COUPLES FOR CHRIST

CLP TRAINING

SCHEDULE

1:00 - 1:30 pm Arrival and Fellowship

1:30 - 2:00 pm Worship
2:00 - 2:45 pm Talk No. 1: EVANGELISM AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE
2:45 - 3:00 pm Break
3:00 - 3:45 pm Talk No. 2: WHAT IS A CLP?
3:45 - 4:15 pm Merienda Break
4:15 - 5:00 pm Talk No. 3: HOW TO HANDLE A DISCUSSION GROUP
5:00 - 5:30 pm Open Forum
Closing Prayers

RESOURCE PERSONS

1. Worship leader
2. Speakers
3. Elder (at least a unit head) for open forum
4. Guitarist
5. Service Team

RESOURCE MATERIALS

1. Attendance sheets
2. Sound system
3. Tape recorder and blank tapes
4. Hand-outs
a. Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare
b. The CLP of the CFC
c. CLP team manual
5. Merienda

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COUPLES FOR CHRIST
CLP TRAINING

TALK NO. 1: EVANGELISM AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Expanded Outline

A. THE SITUATION IN THE WORLD TODAY

1. There are two kingdoms opposed to each other - the kingdom of darkness under Satan
and the kingdom of light under Jesus Christ. The world is in Satan's grip (1John 5:19b).
And his kingdom includes not only those who are evil, but also those who are
uncommitted. By being such, they serve Satan's purpose.

2. Jesus has mounted a rescue operation, an attack against Satan's kingdom. It involves
bringing people from darkness to light. It is taking territory from Satan. Satan does not
stand still. His dominion and his power over people is threatened. He undertakes
defensive action. This spiritual battle is continuing.

3. All people are born into this battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of men. More
specifically, we in CFC, having joined God's kingdom, are in the thick of the fight.
Because God uses us as instruments for other men's redemption, we become a direct
threat to Satan's dominion. As we evangelize and reach out to other couples, especially
through a CLP, we actively enter into battle. Evangelism is spiritual warfare: Eph 6:12.

4. Being combatants, we need weapons and protection. We need means for offense and
defense.

B. OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS

2 Cor. 10:3-5. We are waging God's battle.

God gives us the following offensive weapons:

1. Commitment (to Christ' cause).

a. Leading us to lives of righteousness, purity, holiness, 2 Cor. 6:7
b. We don't need to be saints as yet, but just have a passion for God's righteousness and
a hatred of evil.
c. Have purity of motives and desires.
- serve for the glory of God, not our own.
- guard against the danger of pride.
- have humility, know that without Jesus' victory on the cross, we can't succeed.
d. We will be ineffective if we are not righteous. Mt. 7:3-5.

2. Zeal. Singlemindedness of purpose. Perseverance.

a. Live totally for the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:15.
b. Phil. 3:7-8.

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 3. The Word of God.
a. A sword! Eph. 6:!7b. Heb. 4:12.
b. In the CLP, we speak God's word (in the talk and follow-up in the discussion group).
God's word has power. 1 Thes. 1:5.

4. Spiritual gifts.
a. 1 Cor. 12 and other passages.
b. Some applications:
Wisdom - to answer questions, to lead discussion.
Discernment - to know where a person is at.
c. Tongues and praise.

C. OUR PROTECTION

Eph. 6:13-18. The armor of God.

It is God's provision alone which will give us adequate protection. Let us consider the points
of attack by the devil, and how the armor of God can protect us.

1. Truth. Protection against lies and errors.

a. Satan is the father of lies.
b. He will try to make us doubt God's word (e.g. You're too sinful to serve), or falsely
accuse us, or malign God's character (e.g. God is not a loving God; He does not love
you).
c. Rest on the truths of God's love. God's power, etc.

2. Justice, or righteousness. Protection against evil and sinful desires.

a. If Satan does not succeed by lies, he will try bombarding our minds with evil
thoughts.
b. Resist these temptations.
Note: Temptations are not sin unless entertained.

3. Gospel of peace. Protection against an easy and lazy life.

a. If Satan cannot disturb us, then he will try to make us as comfortable and cozy as
possible, so that we won't disturb him.
b. Beware of living a "carpet slipper Christianity", wherein one journeys to heaven in
first class comfort.
Such persons have laid down their arms and are no longer concerned to attack and
invade enemy-held territory.
c. We need to get our footgear on, leave the comforts of home, and go out after Satan's
captives. Have zeal to propagate the gospel.

4. Faith. Protection against unbelief.

a. Doubt assail us. Fear of failure can cripple our action. The nagging question: Can I do
it?

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 b. We need to have faith in God's promises. Have faith that this is God's work. Heb.
13:5b-6.
c. We need to realize that we are acting not by our own power but by God's.

5. Salvation. Protection against:

a. The word used for salvation means both physical as well as spiritual well-being.
b. Satan will try to make you sick, make spouses fight, may even try to get you killed.
c. But we have God's protection.
d. Before leaving your home, pray. Put on the "crash helmet" of salvation.

6. Word of God.
a. Both a weapon and protection.
b. For CLP participants, stress daily Scripture readings and recommended books.

7. Prayers.
a. Pray at every opportunity.
b. Different kinds : Personal Prayer
Group prayer (at various times during the CLP)
Intercessory prayer
Fasting

D. CONCLUSION

Evangelism is spiritual warfare:

Four points to stress:

1. Guard against two extremes (1) the view that there is no devil and (2) the view that all
negative things or happenings are attributable to the devil.
2. Remember that Jesus has already won the victory in this fight against Satan. And the God
who enlists us in his army also trains, equips, and leads us.
3. James 4:7. We have power to rout the devil, but such is premised on our submission to
God.
Importance of righteousness, faith, dependence on God.
4. 2 Tim 2:3. As good soldiers, we can expect hardships and difficulties. We are to bear
them and overcome them.

When you accepted Jesus as Lord, you signed up for God's army. In this war, there are no
non-combatants. Since the time you joined CFC, you have been in boot camp, being trained for
the fight against Satan.

Now we are having a CLP. A major battle is on!

Note: Reference material is "Spiritual Warfare" by Michael Harper

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COUPLES FOR CHRIST
CLP TRAINING

TALK NO. 1 : EVANGELISM AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Participants Handout

A. The situation in the world today

1. There are two kingdoms opposed to each other - the kingdom of darkness and the
kingdom of light.
2. The whole world is under Satan's dominion, but Jesus has mounted an attack against
Satan's kingdom.
3. All people are born into this battle. Specifically, we in the CFC are in the thick of the
fight, as we evangelize and reach out to other couples.
4. Being combatants, we need weapons and protection. We need means for offense and
defense.

B. Our Spiritual Weapons

2 Cor. 103-5. We are waging God's battle.

1. Righteousness. Purity of life, holiness. 2 Cor. 6:7

2. Zeal. Singlemindedness of purpose. Perseverance. 2 Cor. 5:15. Phil. 3:7-8
3. The word of God. Eph. 6:17b. Heb. 4:12. 1 Thes. 1:5
4. Spiritual gifts.

C. Our protection

Eph. 6:13-18. The Armor of God.

1. Truth. protection against lies and errors.

2. Justice or righteousness. Protection against evil and sinful desires.
3. Gospel of peace. Protection against an easy and cozy life.
4. Faith. protection against unbelief.
5. Salvation. Protection against calamity and accident.
6. Word of God.
7. Prayer.

EVANGELISM AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Four Points to Stress

1. Guard against two extremes: (1) that there is no evil; and (2) that all negative happenings are
attributable to the devil.
2. Jesus has already won the victory in this fight against Satan.

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3. James 4:7. We have the power to rout the devil, but such is premised on our righteousness
and submission to God.
4. 2 Tim. 2:3. As good soldier, we can expect hardships and difficulties.

Suggested Readings: "Spiritual Warfare: by Michael Harper.

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COUPLES FOR CHRIST
CLP TRAINING

TALK NO. 2: WHAT IS CLP?

Expanded Outline

1. INTRODUCTION
a. You're all familiar with the CLP, having gone through one. But now you're on the giving
rather than receiving end.

b. The CLP is the initiations course leading into a life in the Holy Spirit. More specifically,
it is the entry point into CFC.

2. GOALS OF THE CLP

a. The CLP is evangelism. It is proclamation of the gospel.

b. Its goal is to draw couples into a renewed commitment to the Lord. Through it they
experience the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

c. Renewal is on three levels: the individual, the family and the church.

3. STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

a. The CLP, excluding the orientation session, is for a total of 12 weeks. It is divided into 3
months of 4 talks each.

b. Go over each of the modules, 12 talks and 2 one-to-one meetings describing the content
and showing the flow from one to the next.
Note: See writeup on "The CLP of the CFC".

c. Lord's Day celebration at the end of CLP.

- opportunity to experience the Lord's Day
- a time of fellowship and sharing
- announcement of groupings.

4. DYNAMICS
a. Format : Arrival and fellowship
Songs and prayer (describe different prayer styles per module)
Talks
Discussion
Fellowship

b. The last three are the vital ingredients of a CLP. They are the proven formula for drawing
couples to Christ.

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5. ATTENDANCE
a. The CLP is open to all Christian couples. They should have previously been exposed to
personal evangelism.

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

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

6. THE TEAM
a. The team leader, his wife, the assistant leader. Brief description of their roles.

b. Discussion leaders and assistants. They are the ones basically responsible for drawing in
the participants. Will be described more in the next talk.

c. Servant and music ministry.

d. A whole household might serve the CLP. Note: See reaction IV-Id in the household
head's manual.

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

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

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

e.g.Prayer receives the gift of tongues

Pregnancies (long-awaited) during the CLP
Ask the Lord for something!

Note : Reference material for the speaker is the CLP Team Manual.
Participant’s handout - "The CLP of the CFC"

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COUPLES FOR CHRIST
CLP TRAINING

TALK NO. 3: HOW TO HANDLE A DISCUSSION GROUP

Speaker's Outline

Note : The resource material for this talk is taken from the CLP Team Manual. The purpose of
the talk is to familiarize the new discussion group leaders with their role and what to
expect in the CLP. The speaker has the flexibility to arrange the material in a way he's
comfortable with.

Following in a speaker's outline:

A. Role of discussion group leaders II-E*

B. Discussion groups

1. Purpose III-B
2. Guidelines III-A
3. Dynamics III-C
4. Team meetings III-D
5. Make-up sessions III-E

C. Personal dialogues III-F

D. Closing exhortation
"The Team" II-A

* As numbered in the team manual.

NOTE : The handout for the participants is the CLP team Manual itself