COVENANT ORIENTATION

Talk 1 OUR COVENANT IN CFC

A. Introduction.
1. In CFC we encounter the word "covenant".
a) After the CLP, as a condition for membership in CFC, we entered into the "Covenant of the
Couples for Christ".
b) As we read the Bible, we find out that its two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament,
are covenants.
c) All Christians actually have a covenant with God by virtue of baptism.
d) Also, as baptized Christians, we have a covenant relationship with one another. We have a
commitment of loyalty, unity, service.
2. We need to understand more about our covenant.
a) It is at the heart of where we are at right now.
b) We need to appreciate the concrete situation which allows us to live out our covenant.

B. What is a covenant?
1. A covenant is a solemn agreement between parties through which they commit themselves to certain
relationships, tasks, obligations or ways of living.
2. Two types of covenant relationships.
a) Between parties equal in power and position.
* Gen 21:22-32. Abraham and Abimelech.
* 1 Sam 18:1,3-4. David and Jonathan.
* Marriage partners.
b) Between parties unequal in power and position.
* In this case, it is unilaterally bestowed by the greater on the lesser.
* E.g., a conqueror with his new subjects. He provides military protection while exacting
loyalty and tribute.
* God and His people.
3. Covenant agreements do not just bind persons to something outside themselves (e.g., a business
contract). Rather, the parties are bound in a personal way. What is established is a significant
family-like relationship between the agreeing parties.
* Gen 15. God with Abraham.
* Gen 31:44-54. Laban and Jacob.

C. Some important basic truths from the Old Testament.

1. Covenant = treaty or contract which established a relationship between two parties and bound them
together.
a) Conditions and clauses were important, but more important was that which these were meant to
safeguard: a lasting relationship.
b) Through the covenant, God and His people are joined together.

2. The covenant was not a treaty between equals, but between a mighty person and a lesser person.
a) It was between God Almighty and a people owing their existence to Him.
b) It was issued by the stronger king at his initiative. The old covenant was initiated by God.
3. The contents of the covenant.
a) Usually began with an introduction in which the mighty king identified himself as the one
initiating the treaty and then proceeded to summarize the history of the relationship between the

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 two parties, with emphasis on what the mighty king had already done for the lesser party.
* Deut 5:6 and Ex 20:2. Introduction to Ten Commandments.
* God freed the people first, then entered into a covenant (God did not give the commandments
first, then free the people if they obeyed).
* Our covenant with God is based on what He has done for us, and only secondarily on what we
do in response.
b) Next listed what the weaker party needed to do.
* The obligations flow from what the other had already done.
* Ten Commandments. Deut 5:7-21.
* All other commandments are part of our covenant.
c) Concluded with a list of blessings (if obey) and curses (if disobey). Deut 28.
* Breaking God's commandments = breaking our relationship with Him. There are
consequences.
* Being faithful = blessings, promised land.

D. New Testament teaching.

1. God wants to make a covenant with us and enter into a personal relationship with us.
a) Jesus came to bring about a new covenant.
* Lk 22:20. Jn 6:56.
b) The New Covenant is not merely a matter of obeying a set of laws, but of entering into a living
relationship with Jesus.
2. As with the old covenant, the new covenant is not an agreement between equals, and is not done on
our initiative. Rather, God acted first by sending Jesus.
3. All that God asks of us flows from what God has already done for us.
a) 1 Jn 4:19.
b) God's commands are taken in the light of His action in Jesus.
* Jn 13:15,34. A new commandment of love. Jesus' example.
4. There are also blessings and curses. Our response has eternal consequences.

E. Our response.
1. Jn 13:34-35. Commandment of the new covenant.
a) But in the Church today, there is a tendency to interpret this as a call to love all men and women.
b) True we must love everyone, but the New Testament distinguishes between love for those who
are not Christians and the covenant love of Christian brethren.
* Gal 6:10. It is important to note the distinction and have a special love for our brethren.
2. Many Christian groups are unsuccessful because:
a) Their models are secular in nature.
* Democratization of personal relationships. Majority rule.
* Aim is self-fulfillment. Promotes selfishness.
* Priority of personal independence, of individual freedom.
* Relationships proceed from feelings.
b) Relationships are not based on a covenant.
c) There is no authority to oversee the relationships.
d) There is no common life, no significant relationships within the body.
3. The Biblical model for relationships.
a) Like a family.
* Membership in one body, interdependence, unity, common life.
* Loving relationships (brotherhood and sisterhood), sharing.
* Authority and order.

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 b) If so, there are practical needs:
* Need to express commitment and love to a specific, concrete group of people.
* Need for such group of people to learn a specific set of relating and living out their
commitments.
4. The nature of our commitment.
a) We are to love and serve God.
* We are to be God's own servant people.
b) We are to love and serve one another.
* We are no longer our own masters.
* We are to lay down our lives for one another.
* Practically, we should be willing to meet our brethren's needs with our personal resources.
c) We are to live our lives in true righteousness and holiness.
d) We are to be a people that the Lord can use as a body.
* Have unity, order, peace, support for our common life.
e) We are to be light and leaven to the world.
5. Practical considerations.
When people agree to put their lives in common, the following are necessary:
a) Clearly spelled out commitments.
* Thus our written covenant.
b) An authority to govern the body and oversee the set of relationships.
* Our pastoral structure of household, unit and chapter leaders.
* Our overall governing and pastoral authorities: the CFC Council and the Board of Trustees.
c) Taking responsibility for one another and for our common life.
* Not just the responsibility of the leaders, but of every member.
* Correction, intercession, financial help, etc.
d) A visible common life.
* Our various meetings and events.

F. Conclusion.
1. The Old and New Testaments are God's old and new efforts to establish a relationship with His
people.
2. CFC is a vehicle, an opportunity by which we can respond fully to God.

Talk No. 2 PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE

A. Introduction.
1. Prayer and Scripture are crucial tools to growth in the Christian life.
2. We need to know God and His ways more. The most basic ways we can do this are by
communicating directly with Him (prayer) and by studying His word (Scripture).
3. In CFC, we commit to a daily personal prayer time and to a daily reading of the Bible.

B. Some reasons why we do not have a personal prayer time.

1. I already go to Church services (Mass) and that's enough.
a) What we are speaking about is personal prayer time.
* Alone by ourselves with God.
* This is necessary for us to develop a deep intimate personal relationship with Jesus.
b) Mass, rosary, novena, etc., are all means of prayer. However, we must not neglect personal
prayer.
2. Lack of understanding about prayer.

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 a) Most of us may have been taught to pray early in our childhood. But what we may not have
learned is why we should pray.
* Most see prayer as just asking God for things.
b) Prayer for us should be a means of communicating with God and establishing a personal
relationship with Him.
* As we communicate, we get to know God more, and thus have the basis for loving Him more.
3. I don't have the time.
a) We have a lot of time for the many different things we do in life.
* Our problem is not lack of time, but our attitude.
* If we considered prayer important enough, we would find the time.
b) Let us ask ourselves two questions:
* If I were not too busy working, would I be busy praying?
* If God gave me some extra hours today, will I automatically allocate it to personal prayer?
4. I am unworthy.
a) Some may be so filled with guilt due to our sins and weaknesses that we create a feeling of
unworthiness to come before the Lord.
* Yes, we are unworthy to enter into the presence of a holy God.
* But we have forgiveness for our sins through the blood of Jesus. We are restored to our
relationship as children of God.
b) The devil would always try to convince us of our unworthiness.
* We should not allow Satan's lies to keep us from the intimacy God desires to have with us.
c) Remember that as long as there is a desire to pray, it is a clear sign of the Lord's prodding us to
spend time with Him.
* The Lord will not plant this desire only to frustrate us. He would never lead us to seek
something which is impossible.
* Thus even when we feel unworthy, we should just pray.
5. It is too difficult.
a) The difficulty is often of our own making.
* We expect too much from ourselves, imposing a heavy burden.
* We raise up as a standard the lofty prayer times of others.
b) Prayer is really very simple: it is coming into the presence of a loving God and allowing Him to
love us and touch our lives.
c) Techniques can help, models can guide, but it boils down to our very own personal relationship,
done in our own personal way.

C. What should we do?

1. Make a commitment to pray at a scheduled time.
a) Decide when is prime time for the Lord.
* When would I be most alert or attuned to fellowship with God?
* This is not simply left-over time.
b) If possible, make this your regular prayer time each day of the week.
* Getting into this "routine" of prayer makes it easier to pray faithfully every day.
* Be flexible in making adjustments if necessary due to your varied weekly schedule.
c) Defend this time of prayer.
2. If you are just starting to pray, start with a short time of prayer.
a) Our covenant card mentions at least 15 minutes.
* But if you would still find this long, then start with what you would be comfortable with and
can sustain.
* Again, we are not legalistically concerned about the amount of time, but are after your

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 developing a personal relationship with God. The length of time will grow as this happens.
b) Spend more time as you grow in prayer.
* You will find that 15 minutes will be very short.
3. Look for the right place where you will not be distracted.
a) Jesus' example. Lk 5:16; Lk 6:12; Mt 14:23-24a; Mk 1:35.
b) Jesus' instruction. Mt 6:6a.
c) We owe God our undivided attention.
4. Resolve to be open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
a) Techniques, like ACTS, are all right, as long as we are not locked in to them.
b) Be open to variety in the Holy Spirit.
* Quiet vs expressive.
* Different physical postures.
* Speaking and listening.
* Praying in tongues.
c) The goal is not "to pray well", but to enter into communion with God.
5. Deal with obstacles to prayer.
a) Anxieties and concerns that distract us.
* Know that you are coming into the presence of your loving Father, Who is able to provide
richly for all your needs.
* Intercede for your concerns and leave these in God's hands.
b) Too much concern about the quality of our prayer.
* God is not concerned about our technique or the loftiness of our prayers, but simply with our
desire to be in communion with Him.
* Prayer is the simple reality of a child coming into the presence of his/her Father.
* The Holy Spirit will help us. Rom 8:26.
c) Dryness.
* Spiritual dryness in prayer and even in our Christian life may happen. It is normal and
nothing to be alarmed about.
* Sometimes dryness comes from God Himself. He seeks to find out if our faithfulness comes
from the consolation and joy we experience in prayer, or simply from the reality of being in
His presence.
* Thus we should just persevere in prayer through times of dryness. Prayer is our commitment,
not just an emotional experience.
d) Difficulty in listening or hearing the Lord.
* Prayer is not just talking to God, but listening to Him. We listen in the silence of hearts.
* Prayer is not just asking God for things, but allowing Him to form our hearts and our minds.
* But perhaps our human nature makes it easier to talk and harder to listen. We need to learn
how to do both.

D. Scripture and inspirational reading.

1. Aside from daily personal prayer, we also need to read and meditate on the Word of God.
a) The Bible is our book of wisdom for living a Spirit-filled Christian life.
b) The Bible has power to convict us and change our lives. Heb 4:12-13.
c) The Bible can inspire and strengthen us as we face the difficulties of life.
* Frequently, our Bible reading will lead us to passages that speak directly and personally to our
situation.
2. It is recommended that we incorporate our Bible reading into our daily prayer time.
a) The two are interactive.
b) A useful tool is to use a Scripture-based daily prayer guide, like "God's Word Today".

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 3. We should spend some other time during the week to study the Bible.
4. We should read Christian books. We recommend reading one Christian book every month.

E. Conclusion.
1. A lack of a regular prayer time reflects a lack of faithfulness to the Lord.
2. When we neglect prayer, we will reap the consequences in the form of a powerless Christian life,
devoid of peace and direction.
3. If we pray and read the Bible, we tap on to God's power.

Talk 3 STRENGTHENING FAMILY LIFE

A. Introduction.
1. CFC is a Christian family life renewal ministry.
a) We want to support not just couples, but to strengthen our families as well.
b) The strength of our families in CFC will determine the extent that the lord can use us for His
purposes.
2. The family is the basic unit of society.
a) The condition of individual families will determine the condition of society as a whole.
b) Our work of strengthening family life is the best way for us to work for the moral regeneration of
society.

B. Ways of strengthening family life.

1. Understand better the meaning of our commitment to our spouse in marriage.
a) Marriage is a relationship of commitment and service.
* It is not based merely on emotion, but on covenant fidelity.
* Commitment and service means entrusting oneself completely to the other. It is denying
oneself for the good of the other.
b) We need to recognize that we are first committed to God. Therefore, our feelings, likes and
dislikes, and our will are all subordinated to God's will and plan for us.
c) During moments of difficulty, we can turn to the Lord.
* We recognize that God is the architect of our marriage, and knows how best for it to work.
* Mt 11:28-30
2. Live more fully the principles of Christian personal relationships.
a) Before we are husband and wife, we are brother and sister in the Lord.
* Christian marriage is just one kind of Christian personal relationship.
* As in any Christian relationship, we ought to manifest in our daily living the fruit of the Spirit.
We are to love and serve each other, to handle our feelings in the right way, and so on.
* The husband's and wife's living out the New Testament teaching on personal character and
relationships will be a large part of their faithfulness in living out their commitment to each
other as spouses.
b) The demand of Christians personal relationships is more than just the practice of human virtues.
We are called to unconditional love and service.
* Mt 5:44-48.
3. Make the home a center of family life.
a) In many families, the relationship between parents and children is much weaker than it should be.
* Parents are not sufficiently available to their children. They are often preoccupied and
inaccessible, physically or psychologically.
* Children are resistant to direction and indifferent to parents' wishes, values and beliefs.
b) One reason is because the home is no longer a center of work, education, and care of the sick and
aged.

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 * Consequently it is no longer full of activities that are essential for life and which involve
parents and children together.
c) Thus families should develop opportunities to expand the range of tasks and services and
activities in the home in ways that bring parents and children together.
* We must make our home not merely a physical structure, but a place where family members
experience love, warmth, encouragement.
* Parents need to make a decision to bring back life in the home and make time for it (e.g.,
family meals, family recreation, shared chores, etc..).
* The important element is not so much the activity itself, but the quality and development of
relationships.
4. Interact with Christian families.
a) Not only has parent-child interaction in the home been reduced, but interaction between the
generations outside the home has also declined.
* In employment, educational and recreational settings, people are placed with their age peers
and are isolated from people who are much older or younger.
* The separate worlds of children. youth, adults and the elderly draw family members out of the
home into disconnected social groupings.
* This in turn is a major contributor to the weakening of the parent-child relationship, especially
parents' ability to train their children once they reach school age.
b) Thus Christian families should find ways to share their lives with one another.
* By working together, having a social life together, and helping one another in practical ways
that involve people of various ages.
* Some practical activities: joint Lord's Day celebration, going on vacation together, family
outings, etc.
c) We already are in such a network of families in CFC.
* With our Family Ministries (something for everyone in the family), we can have more
activities together.
* We know we do not stand alone in our desire to strengthen Christian family living.
5) Exercise greater control over the family use of media and of time.
a) Many families do not deal strongly enough with the intrusion of media. Mass media have almost
unlimited access to many families.
* The formation of young minds is given over to the information and entertainment industries.
* Also, media dampens family activity and communication.
b) We should monitor and control the flow of books, magazines, comics, records, radio and
television programs in our home.
* Decide what is allowed into the home.
* Decide how much is allowed (e.g, hours of TV).
c) Given also the scarcity of time together, we must set priorities and control our time accordingly.

* Parents and children should not get overly involved in their own respective activities that they
no longer have quality family time together.
* We also need to be creative in developing family recreation. Our purpose here would be
entertainment, relaxation, fun, camaraderie, training and development for family members.
6. Develop Christian peer environments for young people.
a) Age-peer environments are important.
* Peer groups are a powerful force in the lives of young people.
* We do not seek to avoid these, but to redirect them.
b) We should strive to get our children into our family ministries.
* They will develop strong supportive relationships with their own peers.

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 * We will have a real alternative to the often intensely secular peer environments that are not
Christian in orientation.
* They will be tied intimately into the life of the larger body (CFC).
7. Become pastors of our children.
a) Parents must work actively to train and form their children in Christian faith and
character.
b) The ultimate goal of raising and training our children is not to make them what we want them to
be, but to help them fulfill their God-given destiny.
* Our goal is to train them for life, imbued with Christian ideals and values. We should give
them our Christian heritage.
* Our example: the Israelites. Deut 6:20-25.
c) We must be determined to wrest the initiative from school, peers and the media.
d) Prayer is essential.
* Personal as well as family prayer.

C. Conclusion.
1. Pope John Paul II in Familiaris Consortio: "The future of humanity passes by way of the family".
2. We need to strengthen Christian family life, in order to defend God's creation, and to renew the face
of the earth.

Talk 4 OUR CHRISTIAN CULTURE IN CFC

A. Introduction.
1. We have a covenant with God and with one another. We are to be His people, and our lives are to
reflect our intimate relationship with Him.
2. More specifically, we are called together in CFC to live out a common life. Part of this life is a
distinct culture as Christians in general and as CFC in particular.

B. The New Testament teaching.

1. What did God do for us? Col 1:13.
a) From darkness to God's kingdom.
b) Christians, because of their new birth in Christ, are to be a new people, God's people, with a new
way of life which is in harmony with God's nature and purposes.
2. What is our response? Eph 4:17-18.
a) Involved in this transfer of kingdoms is a concrete change in behavior. Eph 4:22-24.
b) Spiritual ignorance alienates people from the life of God and results in a corrupted way of life.
Eph 4:18-19.
* The form of human culture depends on spiritual relationship with God. If we do not explicitly
acknowledge and obey the one true God, it will contain distortions of true righteousness, and
will oftentimes result in immoral practices.
3. Our new identity as Christians. 1 Pet 2:9-11a.
a) From darkness to light.
b) Once no people, now God's people.
c) Also, we are strangers and in exile.
* We live in the midst of other people whose way of life is different from us.
* We are "resident aliens", subject to the laws of a country but also a "nation apart", bound by a
separate district culture.

C. What is a culture?

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 1. Culture = the way of life of a people.
a) It is the sum total of attained and learned behavior patterns of a people, regarded as expressing a
traditional way of life. It is the sum total of what makes a people what they are.
b) Culture includes a people's beliefs, values, social structures, customs and expressions.
2. Christianity is a culture.
a) As a natural consequence of Christian beliefs and values, Christians ought to have a distinctively
Christian way of life that reflects and supports such values and beliefs.
* We ought to be distinguishable from other worldly cultures. In fact, Christianity is a
counter-culture.
b) We can be Christian and Filipino (or Indian, Australian, etc.). But we are Christians first and
foremost.

D. Our Christian culture in CFC.

1. CFC is a Christian community with distinctive beliefs, values and patters of life.
a) Of course, our basic Christian beliefs and values are those held in common by all orthodox
Christians.
* Beliefs: Jesus is Lord, life after death, etc.
* Values: What we consider desirable, e.g., loyalty, dependability, dignity of life, etc.
b) In addition, we stress the importance of marriage and family life.
2. Our "statement of mission" provides our direction and the rationale for our existence.
a) The family is a creation of God and God wants us to rise in defense of His work.
b) We are to bring families back to the plan of God.
3. Our "statement of philosophy" contains the beliefs and ideals of CFC, which govern our thrust and
mission.
a) Marriage is indissoluble and is created by God for love and procreation.
b) Both husband and wife have equal personal worth and dignity. God's order for the family is
expressed in roles, with man as head and woman as helpmate.
c) Parents are responsible for the education of children.
d) The family shares in the life and mission of the Church.
* Prayers
* Evangelization
* Service to others
e) Christian family renewal is best achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit and the full use of
all charismatic gifts.

E. Expressions of Christian culture in CFC.

1. The way we relate to one another.
a) Honor and respect.
* This is as befits each one's dignity as a child of God.
* We are one family, brothers and sisters in the Lord.
b) Loyalty and commitment.
* We should be loyal and committed to one another and to the body. We are to look out for the
good of the other.
* We should resolve conflicts in the Lord.
e) Christian speech.
* Our speech is of tremendous importance for the life of the body. Prov 18:21a.
* We are to avoid slander, gossip and negative humor.
* Our speech must be gracious. Col 4:6. Eph 4:29.
- Express praise and affection.

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 - Correct with meekness.
- Communicate faith and joy.
- Show courtesy.
d) Our goal in the way we relate is to build one another up in love, and to build up the body, CFC.
Eph 4:15-16.
2. Faith. We are to be men and women of faith.
a) What is faith? Heb 11:1.
* Have the faith of our ancestors (Heb 11:4-40).
b) We can depend on divine providence. Lk 12:22-31.
c) Jesus is our focus. Heb 12:2a.
3. Prayer and Scripture.
a) We are to have a daily conversation with God.
* Eph 6:18. Col 4:2.
b) We are to receive wisdom, guidance and life from God's Word.
* Col 3:16a. Heb 4:12.
4. Order in the family.
a) The Christian family is at the very center of God's plan.
* As the basic unit of society, the condition of families will determine the condition of societies.
b) We need to strengthen the family.
* God's order: headship and submission. Eph 5:22-25.
* We are to fulfill our responsibilities in the Lord.
- Husband: govern, provide, protect.
- Wife: partner, support, homemaker.
- Parents: raise children in the Lord. Eph 6:4.
* Always have Jesus at the center of family life.
5. Life as a body.
a) We are one body, with a common life.
* Not individualistic, but brethren.
* Not pursue holiness just individually, but also corporately.
b) One concrete expression is the household.
* A concrete manifestation of being "family".
* Our weekly "spiritual filling station".
* A place to truly love our brethren.
c) Respect for order and authority in the body.
* We need order and authority for the body to function effectively.
* The Lord places various people in positions of authority. We are to obey and respect them.
Heb 13:17.
d) Christian finance.
* We have a common responsibility to support God's work.
* We are to make available to the Lord not just our time and our talents, but also our treasure.
* CFC's work is supported by the freewill contributions of its members. While giving money to
CFC is not a requirement for membership, we are encouraged to be generous.

F. Conclusion.
1. CFC is one body throughout the world, with one vision, one mission, and also one culture.
2. God wants to create a new humanity, one that would live His life on earth. We are to be witnesses to
His work in our lives.
3. Our response will determine the effectiveness of our witness. Our positive response will keep us
united and will enable the Lord to use us for mission.

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