Couple coordinator with the guidance of the CFC Area Head.
(NOTE : An example of giving priority to individuals whose parents are not in CFC are the camps within the campus based program of YFC).
3. The ideal site of a Youth Camp is a retreat area or a camp site where the young adultscan stay in without disturbances from the outside or where they can also be prevented from sneaking out. The team should be sensitive to the financial means of the participants who will be attending the camp.
a. It is possible to use school facilities during semestral and summer breaks, and for the food to be catered by CFC members if this will significantly reduce the cost of the Youth Camp.
b. It is possible to raise funds within the chapter or area, to help defray the cost of those who do not have the means to pay the full amount in the Youth Camp.
c. The usual rule in CFC applies that no one should be deprived of experiencing the Lord in any official activity because He of She does not have the means to pay.
4. Only young adults whose parents give written consent and are willing to support the activities of the camp (like writing letters to their children) will be admitted to the camp. If the camp is in a site where there is an opportunity for the young adults to go swimming (e.g. beach, lake, or pool) or mountain climbing, a special written consent from the parents should be presented before the team should allow the young adults to engage in these activities.
If possible, a parents forum should be conducted before the Youth Camp, where the team may be able to explain the objectives, activities, schedule, rules, provisions within the camp, as well as mention areas of concern in which the parents can extend their support.
Normally, the team members serving in the Youth Camp are not expected to pay for their accommodations. But, if they have the means, and they would like to help, their payments may be accepted.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. The initiative to organize the Youth Camp starts with the Area’s YFC Couple Coordinator.They can organize just for their area of responsibility if they have enough young adults, or in cooperation with other YFC Couple Coordinators for a joint Youth Camp.
a. They start by getting the approval of the CFC leader in their area.
b. They survey their area and come up with a list of prospective participants.
c. They work out the dates and details, such as venue of the Youth Camp.
d. They form the team of YFC members that will serve ---- these include the Youth Team Leader and his Assistant, Speakers, Facilitators, Music Ministry, and Servant.
2. In the Camp, the Couple Coordinator allows the Youth Team Leader and Assistant, as well as the members of the Service Team, to lead the activities. The Couple Coordinator stays in the background to provide support, direction and protection over the team.
3. Normally, the members of the team who stay in with the participants are the Couple Coordinators, the Youth Team Leader and his Assistant, the Camp Servant and the Facilitators. Other members of the team may stay in, if they offer to pay for their accommodations or if there are enough funds to pay for them. They are, however, expected to be in all the sessions and activities throughout the camp, even if they choose to sleep out.
4. During the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the team may ask support from other YFC members.
Note : The use of couples or parents in the praying-over for baptism is discouraged.
5. Parents, one of both, are expected to send letters to their young adults and to come during the Parent-Youth Dialogue and Dedication ceremony on the last day of the camp.
6. A no-smoking and no-drinking rule will be observed by the participants, the Couple Coordinator and the other members of the team, for the duration of the camp.
7. No participants will be allowed to leave the camp without the expressed consent of the parents. In the event of a sneak-out by any of the participants, the parents shall be informed immediately.
Chapter 2: Youth Camp Team Leaders Guide
YOUTH CAMP GENERAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
DAY 1
5:00 - 5:30 PM : Service team meeting
5:30 - 6:30 : Arrival/ Registration
6:30 - 6:45 : Gather/ Teaching of songs
6:45 - 7:00 : Orientation of participants
(by team leader)
: Orientation to parents
(by Couple Coordinator)
7:00 - 8:00 : Dinner
8:00 - 8:30 : Gathering of participants/ Teaching of songs
8:30 - 8:35 : Opening Prayer
8:35 - 8:45 : Energizer/ Games
8:45 - 9:25 : TALK 1- GOD'S LOVE AND HIS PLAN
FOR US
9:25 - 9:55 : Discussion Groups
9:55 - 10:00 : Announcements/ Closing song (if desired)
10:00- 11:0 : Informal Fellowship
11:00 : Lights out
DAY 2
6:00 - 7:00 AM : Wake up call
7:00 - 8:00 : Teaching of Songs (One Slow and one Fast)
8:00 - 8:30 : Common Prayer Time (include reflection)
8:30 - 8:50 : Gathering participants
Opening Song and Prayer
8:50 - 9:30 : TALK 2- WHO IS JESUS CHRIST TO ME?
9:30 - 10:00 : Discussion Groups
10:00- 10:30 : Break
10:30- 10:45 : Gathering of participants/ Opening Song and Prayer
10:45- 11:25 : TALK 3- REPENTANCE, FAITH, HEALING, AND FORGIVENESS
Sharers (2)
11:25- 12:00 : Activity (to be done together in session area)
12:00- 1:00 : LUNCH
1:00 - 1:30 : Gathering and teaching of songs (One slow
and one fast)/ Orientation of Facilitators for one to ones session
1:30 - 2:00 Exhortation for the letter writing (Being a source
of unity to the family)
2:00 - 4:00 Confession (a must)/One to Ones Session
4:00 - 5:00 Talents Talk/Workshop(in preparation for Saturday night)
5:00 - 6:30 Rest/ Fresh-up/ Tongues Workshop
6:30 - 7:30 : Dinner
7:30 - 8:00 : Gathering of Participants/Opening Prayers
8:00 - 8:45 : TALK 4- RECEIVING GOD'S GIFT: THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
8:45 - 9:00 : Commitment to Christ Ceremony
9:00 -10:00 : Pray over session/ Worship Orientation
10:00 - 10:15 : Group Worship
10:15 - 10:30 : Closing Exhortation
10:30 - 11:00 : Preparation for program
11:00 - 12:00 : Program
12:00 : Informal Fellowship (Participants may stay up, although they should respect those who are asleep. Therefore, silence should be maintained.)
DAY 3
7:00 - 8:00 : Breakfast
8:00 - 8:15 : Gather/ Teach Songs
8:15 - 8:45 : Worship / Common Prayer Time
8:45 - 10:00 : TALK 5- GROWING IN THE SPIRIT / LIFE AND MISSION OF YFC
Parent’s Forum led by Couple Coordinator or FTPW
10:00 - 10:30 : Dialogue with Parents
10:30 - 10:45 : Pray over session
10:45 - 11:15 : Dedication Ceremony
Sharing of Participants
11:15 - 11:30 : Preparation for Mass
11:30 - 12:30 : MASS
12:30 - : Lunch (if available)
DAY 3 Alternate Schedule
7:00 - 8:00 AM : Wake up call
8:00 - 9:00 : Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 : Common Prayer time
10:00- 12:00 : Games
12:00- 1:00 : Lunch
1:00 - 1:15 : Gathering of participants / Teaching of songs
1:15 - 1:30 : Worship
1:30 - 2:00 : TALK 5- GROWING IN THE SPIRIT / LIFE AND
MISSION OF YFC
2:00 - 2:30 : Dialogue with Parents
2:30 - 2:45 : Pray over Session
2:45 - 3:15 : Dedication Ceremony
: Sharing of Participants
3:15 - 3:30 : Preparation for Mass
3:30 - 4:30 : MASS
4:30 - 5:00 : Pack-up
5:00 : HOME SWEET HOME
Note : The schedules written in this manual are guides for the Youth Camp Service Team. If circumstances call for a different schedule, the team should be flexible enough to follow as the Spirit leads
GOALS OF THE YOUTH CAMP
The Youth camp should:
1. Introduce the person of Jesus to the participants
2. Encourage the participants to invite Jesus into their lives
3. Invite the participants into the support environment of YFC
4. Introduce the 7 Pillars of YFC to the participants
HOW TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS
These goals should be achieved through the four F principle of the YFC program as implemented in the camp activities;
1. Fun
The camp contains activities that young people enjoy (e.g. games, songs, talents workshop, entertainment, video presentations, skits, bonfire - optional, etc.)
2. Friendship
The camp provides opportunities to strengthen old friendships and make new ones. (The team leader initiates these by encouraging the team to get to know one another and mingle with the participants).
Note : Many times, people join YFC (placing themselves in an environment where they can grow in their faith) initially because of friendships they make in the camps, or because of the faith of a friend in YFC.
3. Freedom
Nothing is ever imposed on the participants. This principle springs from the basic belief that Christianity can only be lived out if it begins with an individuals personal decision to follow Christ (e.g. during pray-over session, we don’t force the participants to commit to Christ)
4. Faith
The camp provides the participants a lot of opportunities to learn more about Jesus and grow in their Faith(e.g. prayers, worship, talks, discussion groups)
ATTITUDES OF A TEAM LEADER
1. The Team Leader should strive to be a person of vision
a. He must at least understand by heart the 7 Pillars of YFC
b. He sees that the Youth Camp is not an end in itself but rather the beginning of a process of growth.
c. He knows that follow up must be done after the camp (Covenant Orientation etc.) and begins to make arrangements for this with the Couple Coordinator.
Note : For new areas where there is no local YFC Chapter, he makes arrangements for YFC to be set up. (The team leader therefore should be always ready with training manuals, especially when going on mission).
d. He is always on the look-out for potential leaders and points them out to the Couple Coordinators of the area.
2. The Team Leader should strive for clarity
a. He makes sure that others see what he sees
b. As the one who will actually be speaking to the participants, he clarifies and makes sure that his co - team leader, the Couple Coordinator/ School Coordinator and the team have the same understanding that he has about circumstances in the camp.
c. He finds ways to make the participants relate to the talks and sharing. These are done through jokes, anecdotes, examples in current movie and music trends and illustrates these in terms familiar to the participants.
3. The Team Leader should strive to have a heart for God and His people
a. He listens to the Lord.
- He prepares spiritually before the camp ( confession, prayer, and fasting)
- He constantly intercedes and consults the Lord throughout the camp.
b. He has a feel for the people.
- Mingles and relates with the team.
- Mingles and relates with the participants.
c. He Loves the people He serves.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TEAM LEADERS
1. Each Youth Camp has two team leaders; a brother and a sister.
a. The brother Team leader leads the sessions
- Leads prayers, worship, introduces the speakers.
- Wraps up, summarizes, emphasizes points for clarity
- While the talk is in progress, he should sit in front to listen to the talk.
- Leads the Dedication Ceremony.
b. The sister Team leader is there to respond to the needs of the sisters and provides input in planning and conducting the camp.
- The sister always stays in front so she can remind the brother team leader of things that should have been said or coordinate with him on practical and pastoral matters.
Note: In the same way, there are also two camp servants; one for the brothers and the other for the sisters,
Have one camp servant sit near the team leaders for more effective coordination. The other camp servant should be at the back, ready to bring input from the Couple Coordinator.
c. Both team leaders work in consultation with each other for unity and provide focus for the team.
d. Both team leaders should be prepared to give any of the five talks.
e. Makes sure that the Camp Schedule is followed.
- Start and end the sessions on time
- Let the speaker know when the time is up.
2. The team leaders give input regarding practical and pastoral matters to the Couple Coordinator and/or School Coordinator.
3. The team leaders lead the team
a. Facilitate the youth team meetings
- Listens to input from the team
- Gives instructions to the team / receives instructions from the Couple Coordinator
- Leads worship ( in cases where the group is mixed, the brother always leads)
b. Make sure that the team knows what to do and actually does it.
- Runs through the regular activities with the team before hand ( e.g. one to ones, pray- over session, tongues workshop ).
- Goes around during one to ones and baptism
- Regularly supports and instructs the camp servants
c. Correct the team.
- Corrects both the group as a whole or approaches individuals in the team for more personal matters.
- Corrects the participants through the facilitators.
Note: In situations that are highly personal, correction is done one to one, brother to brother, sister to sister.
The Couple Coordinator should course his corrections towards the youth through the team leaders.
d. Encourages the team
- Exhorts
- Takes every opportunity to commend them.
e. Gives advice to the members of the team.
4. Assist the Speakers
a. Makes sure they get to the camp on time
b. Helps the Speaker in preparing for the talk (i.e. Pointing out the “practical tips in giving talks” found in Chapter 3 of this manual).
c. Lets the Speaker know if time is “up” for the talk.
5. Makes sure that the four F’s (fun, friendship, freedom & faith) are used properly.
6. Make sure that the 7 Pillars of YFC is in the heart of respective activities in the camp.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUPLE COORDINATOR IN THE YOUTH CAMP
1. They must have a close coordination with the team leader before, during, and after the camp
2. They should coordinate with the CFC Chapter in the area about the camp
3. They should act as parents to everyone in the camp
4. The Couple Coordinator needs to follow up the parents that they should really go to the youth camp.
5. Conduct the Parents Forum
6. They must be in charge of the liturgy (including the choir & the logistics).
7. Be an example in speech and in conduct to the youth
8. Intercede for the whole youth camp
Note : One of these initial team meetings may be used for Youth Camp Training if the Couple Coordinator and/or tram leaders feel that this is necessary.
PRACTICAL MATTERS TO ATTEND TO
Pre Camp :
1. Conduct initial meetings between Youth Leaders and Couple Coordinators and/or school administrators.
a. Set expectations for the camp
b. Make suggestions for camp assignments
c. Set a youth camp training at least 1 week before the camp
2. The team leaders, coordinators, and camp facility administrators should clarify and agree on Camp rules ( e.g. curfews, and entertainment activities, bonfire, types of prayers -- Pray over session, noise level etc..).
3. Plan follow up activities to the camp
Notes :
• Make sure that you will be able announce at least one follow up activity to the participants after the camp.
6. Set the next team meetings team to;
a. Exhort/Encourage the team to prepare both physically & spiritually
b. Go through schedule of the camp
c. Give out assignments (You may ask for volunteers)
d. Intercession for the camp
Note:
• Decide on team assignments (facilitators, speakers, sharers etc.)
Speaker’s Profile:
• Talk no. 3 speakers should have integrity and conviction in advocating 100% PURE program.
• Talk no. 4 speaker should be a brother except for the all girls camp.
• Talk no. 5 speaker should be a well-experienced Kasangga member. His/ her growth in YFC should be very evident in his service and life. He/ She should be a person who walks his/ her talk.
Sharer’s Profile:
• For Talk no. 5, it should be someone who really used the tools in his/ her growth towards holiness. (1 boy and 1 girl; one of them should have recently graduated in a Youth Camp)
• The team should go to confession before the youth camp.
• Limit the number of service team. (It is more effective to have few equipped service team than a large crowd so that every one has a chance to serve and not just to visit the camp.)
The coordinator should set the time and place for these meetings.
Be at the campsite early to intercede and have an ocular inspection of the place. Conduct worship and binding and casting upon arrival of the service team on the camp site.
Camp Proper
Things to consider:
• Upon the arrival of the participants, there should be a welcome committee to assist them going to their respective rooms then to the session hall for registration.
• Be sure to make the participants fill up the info sheets (2x2 pictures should be submitted together with the info sheets for documentation purposes)
• IDs should be given before the sessions start and should be collected after the day
• It is required that there will be a Youth Camp Kit/ Journal that is standard.
• There should be a separate rooms for boys and girls
• Service teams must share the same room with the participants to control things that should be addressed. (lights off, vices, wake-up call etc.)
• Meaning of songs should be explained
• It is suggested to have at least one game/energizer/ice breaker before the session.
(Suggested games: Do you love me? Bahay-Baboy-Bagyo, Rabbit-Archer-Wall)
• The presence of a Coordinator/ elder is required in the whole duration of the camp.
• Make sure that there is more than 1 participant in every youth camp.
• It is highly recommended to have a creative presentation in every talk except Talk 4
Note: You can have a prepared AVP, skit, dance etc. (see annex)
• It will be better if the whole service team will under go confession before serving in the youth camp.
• Ideally, the priest should be scheduled a month before the Youth Camp.
For Session 4:
• Candles are not compulsory.
• No need for rosary and bible during pray-over.
• Doesn’t have to turn off the lights.
• Conduct pray over session in a conducive and lighted room.
• Prayer warriors should pray until the end of the pray- over session.
• Dress decently.
• Must have a crucifix inside the session hall.
• During pray- over session, DGLs must not leave the place unattended.
• Speaker must be a brother, unless in an all girls camp.
1. General Pattern of sessions:
Gathering/Teaching of songs
(Note: Suggested songs to be taught at the start: My Life, God is Enough)
Ice breaker
Prayer (worship)
Introduction/ Connection of Talks
Talk
Sharing
Wrap up/ summary
Discussion Groups/Activity
2. The Sessions and their purpose
a. Orientation Session
- Sets the tone for the camp
- Clarifies expectations and the house rules.
b. Talk 1: God’s Love and His Plan for Us
- Makes the participants aware of the truth that God loves them. The talk also leaves them with the challenge to respond to this love.
c. Common Prayer Time
- Allows the participants to experience what having a personal prayer time is like.
- After a brief explanation of this activity, one or two songs may be sung to help make the participants see the importance of singing in giving worship to God
- For reflection, the participants may be asked to read scripture readings that will help them recall the first talk (i.e. John 3:16; Psalm 139: Jeremiah 6:16). Ask the participants to write down their reflections.
- Explain ACTS during the common prayer time.
Note : It is during this time that the “Scribbles Prayer Journal” should be introduced.
d. Talk 2: Who is Jesus Christ to Me?
- Makes the participants aware that Jesus is alive in our lives, that he is someone we can know in a personal way and that He is inviting us to have a personal relationship with Him.
e. Talk 3: Repentance, Faith, Healing and Forgiveness
- Helps the participants become aware that sin and hurts in our lives become obstacles for us to experience God’s love. The talk helps the participants realize that a personal relationship with Jesus can only happen when we first admit and become sorry for our sins, repent and forgive those who have hurt us.
Activity: Team Leader leads the participants to make 2 lists (list of people who hurt them & list of people whom they hurt) they are then led to forgive those in the first list and asks forgiveness for the second list. After, the participants may be encouraged to write a letter to their parents for the same purpose. The team leader can make sure that this letter is completed during the third day’s prayer time.
f. The Team Meeting
The Team Leader - leads the team in worship and intercession
- gives feedback
- gives inputs for the Baptism session
- leads prayer for empowerment
g. Talk 4: Receiving the Power of the Holy Spirit
- Impresses the need for the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide our lives and clarifies how we can experience this power personally during the pray-overs.
h. Program and Christian Entertainment
- The program is used as a time of celebration after the participants have received the Holy Spirit. This also becomes a good venue for building strong and lasting friendships among the youth.
- Encourage both participants and service team to prepare presentation numbers that are brief and wholesome. For this evening, the curfew is often set to a later time.
I. Common Prayer Time for the third day
- Reiterates the importance that the prayer time must be made into a daily habit.
- The reflection activity for this prayer time may be used to finish the participants’ letters to their parents.
j. Talk 5: Growing in the Spirit, Dedication to the Life and Mission of CFC Youth for Christ.
- Equips the participants with the knowledge of how to grow in their relationship with God.
- The session should be conducted in a prayer meeting format (there should be full worship before the session). This further imparts the YFC culture to the participants in showing what an assembly is like. It is in this session that the participants are asked to join YFC.
Post Camp :
1. The Team Leader should conduct leaders training especially for new areas where structures are not in place (Refer to Fast track Leaders Training)
2. Make sure there are scheduled activities scheduled immediately after the camp the participants to look forward to (e.g. fellowships, assemblies etc.)
3. Prepare the facilitators to become Household Heads (Refer to Household Heads Training Program)
4. Set evaluation meeting with the team and Couple Coordinators
5. There should be a batch picture for Documentation
6. Make sure Completion Report is filled out by the Couple Coordinators.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Purpose of Mingling
1. Becomes basis for determining discussion groups
2. Allows you to relate to the participants/ team and makes you more effective
3. Helps you spot leaders ( among the participants and the team)
4. Evangelistic
5. Builds friendships
Purpose of Seating Arrangement (the ideal arrangement is U shape)
1. It is easier to speak to the audience because distance is cut
2. Removes the formality of a classroom setting
3. Participants end up encouraging one another to be more participative
4. The one speaking in front becomes part of the group.
Purpose of Songs
1. Teaches us to pray, and helps make prayer more enjoyable
2. Because songs are enjoyable, God’s message is received with the least resistance from the participants
3. Makes each activity participative
4. Energizes the sessions (wakes people up)
5. Can be used to emphasize a point in any of the talks/ sharings
6. Used to gather people
Note : The Music ministry should always stay in front.
- To establish rapport with the participants. This makes it easier to teach songs and get the participants to sing.
- Allows better coordination between the music ministry and the team leader
Purpose of Humor
1. Makes participants listen/ enjoy the sessions
2. Establishes support/ interaction between the team leader/ speaker and the participants
3. Makes a point easy to remember
Purpose of Games
1. Makes sessions enjoyable
2. Makes activities participative
3. Energizes the camp
TEAM LEADERS ORIENTATION OUTLINE (To be given by Team Leader before the first session)
I. Welcome the participants
A. Make the atmosphere light and joyful. (Give a joke as an icebreaker.)
B. Make it your goal to help everyone build friendships by the end of the camp. You may ask the participants to mingle for a minute or two for them to get to
know one another.
C. Welcoming Remarks:
1. Introduce yourself as the Team Leader,
2. Introduce the team,
3. Explanation of terms: What is it that they are getting into? What is YFC (Youth for Christ), a Youth Camp?
II. Expectations
A. What the participant may expect
1. Meet new friends
2. Have fun
3. Know more about God and grow close to Him
4. Give a general picture of what the camp will be like (e.g. fun, friends, talk...etc.)
[Note : A lot of people have different expectations about this Camp. Some may know that its something like a Life in the Spirit Seminar. Some expect to cry or have an emotional experience. While some may have no expectations. Others may expect to come to great revelations or may expect to be helped in making big decisions. Although, these may happen, these are not the goals that we are aiming for. Rather, if they come out of this Camp being able to say that they know God a little bit more, that they are closer to Him even more.... them, they have reached the goal of the Camp.]
B. Attitudes to take. (What we expect from the participants)
1. God brought you here.
Whatever reasons you have for being here, it was God who brought you here. He wants to do something in your life during the Camp.
2. Make the most of the Youth Camp.
How much you give of yourselves in this Camp, is how much you will receive.
3. Participate. Don't anticipate.
Don't keep thinking of what might happen next. But rather, participate in the present activity. Pray, when it's time to pray. Sing, when it
's time to sing. Rest, when it's time to rest.
4. Don't analyze or criticize.
Be open to new things.
5. Expect God to work.
If we truly desire Him and seek Him, we shall find Him. This is God's promise.
III. What They Should Know (At this point, the team leader may pass on the microphone to the camp servant, preferably a youth as well, as one who is being trained for leadership, for the following information.)
A. House rules of venue and other related important information. (Get house rules from retreat house and Couple Coordinators)
B. Whom to approach, if the participants need anything
1. Practicalities (e.g. bed sheets, phones, toothpaste)
2. Emergencies (First Aid)
C. It would be helpful to always have a pen, paper/notebook, and a Bible with you during the sessions.
IV. Ask everyone to move into the dining hall for dinner.
Chapter 3: The Youth Camp Talks
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
In this day and age when so many ideas abound and so many different philosophies are taught, the youth are often placed in confusing situations. So many different influences around say what to run after and what to live for. Still in the budding idealism of their young minds, the youth search for the truth that they can believe and live by. So often, however, young people fall into whatever whim their peers invite them into. Whether it be drugs or drinking, being popular, being "in" or just simply living for the moment. Still the thirst is there for the truth -- their hearts restless for God
It is in this situation that the Gospel message should be brought to the youth. A message that speaks of God's love and mercy -- That in our sinfulness, He is always willing to forgive us. And, if we come before Him and place our lives at His feet, our restlessness ends, and we begin to experience a new life with Him. It is this message which the talks in the Youth Camp seek to share.
SHARING THIS MESSAGE IN THE YOUTH CAMP
The Gospel message, however, is so great, so vast and so wonderful that our minds can only begin to comprehend it. Moreover, to explain it thoroughly is hard enough for more knowledgeable Christians to do, what more for young people, who in our case, will explain it to other young people as well. In this perspective, we cannot even begin to teach the Gospel. What we can do, however, is to share it. We don't have to be Biblical Scholars or Church Theologians to share the Gospel with others. All we really need to do is look into our lives, recognize God's work and share what we know with conviction. Then, in our limitations, we will see God working through us, in these talks and the activities of the Youth Camp.
THE GOSPEL AND THE YOUTH CAMP TALKS
To be able to share the Gospel message in an orderly and simple way, its different points were divided into five (5) talks. Each talk helps the speaker impart this message effectively. So as not to compromise nor give an incomplete Gospel, the talks include truths which are basic enough for young people to begin a meaningful journey with God in their Christian lives. Other teachings may then be imparted later, if the participants decide to join YFC. Here are the basic points or truths with their corresponding topics in the Youth Camp.
BASIC GOSPEL TRUTH YOUTH CAMP TALK
God's Love for Mankind; His Plan for * God's Love For Us
Man's Fullness of Life with Him
Introduces the ultimate expression of * Who is Jesus Christ To Me?
God's love -- Jesus Christ
Man’s sin as he turns away from * Repentance, Faith, Healing and
God’s plan Forgiveness
Man's Response: Accepting God's * God's Gift: The Power of the
Invitation and Living as His People Holy Spirit
* Growth Talk/ Life and Vision of YFC
Some of the talks in the Youth Camp have more than one basic Gospel truth included. These truths sometimes even overlap between two or three talks. The talks are given in this way and order so as to help bring the participants through a process where they can make a real and sincere decision to live a life pleasing to God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by the power of His Holy Spirit.
The speaker should be able to realize that each talk, especially the one that he or she will be giving, is part of one message; “God's love reaching out to man and man's choice to respond to this love." (Refer to “The sessions and their Purpose” in Chapter 2 -Team leaders Guide, to see how each talk flows to the next).
The speakers and Youth Camp Service Team should understand this flow to be able to place themselves in the proper position where God can work through what they say and do, in order to effectively help the participants make a decision to know, love and serve Jesus Christ.
FINAL TIPS
1. Married couples are discouraged from giving the talks in the Youth Camp.
We have to recognize the fact that it is easier of young people to be influenced by their peers. No matter how true the message is, and even if the participants thirst for this message, when older people (as in Parent age) speak to the youth, a natural barrier often stands between them and the young people they are speaking to. These speakers represent the parents of the participants -- parents who may have damaged relationships with their children. As a result adult speakers then begin to lose their effectivity in sharing the Gospel to the youth.
2. The speaker should share and not preach.
The world needs witnesses not teachers. Most Youth Camp participants have heard the same message we speak time and time again. What will make these talks different is when they realize that what we are saying is true and concrete because we have actually experienced it.
3. Maintain a light atmosphere.
Feel free to give jokes from time to time. But never to the point of letting them forget the truth and importance of your message.
Often jokes can even be made use of as means to drive at a certain point. In the same way, anecdotes and stories are good means of explaining or stressing certain points in your talk. Make use of stories. The youth like listening to stories. If it is possible to make the points of your outline flow from a story to the next, all the better. Stories keep the interest of young people and allow them to remember points that you made.
4. Speak from the heart with confidence and conviction.
You are speaking of a truth which all men thirst for, including the youth. Therefore speak with conviction, because it they who will benefit from what is being spoken in the camp more than anyone. Speak of the joy of knowing Christ. Speak of the gift that God wants to give. The gift that you yourself are beginning to experience, a new life with Christ, knowing that what Saint Augustine mentions is truth for yourself and everyone else, "Our hearts are restless, until we rest in you, Oh God."
5. The presence of scriptural verses in the talk requires the speaker to prayerfully reflect on the passages before giving the talk. It would be better if these verses are narrated in the speaker’s own words. Reading scripture verses word-for-word takes away eye contact between you and the participants.
6. Listen to / study other speakers
This may help give you ideas in giving your talk
7. Undergo the Speaker’s Workshop (This can be found in the Youth Camp Training Program of YFC).
CFC Youth for Christ
Youth Camp
Talk 1 : God’s Love and His Plan for Us
Expanded Outline
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The Crazy Dream
(NOTE: The crazy dream exercise is done so that the speaker may have an amusing way of making the participants realize God's tremendous love for them. Just as the participants may have their own "crazy dreams" their own nearly impossible hopes of things that are better, God has His own seemingly impossible dream for us, "a plan for a future and a hope" in union with Him. It is this plan for us that may be used to introduce God's love to the participants.)
1. Ask the participants about their greatest ambition or craziest dream. Give them 30 seconds to do this. Allow 3-5 persons to share.
2. Even God has a crazy dream.
(Referring to the "crazy dreams" of the participants.) All of us have our own crazy dreams, but even God has his own "crazy dream". I say this, because like many others, our dreams may seem far out, hard to believe. But then again, He is God, and nothing is impossible with Him. Let's see what God's crazy dream is. (Illustrate creatively, reflect and share the essence of Isaiah 65:17-25)
This is God's crazy dream, His plan for us, "a plan to give us a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11). All because of His great love for us.
B. You may have your own reasons for being here (your friends are here, you want to meet new friends, your parents forced you, you are truly seeking God).
I believe God brought you here, to hear about His love, and His plan in your life.
II. WHY WE ARE NOT EXPERIENCING GOD'S PLAN
* You may be asking. “If God loves us so much, why are our lives and situations so different from what He says His plans are for us?
* Show the disparity between God's plan (Isaiah 65:17-25) and the situation around us.
- on a larger scale: poverty (ex. people are starving), same sex marriage, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, terrorism etc.
- on a local scale: state local issues relevant in your area like drug addiction, corruption, street crime etc.
- in our families: we have broken relationships; some people we know have broken families
A. We experience these sufferings because we choose to.
- They think that they are victims of their circumstances but must emphasize that each of us has a CHOICE. Each of us is given a FREE WILL to choose a response to any given situation, good or bad.
1. (Gen. 3:1-21)
When our first parents chose to disobey, and rebel against God's commands, they chose to turn away form God the source of all life. In doing so, they chose death, and suffering. From the moment this happened, our world that was full of life and blessing began to experience difficulties, pain, suffering, and even death.
2. (Romans 6:23)
Even today, whenever we choose to go against God, (or the authorities He has placed over us, e.g. parents, government and school authorities), we continue to choose the suffering and death that our first parents chose. (Mention specific experiences to bring your point across).
B. God did not end it at that.
God wants us to experience the fullness of life but we continue to follow our own preferences. By choosing to turn away from this promise, God could have just as well chosen to turn away from us, destroy us as we deserve, and create a more faithful people who would gladly accept His love and the life that He offers. Instead, He decided that His love, His mercy should prevail.
1. He began by sending His prophets.
2. John 3:16
Finally, He chose to send His only Son to die for us because He did not want to see us suffer in our sin and die forever.
NOTE: Make use of the diagram to illustrate how Christ bridges the gap that sin creates between God and man.
DIAGRAM:
Sin separates God from man. Christ bridges the separation
GOD MAN GOD JESUS MAN
SIN
III. CONCLUSION
“ God loves everyone of us as if there was but one of us to love.”(St. Augustine)
God has a seemingly insane love for us. A love that would suffer even death on a cross. Even if you were the only one who needed saving, God would do it all for you. Let’s respond to this love. Let’s decide to love God back.
( Note: One way to challenge the participants to respond is to seek God during the camp, to participate, but all the more, to receive God’s love and try to respond by desiring to know about God and to live for Him.)
Lead to a short reflection about the talk.
Suggested Song: Strong Arm or other song that is related to the talk.
Suggested Activity:
1. Opening Video about the current situation.
2. Closing video about Wonderful world that shows all the beauty of all creation and ends with a statement and God made all these truly loves you (90 sec)
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
1. Have a getting to know activity and/or create a name for the group, a chant or a gesture/clap, etc.
2. Share an experience or area of your life where you felt most loved by God.
CFC Youth for Christ
Youth Camp
Talk 2 : Who is Jesus Christ to Me
Expanded Outline
I. INTRODUCTION
When we hear of how great God's love is for us, many of us genuinely want to respond to Him by loving Him back and living a life that's pleasing to Him.
However, it is difficult to live a life pleasing to God, if it lacks the most basic factor, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Living the Christian life by our own strength is impossible. Only the strength we have in Jesus can make this happen.
II. WHO IS JESUS?
A. Impact in History
Did you know that…
• Jesus was born some 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, Judea in the poor country of Palestine.
• Jesus grew up in poor family of carpenters.
• During his 3 years of public life, He challenged the authorities and after a formal trial on charges of rebellion and blasphemy, was put to death at age 33.
• He split History in two (B.C. - Before Christ, and A.D. Anno Domini or Year of our Lord).
• Jesus is one of the most portrayed historical figures in history?
Like most religious leaders in His time, Jesus should have faded into oblivion, forgotten in the pages of history. Yet no other person has
affected history as much as Jesus.
No other person has had as many books and stories written about him. The book that tells His story, the Bible, has been the No. 1 bestseller, of all time.
Until today, Jesus of Nazareth is the most controversial, most popular, most revered and most respected person that ever lived.
There are so many things said about this man. What was He really like?
B. Misconceptions
1. Jesus is strange
Then..
a. Some say he was some freak with new ideas. He said things like, "The first will best..." and "Love your enemies".
b. He wasn't a freak, because so many were attracted to His personality that they left everything to follow Him. (Mark 1:16-20)
2. Jesus as a coward
a. Others perceive him as a coward, a loser who gave into all his persecutions.
b. I wouldn't call Him coward or a loser since He was bold and courageous enough to stand up against he known authorities of His time. (Matthew 23::1-27).
3. Jesus as boring
a. Many say He lived a boring life because He was focused on saving the world and didn’t have any fun or adventure
b. His life wasn’t boring because He met a lot of people and traveled to many different places, performed great miracles, and had many close friends.
4. Jesus unsuccessful leader
a. Others simply say, "He was a very unsuccessful leader -- talented. But unsuccessful. After all, He got himself killed. Didn't he?"
b. Lastly, I would not consider Him unsuccessful, because 2,000 years after He first preached His message, the Christian Faith remains to be the most widely preached and received faith in the world today.
C. The best way to know Jesus is to know who He claimed to be.
He took upon Himself qualities that belonged only to the person of God.
1. He claimed to possess all authority in Heaven and on Earth; a characteristic that only one person can claim to have--God. (refer to Matthew 28:18) Jesus is my Father. As sons and daughters we are heirs to His Kingdom
Nature seemed to believe Him and recognize this authority.
( refer to Luke 8:22-26)
2. He forgave sins; Jesus is my best friend because He accepts me for who I am.
The people during Jesus’ time strongly believed, that only God had the authority to forgive sins. In Luke 5:17-26, Christ showed just what kind of authority he had
3. He claimed to give life (John 5:26) A power that only God has. In times of difficulty I’m able to get through it, because He is my Source of strength and He is always there for me.
Suggested Activity:
1. The speaker will ask the participants to bring out the rock or stone that they got before the session.
2. Ask the participants to form 2 lines facing each other. Making sure that each one has a partner.
3. Place the rock on top of your right palm and use your left hand to support the right hand of your partner until the speakers tells you to let go.
4. Observe how they feel, how they react until they start complaining.
5. Ask one of the service team to collect all the rocks and ask them to go back to their seats.
6. Processing of the activity.
III. OUR RESPONSE
The claims that Christ makes concerning Himself are so great and different from the claims of other great teachers in history (i.e. Buddha, Confucius, and Mohammed), that we just need to stop and seriously consider them because, our acceptance or rejection of these claims greatly affect us.
A. If we begin to realize that the claims that Jesus made are false, then we should forget Christianity altogether and even correct the great hoax that has deceived men for 2000 years.
B. But if deep down we believe that Jesus’ claims are true. . . then we cannot just leave Him in one corner of our lives like most people do.
In fact, we will have to begin to find a way to relate to Jesus as the Mighty God, as the risen Savior that He really is. We will have to follow Him as Lord, and accept that personal relationship He offers us today.
IV. WHO IS JESUS TO ME?
Personal Testimony (3-5 minutes) : The speaker should give a brief sharing on his/her personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
V. CONCLUSION.
God loves you. That's pretty good news, but it gets even better. Not only does He love you, but He wants to have a friendship with you. (John 15:13-15)
Think about it. Jesus Christ wants to have a personal relationship with you. He already knows you, and He wants you to know Him.
Suggested Reflection Song: Above All
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
1. How would you describe your relationship with Jesus now?
2 Who is Jesus to you? What can you do to respond to Jesus invitation of having a personal relationship with Him?
CFC Youth for Christ
Youth Camp
Talk 3 : Repentance, Faith, Healing and Forgiveness
Expanded outline
I. INTRODUCTION
We have just heard of God's love for us, and how it brings us to the point where we just have to decide for ourselves how we should respond to Him.
We have heard how He himself invites us into a personal relationship with Him. In this talk, we will learn how we can begin to do this.
II. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
Creative Skit or AVP depicting various sins of humanity (global and local)
Intro..
Christ began His preaching ministry with these words "The right time has come, the kingdom of God is near, turn away from your sins and believe in the Gospel..." (Mark 1:15), or repent and have faith. Christ used these words because repentance and faith in Christ's message are the first steps we need to take to truly respond to God's love and invitation for us.
A. Repentance
Sinfulness in our lives and the hurts we've experienced are hindrances in coming to Christ and receiving His spirit. This is the reason why Christ called those who came to Him to repentance.
1. Misconceptions about repentance
a. Feeling terrible about yourself
Some people believe that repentance is sincere only when you despise yourself because you're a hopeless sinner.
b. Feeling regret
Repentance brought about only because of the consequence of what was done, and the regret that comes with it.
There is no repentance because the sin was evil, but because of the punishment that will be received because of it. (e.g. Feeling sorry you were caught cheating in an exam. If you weren't caught you wouldn't have been as sorry).
c. Getting rid of all tendencies to sin
Some people think that true repentance can only happen when we are able to rid ourselves of that tendency to sin. But that will never happen. What we can do, however, is to say no to that temptation.
This is the reason why many Catholics don't go to Confession, saying, "Why will I confess when I'm just going to sin again?"
All of these may be effects of repentance but are not repentance in itself. All of these focus on feelings, repentance is much more objective and concrete.
2. What is Repentance?
a. The Greek word for repentance is "metanoia" which literally means change of mind.
b. It is an act of the will, a decision.
c. In this case, it is deciding and to turn away from sin and look towards God.
3. Some sins to repent from:
a. Rebelliousness: to parents, authorities and society. (e.g. answering back to parents, vandalism of others property, cutting classes)
b. Cheating, lying, stealing, cursing, dirty jokes, humiliate and gossip about others.
c. Abuse of alcohol, illegal drugs
d. Gambling or betting
e. Sexual sins: necking, petting, pornography, masturbation, homosexual acts, pre-marital sex etc.
f. Horoscope, feung-sui, yoga, superstition, spiritualism (witchcraft, occult, spirit of coin/glass, ghost-hunting), new age religion (scientology, Masonic temple) non-Christian religions (atheist, Muslims – we will accept them in the community but let the Holy Spirit work for them to embrace the faith) – For consultation with a priest; for PFO to look at.
All of these sins can be translated in the 10 commandments. Examples:
Do not kill not only literally but also in other ways like killing someone’s reputation by slander and gossip.
Do not commit adultery – all sexual acts and those that could lead to sex outside marriage
Note: Give examples that are appropriate to the participants. In some cases, the speaker should be able to explain why these sins are actually wrong. Such as pre - marital sex, gossip and other related things like the stated. These sins have been so widely accepted that people do not see them as immoral anymore.
Note: Speaker can insert at least two sharers between the points.
4. What Must We Do To Repent? (4 H's : Attitudes to take in repentance)
a. Honesty - call sin a sin. (e.g. Some say sin is a growth experience. . . or that cheating during exams is sharing)
b. Humility - Admit you fell into sin because you are weak. You need God to overcome your sins. .
c. Hate the sin - Hate sin and not the sinner. If you hate sin you'll stay away from it and you won't make any justifications for doing it (e.g. "I am just human", "somebody else made me do it").
d. Have a good confession.
Go to confession, it allows you to be humble.
You get sound advice from priests and support from brothers and sisters in Christ when you share your weaknesses to them.
B. Faith
1. We need to have faith that when we come to the Lord in repentance He will forgive us and give us the strength to follow Him.
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see (Heb 11: 1).
a. We place our trust in Christ, believing that He will conquer our sinfulness, that He will forgive us and heal us of our sins.
b. Trusting, committing ourselves to the person of Christ.
2. The characteristics of faith instead of faith that we are talking about is shown in Matthew 14:22-33.
a. Faith is relying on what God said.
When Christ told Peter that he could walk on the water, although he knew it was impossible, he still believed. In the same way, when Christ promises that He will save us from our sins, we should believe that He can and He will.
b. Faith is not just a feeling but is a decision to believe.
Peter acted in spite of fear. He was scared of drowning. Still, he believed in what Christ said that faith is not a feeling but rather a decision that we should make. Faith is deciding to put our trust in Christ.
c. We should accept and believe in Christ as our personal Savior and in His promises. (Acts 16:31, Luke 11:9-11)
III. HEALING AND FORGIVENESS
A. The need for healing
1. When we come before God and respond to Him, we first acknowledge our sinfulness and come before Him in repentance and then in faith, ask for forgiveness.
2. As we do this, we also ask Him to heal us, because these hurts, sinful ways are obstacles which keep us from totally receiving God's grace.
Healing will not be complete if we haven't forgiven those who have hurt us, specially if they're the ones closest to us.
B. Healing through Forgiveness
1. Share how hurts in the different areas of our life listed below can hinder us from drawing near to the Lord, and how forgiveness begins the process of healing.
a. Our parents/ family,
b. Our friends,
c. Others
2. Healing Occurs
a. When we forgive
b. When we ask for forgiveness
c. When we humbly ask God to heal us
d. When we serve others, focus more on helping others “heal” instead of focusing on ourselves
ACTIVITY:
Ask the participants to write down on a piece of paper, the things that they want to give up to God (Sins, People whom you have hurt/have hurt you).
IV. CONCLUSION
God wants us to experience the fullness of life in His love, by knowing Him. However, our sins and hurts block much of His blessings for us.
Christ wants to remove these hindrances and extend His mercy towards us, but we have to do our part and repent from these sins. We need to believe that He will forgive and strengthen us and bring us healing.
Then we can fully receive God's blessing, His Holy Spirit which strengthens us and allows us to live our lives as truly pleasing to God. We will hear more about this in the next talk.
Note : Refer to Team Leaders guide -- “The Sessions and their Purpose” for the activity after this talk
(Suggested song: IGive My All)
CFC Youth for Christ
Youth Camp
Talk 4 : Receiving God’s Gift: The Power of the Holy Spirit
Expanded outline
Note: Should be given 1 hour at the most. Goal of the speaker should make the participants willing to receive the Holy Spirit and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
It would be better if the speaker can illustrate the bible verses of the talk.
I. INTRODUCTION : Christians Today and Before
A.. Christians today:
Christians today can't seem to live as they should; They seem weak, lacking power. (Give examples / illustrate)
However, Christians were not always like that.
B. Christians before:
The Christians in the early Church possessed a certain strength and boldness of character, a power that attracted so many to join this group of fishermen, slaves, Gentiles and Jews.
So many converts from different races, nations, social strata were brought into their fold. By 325 AD, the Emperor of Rome himself became a Christian. And today, it is the largest faith in the world.
What was this power that transformed 12 insignificant men and their brethren into the pillars that established Christendom? It wasn't human might or intellect, it was the Power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that continues to fill and transform the lives of so many Christians today.
II. THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. Misconceptions:
1. God's messenger
2. The dove in Christ's baptism
The Holy Spirit is God, the 3rd Person in the Blessed Trinity.
B. God's promised spirit
1. A New Heart and a New Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
God promised a spirit that will enable all men to follow Him. He promised to give men "A new heart and a new Spirit...”
2. The Valley of the Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37 : 1 – 14)
This story gives us a vision of what the Power of His Holy Spirit can do.
In scriptures, the wind is often used to refer to God’s Sprit. -- God’s Holy Spirit can fill us and bring life, help us live as His sons and daughters.
3. God’s Spirit brings about
a. United with God
When we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we begin a personal and intimate relationship with God. God’s word becomes alive in us as we read scripture. We hear Him speaking to us in our hearts and we experience Him touching our lives.
b. A new you (Galatians 5: 22 - 23)
As we grow in our personal relationship with God, He slowly molds us into His likeness, removing the selfishness in our hearts, making us more loving, more like Jesus.
c. Power to serve ( Acts 1:8)
God’s Spirit empowers us to serve, giving us the boldness to speak His words and making us willing to face the challenge of bringing others to Him, in spite of the difficulties and trials we may face.
(Note: In sharing the 3 points above, the speaker should share his own experiences of these 3 points.)
III. HOW DO WE RECEIVE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-8) Narrate in your own words this passage.
Praying for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit may not be exactly like this event. But we can take certain points from this event to help and guide us in receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
1. We ask. (Luke 11:9-10)
In faith, we know that when we ask for it, it will be given to us.
2. We believe. (Luke 11:13)
We should believe that when we ask for God's Holy Spirit, He will surely give it.
B. What do we specifically as for?
1. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
a. These are gifts that God gives to help us in our Christian lives.
Include the gifts of the Holy Spirit with brief explanation of each gifts, should have a standard list of gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1. Wisdom – is not just good practical judgment or common sense or a high degree of knowledge. The wisdom that is of the Spirit is centered on Jesus.
2. Healing – is the supernatural ability to effect a cure of physical or other human illness through prayer
3. Miracles- is the supernatural ability to perform miraculous act, acts that are not the result of any known natural law or agency but are caused by divine intervention.
4. Prophecy- is the gift by which a person is used by God to speak on his behalf
5. Discernment- is the gift by which a person can recognize the spirit behind a particular situation.
6. Faith- is not just an intellectual belief in God, but a confident assurance in God which allows us to move forward without any doubt at all.
7. Tongues- is a charismatic gift by which a person is able to utter words or sounds which are not known or understandable to his human intellect.
8. Knowledge – is not just knowing a lot of things through study or experience. Knowledge that is of the spirit is the fruit of revelation, founded on faith, and synthesized by Christian experience.
9. Interpretation- is a companion to the gift of tongues, when used for prophecy, and is necessary so that those who hear may understand, and so be edified.
(Each gift should be explained thoroughly by the DGLs during one-to-ones session)
b. Explain especially the Gift of Tongues.
It is a gift of prayer - It is a prayer that only God can understand and only we can speak. Because of this spiritual gift, our souls are able to say what it really wants to express to God.
This spiritual gift pleases God. We humble ourselves when we pray in a language we don't understand. This total humility pleases God.
The gift of tongues becomes a doorway to the other spiritual gifts.
C. Hindrances to receiving the Holy Spirit.
1. “ I am never wrong” (self righteousness)
Sin alienates us from God. When we refuse to be repentant for our sin, we keep ourselves from experiencing God and His Spirit. This is why we need to go to confession.
2. “ Am I worthy?” (self pity)
Everyone is unworthy, what the Lord requires is simply a humble spirit that approaches Him in repentance and asks for forgiveness.
3. “ I am too cool for this” (pride)
keeps us from acknowledging our need for God, and asking Him into our lives, but God will keep on knocking until we're humble enough to ask Him in.
If we're afraid of looking foolish, we must humble ourselves if we are to receive God's Spirit.
Note : People are often willing to look foolish for other reasons, e.g. concerts, basketball games, celebrities. We should be more willing to look foolish for God.
4. “Are you for real?” Doubt
Encourage the participants to focus on what's true. God promised His spirit and He won't go back on His word.
IV. CONCLUSION (This portion may be omitted if the speaker will be conducting the baptism or Pray over Session)
Recall Ezekiel 37:1-14
Living the Christian life seems almost impossible. But we have a hope, a hope in god's promise. . . His Holy Spirit which strengthens us and gives us the gifts we need in order to live as true sons and daughters of God.
Note : Our next activity will be the commitment ceremony and pray over session. Give the participant a general view of what they can expect. The Speaker must ask the participants to stretch and exercise a bit to avoid people sleeping while the session is ongoing.
V. PRAY OVER SESSION EXPLANATION (omit the term Baptism Ceremony)
Note: We recommend that the speaker should conduct the baptism or pray over session.
Delete this section since the speaker will be doing the baptism or pray over session
Our purpose tonight is to ask the Lord for the power of His Holy spirit that enables us to live as true Christians. To do this, we will first have to come before our Lord, believe and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior and commit our lives to Him. After this, we will pray with one another for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
A. Explain the Baptism.
1. This is not a new baptism. We were all baptized when we became Catholics. What we want to do now is to pray for one another so that we can immerse ourselves in God's Spirit and be empowered as Christians.
2. Explain the process of Baptism / praying over session
a. First, we will be having a “Commitment to Christ Ceremony” where you will be encourage to accept the Holy Spirit because receiving the Holy is receiving Christ.
b. After this, your discussion group leaders will approach you and bring you somewhere more conducive and private for the pray-over.
c. Process of praying over.
* Prayer of Thanksgiving: Your discussion group leaders will thank the Lord for the commitment that you just made.
* Prayer of Deliverance: Casting out the works of Satan in you life. (e.g. "In the name of Jesus, spirit of deceit we cast you out".)
* Prayer for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit / spiritual gifts.
d. After the pray over.
* Go back to your seat, we will end together once everyone has been prayed for.
* We encourage you to continue to be in an atmosphere of prayer.
B. Final tips
1. Relax.
Our pray over session, and your decision to follow the Lord, is very important, but don't let this make you anxious. Relax and be at peace, this will make it easier for you to open up to the Lord.
2. Don't expect a particular experience.
Expecting one particular type of experience might keep you from recognizing God's work in you. God knows you more than you know yourself. He knows exactly how he should touch you.
3. Don't analyze the sounds you make.
In speaking or praying in tongues, just focus on the Lord and praise Him. What comes out of your mouth, and how you praise God is up to Him.
4. Initiate.
God respects you, and won't force you to praise Him in tongues. You have to initiate praying in a language you don't know, and then God will inspire you and give you the words to say.
(e.g. Even if God has already inspired you to write a song, the song will never be heard unless you actually pick-up a guitar, play the tune and write the words. In the same way, you have to begin praying in tongues by first initiating it.)
* Focus on God. Worship Him in your own words.
* Once you've run out of words to worship God, utter the first syllables that comes into your mind and use this for worship.
* Focus on worshipping God and not the words you use to worship, then let God take control.
C. COMMITMENT CEREMONY
1. After the explanation, the speaker or team leader asks the participants to meditate about all the talks.
2. While the participants are meditating, a meditative song may be played (e.g. God Alone, We Belong To God). We recommend that there should only be one song for reflection and participants are asked.
3. After the song is sung, the speaker asks those who want to make a commitment to Christ to stand up. Then, the Prayer of Commitment is recited together.
COMMITMENT TO CHRIST
Leader : Do you renounce Satan and all wrongdoing?
Participant : Yes, I do.
Leader : Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died to free you from sins, that He rose to bring you new life?
Participant : Yes, I do.
Leader : Do you choose to follow Jesus as your Lord, to love Him, honor Him and obey Him?
Participant : Yes, I will.
PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
(Ask participants to repeat after you.)
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 I will avoid everything/ that leads me to wrongdoing./ 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.
4. Everyone is then asked to be seated, and wait for their turn to be prayed over.
(PRAY OVER SESSION)
VI. CLOSING EXHORTATION (After the worship)
A. Different people different experiences.
1. Some may have prayed in tongues, cried or simply felt God's presence. Others may have had a very simple experience. The Holy Spirit comes to each of us differently.
2. An emotional experience is not an indication of God's Holy Spirit. Rather, focus on the fact, that you committed yourself to Jesus Christ and that is the most important. If you asked for His Spirit, whatever experience you had, He surely gave it to you.
B. Satan will tempt you to doubt.
* He will never cease in trying to take away the treasure you have just received today. (The speaker should give an example on how satan will tempt them to doubt.)
C. Don't expect all your problems to go away.
* Focus on the truth. Now you have God and through all your problems, He will always be there. And these problems will never overwhelm you.
D. Go easy on sharing with others what you have experienced.
1. All of these things were first explained to you before they were done. Don't expect your friends to understand you.
2. Try to explain what you went through in a very ordinary and understandable way. Better yet, share to them what you experienced by showing the change in you as Christ begins to dwell at the center of your life.
E. Be faithful/ Take care of the Spirit.
1. Like any gift, the gift you received tonight can be lost, so use it.
2. You committed to follow the Lord, be faithful to that decision.
3. Have a daily prayer time where you can experience and get to know God and where He can slowly but surely work in your life daily.
VII. CONCLUSION
“When the Holy Sprit comes upon you, you will be filled with power and you will be witnesses for Me in Jerusalem in all of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
(Note : Encourage the participants to be faithful in their commitment to the Lord. God has begun a powerful work in their lives today, He will always be faithful to us, by His Spirit we can be faithful to Him.)
CFC Youth for Christ
Youth Camp
Talk 5 : Growing in the Spirit
Expanded outline
I. INTRODUCTION
We have heard a lot of good things in this camp, God's love, His salvation, and received His Holy Spirit. All of us in one way or another have experienced God's goodness this weekend. But after all these, what do we do next?
In this talk, we'd like to share with you what we can do to sustain our new found relationship with God.
II. HOW CAN WE GROW AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD?
We know, clearly now more than ever, that God's love is real. that the Holy Spirit is real and that He is truly in us. God is truly good. All His plans for us are for our own good.
But what happens after this Camp when all of us are no longer in this exciting environment. What happens when we go back to our friends at home or classmates in school who do not understand what we have gone through -- friends who might even convince us that what we have gone through is weird and out of this world?
A. Attitudes we should have:
1. We have God's gift of salvation.
We should leave this place with the conviction that what we have gone through was truly a gift from God, for our good and our salvation. The way to God through Jesus is the only way and we should fight any idea or direction that tells us otherwise.
2. We have God's Spirit.
We now have God's Spirit in us to strengthen us, to protect us and to help us overcome obstacles to our decision to grow as men and women of God.
3. We need to grow.
We need to realize that we have to invest time and effort learning the tools to growth to preserve what we have and to receive much more.
B. Tools For Christian Growth : The Four Spokes
All the tools to Christian Growth are available when you join Youth for Christ.
NOTE: You can illustrate this portion by likening the tools of Christian growth to the four spokes of the wheel. The wheel represents our Christian life which draws power from the center of the wheel, or the hub, which represents Christ. The power is transmitted through the four spokes of the wheel. If any one of the four spokes is missing, the wheel will not function.
1. Prayer and Study of Scriptures
If we want to grow in our relationship with God, we need to spend time with Him in prayer and reading scriptures.
a. Decide on having prayer time - 15 minutes will do.
b. Have a regular time and place for prayer.
c. Use of prayer and scripture guides will be very helpful.
2. Fellowship
a. Fellowship is important to us.
* It is in our nature to enjoy the company of people our age. It is for this reason that teenagers have their own groups in the neighborhood, and fraternities and sororities in school.
* There seems to be a strong need for us to belong to a peer group. In a peer group, there is oftentimes peer pressure, which could be either positive or negative.
b. The YFC provides a real environment where genuine friendship can happen.
* It is a place where we experience positive peer pressure, to speak what is true and to do what is right in accordance with God's plan.
c. The YFC is a place where building strong bonds friendship and brotherhood are considered as important goals of its activities.
3. Service
a. When we are given the opportunity to serve, we grow in our relationship with God.
* Young adults are endowed with a lot of talents and energies that oftentimes are not tapped for productive use, specially in serving God.
Opportunities for serving God:
• Work with the poor – visiting GK sites, playing with children, conducting/helping talent workshops
• Family – being a source of unity in your own family
• Country – taking care of the environment, participation in nation-building activities
* We know that given the right motivation and challenges, we can be responsible and productive.
b. YFC, just like CFC, is an evangelistic group for young adults.
* Our mission is to bring God to other people.
How? By bringing your classmates or other family members to the next youth camp.
* In doing this, we develop a sense of mission. We develop our gifts and we start to make a real effort to be effective witnesses for the Lord as we serve by being a role model (ex. In school, at home, with your friends, etc)
4. Sacraments: Taking Active Part in the Church
Note: Explain each of the sacraments well
In addition to all these tools that we could use in our Christian growth, we should be aware that another important tool to further enhance this growth is to participate in the sacraments of the Church. (attending Mass on Sundays, having a regular Confession).
III. CONCLUSION
God calls us to live a life that is pleasing to Him. He loved us first, He has already died for us, He has given us His Holy Spirit, but even more, He gives us tools that we can use to grow in our relationship with Him. The challenge is left to us. . ."will we respond to that call?"
We're not saying that after giving through this youth camp, we'll be living perfect Christian lives. We'll be probably fall but it's standing up that matters most. After all, it's faithfulness, not success that God wants.
God died for us. . .Now it's time we live for Him.
I. DIALOGUE WITH THE PARENTS
Ask parents to spend 30 minutes alone with their children. Ask them to begin the dialogue by giving / reading to each other the letters that they prepared.
Note : It is advisable to insert a time where the participants will be able to share their experiences in the camp
II. PRAY OVER
After the dialogue, the team leader explains the pray over session. Ask parents to go to their children and pray over them using this prayer.
Note: Choose a parent and a child from the participants to lead the pray over.
(You may ask the parents to first say their own prayers for their children and then repeat after the prayer below).
PRAYER FOR CHILDREN
God has given you to me,/ (name of child) / as a gift/ to love and to guide./ I wish all good things for you./ Forgive me for any hurts that I may have given you./ As I forgive you/ of the hurts you may have given me./ I now call upon you God's blessings./ May the Lord bless you and keep you./ May the Lord make His face shine upon you/ and be gracious unto you./ May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you/ and give you peace. Amen.
2. The participants/children will now pray over their parents.
a. (To the participants) We believe that the people who love you the most are your parents. But as they have striven in their own way, to express this love they may have made mistakes. Often, our resentments stem from this.
b. If we are to live a Christian life, we must first ask the Lord to heal these hurts between our parents and ourselves.
c. Ask participants to pray over their parents. (Follow the same format that was done when the parents prayed over their children).
PRAYER FOR PARENTS
God has given you to me,/ (Papa and Mama or Dad and Mom) / as my guides in His place/ here on earth./ I know that you love me / and in your love / you may have committed mistakes / that hurt me. / I forgive you for these./ I want you to know/ that I love you/ and ask for forgiveness/ for all the hurts/ I have given you./ May God bless you in everything you do./ This I pray / in the name of Jesus Christ/ my Lord and Savior./ Amen.
DEDICATION CEREMONY
NOTE: Either the team leader, or speaker may conduct the dedication ceremony. This portion is done immediately after the Talk 5 is given.
The parents will be asked to witness their child/ren in the dedication ceremony.
A. "Living out the Christian life is not easy. We need an environment that can support us in this. It is in to this that YFC would like to help."
B. "Many of us through God's grace, and with the help of the brothers and sisters have been helped in our commitment to Christ because of the environment we have in YFC. We would like to invite you to join us where we can continue support one another."
1. First, read to the participants the YFC Covenant.(Inside the YFC ID)
2 After reading the entire Commitment once, ask the participants to recite the Commitment (you may do this by reading a line at a time and asking them to repeat after you).
C. Some participants may feel discouraged to join YFC upon hearing the difficult demands of the YFC Covenant. This happens when living out this commitment perfectly is perceived to be a prerequisite in becoming a member. It should be made clear that the Statement of Commitment is simply a goal. To agree with this Commitment means supporting one another as we try to achieve this goal.
The Covenant of a Youth for Christ Member
1. I believe that 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. I believe that 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 brokenness, or hurt, my family experiences.
3. I believe that it is my privilege to be studying I 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 believe that I belong to the bigger family of 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. I believe that God has a special purpose in allowing me to be born / live in this country
* It is my privilege love, honor and serve my country.
* It is my duty to obey and respect the laws and authorities that God has placed over me.
* It is my responsibility to preserve and protect the environment.
I. The speaker or the team leader presents participants to parents explaining that their child/ren have just made their commitment to live a Christian Life. The team leader will encourage the parents to support their child/ren in the commitment they have made.
Note: Have an appropriate song played at this time. (e.g. Welcome to the Family)
II. Discuss the culture of CFC YFC:
1) YFC brothers and sisters greeting:
• Sister to sister - cheek to cheek
• Sister to brother - pat on the back
• Brother to brother - pat on the back
2) Show proper respect to your YFC couple coordinators
3) Wearing your official YFC identification card (I.D.) in all YFC activities or any CFC community related activity.
III. Allow a few minutes of sharing. (participants, parents and service team)
(mass and closing worship follows)
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