MEMBERSHIP LESSONS
Lesson One: Unconditional Love and Total Acceptance
Love and acceptance are basic human need. People from different corners of the globe cry for this, yet sad to know, we are living in a world where almost everything is conditional. You’ve got to act, behave, give this and that to be accepted in a club or organization. In our group we promised unconditional love and acceptance. Are we capable of doing it? Can we fulfill it? Can we keep it? Those are very critical questions, but like other relationships though we cannot find a perfect one but all of us can work for a better one.
I. WHY WE OFFER LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE?
A. We were the first recipient of it. We cannot give what we don’t possess. The love of God for all of us was and is unconditional. We sinned and we rebelled against God yet the bible says, “But God showed His love towards us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God did not wait for us to be good before He showed His love by sending Jesus Christ. Our God is love. His love is perfect, unchanging and immeasurable. God extended to us this kind of love. So He is also expecting us the beneficiary of his love to love the unlovable and accept the unacceptable.
B. We were commanded to share it. Since God has already made everything possible for man to feel loved and accepted, He then commanded us to do the same. Every individual who experienced the love of God through the atoning death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus is expected to extend to others the same measure of grace. God commanded us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Some people say to unconditionally love and totally
C. We love doing it. What you saw is what you reap. After years of sharing love to others, we found out that the only way to receive love and acceptance is to do it first. Love is something you cannot force others to give to you. You cannot say love me or you must love me. But Love is something you can give. Sometimes you can give it joyfully and sometimes sacrificially. In this world you cannot get rid of those people who discriminate, prejudice, critical and condemning but how peaceful and joyful it is to live free from these attitude.
II. HOW WILL WE APPLY THESE?
A. We will accept you just as you are if you allow us to. To be a member of this club gives you an opportunity to be loved and accepted by those people who believe that there is good in you. By joining, you are saying, “I want to experience what you have experienced so that I can also give it to others.” God loves and accepts you just as you are and so do we. You might be the worst in your own eyes or to the eyes before other people we are here to accept you.
B. We will not force you to believe what we believe. What we believe is the reason why we accept others. It is not a standard or code that you have to follow to be accepted. When Jesus came, He taught about how we should live. That was the reason why He ate and spent time with those who are living differently. Though He did not agree with what they were doing and did not believe their teaching, yet Jesus remained to be their friend. That’s the reason why he was called “the friend of sinners” (and that includes you and me). Whatever your religious affiliation you are welcome here. Though we are followers of Jesus Christ (Isah-al-Masih) and Bible believers, yet every person regardless of religious backgrounds are accepted. The reason why we want everyone to join sessions before acceptance it is because we want you to know the reason why we are doing what we are doing as a club.
C. We will help you to overcome sinful habits with mercy and grace. We are born with sinful habits, that is, those things that we want to change but find hard to. There are habits that the world condemned and called evil or immoral. There are habits that the world accepted and considered normal, but the CLFCians does not depend on what the world believed but what the Word of God-the Bible says. We believe that there are absolutes in this world. If you need help to change your bad or sinful habits we avail ourselves as friends who will stand with you and help you through the process. We may not approve all that you are doing but we will accept you as a person whom God loves.
III. HERE IS A CONCRETE EXAMPLE
A. A Happy Home. There were joy and gladness in their home. He got a responsible, merciful and gracious father. All of their needs were meet, and they have more than enough. He is one of the two sons who will enjoy the inheritance of the father for them.
B. A Disgraceful Decision. It was unthinkable one day this youngest ask his portion of inheritance from his father. This request of the youngest is very disgusting and very disrespectful to his father. To ask once inheritance while the owner is still alive is indirectly saying to the owner “I wish you are dead”. Did the son thought that by asking his inheritance as if he cursed his father? Yet the father desires the love of the son, so though painful the father granted the request of the son
C. A Wild Lifestyle. When the request was granted right there and then the son left home without careful planning and consideration concerning the feelings of the love ones. “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there wasted all his money on parties and prostitutes”.
D. A Pitiful Condition. “About the time his money was gone a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. The boy became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the swine looked good to him. And no one gave him anything.” Wild lifestyle will always result to poverty.
E. A Deep Conviction. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough and to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.”’ Godly sorrow will always lead to right action.
F. Sweet Return. “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming, and was filled with loving pity and ran and embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, and am not worthy of being called your son—’But his father said to the slaves, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. And a jeweled ring for his finger; and shoes! And kill the calf we have in the fattening pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has returned to life. He was lost and is found.’ So the party began.
CONCLUSION
These blessings were given to us freely from God, so we are under Biblical mandate and moral obligation to do the same to all. If you want to be a member of the club, we also expect you to do the same towards the others.
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Lesson Two: Complete Protection and Good Identification
Why do we join a group either how bad or good it is? It’s because we want to belong. The next questions you may ask are, “am I safe with them?” and “what would the people say to me because I am one of them?”
I. COMPLETE PROTECTION
Most organization promised protection from the enemies. To be with them gives us an assurance that even it we will have so many enemies, still we are safe because of those groups that promised protection. In CLFC, we are offering protection from enemies because we will do our best to help you develop a friendly attitude. Our club will not compete with other group nor try to dominate any place. We are a club who promotes peace. We avoid all forms of vices and gambling. This is our way of protecting you – we will do all preventions so that you can live a peaceful life. If, in spite of all your goodness some still wants to harm you, we will be here for you.
Why do we offer complete protection? We believe that human being is composed of spirit, soul, and body. More than physical protection, we want you to be spiritually, morally and emotionally protected. We want you to experience a kind of protection that is far more important than the world offers—a protection that has permanent and eternal value. The enemy of our soul is Satan, and we will help you stand against him.
II. GOOD IDENTIFICATION
“Bad company corrupts good character.” Whoever is your daily companion will influence your lifestyle, looks, language and attitude. “Birds with the same feathers flock together.” This is an accepted norm of the world we live in. “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who your are.” People around us will judge us based on what kind of friends we have or what kind of persons we hang with. As part of CLFC, we will do our best to give you a good reputation or identity. We will do our best by the grace of God not to mark your good image before the people and we will help you to be developed. We will be here to appreciate your every step.
Try to look at Biblical examples what companionship and identity can do (read Acts 4:13). Many stories – Biblical, historical and contemporary that will show us someone raised to power because of the kind of companion they have. Why did Cory Aquino become a president? It was because of Ninoy Aquino her husband. Why did Gloria Arroyo become popular in politics? It’s because of her maiden surname “Macapagal”. If your surname would be Marcos or Hitler, what would the people think of you? Yes very negative. Identity is very important. That’s why you have to consider seriously as to whom you are identified with because it will surely reflect on you.
CONCLUSION
Deciding to be part of this club is like saying, “I want to be protected completely.” You are also telling us that you want to be identified with us at all times. Again, we are not a group of perfect individuals but with our imperfections we are willing to help one another. But why CLFC is offering these, is because we have a goal to pursue, a dream to reach, and destiny to follow. And we desire that through us, you will reach that noble, God-prepared course for you in this world. We will talk more about in the next session. So, see you there!
Lesson Three: Right Direction
If you are residing in Manila and you want to go to Hong Kong, will you fly in a domestic airplane? The answer is obvious, you will surely not because domestic airplane will not carry you to places abroad but only within the country. Taking a domestic flight going to Hong Kong will not bring you to your desired destination.
The same with our lives. All of us have dreams. We have ambitions or longings to become the person we want to be. If you will ask a student who cuts classes and litters in the mall about his her ambition in life, you cannot expect that person to answer, “I want to fail someday.” Or if you will ask a child who disobeyed his parents if he wants to be punished, the answer would surely be a big “NO!”
We want a better life – peaceful, progressive and prosperous, but it is also a fact that most of the time we take the road that leads opposite to our dreams. In this session, we will discuss about: Who designed my destiny?; What are the contributing factors to reach my destiny?; and, What is the role of my CLFC family?
I. WHO DESIGNED MY DESTINY?
Jer. 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” According to this verse, it is God who designed our destiny. He created us fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139). Our God desires the best for us. Being an all-knowing and all-powerful God, He knows our future and He can make it happen. His designed destiny for your life here on earth is best and perfect. His planned course for you to take is exciting. But why do we fall? There are contributing factors in fulfilling our God designed destiny.
II. WHAT ARE THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO REACH MY DESTINY?
A. Your God. God alone knew everything about you and your future. There are so many things written in the Bible that you can hold on to have a better life and future. But even with our knowledge about written facts, there are still things that only God holds and He alone knows. That’s the reason why we always hear these phrases, “only God knows…” and “…if God is willing.” Even though God controls everything and desires that we reach His designed destiny for us but He also has given us the freedom to choose His way or our own way.
B. Your Knowledge. You must have a clear knowledge what is God’s plan in all aspects of your life. This includes your lifestyle, career, friends, lifetime partner, and everything that affects your life. This will be possible through spending quality time with the Lord in praying, Bible reading and meditating. The most basic of all, is to know that you are rightly connected with God. It is impossible to chat with somebody over the internet if you are disconnected. In the way, you need to be connected to God first, before you can clearly hear Him speak.
C. Your Determination. Determination means “firmness of purpose or character.” After knowing our destiny, we need to be firm with a single mind to achieve it. This involves paying the cost and making sacrifices, like delaying or trading enjoyment for the sake of a dream. Take for example: If you want to be a successful engineer, you will study diligently and you will be disciplined in all you do. You will avoid nightlife and anything that will deter you to reach that goal.
D. Your Companions. “Bad company corrupts character,” this is a fact. Who you are working, talking, and staying all the time with will influence you either consciously or unconsciously. If you will spend majority of your time with the easy-go-lucky and the “que sera sera” whatever will be will be” persons, you will end up depending on luck or fortune. But if you will spend time with those who are studios and those who are taking life seriously soon you will become like them. Be careful to choose the person you want to spend most of your time, talent and resources because they contributes your future.
III. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF MY CLFC FAMILY?
A. We will assist you in order for you to have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe- God so that you can hear and know His perfect plan for you.
B. We will provide the kind of friendship that will help you reach your dreams. We will believe in your potentials. We will be there for you in reaching your dreams.
C. We will learn with you in knowing little by little the will of God for our lives.
Conclusion:
To be a CLFCian means committing to a friendship with a purpose. It means joining in a family of friends who believe in each other and aims to help one another to reach his or her potentials and purpose in life. Will you be willing to commit to learn with us and to pursue to reach our God-given destiny? If you will say “YES”, then you will be one of those whom we consider as our true friend. Would you be willing to commit to this friendship with other people?
Lesson Four: My Most Important Decision
As part of CLFC family we see to it that all of the members got the opportunity to hear the good news of all ages and be given an opportunity to decide for or against it. We will not impose what we believe but we will expose you on why we believe on something. There are only two things that will last on this earth – the Word of God and soul of men. A person who is seriously considering his future here on earth should also be serious in preparing for his eternal destiny.
I. WE ARE ALL SINNERS AND SEPATATED FROM GOD.
The Bible tells us that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and that no one is righteous (Romans 3:10). The Bible also says that even before we were born we are already sinners (Psalms 51:5). If we insist that we are not sinners, the Bible says that the truth is not in us and we are liars (1 John 1:8,10).
II. JESUS PAID THE PENALTY AND MADE THE WAY.
Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose from the grave for your sins. The Bible says that God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son and died for all of us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). God placed all our sins in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:6). In the cross, Jesus was made sin so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus therefore is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one can go to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
III. WE HAVE TO PUT OUR FAITH ON JESUS’ PERFECT WORK AT CALVARY.
We have to acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior before everyone. The Bible says that you must confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead for you to be saved (Romans 10:9-10). Jesus also said that if we disown Him, He would also disown us before God (Matthew 10:32-33). The Bible says that he who hears His word and believes Him has eternal life (John 6:47; John 5:24; Acts 16:31). Eternal life is a gift; we are saved by grace through faith, not by works so that we cannot boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
But, how are we going to do this?
III. WE HAVE TO DECIDE TODAY
Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the time of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). The Bible says that God has set certain day, calling it Today. So, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts (Hebrews 4:7). The Jesus Christ whom we believed and followed here in CLFC is not a religion but a person. Not just a great teacher who once lived in the world but He is the Word of God, the Savior of the entire humanity. If you want to submit to His authority, entrust to Him your salvation, your future and your whole life. Decide to do it today for tomorrow might be too late. In a simple prayer of faith, he can change your entire life and destiny.
Lesson Five: CLFC's Basic Social Concerns
MY BASIC SOCIAL CONCERN
Last session we talked about our eternal destiny. If you have decided to let Jesus take control of your life, you are 100% sure He will never let you go. That’s His promise in John 10:27-30.
Many people accused those who follow Jesus as fanatics and they are saying, “The are so heavenly minded that they become useless here on earth.” Let us proved to the world that this is not true. Let us show that the reverse is true “We are so heavenly-minded that we want to transform this earth to be like one.” We are so in love with our God who created all things to the point of doing our best to restore the lost paradise in the place where we live.
We believe that our belief must be translated into action. There are so many social concerns around us but there are issues we need to address first because these issues are affecting our lives significantly. Many historian and political analyst believed that the primary reason why we are suffering as a nation it is because we lack love for our country. We are more focus on our personal agenda than the welfare of our nation.
A. THANK GOD I’M A FILIPINO
Truths to know and live as P.I.N.O.Y
P – hilippines was created by God for us Filipinos.
I - n our ambitions and aspirations, let’s include the freedom and Integrity of our country.
N – ever abandon our country and declare evil things against it.
O – bey all existing laws consistently.
Y – es! Believe and declare that we can make a difference
Simple Acts of Jesus’ Filipino followers.
Pray for our country and leaders.
Actively involve in community based social action that poster Peace and Development.
Support government cause for greater and better Philippines.
Treat Filipino brethren equally regardless of tribe, beliefs and economic standing.
Offer your gifts and talents for the progress of our own people and Nation.
Regard laws, ordinances, rules and regulations highly.
B. I LOVE MY SURROUNDING
Biblical & Universal Truths
a. GOD created all things for our good.
b. GOD’s creation was under our domination.
c. GOD given domination over the creation is not for us to exploit but to care.
d. GOD will hold us responsible whatever will happen to our environment.
Simple Actions for Environment Preservation
a. I will preserve the trees. I will not cut it if not necessary.
b. I will dispose my garbage properly.
Conclusion:
One little boy was ridiculed because he was picking the shells that drifted ashore and threw it back to the sea. The man said laughingly, “What you are doing is insignificant. You cannot throw all the shells back into the sea. Look, there are thousands of them.” As the boy was about to throw one shells back into the sea, he replied politely, “it might be insignificant to many sir, but it will make difference to this one.” If you come to the point of your life that you feel you alone are doing the caring of environment. You alone dispose the garbage properly. Remember, it might be insignificant before the larger crowd but just remember we are doing it for God not for man.