Level 1 Course 1
José H. Prado Flores
OL OF E VA
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N DR EW .A S
GOOD N E W S
LIFE W E N
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USA
This evangelizing syllabus has its beginnings in my “Mémoire” for the academic course at “Centre International Lumen Vitae” in Brussels, Belgium in 1976 with the title “L`Annonce du Kérygme” and evaluated as “Grande Distinction” by the board of examination. I presented it as a course with Father Salvador Carrillo and Pastor Bill Finke in July 1980 in Chilpancingo, Mexico. It was then published in book format in 1983 and the syllabus is elaborated with the name “FELIPE” from 1990-1993 PU JVSSHIVYH[PVU ^P[O -Y ,TPSPHUV ;HYKPɈ HUK -Y 9PJHYKV (YNH|HYHa 9LNPZ[LYLK 0U[LSSLJ[\HS 7YVWYPL[` HUK JVW`YPNO[LK TH` In 1999 it is printed as the course “New Life” with the collaboration of Ballanti F., Grammatica A. De Nardi E., ,ZJHSHU[L = 9VISLZ ( 6Y[Pa 4 4HJxHZ * 5LSZVU ( 3\UH 3 = :[HUPZSH]ZRP = (NLL : (YNH|HYHa 9 ;HYKPM , Three factors have given this course a new appearance: 0U [OL 7VU[PÄJHS *VTTPZZPVU MVY [OL 5L^ ,]HUNLSPaH[PVU ^HZ PU[LNYH[LK 0U [OL :`UVK VM )PZOVWZ JVU]LULK [V KPZJ\ZZ [OL [VWPJ VM [OL ¸5L^ ,]HUNLSPaH[PVU MVY [OL ;YHUZTPZZPVU VM the Christian Faith”, to which I was personally invited by Pope Benedict XVI. 0U H THU ^OV WYVJSHPTZ [OL NVVK UL^Z VM ZHS]H[PVU JLU[LYLK PU 1LZ\Z HZ [OL VUS` ZH]PVY PZ LSLJ[LK 7VWL ;O\Z [OPZ UL^ LKP[PVU YL[\YUZ [V [OL VYPNPUHS VM ^P[O JVU[YPI\[PVUZ MYVT ËUNLSH *OPULaL HUK +L_[LY ( 9L`LZ and others with whom I have given this course in several countries.
Nihil Obstat Salvador Carrillo Alday M.Sp.S. Censor December 12 1999 Imprimatur Pbor. Lic. Guillermo Moreno Bravo January 12 2000 Mexico D.F.
;OL YPNO[Z [V [OL ,UNSPZO [YHUZSH[PVU VM [OPZ THU\LS HYL JLKLK [V [OL 0U[LYUH[PVUHS 6ѝJL VM [OL :[ Andrew School of Evangelization in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Edited & Layout Jose Luis Romero, Jr. Desktop Publisher: Cristhian Ramirez Art Jonathan Isaias Beatriz Padilla Translated by San Andres USA 2015 Mauricio Romero & Cristhian Ramirez
Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner
Publisher San Andrés USA: www.sanandresusa.org sanandresusa@sanandresusa.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS I.
PANORAMIC VISION OF THE COURSE 1. 3.
II.
THEMES OF THE COURSE
1. 3. 4A. 4B. 4C. 5. 6.
III.
Goal 2L` 0KLHZ Methodology *VUJLW[\HS 6]LY]PL^ HUK 7HUVYHTPJ 4HW
Presentation God’s Love :PU Salvation in Jesus Faith Conversion Jesus, Lord, My Lord Promise of the Holy Spirit Church and Community
LOGISTICAL OF THE COURSE 1. 3.
Course schedule 4H[LYPHS Appendices
5 Presentation
I. PANORAMIC VISION OF THE COURSE 1. GOAL To experience God’s salvation through a personal encounter with the risen Jesus and a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in order to be born again, and to live as children of God and heirs of his Kingdom.
2. KEY IDEA This is not just about a course, but about participants having an experience with God. What’s most important is not to learn, but to experience.
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3. METHODOLOGY Didactic and Pedagogy: ;OPZ PZ H [LZ[PTVUPHS ¸*V\YZL¹ KPYLJ[LK [V [OL ^PSS VM [OL WLYZVU ZV [OL` TH` HJJLW[ [OL free gift of salvation. ;OL WYV[HNVUPZ[ PZ [OL /VS` :WPYP[ ^OV HJ[Z ^P[O WV^LY I` [V\JOPUN HUK JVU]LY[PUN hearts. Therefore, the speaker is more of a facilitator than a teacher. His/her testimony is motivational. It is more important to allow God to act than to teach the topics. ;OL T\ZPJ TPUPZ[Y` PZ ]LY` PTWVY[HU[ 0[ PZ ULJLZZHY` [V L_WSVYL [OL ZPNUPÄJHUJL VM [OL NYHWOPJHS Z`U[OLZPaLYZ YLMLYYPUN [V [OLT PU LHJO [VWPJ 0U [OPZ *V\YZL [OL ÄUHS WOYHZL VM [OL NYHWOPJHS Z`U[OLZPaLY PZ UV[ H summary of the topic, but rather it serves as motivation. ;OL ZHTL PTWVY[HUJL NP]LU [V [OL WYLHJOPUN ZOV\SK HSZV IL NP]LU [V [OL ,_WLYPLUJPHS (J[P]P[PLZ HUK +PKHJ[PJ 9LZV\YJLZ >L OH]L WYV]PKLK ZL]LYHS ,_WLYPLUJPHS (J[P]P[PLZ HUK Examples which the speaker can choose from according to the culture and particular situations of the participants. In Poland the example of “Father Maxmillian Kolbe” should not be omitted. Likewise in Africa there might no be much awareness or association with Michaelangelo’s “Pieta.” ;OL >VYK PZ UV[ LU[OYVULK 0[ PZ PUZ[HSSLK ILMVYL [OL ILNPUPUN VM [OL JV\YZL ILJH\ZL [OL Word has arrived before everyone of us.
Pedagogical Links: Heir: God loves me because I am his child and heir. But sin deprives me of the inheritance that I then recover in Christ, when I give up my crown in the Lordship of Jesus and I receive the Holy Spirit. The Lamp: Jesus, dead and resurrected, is the fountain of salvation which I plug myself into through faith. But I need to rotate the bulb: Conversion. In order for the fruits of redemption to reach me, I need the extension cord of the Church. The Eagle decides for the quality of life even though there is a price to pay. :HS]H[PVU PZ MYLL
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4. CONCEPTUAL SYNTHESIS AND PANORAMIC MAP
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
. VK SV]LZ \Z ^P[O H ÄYT HUK Z[HISL SV]L VM H MH[OLY HUK HU \UJVUKP[PVUHS HUK [LUKLY SV]L of a mother. He especially loves sinners and wants to give us his inheritance, because we are his children. Allow yourself to be loved by Him! But sin overthrows a part of the Kingdom of God and separates us from God’s plan, PTWLKPUN \Z MYVT L_WLYPLUJPUN OPZ SV]L >L JHUUV[ ÄUK OHWWPULZZ [OYV\NO V\Y V^U human means. The consequence of sin is death. The bad news: We have a great Enemy that we cannot defeat. We cannot save ourselves. Recognize that you are incapable of saving yourself by your own means. The Good News: God has already freely saved us through his Son, who died and resurrected, to defeat Satan, and to forgive us and liberate us from sin, although the challenge is how we make this salvation ours (see the following topic). The fruit of this salvation is the inheritance of an abundant and eternal life that He obtained for us by his resurrection and gives it to us freely. 1LZ\Z KLHK YPZLU HUK NSVYPÄLK PZ `V\Y VUS` :H]PVY L_JS\ZP]L HUK L_JS\ZPVUHY` Even though salvation is free; we make it ours through Faith, which is to believe God, trust Him and depend on Him. Conversion is the manifestation of faith which leads us to be born again, by going from KHYRULZZ [V SPNO[ HUK JOHUNPUN V\Y SPML ;OPZ PZ M\SÄSSLK ^OLU ^L JVUMLZZ 1LZ\Z HZ :H]PVY open the door of our heart to Him and renounce all sin, situations of sin and sinful attitudes. Jesus risen is constituted Lord. We now proclaim Him Lord over our entire life, giving back to Him that part of his Kingdom which we had usurped, giving 100% of ourselves to Him, forever. *VUMLZZ 1LZ\Z HZ `V\Y VUS` :H]PVY PU]P[L OPT PU[V `V\Y OLHY[ HUK WYVJSHPT /PT [OL 3VYK VM `V\Y SPML .VK ZLHSZ /PZ ZHS]PÄJ ^VYR VU [OL KH` VM 7LU[LJVZ[ I` WV\YPUN V\[ OPZ /VS` :WPYP[ ;OL :WPYP[ VM ÄSPH[PVU ^OPJO THRLZ \Z OLPYZ VM .VK HUK JV OLPYZ PU *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Z The promise of the Spirit and the inheritance become ours by means of a new outpouring of the Spirit or Baptism in the Holy Spirit. (ZR HUK `V\ ZOHSS YLJLP]L [OL NPM[ VM [OL :WPYP[ The New Life is lived in community. The goal of the Christian life is the transformation into Christ Jesus, living as the Body of Christ, and establishing the Kingdom of God in this world. The Spirit comes with all His fruits, gifts, and charisms, which enable us to feel, live and act like Jesus. 0[ PZ UV[ LUV\NO [V IL IVYU ^L T\Z[ NYV^ HUK WLYZL]LYL The Panoramic Map on the following page is explored.
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NINE GOALS OF THE KERYGMATIC MESSAGE THEMES AND GOALS
SPEAKER: MOTIVATOR
PARTICIPANT: ACTOR
1. ACCEPT GOD’S LOVE
Shows and gives testimony of God’s personal love to everyone.
Accepts God’s paternal and maternal love.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE ONESELF AS SINNER BEFORE GOD
Does not accuse anyone of sin. Is simply a facilitator so the participants admit they are sinners, in need of salvation.
Acknowledges himself/herself a sinner who cannot save himself/ herself.
3. ACCEPT JESUS IN OUR HEART IN ORDER TO HAVE A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH HIM
<ZPUN 9L] HZ IHZL LUJV\YHNLZ Formally opens his/her heart to invite the participants to be open to invite Jesus in so He may remain there permanently. Jesus into their hearts as they’ve UL]LY KVUL ILMVYL 9LMLY [V [OL [OPYK box: “Do you want Jesus to enter your heart and have a personal encounter with him? Invite him! Insists on the need for each participant to confess Jesus as personal Savior.
Confesses Jesus as his/her only Savior; his/her personal Savior, exclusive and exclusionary.
5. FORMALLY RENOUNCE SIN
Motivates them to break away from all sin, situations of sin and sinful attitudes. Invites them to participate PU [OL ZHJYHTLU[ VM 9LJVUJPSPH[PVU
Formally renounces his/her sin and burns all possibility of returning to sin.
6. PROCLAIM JESUS AS LORD
Insists that in order to be saved it is necessary to publicly proclaim with the mouth that Jesus is Lord 9VT !
9LTV]LZ JYV^U HUK HJJLW[Z 1LZ\Z as Personal Lord in all areas of his life.
7. RECEIVE THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT
Motivates by pointing out that the seal of salvation is the reception of the Holy Spirit. Creates a thirst to receive him. Guides a general prayer, and organizes a personal prayer with imposition of hands whenever possible.
Asks Jesus to baptize him/her in the Holy Spirit to experience life in abundance.
8. INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY
Shows that if we do not grow in the SPML PU [OL :WPYP[ ^L NYV^ PU [OL Ă…LZO The Church and the community are needed to persevere.
Integrates himself/herself in an evangelized and evangelizing community in order to persevere in the New Life.
9. RECEIVE CHARISMS TO EVANGELIZE
Presents what the charismas are and how they are exercised to evangelize and make the Body of Christ grow.
Prepare himself/herself to receive the charismas of the Spirit in order to serve in the Christian community.
4. CONFESS JESUS AS PERSONAL SAVIOR
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NEW TITLE LIFE
GOD WANTS TO GIVE YOU HIS LIFE, FOOTNOTE BECAUSE YOU ARE HIS HEIR 10 Presentation
II. COURSE THEME PRESENTATION a.
Analogy or Parable that is enacted
;OL ,HNSL PZ [OL IPYK ^P[O [OL SVUNLZ[ SPML ZWHU VM P[Z ZWLJPLZ 0[ JHU SP]L \W [V `LHYZ )\[ PU VYKLY [V SP]L [OH[ SVUN [OL LHNSL T\Z[ THRL H KPɉJ\S[ KLJPZPVU ([ `LHYZ VM HNL P[Z [HSVUZ OH]L ILJVTL ZV J\Y]LK [OH[ P[ PZ \UHISL [V OVSK HUK LH[ P[Z WYL` 0[Z SVUN ILHR OHZ J\Y]LK [V^HYKZ P[Z JOLZ[ 0[Z ^PUNZ HYL OLH]` ILJH\ZL P[Z MLH[OLYZ HYL [VV [OPJR -S`PUN OHZ UV^ ILJVTL KPɉJ\S[ At this point, the eagle only has two alternatives: Die, or face a painful period of renewal that SHZ[Z KH`Z ;OPZ WYVJLZZ JVUZPZ[Z PU Z[H`PUN PU H WSHJL ULHY H OPNO TV\U[HPU JSPɈ ^OLYL P[ ^PSS OH]L UV ULLK VM Ă…`PUN (M[LY Ă„UKPUN [OH[ WSHJL [OL LHNSL ILNPUZ Z[YPRPUN P[Z ILHR VU H YVJR \U[PS P[ ZOH[[LYZ HUK IYLHRZ VɈ The eagle must then wait for a new beak to grow, which it will use to pull out its talons one by VUL >OLU P[Z [HSVUZ ILNPU [V NYV^ P[ ^PSS Z[HY[ W\SSPUN V\[ LHJO VUL VM P[Z VSK MLH[OLYZ The eagle’s challenge is to be willing to lose its heavy feathers, and renew its beak and talons, PU VYKLY [V MHJL [OL UL^ JOHSSLUNLZ PU SPML
&
*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY Do you want to begin the best stage of your life?
I 7YLZLU[H[PVU HUK ^OLYL [OL JV\YZL Ä[Z PU[V [OL -VYTH[PVU 7YVNYHT This Course is that high mountain where you will lose your useless heavy burdens, so you may continue living, but with a greater quality of life. You’re in the right place to be renewed, in such a way that you will truly have a new life, a life in abundance and quality of life. This Course is your opportunity to be born again; in other words it enables you to start all over again. It doesn’t matter how far you have come, you have a new opportunity; possibly the last one for some of you here today. Nevertheless, more than a Course, it is a laboratory where
J
God will work and mold (me) you as much as you allow him to (I allow him to).
4V[P]H[PVU ^P[O [OL *V\YZLÂťZ 6IQLJ[P]L HUK *VUJLW[\HS *OHSSLUNL *VUJLW[\HS *OHSSLUNL
>OH[ [V KV [V ILNPU HNHPU H YLUV]H[LK Ă…PNO[ HUK SP]L [OL ILZ[ Z[HNL of life? ;OPZ JV\YZL ^PSS WYV]PKL `V\ [OL HUZ^LY
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This Course is that high mountain where you can obtain a change in life, and quality of life. Take advantage of this opportunity. You decide; only you.
This is not a Course, rather, it’s a workshop or laboratory where God will work intensely and WYVMV\UKS` ZV [OH[ `V\ TH` Å` [OYV\NO UL^ OVYPaVUZ Let us be like clay in the hands of the potter, because God will make us new creatures in Christ Jesus The results are guaranteed!
;OPZ *V\YZL VɈLYZ `V\ UV[ Q\Z[ [OL VWWVY[\UP[` [V JOHUNL `V\Y ^PUNZ HUK ILHR YH[OLY it will give you a new life, a totally new life.
K 1\Z[PĂ„JH[PVU VM [OL *V\YZL [P[SL 3HIVYH[VY` ;OPZ *V\YZL PZ JHSSLK ¸5L^ 3PMLš ILJH\ZL P[ VɈLYZ `V\ H UL^ SPML" ILJH\ZL .VK ^HU[Z [V KV something totally new in you. Your life will be divided in two parts: before this Course and after this Course. God will not give you something for your life, but rather orient your life for something. Still, it’s not about just a Course, but a Laboratory, where each one of you will experience the power and love of God. The main character is not you, nor what you can do for God. He is the craftsman who will mold you like a potter, to transform you into a new creation. And, since what God wants to do is more important than what you can do, he simply asks you to be willing, like clay in the hands of the potter.
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;OL YPJO `V\UN THU SP]PUN KPZZH[PZĂ„LK 3R ! He has money, he is religious, and he obeys the commandments, yet he carries a burden of sadness. He has his whole life ahead of him, but he lacks eternal life, which cannot be bought with money. /PZ WYVISLT ^HZ [OH[ TVUL` VɈLYLK OPT H ZLJ\YP[` [OH[ THKL OPT ZLSM Z\ɉJPLU[ /L PZ OHWW` ^P[O ^OH[ OL OHZ HUK KVLZUÂť[ YPZR TV]PUN MVY^HYK This young man was not willing to give up the burden of his feathers.
*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY What wealth, possession, attitude, relationship, attachment, or human security has you chained up and prevents you from being happy?
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;OL L\U\JO ^HZ TPZZPUN ZVTL[OPUN *M (J[Z ! /L OHK [YH]LSLK H SVUN KPZ[HUJL VU WPSNYPTHNL [V 1LY\ZHSLT 6U OPZ ^H` home, he was sitting in his carriage, reading the prophet Isaiah, without understanding. He is good and pious, has a good job, but he lacks something: he cannot transmit life. Everything ends with his death. He cannot transcend his present life. Someone else guides the carriage of his life. His decisions are not his own. He cannot govern his life.
Many do not steer the carriage of their life, because their life has become ungovernable.
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When we drive a car in an unfamiliar city we refer to the map that our navigator is holding. It appears that we are in control, but in reality the one choosing the path is the navigator holding the map.
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*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY You may hold the steering wheel to your life, but who is holding the map? Alcohol, sex, ambition, depression, fear, anguish, envy, vengeance? Who is the driver of your car that takes you without you realizing where you’re going?
Sometimes sadness or disappointment can be guiding us. We hold the steering wheel, but the map is held by alcohol, sex or lies. We become conditioned by avarice or complexes. We are JVU[YVSSLK I` [PTPKULZZ VY HNNYLZZPVU >L NYV^ KLWLUKHU[ VU H IL[YH`HS VY PUĂ„KLSP[` ( ULNH[P]L L_WLYPLUJL K\YPUN JOPSKOVVK KL[LYTPULZ HUK HɈLJ[Z V\Y WYLZLU[ SPML 0U H WHY[PJ\SHY ^H` ^L HYL conditioned by some fear: by loneliness, rejection, not being accepted, failure, the future, pain, or death. If we relate to any of these, we need a NEW LIFE. We must be born again.
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*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY >OV JHU ZH`! 0 HSYLHK` OH]L L]LY`[OPUN 0 HT ZH[PZĂ„LK 0 HT UV[ TPZZPUN HU`[OPUN&
If you are like the rich young man, in spite of having everything you have, you lack something‌If you are like the Ethiopian eunuch and do not guide the carriage of your life then, you are in the right place and this is your great opportunity to be liberated from the conditionings that enslave you. ( OPKKLU [YLHZ\YL HUK [OL WLHYS VM NYLH[ ]HS\L HYL H^HP[PUN \Z 4[ ! . This course is like a treasure that a man stumbles upon. Because of the great joy (_/k odn r_l_n HW} [PZ _HYmZ IYV\NO[ HIV\[ I` Z\JO H THY]LSV\Z Ă„UK OL NVLZ HUK ZLSSZ L]LY`[OPUN OL OHZ HUK I\`Z [OL Ă„LSK ZV OL JHU RLLW [OL [YLHZ\YL 0M OL L_WLYPLUJLZ ZV T\JO QV` PU ZLSSPUN all his possessions, how much more joy will he experience when he holds the treasure in his hands? ;OPZ JV\YZL PZ SPRL H TLYJOHU[ [OH[ PZ ZLHYJOPUN MVY Ă„UL WLHYSZ HUK Ă„UKZ VUL [OH[ OL UL]LY imagined existed. So precious is the one pearl that he’s willing to give up everything to obtain it. It’s worth so much that everything else is secondary. These two parables are not identical but complementary: ŕ Ž ;OPZ Ă„YZ[ THU ^HZ UV[ SVVRPUN MVY [YLHZ\YL UVY KPK OL OH]L H TL[HS KL[LJ[VY /L MV\UK without seeking. ŕ Ž ;OL ZLJVUK THU ^HZ H ZWLJPHSPZ[" /PZ LU[PYL SPML ^HZ ZWLU[ ZLHYJOPUN So, whether or not you are seeking, God has a gift for you and it all depends on him. He’s the one searching for you. The gift on the Panoramic Map is closed, because it’s a surprise that God has reserved for you. It will exceed all your expectations.
;LZ[PTVU`
A the preacher, using examples from your own life, give a testimony of your As conversion, of how and when you discovered the hidden Treasure and the precious Pearl, or, even better, of how and when God himself lovingly took the initiative to have an encounter with you.
e. Motivation Be alert and vigilant because at any time the hidden Treasure could be revealed.
Eagles! Get ready to have a new and exciting time of your life, and to discover a better life!
f. Summary and Application God has made a commitment to transform your life. He has decided to intervene in a special and personal way within you, with all His power, but especially with all His love.
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y
Guaranteed by His Word that does not fail.
y
/LH]LU HUK LHY[O ^PSS WHZZ H^H` I\[ T` ^VYKZ ^PSS UV[ WHZZ H^H`! 4[ ! God will act with all his love and power. You have been personally invited by him, to experience him. We have only to be willing and abandon ourselves to His plan, which surpasses ours and even our expectations. When a thief uses his weapon to assault a person, he says: “Hands up,� so that the victim may not defend himself. Jesus, who compared himself to a thief, does not have weapons but with his hands raised on the cross, says to you: “Hands up. I will relieve you of your burdens and chains that enslave you. Hands up, so you may not defend yourself and allow me to do what I have planned from the beginning of eternity�.
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Experiential Activity: Hands Up Ask all the participants to raise their hands as a sign of total surrender to Jesus and A so as not to defend themselves, so he can do whatever he wants. A prayer is prompted which the participants repeat: “Lord, I will not defend myself. Do whatever you want with me. I surrender unconditionally to you.�
N *SVZL 4V[P]H[PVU HUK YLMLYLUJL [V [OL (UHSVN` God has prepared a surprised for you much greater than you can imagine.
This “Course� will be full of gifts and surprises from God. An opportunity lies before you: The possibility to change your life. But, like the eagle, A you must accept the challenge to lose in order to win. You decide.
You only have to decide, like the Eagle, if you want a better life than what you have now. (Z WYVVM [OH[ .VK OHZ WLYZVUHSS` PU]P[LK `V\ /L OHZ WYLWHYLK [OL Ă„YZ[ NPM[ ILJH\ZL OL RUV^Z how you are and what you need. It is a heart that you must view both from the outside and the inside, because God will work in you, internally and externally.
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Didactic Resource: The Hearts A ATTACHMENT 01: The hearts 6U [OL V\[ZPKL ¸)LOVSK 0 Z[HUK H[ [OL KVVY HUK RUVJRš 9L] ! H The inside of the heart has one of the Bible verses found in Attachment 01. The hearts are distributed to the participants. Some of the participants are invited to read out loud their Bible verses and why they were impacted by them. God will work in you both externally and internally.
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GOD’S LOVE
1 1. GOAL
To facilitate that each participant experiences God’s paternal and maternal love.
2. KEY IDEA God loves you and cannot stop loving you, because God is love. ;OL ÄYZ[ [OPUN OL HZRZ PZ UV[ [V SV]L OPT I\[ [V HSSV^ `V\YZLSM [V IL SV]LK I` OPT
3. METHODOLOGY H
b.
+PKHJ[PJ HUK 7LKHNVN` ;OPZ [VWPJ OHZ ZV THU` +PKHJ[PJ 9LZV\YJLZ HUK ,_WLYPLU[PHS (J[P]P[PLZ [OH[ [OL ZWLHRLY should choose those that are most adaptable to the participants’ culture. >OH[ PZ TVZ[ PTWVY[HU[ PZ UV[ [OL L_WVZP[PVU I` [OL ZWLHRLY I\[ YH[OLY [V M\SÄSS [OL [VWPJ»Z objective. Therefore, this is not about an informative presentation, or a teaching about God’s love. The task of the speaker is to manifest and make present God’s love. The testimonies and music ministry are very important. The lamp or candle must remain lit throughout the topic. Time TPU\[LZ WS\Z MVY [OL ,_WLYPLU[PHS (J[P]P[` ¸;OL -H[OLY»Z /V\ZL¹
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4. TOPIC’S OUTLINE a.
I
c.
Introduction To experience God’s paternal and maternal love who wants the best for us, especially for sinners. ;LHJOPUN 7YVJLZZ a. God loves you personally . 1st: God loves you with a steadfast and unwavering love of a father UK! God loves you with a tender and unconditional love of a mother b. God wants the best for you, because you are his child and heir c. God took the initiative to love you d. God especially loves sinners Conclusion )LMVYL ^L SV]L .VK ^L ULLK [V ÄYZ[ MLLS SV]LK I` OPT
ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE LOVED BY GOD
16 God’s Love
5. TOPIC’S DEVELOPMENT A.
INTRODUCTION
a. Evocation Who is the person that has loved or cherished you the most? What was their gaze like or voice like? (Do not use Jesus or God as example). b. Presentation and where the topic is located In this topic we are going to present you with the most important truth in the history of your life. But it’s not simply for you to know it, but rather, for you to experience it. c. Topic’s objective and motivation We welcome you here because you’ve been invited personally and in a very special way by God. He has been waiting for you for a long time. We will begin by discussing a topic that if we live it, our entire life will be changed:
y B.
God loves you in a personal, steadfast and unconditional manner.
y
TEACHING PROCESS
a. God loves you personally God is love and everything that proceeds from him is love. He does not love everyone, but rather he loves each one of us in a personal manner, the way each one of us needs to be loved.
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Didactic Resource: The candle of God’s love The candle is lit to signify the light of God’s love.
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;OL ZOLWOLYK [OH[ RUV^Z LHJO ZOLLW I` [OLPY UHTL ;OL UHTL ZPNUPÄLZ life itself: past, present and future, qualities and weaknesses, dreams and wounds, secrets and downfalls‌ because he knows from which clay you have been made.
God’s love has no limits. He does not care what you have been or what you have done in the past or where you are now: Sad or disillusioned, alone or sick: He tells you again: @V\ HYL T` ILSV]LK :VU" ^P[O `V\ 0 HT ^LSS WSLHZLK! 4R ! 1st:
.VK SV]LZ `V\ ^P[O H Z[LHKMHZ[ HUK \U^H]LYPUN SV]L VM H MH[OLY
Though the mountains fall away and the hills be shaken, My love shall never fall away from you UVY T` JV]LUHU[ VM WLHJL IL ZOHRLU ZH`Z [OL 369+ ^OV OHZ TLYJ` VU `V\! 0Z ! 0M `V\ HYL MHP[OM\S 0 ^PSS IL MHP[OM\S )\[ PM `V\ HYL \UMHP[OM\S 0 ^PSS YLTHPU MHP[OM\S God loves you with an unyielding and stable love. It is steadfast and faithful. God cannot stop loving you. He supports you, defends you, and sustains you with the strength and the commitment of a father.
17 God’s Love
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Didactic Resource: KIPPA Goal: To perceive that we have a father who cares and protects us. Motivation: The Jews use a small hat or skullcap over their head called a Kippa, which stands for: “Someone cares for me and has his protective hand over me. I am under the protection of his loving hand�. Process: The speaker places a Kippa on his head. A Kippa is given to each participant. Participants place their hand over their head and repeat the following: “My life is under the protective hand of God. I have someone who cares for me.� ;LHJOPUN! If you have a problem, an enemy, an enslaving vice, an illness or psychological JVTWSL_ [OH[ JH\ZLZ `V\ [V Z\ɈLY ZH` [V P[! ¸*HUJLY HSJVOVS MLHY KLWYLZZPVU LULT` etc.), there is someone who takes care of me, he defends me and he protects me�. 1LZ\Z OHZ ZOV^U \Z [OH[ [OL MHJL VM .VK PZ [OH[ VM H SV]PUN -H[OLY 7VWL -YHUJPZ .VK PZ UV[ HU HUVU`TV\Z HUK YLTV[L WV^LY OL PZ [OL -H[OLY Evangelii Nuntiandi 26
UK! God loves you with a tender and unconditional love of a mother /L SV]LZ HUK HJJLW[Z `V\ Q\Z[ HZ `V\ HYL ^P[O `V\Y NVVK X\HSP[PLZ HUK Ă…H^Z /L KVLZ UV[ judge you or condemns you. You are the most beautiful and precious creation to him. He does UV[ SV]L `V\ ILJH\ZL VM `V\Y X\HSP[PLZ VY Z[VWZ SV]PUN `V\ ILJH\ZL VM `V\Y Ă…H^Z
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His love is unconditional like a mother’s love.
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Maternal love is tender, caring and is given without limits. But the most important characteristic of the maternal love is that it is unconditional.
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God’s love is the only unconditional love in this world.
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All others are conditional.
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God does not love you because you are good, but rather because he is good and because you are his child. God himself has promised: Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should ZOL MVYNL[ 0 ^PSS UL]LY MVYNL[ `V\ :LL \WVU [OL WHSTZ VM T` OHUKZ 0 OH]L LUNYH]LK `V\ 0Z !
See, upon the palms of my (his) hands I have engraved you (he has engraved you)
18 God’s Love
We are tattooed on God’s hand. The tattoo is imprinted under the skin and it cannot be erased. It is an endearing love, which springs from the depths of his divine being.
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Didactic Resource: Tattoo ,HJO WLYZVU \ZLZ H THYRLY [V ^YP[L VU [OL WHST VM VUL OHUK [OL Ă„YZ[ SL[[LY VM [OL HɈLJ[PVUH[L UHTL [OL` ^LYL JHSSLK MYVT JOPSKOVVK
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If they called you “Johnny� write a “J� on the palm of your hand.
God is almighty, but there is one thing that he cannot do: he cannot forget you. God reproaches his people tenderly: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, I\[ `V\ ^LYL \U^PSSPUN ! 4[ ! ;OL PTHNL VM H OLUÂťZ ^PUNZ YLĂ…LJ[Z [OL TH[LYUHS [LUKLYULZZ .VK VɈLYZ [V OPZ JOPSKYLU 0[ manifests protection, security and refuge.
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Didactic Resource: Merciful Father Goal: Perceive God’s merciful love both as father and mother. Motivation: ;OPZ WHPU[PUN I` 9LTIYHUK[ L_WYLZZLZ PU H NLUP\Z ^H` .VKZ SV]L IV[O OPZ Z[YVUN HUK secure love as well as his tender and caring love. No theologian or writer has been able to present God’s merciful love like this Dutch artist. Process: ,HJO WHY[PJPWHU[ PZ OHUKLK H JVW` VM 9LTIYHUK[Z ¸;OL 7YVKPNHS :VUš ;OL participants are motivated to examine their copy in detail.
3\RL ! PZ YLHK HUK IYPLÅ` L_WSHPULK \ZPUN H SHYNL WYPU[ VM ¸;OL Prodigal Son.�
We have two main characters: The son who returns home with his sandals torn by the deception of life, with scars on OPZ MLL[ /PZ OLHK ZOH]LK HZ H Z`TIVS VM [OL ZSH]HY` OL OHZ Z\ɈLYLK ;OL ZVU SLHUZ on his father’s stomach as if to hide his shame. His rags reveal his extreme poverty. The father PZ ISPUK ILJH\ZL OL ZLLZ ^P[O OPZ OLHY[ /PZ ILHYK ZPNUPĂ„LZ L[LYUP[` OPZ love never changes). His face is peaceful. He does not reproach. His long tunic embraces and covers his son who has returned home. He leans over lovingly and places his hands on his son as if wanting to envelop him with his love. ŕ Ž /PZ left hand is the strong paternal hand that melts in his son’s shoulder. He loves ^P[O H THZJ\SPUL SV]L [OH[ PZ Z[LHKMHZ[ Z[HISL HUK KLĂ„UP[L :\WWVY[Z HUK NP]LZ security. ŕ Ž /PZ YPNO[ OHUK is tender and feminine as it lays softly on the son’s back. His love is delicate like a mother’s love. God loves with the tenderness of a woman.
19 God’s Love
God loves you with a father’s love and a mother’s love at the same time, but today he wants to express it in the way you need it. Question to answer With which hand of God would you like to be caressed today? With the steady and strong hand of a father, or with the tender and unconditional hand of a mother?
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Prayer: Two Hands The speaker prays to God to caress each participant with one of his two hands, with the hand that each person needs the most. b.
God wants the best for you, because you are his child and heir
Now to him (God) who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power H[ ^VYR ^P[OPU \Z! ,WO ! He has a surprising plan for you and your life: Your happiness in this world and in the next. The most marvelous and incredible thing is that God can transform those painful, disappointing HUK ZHK L]LU[Z PU `V\Y SPML MVY `V\Y ^LSSILPUN HUK OHWWPULZZ! 9VT !
It is much more than what has been said. God promises his inheritance, because you are his beloved child. Everything of his belongs to you because you are his child, and therefor his heir And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ: 9VT ! H
You are heir of all the divine treasures. c. God took the initiative to love you God always takes the initiative.
He has always sought us (me, you) throughout eternity. 0U [OPZ PZ SV]L! UV[ [OH[ ^L OH]L SV]LK .VK I\[ OL Ă„YZ[ SV]LK \Z >L SV]L ILJH\ZL OL Ă„Y[Z SV]LK \Z 1U !
You cannot do anything to earn this love, only accept it. It is free. ;OL Ă„YZ[ [OPUN .VK HZRZ VM `V\ PZ!
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That you allow yourself to be loved by Him.
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God loves you much more than you love yourself, and much more than you can ever imagine.
God loves you (me) much more than you (I) love yourself (myself) and much more than you (I) can ever imagine.
God’s Love
d. God especially loves sinners The madness of God’s love is that he loves more those who need it the most: sinners. ^OLYL ZPU PUJYLHZLK NYHJL V]LYÅV^LK HSS [OL TVYL! .VKZ TLYJPM\S SV]L ! 9VT !
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*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY Why don’t you allow yourself to be loved by God? Perhaps you do not love yourself, therefore you believe that no one loves you? Have you been hurt, used, or betrayed that you not longer trust in the love of others? Are you hurt so much by negative or painful experiences of love that now you do not trust divine love?
Didactic Resource: The Stripped Rose Goal: To show how and how much God loves us, in spite of our wounds and problems. Motivation: 6\Y SPML PZ SPRL [OPZ YVZL >OLYL [OLYLÂťZ ILH\[` HUK [OVYUZ ;OPZ PZ V\Y SPML ^V]LU ^P[O petals of joy and thorns of sorrow. But the walk of life has managed to strip its petals. Process: (Z [OL WL[HSZ HYL W\SSLK MYVT [OL YVZL Z[H[L [OL MVSSV^PUN YLĂ…LJ[PVUZ!
Participants add at the end of each phrase: I am loved by God
‌Even if you have been ruined by the storms of life, ‌Even if you have been humiliated, ‌In the midst of your life’s problems, ‌Even if your dignity has been trampled on, ‌Even if you have lost your self-respect, ‌Even if it was taken what you love most, ‌Even if you are stripped of all your rights, ÂŻ,]LU PM ZVTLVUL OHZ WLLSLK [OL ZRPU VɈ VM `V\Y OLHY[ ‌Even if someone shattered your dreams, ‌Even if it appears no one cares for you, ‌Even if it seems there’s no one to protect you or cover you under his wings, ‌Even if you do not believe nor have experienced love, ‌Even if your father, mother, family, friends, illnesses, loneliness, betrayal etc.
;LHJOPUN! No matter who you are or how far you have fallen, you are still loved by God, because God THRLZ HSS [OPUNZ ^VYR [VNL[OLY MVY `V\Y V^U NVVK 9VT !
;LZ[PTVU`
The speaker gives testimony of his most important experience of God’s love.
God’s Love
Experiential Activity: The Father’s House Goal: To feel loved by the Father. Process: Prepare two small and enclosed spaces (one for men, another for women) where a person can sit down. A mirror is situated at eye level and covered with a curtain or covering. Above the mirror a sign is hung that states “Pull the covering if you want to see the person that is most loved by God.” A sign right below the mirror states, “You are my Beloved Son/ Daughter with whom I am well pleased.” Be careful that the covering is repositioned over the mirror before the next participant arrives. Application: You are what God loves the most.
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Didactic Resource: The Father’s Letter Goal: To experience God’s love as Father. Motivation: The most important person in the world has taken the initiative and has sent you another very special gift. Process: ATTACHMENT 11: Letter for women/men As exiting the Father’s House give an envelop with a pink ribbon for women and blue ribbon for men with the letter especially addressed to each participant. Invite them to read the letter two or three times in silence. At the end, 5 or so participants to share which phrase impacted them the most.
:VUN HUK WYH`LY
C.
A song making reference to God’s love is played
God is almighty, but there is one thing he cannot stop doing. He cannot stop loving me.
CONCLUSION
a. Content summary ;OL ÄYZ[ [OPUN [OH[ .VK HZRZ VM `V\ PZ [V HSSV^ `V\YZLSM [V IL SV]LK I` OPT" ^P[O OPZ WH[LYUHS HUK maternal love. So that we do not forget that God does not forget us, tie the ribbon from the letter HYV\UK H ÄUNLY VU `V\Y YPNO[ OHUK
God’s Love
To one another: There is only one thing God cannot do,
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stop loving you.
>VTLU! .VK SV]LZ TL ^P[O H ÄYT HUK Z[HISL SV]L VM H MH[OLY
Men: God loves me with the tender and unconditional love of a mother.
I *SVZPUN ^P[O [OL VIQLJ[P]L :[VW Y\UUPUN HYV\UK PU JPYJSLZ SVVRPUN MVY .VK ;6+(@ SL[ OPT JH[JO `V\
;OL KPɈLYLUJL IL[^LLU `V\ HUK [OL LHNSL ^OV KLJPKLK [V SP]L SVUNLY HUK ^P[O H OPNOLY X\HSP[` VM SPML PZ [OH[ PU `V\Y JHZL `V\ OH]L HU HSTPNO[` .VK ÄSSLK ^P[O ^PZKVT and love who decided and made the commitment to share his own life and even his inheritance with you.
God’s Love
1. GOD’S LOVE
A. GOD LOVES YOU PERSONALLY Steadfast and stable love of a father: Is 54:10. Unconditional and tender love of a mother: Is 49:15-16.
B. GOD WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU, BECAUSE YOU ARE HIS CHILD AND HEIR. ,WO ! " 9VT !
C. GOD TOOK THE INITIATIVE AND LOVES SINNERS.
1U ! " 9VT ! I
ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE LOVED BY GOD God’s Love
SIN
2 1. GOAL To become convinced that we are sinners and we cannot save ourselves.
2. KEY IDEA Through sin, man usurps God’s throne and loses his inheritance.
3. METHODOLOGY
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+PKHJ[PJ HUK 7LKHNVN` Centers on the drama that we’re incapable to save ourselves. It is very important to use the didactic material and to explore the graphical synthesizers. Time 60 minutes.
Sin
4. TOPIC’S OUTLINE a. I
Introduction God loves us but sin prevents us from experiencing it. Neither can we save ourselves. ;LHJOPUN 7YVJLZZ a. God’s original plan: Paradise (Kingdom of God) b. What is sin? 1st: Not hitting the target. Missing the shot. UK! 9LILSSPVU HNHPUZ[ .VK YL]VS[ [V \Z\YW OPZ 2PUNKVT b. All have sinned. Three types of sins 1st: The scandalous sin of public sinners UK!
c.
The sin of the Pharisees, who believe themselves to be good (hypocrisy)
3rd: Not believing God J *VUZLX\LUJLZ VM ZPU >P[O +PKHJ[PJ 9LZV\YJLZ Conclusion Sin prevents us from experiencing God’s love. The wages of sin is death.
YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF: SIN ENSLAVES YOU AND PREVENTS YOU FROM LIVING LIKE GOD’S CHILD AND HEIR
Sin
5. TOPIC’S DEVELOPMENT A.
INTRODUCTION
a. Evocation 9LJHSS H [PTL ^OLU `V\Y SPML ^HZ PU KHUNLY VY ^OLU `V\ ^LYL ULHY KLH[O b. Presentation and where the topic is located We have seen how, and how much God loves us (stable and unconditional love of a father, tender and merciful love of a mother, that wants only the best for each and everyone of his children), making us heirs of his kingdom.
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Didactic Resource: Candle and Kippa The speaker lights the candle and places the Kippa on his head.
*VUJLW[\HS *OHSSLUNL
)\[ PM .VK SV]LZ \Z ^O` KVUÂť[ ^L L_WLYPLUJL OPZ SV]L& >O` KV L]PS JVYY\W[PVU SPLZ ^HYZ HUK OH[YLK L_PZ[& >O` SVULSPULZZ ZHKULZZ death and meaningless of life?
c. Topic’s objective and motivation To recognize that we are incapable to govern our own life and we cannot save ourselves on our own. B.
TEACHING PROCESS
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*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY We have seen that God had a marvelous plan, but in reality we do not see it in today’s world. What is the problem?
0M ^L KV UV[ PKLU[PM` [OL WYVISLT P[ ^PSS IL \USPRLS` [V Ă„UK [OL ZVS\[PVU -PUKPUN [OL WYVISLT PZ only half of the way out.
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;OL Ă„YZ[ [OPUN H KVJ[VY KVLZ PZ [V PKLU[PM` [OL YVV[ JH\ZL VM [OL Z`TW[VTZ PU order to apply a proper therapy.
;VKH` ^L ^PSS KPZJV]LY [OL YVV[ JH\ZL VM HSS [OL WYVISLTZ [OH[ HÉŠPJ[ THU H .VKÂťZ 6YPNPUHS 7SHU! 7HYHKPZL 2PUNKVT VM .VK God designed a wonderful plan for man and woman when he created a paradise for them, and assigned them as stewards over all his kingdom. They lived integrated with creation; there was peace among them, and they were in communion with God, who visited them every afternoon. Everything was happiness, harmony and light. Adam and Eve, who symbolize all mankind and each one of us, rebelled against God. They did not believe that God could love them so much, and they lost what he had given them. Here lies the root of all problems: The virus that infected all of creation is called sin. What happened then is what occurs to us today, and instead of gaining, we lose what God had prepared for us. The Word of God clearly indicates to us the problem:
Sin
There is no one just, not one, there is no one who understands, [OLYL PZ UV VUL ^OV ZLLRZ .VK (SS OH]L NVUL HZ[YH`" HSS HSPRL HYL ^VY[OSLZZ" there is not one who does good, B[OLYL PZ UV[D L]LU VUL! 9VT ! I The consequences of this drama show up immediately:
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All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God: 9VT !
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The origin of all social evil, personal and communal, is sin, which disintegrates us internally, as well as with the external world, and our relationship with God. Being deprived of the Glory of God means living outside his marvelous plan of happiness, freedom and peace.
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Didactic Resource: Candle The candle, that symbolizes God’s love, is extinguished because man does not accept God’s original plan.
b.
What is sin? 1st: Not hitting the target. Missing the aim. The Greek word for sin is “ha-martia� which means not hitting the target, fail to achieve the goal of life: happiness and freedom. Seduced by a transitory pleasure, we lose the meaning of life.
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Didactic Resource: Dartboard Thrown darts at a dartboard.
UK! 9LILSSPVU HNHPUZ[ .VK YL]VS[ [V \Z\YW OPZ RPUNKVT ;OL Z[VY` VM (IZHSVT [OL ZVU VM RPUN +H]PK WLYMLJ[S` KLZJYPILZ ^OH[ ZPU PZ :HT ! Done by two readers alternately. How it applies to us
Story of David and Absalom David conquered the city of Jerusalem and established it as the capital of his kingdom.
God has his kingdom, which has been designed and created, where he is the King.
The king had several heirs with rights to the crown or at least to a royal inheritance.
We have a right to live in this Kingdom and we are heirs of it.
6UL VM [OLZL JOPSKYLU ^P[O THU` [HSLU[Z HUK JOHYPZTZ ^HZ (IZHSVT :HT ! ^OV was not content with his lot as the king’s son and started a conspiracy.
The problem begins with dissatisfaction or greed. Man wants more (more money, more power, and more pleasure) and tries to obtain it at any cost or by any means.
Sin
4HU ^HU[Z KLĂ„ULZ HUK KLJPKLZ ^OH[ PZ good and what is bad in his life and in the life of others. He establishes his own laws and constitutes himself as Judge. ;OL Ă„YZ[ [OPUN OL \Z\YWZ PZ [OL SLNPZSH[P]L power, so he can later go after the executive power.
He wanted to be supreme judge of the court VM Q\Z[PJL PU [OL RPUNKVT :HT ! He began to usurp part of the kingdom (The Court of Justice)
My kingdom. I am seated on the throne because I am sovereign and I establish the law. Money, work, people, entertainment, HɈLJ[PVUZ YLSPNPVU HUK L]LU 1LZ\Z (the character with the Question Mark on the head) revolve around me, and I am at the center. I boastfully hold the executive, legislative and judicial power.
Absalom then gathers a group of followers to plot against the kingdom: “He steals the OLHY[Z VM [OL WLVWSLš :HT !
We always look for others to help us accomplish our plot. My rebellion involves others.
With a lie he leaves Jerusalem to make OPTZLSM RPUN VM /LIYVU :HT ! /L lost his royal inheritance. There are now two kingdoms, two kings, two crowns and two thrones.
Man withdraws from God, his Father. He leaves his house, like the prodigal son, where he is his own law. He competes with God’s sovereignty.
He increases his army and decides to attack Jerusalem to overthrow his father’s kingdom. He plans a revolt, not against the kingdom, but directly against his father.
;OL TVYL ZLSM Z\ɉJPLU[ THU MLLSZ [OL TVYL KPZZH[PZÄLK OL PZ HUK [OL TVYL OL ^HU[Z /L revolts against God. He wants to be like God.
The brave king David who did not fear the giant Goliath and who defeated the Jebusites, quickly escapes, even leaving behind his concubines in the royal palace.
God doesn’t cling onto anything and He let’s you do whatever you want. He respects your freedom.
Sin
Absalom seizes Jerusalem, enters the palace, sits on his father’s throne and declares himself King of Israel. Moreover, to show his absolute power, he lays with his father’s JVUJ\IPULZ :HT !
We usurp the Throne of God and place the king’s crown upon ourselves. To sleep with the concubines means to seize the things and people that belong to God.
Sometime later David reorganizes his army to take back Jerusalem, but David does not battle against his son, instead he sends three NLULYHSZ [V YLNHPU [OL RPUNKVT :HT ! 1-4).
God sends his generals (his Word, Prophets and Events) to reclaim what belongs to him. God does not battle against us.
After a hard battle in Ephraim’s forest, young Absalom rode away on a mule. But as he went under an oak tree, his hair caught fast in the oak while the mule continued on its way. And so he died as he hung from the oak tree. :HT !
;OL ^HNLZ VM ZPU PZ KLH[O 9VT ! H Usurping God’s place carries a high Price: Death. We become entangled in an oak tree SPLZ NYLLK ZPJRULZZ HɈLJ[PVUZ ^OPJO [HRLZ our life.
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*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY What area of your life is your Hebron where you have proclaimed yourself King against God your Father? What concubines have you seized? What oak tree are you entangled in?
Sin consists in saying to God: “I do not want your love anymore, I make myself King. I assume your place; I overthrow and usurp your kingdom.�
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Didactic Recourse: Crown The Kippa of God’s love is replaced with the crown of power.
The throne and the crown are too big for us. Application: The image of Absalom entangled in the oak tree shows how we can be trapped to the point of death: The eager search for pleasure, ambition, vengeance, treachery, death or suicide, anxiety, sexual obsessions, irrational fears, etc.. are symptoms that
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our head is entangled.
c. All have sinned and three types of sins This attitude, however, is not exclusive to Absalom, rather it represents each and everyone of us, who revolt against God’s sovereignty and try to usurp his throne.
30 Sin
(SS OH]L ZPUULK HUK HYL KLWYP]LK VM [OL NSVY` VM .VK! 9VT ! .VKZ >VYK HɉYTZ [OH[ ¸HSS OH]L ZPUULKš HUK [OH[
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“there is no one just� 9VT ! I H
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1st: The scandalous sin of public sinners The sins of brothels and bars, thieves, murderers, rapists; who fall into the mud of wickedness. Drunkards, drug addicts, adulterers, traitors, homosexuals, they muddy themselves and others. Their sins are so obvious they cannot hide them.
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Didactic Resource: Mud A participant dips his hands in the mud and muddies his face.
UK! The sin of the Pharisees, who believe themselves to be good (hypocrisy) They are dressed in sheep’s clothing. People who canonize themselves, but deep down, they are whitewashed tombs, because on the outside everything appears clean and perfect, but inside everything is rotten and dead.
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Didactic Resource: Flour ( WHY[PJPWHU[ W\[Z Ă…V\Y VU OPZ MHJL ( *OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY We are all sinners, but there are two types of sinners: The public and the whitewashed tombs. To which group do you belong? (A minute of silence)
The drama reveals that
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neither of the two can save themselves.
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Didactic Resource: I Cannot Save Myself Process: Ask the person who has mud on their hands to clean his face with his dirty hands and A [V JSLHU [OL Ă…V\Y VɈ VM [OL V[OLY WLYZVU HUK ]PJL ]LYZH ;LHJOPUN! I cannot clean (liberate or purify) myself from my sin nor can another sinner save me. We are all sinners (public or Pharisees), unable to save ourselves. 9LJVNUPaL `V\Y WYVISLT 0[ÂťZ [OL VUS` ^H` V\[ VM P[ 0[ PZ PTWVZZPISL HU` V[OLY ^H`
31 Sin
3rd: Not believing God In paradise, Adam and Eve did not believe God. They trusted more in the lying serpent and they let themselves be led by their desires to be gods. More than disobedience it was a lack of trust. K *VUZLX\LUJLZ VM ZPU >P[O +PKHJ[PJ 9LZV\YJLZ ŕ Ž @V\ SVZL `V\Y PKLU[P[` HZ H JOPSK VM .VK WSHJL H mask on a participant). Adam and Eve instead of winning, they felt naked. This is why many people compensate with disguises and they live with masks to cover their nakedness. (Explore the Graphical Synthesizer).
ŕ Ž >OLU `V\ IYLHR H^H` MYVT [OL [YLL VM .VKÂťZ MHTPS` `V\ ^P[OLY ZOV^ [OL dry branch). ŕ Ž ;OL SPNO[ VM OVWL QV` HUK WLHJL PU `V\Y OLHY[ PZ L_[PUN\PZOLK HUK VUL SP]LZ KLWYLZZLK /VWL HUK JVUĂ„KLUJL PU VULZLSM HUK V[OLYZ PZ SVZ[ ZOV^ [OL unlit candle). ŕ Ž 0UZ[LHK VM `V\Y OLHY[ ILPUN Ă„SSLK `V\ L_WLYPLUJL SPMLÂťZ LTW[PULZZ HUK SVULSPULZZ ( SPML that lacks purpose, value, or motivation (show the empty glass). ŕ Ž :PU LUZSH]LZ `V\ 1U ! :OV^ [OL chain with a lock).
At the beginning of this topic we asked when were you nearest to death. Each time A that the poison of sin circulates in our veins, we are on the edge of death.
ŕ Ž 3VZL [OL PUOLYP[HUJL 6UL ZPU SLHKZ [V HUV[OLY ZPU \U[PS `V\ MHSS VɈ [OL JSPɈ ^P[OV\[ H WVZZPIPSP[` VM YL[\YUPUN @V\ SVZL control of yourself, and you are dominated and enslaved by an object, an attitude or a person.
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Your life becomes uncontrollable.
( (IZHSVT ILJHTL LU[HUNSLK :PU LU[HUNSLZ MLLSPUNZ HUK HɈLJ[PVUZ 0[ JVUM\ZLZ [OL mind and even sickens your body leading it to death.
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Didactic Resource: Mask Chain the person wearing the mask. Close the lock and throw away the key.
7YVK\JLZ KLH[O ^OPJO PZ ^VYZ[ [OHU HU`[OPUN LSZL <ZL [OL mouse trap). -VY [OL ^HNLZ VM ZPU PZ KLH[O! 9VT ! H
In the short, medium, or long term, sin always produces death, all types of death. And it expands its deadly cloak to its surroundings. When Jesus told the man who was healed after having been paralyzed for 38 years, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.� (Jn 5:14), he wanted him to understand that:
Sin
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“Sin is worse than being paralyzed for 38 years, sin is death.�
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The consequences of sin are so dreadful that you become trapped in a web, a maze with no way out, entangled mentally and emotionally.
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It is a living death.
CONCLUSION
If your life has become unmanageable: You don’t do the good you want to do, rather you do [OL IHK `V\ KVUÂť[ ^HU[ [V KV 9VT ! 0M `V\ KV UV[ OH]L WV^LY V]LY H IV[[SL VM ^PUL HU HɈLJ[PVU WHZZPVU VY LTV[PVU [OH[ KVTPUH[LZ `V\ HUK SLHKZ `V\ [V KLH[O" 0M `V\ HYL VU [OL LKNL VM H JSPɈ HUK `V\Y IYHRLZ HYL UV[ ^VYRPUN HUK `V\ KV UV[ OH]L [OL HIPSP[` [V [\YU IHJR [V live in peace, happiness and harmony, then you know the problem and you are half way to the solution. You cannot change, you are unable to obtain happiness or peace of mind.
To acknowledge that you are (I am, we are) unable to control nor govern your (my, our) life (lives), is half of the solution.
We have been deceived by the Prince of lies, Satan, who
y
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deceives, steals and kills.
6\Y ^VYZ[ LULT` PZ JHSSLK :H[HU ^OV OHZ [YPJRLK \Z THRPUN \Z ILSPL]L [OH[ ^L JHU ZH]L ourselves.
;OL ZLLK VM L]PS MLSS VU [OL Ă„LSK MLY[PSPaLK I` V\Y NYLLK HUK ZLUZ\HSP[`" HUK H[ [OL end, we lost our inheritance that God had destined for each one of his children. We ^LYL WYVTPZLK OHWWPULZZ I\[ PUZ[LHK ^L OH]L ILLU JOHPULK \W 6\Y PUOLYP[HUJL HZ children of God was stolen, and the divine life within us was killed and entangled in an oak tree.
;OL ^LPNO[ VM ZPU RLLWZ \Z MYVT Ă…`PUN
The Eagle in our story must realize that his beak, like his wings and talons, are a problem rather than a quality. Unless it acknowledges this, it cannot change. >L T\Z[ HJRUV^SLKNL [OH[ ^L OH]L ]LY` OLH]` MLH[OLYZ [OH[ RLLW \Z MYVT Ă…`PUN OPNO a. Content summary 0U [OPZ [VWPJ ^L OH]L MV\UK [OL YVV[ JH\ZL VM [OL WYVISLTZ [OH[ HÉŠPJ[ LHJO VUL VM \Z 0[ PZ JHSSLK ZPU HUK P[ PZ Z[YVUNLY [OHU ^L HYL (U LULT` :H[HU OHZ KLJLP]LK \Z HUK UV^ ^L Z\ɈLY [OL consequences of attempting to take over God’s throne.
33 Sin
Âł
Didactic Resource: Table with place mats Process: Place in front of the participants a large table which is divided into three parts using [OYLL KPɈLYLU[ JVSVYLK TH[Z 6IQLJ[Z HYL WSHJLK VU [VW VM [OL TH[Z ,HJO JVSVYLK TH[ has the following description: Color A What is sin
Color B All have sinned
Color C Consequences of sin
1Âş. ŕ Ž ŕ Ž
What is sin: Color “A� place mat. ;V LYY PU [OL NVHS VM SPML WSHJL H dartboard on the mat). ( YL]VS[ [V \Z\YW [OL 2PUNKVT VM .VK WSHJL H crown on the mat).
2Âş. ŕ Ž ŕ Ž ŕ Ž
All have sinned with one of the three types of sins: Color “Bâ€? place mat :JHUKHSV\Z ZPUZ WSHJL H container of mud on the mat). 7OHYPZLLZÂť ZPU WSHJL H JVU[HPULY ^P[O Ă…V\Y on the mat). 5V[ ILSPL]PUN .VK
3Âş. ŕ Ž ŕ Ž ŕ Ž ŕ Ž ŕ Ž ŕ Ž
Consequences of sin: Color “C� place mat� 3VZL T` PKLU[P[` HZ H JOPSK VM .VK WSHJL H mask on the mat). )YLHR H^H` MYVT [OL [Y\UR VM KP]PUL SPML WSHJL H dry branch on the mat)... ,_[PUN\PZOLZ [OL SPNO[ VM .VK PU \Z WSHJL HU unlit candle on the mat). ,_PZ[LU[PHS LTW[PULZZ WSHJL HU empty drinking glass on the mat). ,UZSH]LZ HUK LUJOHPUZ WSHJL H chain on the mat). 2PSSZ WSHJL H rat trap on the mat).
;LHJOPUN! You cannot save yourself Sin is the inability to be free and happy. Nor can I stop doing the evil I do not want to do; I’m incapable. Sin enslaves and leads us to death. You cannot save yourself nor can someone else save you. Experiential Activity: Identify Yourself Goal: For the participants to enter into the drama of sin. Motivation: We will identify with an object found on the table. Process: Come up to the table and touch the object that you identify yourself with the most regarding sin or its consequences. At the beginning we asked you, “When were you nearest to death?� The reality is that you are closest to death when you sin.
34 Sin
2. SIN A. ORIGINAL PLAN
B. WHAT IS SIN - To miss the target - Usurp the Kingdom of God Example: Absalom, son of David
C. ALL HAVE SINNED
D. CONSEQUENCES OF SIN For the wage paid by sin is death: 9VT !
- Scandalous sins. - Pharisees‘ sin. - Not believing God
YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF: SIN ENSLAVES YOU AND PREVENTS YOU FROM LIVING LIKE GOD’S CHILD AND HEIR 35 Sin
3
SALVATION IN JESUS
1. GOAL ;V WYLZLU[ 1LZ\Z KLHK YPZLU HUK NSVYPÄLK HZ [OL VUS` ZVS\[PVU MVY [OL ^VYSK HUK MVY LHJO individual person.
2. KEY IDEA 6US` 1LZ\Z ZH]LZ ;OLYL PZ UV V[OLY TLHUZ MVY ZHS]H[PVU :HS]H[PVU PZ H MYLL NPM[
3. METHODOLOGY H
+PKHJ[PJ HUK 7LKHNVN` 0 U [OPZ [VWPJ ^L HYL UV[ NVPUN [V KPZJ\ZZ ^OH[ ^L ULLK [V KV ILJH\ZL ÄYZ[ ^L ^PSS present what Jesus has done to save us and how we were saved. The role of man and the response of the participants will be revealed in the three following topics; faith, conversion and the Lordship of Jesus.
b.
Time 75 minutes.
36 Salvation in Jesus
4. TOPIC’S OUTLINE a.
I
Introduction Jesus is the only solution for all of man and all men. God has forgiven all our sins in him. He has already saved us through his death and resurrection. ;LHJOPUN 7YVJLZZ a. The Good News: God’s salvation through Jesus Christ 1st: God takes the initiative: He wants you free and happy UK!
Forgives and liberates from sin
3rd: The gift of Salvation is free b. How were we saved: God saves us in Jesus 1st: Through His vicarious death; He dies in our place UK!
c.
By His resurrection, He conquers man’s worst enemies
3rd: )` [OL NSVYPÄJH[PVU VM 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ THU PZ YL \UP[LK ^P[O .VK c. There is only one savior, Jesus d. How we were redeemed Conclusion Jesus has already saved us and there is no other means of salvation.
JESUS IS YOUR ONLY SAVIOR, EXCLUSIVE AND EXCLUSIONARY.
37 Salvation in Jesus
5. TOPIC’S DEVELOPMENT A.
INTRODUCTION
a. Evocation What is the best news you have ever received? b. Presentation and where the topic is located We began by presenting God’s marvelous plan of happiness for this world. In the previous topic we saw how man, wanting to usurp the Kingdom of God, lost the inheritance. He was cast out of paradise and dies entangled in the oak tree of sin. But I am weak, sold to the power of sin. I can do nothing against it’s power. Alcohol, drugs, sadness, and loneliness are stronger than me. 4` JHUKSL PZ \USP[ I\[ 0 IVHZ[ [OH[ 0 HT ^PUUPUN ^OLU HJ[\HSS` 0 MLLS \UZH[PZÄLK HUK JHUUV[ achieve happiness.
&
*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY Is there hope for man? If he cannot save himself, who can save him?
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Can God’s love do something?
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c. Topic’s objective and motivation Today you will know the most marvelous news, not only of your life but of all history. B.
TEACHING PROCESS
H ;OL .VVK 5L^Z! .VKZ ZHS]H[PVU [OYV\NO 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ 1st: God takes the initiative: he wants you free and happy Since man cannot save himself, God takes the initiative to save him as well as all mankind, with a marvelous plan. He sent his beloved Son into this world. -VY .VK ZV SV]LK [OL ^VYSK [OH[ OL NH]L OPZ VUS` :VU ZV [OH[ L]LY`VUL ^OV ILSPL]LZ PU OPT TPNO[ UV[ WLYPZO I\[ TPNO[ OH]L L[LYUHS SPML! 1U ! /PZ UHTL PZ ¸1LZ\Zš ^OPJO TLHUZ! ¸@(/>,/ ZH]LZš *M 4[ ! He is God’s salvation for man,
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for all men and for all of man.
God loved us so much, that he has sent his own Son to save us.
His mission is to restore the Kingdom of God, so we can live like heirs.
UK! Forgives and liberates from sin 1LZ\Z PZ [OL 3HTI VM .VK ^OV [HRLZ H^H` [OL ZPUZ VM [OL ^VYSK *M 1U ! " ZPU ^OPJO PZ [OL JH\ZL VM HSS L]PS HUK PSSZ [OH[ HÉŠPJ[ O\THUP[` HUK ^L JV\SK UV[ KV HU`[OPUN [V LSPTPUH[L P[ He died for our sins and with our sins (Cf. 1Cor 15:3). /L ZL[ \Z MYLL MYVT [OL WV^LY VM ZPU *M 9VT !
38 Salvation in Jesus
3rd: The gift of Salvation is free :[ 7H\S L_WYLZZLZ [PTL HUK HNHPU HUK PU KPɈLYLU[ ^H`Z [OH[ :HS]H[PVU VɈLYLK I` .VK PZ H NPM[ or grace, to imply that it is free: )\[ .VK ^OV PZ YPJO PU TLYJ` ILJH\ZL VM [OL NYLH[ SV]L OL OHK MVY \Z L]LU ^OLU ^L ^LYL dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ* (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to \Z PU *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Z -VY I` NYHJL `V\ OH]L ILLU ZH]LK [OYV\NO MHP[O HUK [OPZ PZ UV[ MYVT `V\" P[ PZ [OL NPM[ VM .VK" P[ PZ UV[ MYVT ^VYRZ ZV UV VUL TH` IVHZ[! ,WO ! -VY [OL NPM[Z HUK [OL JHSS VM .VK HYL PYYL]VJHISL! 9VT !
;OL TVZ[ KPɉJ\S[ [OPUN PZ UV[ [V YLJVNUPaL [OH[ ^L ULLK [V IL ZH]LK I\[ [OH[ ZHS]H[PVU itself is free; that it doesn’t cost us anything because it already cost Jesus the very last drop of his precious blood. Maybe the root problem is that we don’t feel worthy of God’s gift, that God would love us so unconditionally, without asking for anything in return; and deep down the problem may be that we do not love ourselves nor value ourselves as God does.
b. How were we saved: God saves us in Jesus 1LZ\Z KLJSHYLK [OH[ OL KPK UV[ JVTL [V ZLLR [OL YPNO[LV\Z I\[ [V ZLLR [OL ZPUULYZ 3R ! 1st: Through His vicarious death; he dies in our place We had the penalty of death weighing over us because of sin, but Jesus dies in our place. He substituted for us: he takes our place in which we were condemned to death and pays what we could not pay.
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We were condemned to die, but Jesus took our place.
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A vicarious death:
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He dies for us and in our place.
,_HTWSL
Father Maxmillian Kolbe (1894 – 1941) In the concentration camp at Auschwitz, thousands of persons were executed KHPS` 6UL KH` H NYV\W VM WYPZVULYZ ^LYL ZL[ HZPKL [V IL L_LJ\[LK 6UL THU began shouting; “No, please, Not me, I don’t want to die. I have a family! I have children! Please, no.� From among the rows of prisoners a prisoner with the number 16,670 came forward and said “I am willing to die in his place: This man substituted the one that was to be executed. His name was Maximillian Kolbe, a Polish priest.
Jesus dies like a Good Shepherd, willingly
39 Salvation in Jesus
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for us and in our place.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own and no one has greater love than this, to SH` KV^U VULÂťZ SPML MVY VULÂťZ MYPLUKZ! 1U ! H" ! He gives himself for us as a sign of complete love: Gives his life for the one he loves (Jn 15:13). He gives his life for us and to us:
/L SV]LK TL `V\ HUK NH]L OPTZLSM MVY TL `V\ .HS ! I
,_HTWSL
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The Pieta of Florence The sculpture of Michael Angelo’s Pieta at the Vatican portrays tenderness, and Mary’s pain is heroic. She alone holds the inert body of her dead son. /V^L]LY [OL 7PL[H [OH[ ^L Ă„UK PU [OL :HU[H 4HYPH KLS -PVYL JH[OLKYHS PU -SVYLUJL PZ KPɈLYLU[ ;OL IVK` VM 1LZ\Z PZ ZV OLH]` [OH[ HSVUN ^P[O 4HY` HYL [^V HUVU`TV\Z JOHYHJ[LYZ OLSWPUN [V JHYY` OPT )SVVK KVLZ UV[ Ă…V^ [OYV\NO his veins. He has emptied himself completely.
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He gave it all
/PZ PUUVJLU[ ISVVK ^HZOLZ \Z HUK W\YPĂ„LZ \Z VM HSS V\Y ZPUZ! ;OL ISVVK VM *OYPZ[ ^OV [OYV\NO [OL L[LYUHS ZWPYP[ VɈLYLK OPTZLSM \UISLTPZOLK [V .VK cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God: /LI ! Jesus was innocent; he was not muddied by sin. That’s why he was able to cleanse us, purify \Z HUK Q\Z[PM` \Z ;OL Z\ɈLYPUN ZLY]HU[ HIV\[ ^OVT 0ZHPHO WYVWOLZPLK ILHYZ [OL W\UPZOTLU[ [OH[ NP]LZ \Z WLHJL HUK I` OPZ IY\PZLZ ^L OH]L ILLU Q\Z[PĂ„LK
y Âł
)` OPZ ^V\UKZ ^L ^LYL OLHSLK! 0Z ! I
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Matches and candle The paschal candle is lit, and from the paschal candle another candle is lit.
In this way Jesus defeated sin and death. The toughest verse in the whole Bible is: /L THKL OPT 1LZ\Z [V IL ZPU ^OV KPK UV[ RUV^ ZPU! *VY ! ;OL SP[LYHS .YLLR [YHUZSH[PVU ¸OHTHY[xHU LW}PLaLUš T\Z[ UV[ IL ^H[LYLK KV^U
&
Question to answer Why and for what purpose did God do this which seems so scandalous?
40 Salvation in Jesus
³
+PKHJ[PJ 9LZV\YJL! 1LZ\Z ZPU Process: Construction Paper 1: 6U ZPKL ¸(¹ ^YP[L 16/5 6U ZPKL ¸)¹ ^YP[L 7(<3 ,]LY`[OPUN [OH[ OHWWLUZ [V 16/5 OHWWLUZ [V 7(<3 MVY IL[[LY VY ^VYZL *VUZ[Y\J[PVU 7HWLY PU [OL ZOHWL VM H JYVZZ ! 6U ZPKL ¸(¹ ^YP[L 1,:<: 6U ZPKL ¸)¹ ^YP[L :05 Everything that happens to Jesus will happen to sin, our sin, because our sins are PKLU[PÄLK VU [OL JYVZZ )\YU *VUZ[Y\J[PVU 7HWLY [V Z`TIVSPaL [OL KLH[O VM 1LZ\Z VU [OL JYVZZ ;LHJOPUN! When Jesus dies, sin is reduced to ashes.
When JESUS died on the cross, SIN also died on the cross. But on the third day God resurrected Jesus from the dead, but sin remained buried in the tomb of Calvary. ,]LY`VUL PZ [V THYR [OLPY IPISL ^P[O HZOLZ H[ *VY ! HZ H YLTPUKLY [V UL]LY MVYNL[ that our sin died on the Cross of Jesus.
6US` PU *OYPZ[ JY\JPÄLK HUK YPZLU JHU ^L ÄUK ZHS]H[PVU HUK YLKLTW[PVU 7VWL -YHUJPZ UK! By His resurrection, he conquers man’s worst enemies :H[HU! ;OL WYPUJL VM [OPZ ^VYSK OHZ ILLU KYP]LU V\[ 1U ! I :PU! *OYPZ[ OHZ MYLLK \Z MYVT [OL SH^ VM ZPU *M 9VT ! Death: Death has been swallowed up in the victory of His resurrection: >OLYL 6 KLH[O PZ `V\Y ]PJ[VY`& >OLYL 6 KLH[O PZ `V\Y Z[PUN& )\[ [OHURZ IL [V .VK ^OV NP]LZ \Z [OL ]PJ[VY` [OYV\NO V\Y 3VYK 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[! *VY ! Everything is possible, because one who has died has been resurrected. We are not condemned to defeat. 3rd: )` [OL NSVYPÄJH[PVU VM 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ THU PZ YL \UP[LK ^P[O .VK The peace lost by the revolt of sin has been re-established. à ® )` [OL PUJHYUH[PVU VM [OL :VU VM .VK .VK OHZ THKL OPZ K^LSSPUN HTVUN \Z ,TTHU\LS .VK PZ ^P[O \Z *M 4[ ! à ® )` [OL NSVYPÄJH[PVU VM 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ VUL THU YL[\YUZ [V [OL SVZ[ 7HYHKPZL 6UL THU 1LZ\Z is seated at the right hand of the Father and in full communion with divinity. >L PU OPT [OYV\NO OPT HUK ^P[O OPT UV^ WHY[HRL PU [OL PUOLYP[HUJL HZ JOPSKYLU *VS !
41 Salvation in Jesus
)\[ .VK ^OV PZ YPJO PU TLYJ` ILJH\ZL VM [OL NYLH[ SV]L OL OHK MVY \Z L]LU ^OLU ^L ^LYL dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus: ,WO ! I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly: 1U ! I Jesus came into the world to bring us life in abundance; the life of God, as children of God and heirs of the Kingdom. He gives true meaning to human existence and establishes peace in all its dimensions:
,_HTWSL
;OL HK\S[LYV\Z ^VTHU! 1U ! 7LHJL ^P[O OLYZLSM AHJJOHL\Z [OL YPJO THU! 3R ! 7LHJL ^P[O V[OLYZ ;OL [OPLM VU [OL JYVZZ! 3R ! 7LHJL ^P[O .VK
Therefore, we are at peace with God and we don’t have to hide behind the trees of paradise. (Cf. Gen 3:1-10). C. There is only one savior, Jesus Jesus is the savior announced by the prophets. Thus, the angel proclaims to the shepherds: ¹0 WYVJSHPT [V `V\ NVVK UL^Z VM NYLH[ QV` [VKH` PU [OL JP[` VM +H]PK
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H ZH]PVY OHZ ILLU IVYU¹ 3R !
However, he is not just another savior, but
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the only savior given to men.
There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to [OL O\THU YHJL I` ^OPJO ^L HYL [V IL ZH]LK! (J[Z ! He is the only savior that excludes any other means of salvation. Christ is the one mediator between God and mankind: Redemptoris Missio 5
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(U L_JS\ZP]L HUK L_JS\ZPVUHY` :H]PVY ILJH\ZL OL PZ Z\ɉJPLU[ ;OLYL PZ VUL TLKPH[VY IL[^LLU .VK HUK [OL O\THU YHJL *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Z! ;T !
Salvation in Jesus
y
Application ŕ Ž 0M `V\ SHJR ZVTL[OPUN WLHJL ^P[O `V\YZLSM ^P[O V[OLYZ VY ^P[O .VK 1LZ\Z VɈLYZ `V\ [OL fullness of life. ŕ Ž 0M `V\ OH]L ZVTL[OPUN [V ZWHYL H I\YKLU IHNNHNL ZVTL[OPUN `V\ JHUUV[ ILHY HU` more), give it to Jesus so he can set you free. d. How we were redeemed -VY [OL ^HNLZ VM ZPU PZ KLH[O! 9VT ! H. Short, medium or long term, sin always produces death. That’s why Satan continuously demanded the death sentence against sinners. We had an eternal debt weighing over us, impossible for us to liquidate, because we could not cover it. But: (God) obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also YLTV]LK P[ MYVT V\Y TPKZ[ UHPSPUN P[ [V [OL JYVZZ! *VS ! Jesus, then, paid everything we owed, at the cost of his precious blood. ,_WLYPLU[PHS (J[P]P[`! *Y\JPĂ„_PVU
Process: Each person writes or draws on a piece of paper his/her own sins or situation of sin that they cannot overcome (do not write your name on the paper).
The Speaker personifying Jesus asks for the sins or situations of sin that each person has written down, â€?give me your debts, John!â€? “Louis, please let me pay for what you cannot!â€? “Give me your sins Helen!â€? and begins nailing them to the cross. The chained participant from the previous topic is the last one to give his debt-note. The speaker (personifying Jesus) takes the key that is on the cross and frees him from his sin. The papers nailed on the cross are painted over with red paint, which symbolizes the blood of Christ Jesus who forgives our sins. ;OL ISVVK VM *OYPZ[ OHZ W\YPĂ„LK \Z MYLLK \Z HUK Q\Z[PĂ„LK \Z VM HSS V\Y ZPUZ" [OV\NO OL ^HZ innocent, he has taken our place on the cross. We are covered by the blood of Jesus and our life is hidden in him. (Col 3:3).
6\Y ZPUZ HYL UV SVUNLY ]PZPISL UVY KV [OL` L_PZ[ (UK UV[ VUS` OH]L V\Y ZPUZ ILLU covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, but ^L 0 @V\ HYL KLHK [V ZPU 9VT !
The best news that we have received and we could ever receive is that we owe nothing to God, because Jesus has paid the debt-note that was pending over us with his life. ;OL TVZ[ KPɉJ\S[ [OPUN [V HJJLW[ PZ [OH[ ZHS]H[PVU PZ MYLL" I\[ [OH[Z [OL ^H` P[ PZ We decide whether to accept it or not.
43 Salvation in Jesus
3. SALVATION IN JESUS A. THE GOOD NEWS: JESUS SAVIOR 1U ! " 4[ ! (J[Z !
B. HOW WE WERE SAVED IN JESUS )` OPZ KLH[O! 1U ! H" /LI ! " *VY ! " *VS ! By his resurrection: Jn 10:10b )` OPZ NSVYPÄJH[PVU! ,WO !
C. ONLY AND EXCLUSIVE SAVIOR: JESUS (J[Z ! " ;PT !
JESUS IS YOUR ONLY SAVIOR, EXCLUSIVE AND EXCLUSIONARY. 44 Salvation in Jesus
FAITH
4A 1. GOAL Experience salvation by confessing Jesus as the one and only Savior.
2. KEY IDEA Faith (believing God) is the plug that connects us to the source of salvation.
3. METHODOLOGY
H
+PKHJ[PJ HUK 7LKHNVN` In the previous topic we presented God’s role. Now we present what corresponds to us, which we divided in three parts (A, B, C), to give each one of them its importance and place. What we now present is not protestant doctrine but Pauline and is in accordance with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Consult: ATTACHMENT 41 : Catechesis of Benedict XVI A The speaker must study Attachment 41.
b. b
Time 90 minutes.
45 Faith
4. TOPIC’S OUTLINE a.
I
Introduction After hearing the Good News that we were saved, we ask ourselves: How do we make this salvation ours? ;LHJOPUN 7YVJLZZ a. We were saved two thousand years ago. 1st: In and by Jesus Christ. UK!
By his death and resurrection.
3rd: -Y\P[Z! 7HPK VɈ KLI[ ([ WLHJL ^P[O .VK HUK ^P[OV\[ JVUKLTUH[PVU b. How do we make salvation ours? 1st: Key question UK! By faith we are plugged in to the fountain of salvation. c. In What we believe and in Whom we believe. 1st: In What we believe.
c.
UK! In Whom we believe. d. What it is and what faith produces. 1st: Fruit of faith: To live as saved. UK! 0 HT Ă„SSPUN \W ^OH[ PZ SHJRPUN PU [OL HÉŠPJ[PVUZ VM *OYPZ[ *VS ! 3rd: Acts through charity or it is not faith: it makes you merciful. e. Confess Jesus as personal Savior. Conclusion Confess Jesus as “my personal savior, only, exclusive and exclusionary.â€?
CONFESS JESUS AS YOUR ONLY SAVIOR
46 Faith
5. TOPIC’S DEVELOPMENT A.
INTRODUCTION
a. Evocation Who is the human person in whom you have believed and trusted the most? b. Presentation, motivation and where the topic is located We have seen what God did to save us. Now we present what corresponds to us. B.
TEACHING PROCESS
H >L ^LYL HSYLHK` ZH]LK `LHYZ HNV .VK YPJO PU SV]L OHZ HSYLHK` ZH]LK \Z `LHYZ HNV I` [OL KLH[O HUK YLZ\YLJ[PVU VM 1LZ\Z Christ.. 1st: In and by Jesus Christ. à ®
0U *OYPZ[! /L PZ V\Y ,_WPH[VY` *M 9VT 0U OPT ^L HYL H[VULK [V .VK He paid our debt to the price of his blood. We owe nothing. We were declared not only inoccent, but holy. -VY [OLYL PZ VUL .VK [OLYL PZ HSZV VUL TLKPH[VY IL[^LLU .VK HUK [OL O\THU YHJL *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Z ;PT ! H 0 JHTL ZV [OH[ [OL` TPNO[ OH]L SPML HUK OH]L P[ TVYL HI\UKHU[S` 1U ! I
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There is no other savior.
There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to [OL O\THU YHJL I` ^OPJO ^L HYL [V IL ZH]LK (J[Z ! -VY .VK ZV SV]LK [OL ^VYSK [OH[ OL NH]L OPZ VUS` :VU ZV [OH[ L]LY`VUL ^OV ILSPL]LZ PU OPT TPNO[ UV[ WLYPZO I\[ TPNO[ OH]L L[LUHS SPML 1U ! 5V VUL JVTLZ [V [OL -H[OLY L_JLW[ [OYV\NO TL 1U ! I 0[ PZ [V HJJLW[ [OL VUS` TLHUZ VM ZHS]H[PVU VɈLYLK I` .VK UK! By his death and resurrection.
He is risen to defeat death, injustice, solitude, pain and fears. 5V[OPUN PZ TPZZPUN /PZ WYLJPV\Z ISVVK ^HZ Z\ɉJPLU[ 3rd: -\P[Z! 7HPK VɈ KLI[ ([ WLHJL ^P[O .VK HUK ^P[OV\[ JVUKLTUH[PVU
1LZ\Z 6ISP[LYH[PUN [OL IVUK HNHPUZ[ \Z ^P[O P[Z SLNHS JSHPTZ ^OPJO ^HZ VWWVZLK [V \Z OL HSZV YLTV]LK P[ MYVT V\Y TPKZ[ UHPSPUN P[ [V [OL JYVZZ *VS ! /LUJL UV^ [OLYL PZ UV KVUKLTUH[PVU MVY [OVZL ^OV HYL PU *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Z 9VT ! /HZ ÄUPZOLK [OL ^HY HUK LUTP[` >L OH]L WLHJL ^P[O .VK [OYV\NO V\Y 3VYK 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ 9VT ! I >L ^LYL HJX\P[[LK VM [OL KLH[O ZLU[LJL ^LPNOPUN HNHPUZ[ \Z
47 Presentation
7YLHJOPUN PU (U[PVJO 7H\S HɉYTZ! ,]LY`[OPUN MYVT ^OPJO `V\ JV\SK UV[ IL Q\Z[PĂ„LK \UKLY [OL SH^ VM 4VZLZ PU OPT L]LY` ILSPL]LY PZ Q\Z[PĂ„LK! (J[Z ! I All this Jesus Christ won for us and to us in his cross and resurrection. 5V^ `V\ OH]L OHK `V\YZLS]LZ ^HZOLK `V\ ^LYL ZHUJ[PĂ„LK `V\ ^LYL Q\Z[PĂ„LK PU [OL UHTL VM [OL 3VYK 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ HUK PU [OL :WPYP[ VM V\Y .VK *VY ! b. How do we make salvation ours? 1st: Key question. The prison guard at Philippi asked Paul and Silas the same question we have: >OH[ T\Z[ 0 KV [V IL ZH]LK&! (J[Z ! Your happiness in this world and in the next depends on that answer. )LSPL]L PU [OL 3VYK 1LZ\Z HUK `V\ HUK `V\Y OV\ZLOVSK ^PSS IL ZH]LK (J[Z ! )` MHP[O HUK UV[ I` V\Y NVVK ^VYRZ VY M\SĂ„SSTLU[ VM [OL SH^ 0U [OL ,WPZ[SL [V [OL 9VTHUZ :[ 7H\S KLĂ„ULZ [OL [^V WVPU[Z [OH[ ^L T\Z[ KV PU VYKLY [V VI[HPU the salvation gained by Jesus: 0M `V\ JVUMLZZ ^P[O `V\Y TV\[O [OH[ 1LZ\Z PZ 3VYK HUK ILSPL]L PU `V\Y OLHY[ [OH[ .VK YHPZLK OPT MYVT [OL KLHK `V\ ^PSS IL ZH]LK! 9VT ! ŕ Ž ŕ Ž
First: Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead Accept God’s saving plan through Jesus Christ, that culminates in his death and YLZ\YYLJ[PVU! .VK OHZ M\SÄSSLK OPZ WYVTPZL VM ZHS]H[PVU +LH[O OHZ ILLU JVUX\LYLK Sin has died on the cross of Jesus. Second: Confess with the mouth that Jesus is Lord We will discuss this in a later topic (4C).
-HP[O THRLZ ZHS]H[PVU LɉJHJPV\Z I\[ ^OH[ MHP[O& 0[ PZ HIV\[ [OL MHP[O VM (IYHOHT ^OV ^HZ Q\Z[PÄLK I` ILSPL]PUN .VK *M .HS ! " ILSPL]PUN against all hope in the promises. This faith is not only trust (ÄK\JPH, in latin) but complete surrender and readiness to live according to what is believed. UK! )` MHP[O ^L HYL WS\NNLK PU [V [OL MV\U[HPU VM ZHS]H[PVU
Âł
Didactic Resource: Lamp Process: The speaker tries to light the lamp, which is not plugged in to an outlet, therefore it doesn’t work. It is dramatized until the participants discover that it’s not plugged into the power source. ;LHJOPUN! If this electrical appliance doesn’t work because it’s not plugged in, likewise you need the cord of “faith� in order for salvation to act in you.
48 Faith
;OYV\NO MHP[O ^L OH]L ILLU ZH]LK *M ,M 1\Z[PÄJH[PVU ZHS]H[PVU PZ VUS` WYLZLU[ [OYV\NO NYHJL MYLL HUK [OL WLYZVU PZ Q\Z[PÄLK ZH]LK ^P[OV\[ ^VYRZ 9VT ! .YHJL JH\ZLZ MHP[O :HPU[ ;OVTHZ (X\PUHZ 00 00 HK c.
In What we believe and in Whom we believe. 1st: In What we believe. à ® .VK SV]LZ TL WLYZVUHS` HUK PUJVUKP[PVUH[LS` à ® 0 HT ZPUULY \UHISL [V ZH]L TL 0 YLUV\UJL [V ZH]L TL I` T` V^U TLHUZ à ® 1LZ\Z OHZ HSYLHK` MYLLS` WHPK [OL WYPJL VM T` YHUZVT HUK 0 Z\YYLUKLY [V OPT [V IL ZH]LK
³
;OL TVZ[ KPɉJ\S[ [OPUN HIV\[ HJJLW[PUN ZHS]H[PVU PZ [OH[ P[»Z MYLL >L [Y` [V I\` ZHS]H[PVU VY LHYU P[ 0[ PZ KPɉJ\S[ [V ILSPL]L [OH[ .VK PZ ZV NVVK [OH[ OL would give the gift of salvation. Could this be the sin against the Holy Spirit?
Didactic Resource: Wrist Watch Process: The speaker gives his watch to a participant. (Chose the most closed or negative person). -If it is accepted, proceed with: This is all we have to do; believe in the free gift of salvation. --If it is not accepted then proceed with: This is the problem; we do not receive it because we do not believe that God gives salvation free of cost. ;LHJOPUN! Jesus has given us the inheritance of a New Life, however, we make it ours when we believe it’s given to us free of cost, and we do this through faith.
UK! In Whom we believe. à ® 0U .VK ^OV ZH]LK TL ^P[O NYLH[ SV]L HUK ZLUK OPZ VUS` :VU UV[ [V JVUKLTU [OL ^VYSK but to saved it. à ® 0U 1LZ\Z ^OV ZH]LK TL HUK NH]L OPTZLSM \W MVY TL à ® 0U /PZ KLH[O HUK YLZ\YYLJ[PVU [OH[ OH]L [OL WV^LY HUK TLYP[Z [V WH` T` KLI[ d.
What is it and what faith produces. -HP[O VY [V IL[[LY ZH` [V ILSPL]L PZ [V [Y\Z[ [OH[ .VK ^PSS M\SSÄS OPZ WYVTPZLZ 0[ PZ [OL JLU[HPU[` [OH[ OPZ ISVVK ^HZ Z\ɉJPLU[ [V WH` [OL WYPJL VM V\Y ZHS]H[PVU ;OLYLMVYL YLUVV\UJL YPNO[LV\ZULZZ VM ZLSM W\YPÄJH[PVU [V YLHJO .VK PUZ[LHK HWWYVHJO can then He can purtify and sanctify me. *VTWSL[L HIHUKVUTLU[ 9LUV\UJPUN [V ZH]L TL I` T` V^U TLHUZ YLSPNPV\Z HY[PMHJ[Z acts of mercy or private devotions. Beliving him without conditions.
49 Faith
,_HTWSL
6UL UPNO[ H MH[OLY ^HZ JVTPUN OVTL PU [OL TPKZ[ VM ZPYLUZ HUK ÄYL [Y\JRZ /L was shocked because it was his house that was ablaze consuming his estate, but above all threatening the lives of his loved ones. The mother had managed to bring their older children to safety but the youngest daughter had been [YHWWLK I` [OL ÄYL /LY Z\Y]P]HS PUZ[PUJ[ THKL OLY NV \W VU [OL YVVM /LY MH[OLY JV\SK ZLL OLY MYVT ILSV^ ILJH\ZL [OL ÅHTLZ PSS\TPUH[LK OLY HUK OL ZOV\[LK! - My little girl, jump, I’m here to catch you. However, a thick cloud of smoke hindered her from seeing her father, and she argued: - But I can’t see you dad, I can’t see anything. - I’m right here
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Where you hear my voice, I’m there.
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Trust me and jump into the void, your dad will catch you with arms wide open. This is faith. Even though we cannot see, we believe in a voice, in the Word of God that has promised us salvation. This is not brainwashing nor autosuggestion. Faith is abandoning and trusting in His Word, with the certitude that the earth and sky may pass away but the Word of God will never fail. Fruit of faith: To live as saved. 1st: Faith does not save. The only one that saves is God in Jesus Christ.
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Through faith we make salvation ours.
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(WWYVWYPH[LZ :HS]H[PVU Faith appropiates for us Jesus Christ’s merits and makes the fruits of redemption present and LɈLJ[P]L (Z ^L ILSPL]L [OH[ [OL ISVVK VM 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ ^HZ Z\ɉJPLU[ [V WH` [OL M\SS MVY V\Y ZHS]H[PVU [V that extent we will experience it. ;V SP]L HZ ZH]LK! MYLL PU [OL [Y\[O HUK Q\Z[PJL
&
*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY .VK MVYNH]L \Z `LHYZ HNV I\[ KV ^L SP]L HZ MVYNP]LU& Have we claimed as our own the forgiveness Jesus earned through his precious ISVVK& (YL ^L SP]PUN HZ OLPYZ VM [OL 2PUNKVT [OH[ ^HZ NP]LU [V \Z I` .VK JLU[\YPLZ ago? Jesus saves us, but we make this salvation ours when we plug ourselves into his death and resurrection through faith.
UK! 0 HT ÄSSPUN \W ^OH[ PZ SHJRPUN PU [OL HɊPJ[PVUZ VM *OYPZ[ *VS ! :HPU[ 7H\S HɉYTZ! 0U T` ÅLZO 0 HT ÄSSPUN \W ^OH[ PZ SHJRPUN PU [OL HɊPJ[PVU VM *OYPZ[ *VS !
50 Faith
&
*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY >OH[ PZ SHJRPUN PU [OL WHZZPVU VM *OYPZ[ [V THRL V\Y ZHS]H[PVU LɈLJ[P]L& +V ^L OH]L [V WH` ^P[O ZHJYPÄLZ HUK WLUHUJL&
;OL VUS` [OPUN SHJRPUN PZ [V ILSPL]L [OH[ OPZ TLYP[Z ^LYL Z\ɉJPLU[ [V SP]L [OL HI\UKHU[ SPML [V which we are entitled. 0M ^L [Y\S` ILSPL]L [OH[ 1LZ\Z ZH]LK \Z ^L SP]L HZ ZH]LK HUK Q\Z[PÄLK 0M PUKLLK JVUÄKLU[ [OH[ 1LZ\Z MVYNH]L \Z HSS V\Y ZPUZ HUK ^LPNOZ UV JVUKLTUH[PVU \WVU \Z We are free and exprerience the glorious freedom of the children of God, which can not be enslaved by anything or anyone. :HS]PÄJ MHP[O JOHUNLZ V\Y SPMLZ[`SL 6[OLY^PZL P[ ^V\SK IL YLK\JLK [V TLYL PKLVSVN` If we believe that we are saved,
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we live as saved.
Analogy: Equilibrist )L[^LLU [OL TL[LYZ ^OPJO ZLWHYH[LK [^V [HSS I\PSKPUNZ H [PNO[YVWL ^HSRLY OHK [PLK H YVWL VU ^OPJO [V ^HSR ;V [OL JYV^KZ ^OV NH[OLYLK [V ZLL [OL ZWLJ[HJSL OL HZRLK MVY [OLPY [Y\Z[ [V JYVZZ V]LY ;OL` HSS LUJV\YHNLK OPT /L [VVR OPZ IHSHUJPUN YVK HUK ^HSRLK MYVT VUL I\PSKPUN [V [OL V[OLY He came down to the crowd, which had already multiplied, and proposed to them: “I will cross again, but this time without the balancing rod. However, I need more of everyone’s trust to cross successfully.” (M[LY H IYPLM TVTLU[ VM KV\I[ [OL ZWLJ[H[VYZ NH]L OPT [OL Z\WWVY[ OL ULLKLK /L JSPTILK \W HUK JYVZZLK V]LY ^HSRPUN ZSV^S` VU [OL YVWL ^OPJO RLW[ Z^H`PUN ILJH\ZL VM [OL ^PUK He came down again and interrupted the crowd’s applause, saying: “I am not done. I will now KV [OL TVZ[ KPɉJ\S[ HJ[ 0 ^PSS JYVZZ V]LY VU [OL YVWL ^P[O H ^OLLSIHYYV^ /V^L]LY 0 ULLK you to believe that I can succeed. Your trust insures my success.” ;OLYL ^HZ KPZILSPLM 5V VUL YLZWVUKLK Then he said: ¸0 VUS` ULLK VUL WLYZVU [V ILSPL]L ;OH[ VUL WLYZVU»Z MHP[O PU TL ^PSS HSSV^ me to cross over successfully.” 5V VUL KHYLK [V NP]L OPT Z\JO [Y\Z[ -PUHSS` H WLYZVU ^PZOPUN to see the show go on shouted: “You can do it, you have what it takes. I believe you can do it.” ¸@V\ YLHSS` ILSPL]L [OH[ 0 JHU JYVZZ V]LY MYVT VUL ZPKL VM [OL YVWL [V [OL V[OLY ^P[O H wheelbarrow?” - “Yes,” said the man, with more curiosity than conviction. ¸;OLU PM `V\ ILSPL]L JVTL ^P[O TL HUK JSPTI PU[V [OL ^OLLSIHYYV^ ¹
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Faith leads us to act according to what we believe.
51 Faith
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If we truly believe that Jesus passed from death to life, let’s climb into Jesus’ wheelbarrow which is his saving cross, to die to sin with him and rise with him to new life. If we do not live according to what we believe, our faith is reduced to a simple philosophy or platonic dream. Faith is the plug that connects us to the source of salvation and produces all the fruits of redemption in us. Faith is not limited to an intellectual assert but makes us live as we are:
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Heirs of the Kingdom!
If I do not live as saved it is that I still do not make mine the salvation won and given by Jesus Christ. 3rd: AJ[ [OYV\NO JOHYP[` VY P[ PZ UV[ MHP[O! 0[ THRLZ `V\ TLYJPM\S This faith is not ideology. Is projected in live. As we experience that God has had mercy on us when we were sinners, we are merciful, espercially to those in need. )\[ UV[ I` H JVTHUKTLU[ VY PTWVZLK K\[` I\[ ILJH\ZL P[ ÅV^Z UH[\YHSS` MYVT [OL KLLWLZ[ WHY[ of ourselves. If God does not judge nor condemn you for your sins, you can not judge or condemn. e. Confess Jesus as personal Savior. Here and now we have this opportunity: make a confession in which publicly declare that Jesus is our only Savior. Surrender to him and let yourself be saved by his love.
,_HTWSL
The thief on the cross In order for him to enter that very day into Paradis, he only needed to believe that the naked man who was about to die next to him had an everlasting kingdom, and profess it.
Surrender to Christ completely, believing that he is the only Savior, your only savior, exclusive and exclusionary.
;LZ[PTVU`
The speaker gives testimony of God’s salvation.
Here, the speaker shares the experience of salvation that has transformed his or her life. Therefore, we have to live and express our faith to experience salvation. More than believing in something, it’s trusting and depending in someone.
The Eagle in our analogy, in order to improve it’s quality of life, had to believe beforehand that the possibility existed. The same is true for us.
Faith
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0[ÂťZ ULJLZZHY` [V Ă„YZ[ ILSPL]L [OH[ ^L OH]L ILLU ZH]LK PU VYKLY [V SP]L HZ ZH]LK
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We not only believe that salvation has been promised by God himself but that Jesus came so we might have life and have it abundantly. We have the opportunity to be freed from our burdens and our chains. Salvation does not depends on your merits or your works, but there is something you can do: Surrender and acknowledge that Jesus is your personal Savior; but only, exclusive and exclusionary. It is about beting everything, even our eternity. It is a unique opportunity that we cannot let pass by. 9\U [OL YPZR
[OL VUS` [OPUN `V\ 0 ^L JHU SVZL PZ [OH[ ^OPJO WYL]LU[Z `V\ TL \Z MYVT Ă…`PUN
(SS `V\ OH]L [V KV PZ JVTWSL[LS` HIHUKVU `V\YZLSM ^P[O JVUĂ„KLUJL HUK HZZ\YHUJL PU[V [OL hands of the only one who can save you. If you entrust yourself with faith, you will experience the salvation that you cannot obtain for yourself.
,_HTWSL
&
7L[LY PU [OL :LH VM .HSPSLL 4[ ! A dark and stormy night, Jesus came walking on water, to help his disciples who found themselves struggling against the sea. Simon Peter asked Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.â€? Jesus replied: “Come.â€? The temperamental disciple jumped out of the boat and walked a few steps on the water. However, noticing the storm and the wind, fear came upon him and he began to sink. Then, from the depths of his being he cried out: “Lord, save me.â€? :PTVU 7L[LY HU L_WLYPLUJLK Ă„ZOLYTHU RUL^ WLYMLJ[S` ^LSS OV^ [V Z^PT /L OHK KLHS[ ^P[O Z[VYTZ H[ ZLH HUK TV]LK SPRL H Ă„ZO PU ^H[LY [OYV\NO OPNO HUK low tides. Jesus, on the other hand, may not have known how to swim, didn’t have a pool at home nor live near the sea or a lake. Nevertheless, the one who knows how to swim asks the one who doesn’t know how to swim: “You, save meâ€? I do not want to save myself. I prefer to experience the power of your love. I give myself to you, so you can save me.â€? Peter bet it all on one card: If Jesus did not save him, he would perish in the sea. Peter decided not to save himself and absolutely trusted in the saving hands of Jesus of Nazareth.
*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY If you are in the midst of a storm; if it is night in your life, if you are at risk of losing your “boat�, why not dare to trust and surrender to Jesus to save you?
53 Faith
Experiential activity: Lord, Save Me Motivation: The moment to experience the saving power of faith has come. Just like Peter believed that Jesus could save him that stormy night, we will do the same so Jesus can save us. Process: The participants are invited to kneel and take the place of Peter as he sinks into the sea of Galilee. ,]LY`VUL PKLU[PÄLZ [OLPY V^U Z[YVT UPNO[ ZLH VM .HSPSLL ^OLYL [OL`»YL J\YYLU[S` sinking. Prayer to proclaim Jesus as Personal Savior 0 ILSPL]L PU `V\ 1LZ\Z HUK 0 YLUV\UJL [V ZH]L T`ZLSM 0 WYLMLY [OH[ `V\ ZH]L TL HUK L_WLYPLUJL [OL WV^LY VM `V\Y YLZ\YYLJ[PVU 0 HJJLW[ HUK HT [OHURM\S [OH[ `V\ OH]L [HRLU T` WSHJL VU [OL JYVZZ Just like Peter knew how to swim but he did not trust in his own abilities to save himself, 0 KV UV[ [Y\Z[ PU T` V^U TLYP[Z UVY PU T` V^U NVVK ^VYRZ 0 WYLMLY [V IL ZH]LK I` `V\ 0 KLJSHYL [OH[ 0 JHUUV[ ZH]L T`ZLSM [OYV\NO T` V^U Z[YLUN[O ;OLYLMVYL 0 NP]L T`ZLSM ^P[OV\[ SPTP[Z VY JVUKP[PVUZ [V IL ZH]LK I` `V\ @V\Y WYLJPV\Z ISVVK OHZ Z\ɉJPLU[ ]HS\L [V MVYNP]L HUK LYHZL HSS T` ZPUZ @V\ HYL [OL ZH]PVY HUK [OL VUS` ZH]PVY VM [OPZ ^VYSK :H]L TL! )L T` ZH]PVY 0 L_[LUK T` OHUKZ SPRL 7L[LY PU [OL :LH VM .HSPSLL ZV [OH[ `V\ TH` ZH]L TL 0 OH]L KLJPKLK UV[ [V ZH]L T`ZLSM ZV [OH[ `V\ TH` IL T` VUS` ZH]PVY 0 YPZR PU Z\JO H THUULY [OH[ PM `V\ KV UV[ ZH]L TL 0 KV UV[ ^HU[ UVY HJJLW[ HU` V[OLY ZH]PVY UVY TLHUZ VM ZHS]H[PVU A minister, with the Word, approaches those who have made their proclamation and VɈLYZ [OLT [OL >VYK ZV [OL` TH` Z[HUK ([ [OL LUK ^OLU L]LY`VUL PZ Z[HUKPUN HZR them all to raise their right hand to make the following profession of faith: .VK `V\ OH]L ZLU[ `V\Y :VU ZV [OH[ L]LY`VUL ^OV ILSPL]LZ PU OPT TPNO[ UV[ WLYPZO I\[ TPNO[ OH]L SPML PU HI\UKHUJL I have put all my faith in him, and I am sure that I will not be disappointed, ILJH\ZL `V\ HS^H`Z M\SÄSS `V\Y WYVTPZLZ Therefore, certain of your faithfulness, I proclaim and declare that I have been MVYNP]LU W\YPÄLK HUK Q\Z[PÄLK ;OL ISVVK VM *OYPZ[ OHZ NYHU[LK TL [OL KLÄUP[P]L ZHS]H[PVU HUK HZ VM [VKH` 0 JHU SP]L HZ HU OLPY VM [OL 2PUNKVT (TLU Now is a marvelous opportunity for us to approach the sacrament of Reconciliation, to ask, receive and accept the forgiveness of our sins ;OPZ PZ HU L_JLSSLU[ VWWVY[\UP[` [V HWWYVHJO [OL ZHJYHTLU[ VM 9LJVUJPSPH[PVU [V HZR YLJLP]L HUK acept the forgiveness of our sins.
54 Faith
4A. FAITH
A. WE WERE SAVED 2000 YEARS AGO. B. HOW DO WE MAKE SALVATION OURS?
C. IN WHAT WE BELIEVE AND IN WHOM WE BELIEVE..
D. WHAT IT IS AND WHAT FAITH PRODUCES. E. CONFESS JESUS AS PERSONAL SAVIOR.
CONFESS JESUS AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR 55 Faith
CONVERSION
4B 1. GOAL Invite Jesus into the heart to be able to renounce sin.
2. KEY IDEA Conversion; the fruit of Jesus’ presence in our heart, begins with a change of mentality and ends with the renunciation of all sin
3. METHODOLOGY
H
b.
+PKHJ[PJ HUK 7LKHNVN` In this topic the most important thing is for the participants to invite Jesus into their hearts so that they will be able to explicitly renounce sin. The presence of a priest for the sacrament of reconciliation is necessary, as well as three facilitators properly prepared for the Experiential Activity of the three gift boxes. This topic doesn’t have an explicit conclusion, but an experiential one. Time 90 minutes.
56 Conversion
4. TOPIC’S OUTLINE a.
I
c.
Introduction Faith is expressed in conversion which is a change in life: exchange our life for the life of Jesus. ;LHJOPUN 7YVJLZZ H *VU]LYZPVU 4L[HUVPH PZ H YLUL^PUN VM [OL TPUK 9VT ! 1st: We change the negative or pessimistic ideas we have of ourselves UK! We change the idea we have of God b. Conversion is to be born anew, to pass from darkness into light c. Conversion is an exchange of life: We exchange our life for the life of Jesus d. God converts us when we let him work in us L 9LUV\UJL ZPU HUK VJJHZPVUZ VM ZPU M 9LU\UJPH[PVU VM [OL ^VYRZ VM :H[HU Conclusion Now that Jesus is in our heart, we have the capacity to pass from darkness into light, renouncing sin and the works of Satan.
INVITE JESUS INTO YOUR HEART
57 Conversion
5. TOPIC’S DEVELOPMENT A.
INTRODUCTION
a. Evocation What celebrity would you like to have visit your home? You cannot answer God, Jesus or Mary. b. Presentation and where the topic is located 0U [OL WYL]PV\Z [VWPJ ^L ÄYTS` HUK JSLHYS` Z[H[LK [OH[ ^L THRL ZHS]H[PVU V\YZ [OYV\NO MHP[O UV[ SPRL [OL MHP[O VM KLTVUZ ^OV ILSPL]L PU .VK I\[ ÄNO[ HNHPUZ[ OPZ WSHU 5VY PZ P[ [OL MHP[O VM [OL pharisees who trust more in themselves and in their good actions.
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The faith that saves is one manifested in conversion.
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-HP[O PZ HZZVJPH[LK ^P[O JVU]LYZPVU 7VWL -YHUJPZ
Thus faith and conversion are the two electrical cords, which, when joined, produce the light of salvation, that bring about the new creation. ;OVZL NH[OLYLK V\[ZPKL [OL <WWLY 9VVT VU [OL KH` VM 7LU[LJVZ[ HZRLK 7L[LY ^OH[ [OL` OHK [V do to be saved. Peter responded: 9LWLU[! (J[Z ! H *VU]LYZPVU PZ [OL JLY[PÄJH[PVU VM H ZH]PUN MHP[O >P[OV\[ JVU]LYZPVU MHP[O PZ YLK\JLK [V HU PKLH or a theory.
³
Didactic Resource: Lamp and Bulb Process: The speaker tries to turn on the lamp, that even though is connected (faith), it does not light up because the bulb is loose. The bulb must be given a half-turn in order to light it up. ;LHJOPUN! Conversion implies to make a half-turn in our lives so we can live as heirs of the Kingdom. That’s how the light of salvation is switched on.
c. Topic’s object and motivation To show the half-turn that we must make in order to make operable the salvation accomplished I` 1LZ\Z TVYL [OHU `LHYZ HNV HUK IL HISL [V SP]L PU [OL SPNO[ ;OLYLMVYL [OPZ [VWPJ JHU change your life and open for you the doors to eternity; we will discover what conversion (Metanoia) consists of, which makes faith operable to experience the fruits of redemption.
The eagle referred to at the beginning of this Course knew that something had to change in its life and it was willing to pay the price: Lose, in order to win.
58 Conversion
B.
TEACHING PROCESS
Diverse aspects of conversion a. *VU]LYZPVU 4L[HUVPH PZ H YLUL^PUN VM [OL TPUK 9VT ! *VU]LYZPVU PZ UV[ SPTP[LK [V H TVYHS JOHUNL" P[ÂťZ Ă„YZ[ HUK MVYLTVZ[ H JOHUNL VM mentality. The greek word for conversion is Metanoia (meta- nous), it accentuates precisely in going beyond our current mental perimeters. That is why St. Paul declares: be transformed
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I` [OL YLUL^HS VM `V\Y TPUK ! 9VT !
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We change our way of living only when our mentality has been renewed. If our heart is not YLUL^LK V\Y [YHUZMVYTH[PVU ^PSS IL [LTWVYHY` HUK Z\WLYĂ„JPHS ILJH\ZL P[ÂťZ MYVT ^P[OPU us that bad intentions are form; murder, adultery, fornication, stealing, lies and all manner of evil (Cf. Mt 15:19). Without this new mentality, there is not, and cannot be conversion, because sooner or later the tree bears fruit according to its roots. This implies that two aspects must be renewed: 1st: >L JOHUNL [OL ULNH[P]L VY WLZZPTPZ[PJ PKLHZ ^L OH]L VM V\YZLS]LZ We must realize that we are children of a creating and powerful, wise and loving God, who is rich in mercy. ŕ Ž >L HYL SV]LK WLYZVUHSS` HUK \UJVUKP[PVUHSS` I` .VK OPTZLSM ŕ Ž .VK OHZ MVYNP]LU HSS V\Y ZPUZ [OYV\NO [OL ISVVK VM OPZ :VU HUK ^L UV SVUNLY V^L OPT anything. We are at peace with him. ŕ Ž >L HYL JVU]PUJLK [OH[ UV[OPUN PZ PTWVZZPISL MVY .VK ILJH\ZL PM 1LZ\Z YLZ\YYLJ[LK MYVT the dead, anything is possible! ŕ Ž >L RUV^ ^L HYL ^VY[O [OL ISVVK VM *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Z ŕ Ž >L HYL UV SVUNLY ZLY]HU[Z UVY ZSH]LZ I\[ JOPSKYLU HUK OLPYZ VM [OL 2PUNKVT VM .VK ŕ Ž >L HYL ^VY[O` VM SV]L HUK YLZWLJ[ UK! >L JOHUNL [OL PKLH ^L OH]L VM .VK From a God who punishes, to a God who forgives; from a threatening God, to a loving God; MYVT H .VK ^OV RLLWZ HU HJJV\U[ VM V\Y ^YVUNKVPUNZ [V H .VK ^OV VɈLYZ [OL NPM[ VM ZHS]H[PVU freely. True conversion is possible only for those who have renewed their mind in these two aspects. *VU]LYZPVU PZ [V IL IVYU HUL^ [V WHZZ MYVT KHYRULZZ PU[V SPNO[ 5V VUL JHU ZLL [OL RPUNKVT VM .VK ^P[OV\[ ILPUN IVYU MYVT HIV]L! 1U ! With the new mentality we are prepared to begin again according to God’s original plan, but now as children of God, entitled to the inheritance, passing from darkness to light . )\[ `V\ HYL ¸H JOVZLU YHJL H YV`HS WYPLZ[OVVK H OVS` UH[PVU H WLVWSL VM OPZ V^U ZV [OH[ `V\ may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light: 7[ ! b.
Therefore, we do not renounce darkness in order to let the light enter; we allow the light to enter, which has the power to expel the darkness.
59 Conversion
To live in the light of truth, justice, joy, peace, unity and self-control, in glorious freedom as children of God, where no sin, passion, desire, person or situation enslaves us. We do not depend on anything nor anyone for our happiness or unhappiness. To live in the abundance obtained and won by Christ Jesus: :V ^OVL]LY PZ PU *OYPZ[ PZ H UL^ JYLH[PVU! [OL VSK [OPUNZ OH]L WHZZLK H^H`" ILOVSK UL^ [OPUNZ OH]L JVTL! *VY ! c. *VU]LYZPVU PZ HU L_JOHUNL VM SPML! >L L_JOHUNL V\Y SPML MVY [OL SPML VM 1LZ\Z In every y conversion something is exchanged for something else.
Âł
+PKHJ[PJ 9LZV\YJL! *OHUNL VM TVUL` The speaker exchanges local currency for foreign currency.
In conversion, what we receive is much more important than what we give up, because we exchange our life for the life of Jesus. We give our life to Jesus, just as it is, even with sin, frustrations, sickness, depression and wounds. In turn, we receive his life; the life of God’s Son, entitled to the inheritance, victorious over sin and with power over death. This is the best deal we could ever make! d. God converts us when we let him work in us
y
y
True conversion is the work of God.
That is why the psalmist declares, and the prophet Jeremiah repeats: )YPUN TL IHJR SL[ TL JVTL IHJR MVY `V\ HYL [OL 3VYK T` .VK! 1LY ! >L I` V\Y V^U LɈVY[Z HYL PUJHWHISL VM JVU]LY[PUN V\YZLS]LZ .VK HSVUL ^P[O OPZ WV^LY HUK love, can realize this in us. In order to accomplish it, we only need to allow Jesus Savior to enter our heart, so he can convert us. And the most marvelous thing is that he has taken the initiative to enter: )LOVSK 0 Z[HUK H[ [OL KVVY HUK RUVJR 0M HU`VUL OLHYZ T` ]VPJL HUK VWLUZ [OL KVVY B[OLUD 0 ^PSS LU[LY OPZ OV\ZL HUK KPUL ^P[O OPT HUK OL ^P[O TL! 9L] ! At the beginning of this topic, we asked, What celebrity would you like to have visit your home? Jesus himself wants to come in, not only into your house, but into the very depth of your heart and life. Today, Jesus knocks on the door of your heart to transform you completely. 1LZ\Z KVLZUÂť[ MVYJL [OL KVVY VWLU 6US` `V\ JHU VWLU P[ MYVT [OL PUZPKL PM `V\ ^PZO
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( (JJVYKPUN [V 9VTHU SH^ ^OLUL]LY H ZSH]L ^HZ ZL[ MYLL I` OPZ THZ[LY VY ^OLU the slave purchased his own freedom, the act was sealed with a supper.
We are called to this freedom and Jesus wants to seal this freedom by dining with us. Listen to OPZ ]VPJL 6WLU [OL KVVY 3L[ OPT JVTL PU 6WLU [OL KVVY VM `V\Y OLHY[ HUK PU]P[L OPT PU ZV OL TH` MYLL `V\ MYVT HSS ZSH]LY` If you can no longer stand your life, or have some areas that are impossible to govern; invite 1LZ\Z PU[V `V\Y OLHY[ ZV [OH[ OL JHU [HRL JVU[YVS VM HSS `V\Y L_PZ[LUJL [OV\NO[Z HɈLJ[PVUZ passions, appetites, desires, etc.).
60 Conversion
,_HTWSL
AHJJOHL\Z SL[ 1LZ\Z PU[V OPZ OVTL HUK ILJH\ZL VM [OPZ OPZ SPML ^HZ JOHUNLK Not only his life but the lives of his entire household changed.
If you invite Jesus into your life, him and him alone is capable of transforming you and every member of your family who believe in him. ;OPZ PZ [OL NYLH[LZ[ VWWVY[\UP[` VM `V\Y SPML ;HRL HK]HU[HNL VM P[ @V\ OH]L UV[OPUN [V SVZL 6U the contrary you have everything to gain.
,_HTWSL
Martha and Mary of Bethany opened the door to Jesus, and the master resurrected their brother Lazarus who had been dead for four days.
Jesus will resurrect everything that is dead in you, in your home, in your heart and in your emotions.
Like the eagle of the initial analogy, you will loose everything that keeps you from Å`PUN [V \UKLY[HRL H UL^ ÅPNO[ PU [OPZ SPML HUK PU[V [OL UL_[
We cannot change nor control our lives, nor can we transform our way of thinking or feeling. But, if we allow Jesus to enter into our heart, his Word will transform us like yeast that makes the dough rise. You can start by confessing to Jesus:
3VYK PM `V\ KV UV[ JOHUNL TL 0 JHUUV[ JOHUNL *VU]LY[ TL 3VYK ZV [OH[ 0 TH` SP]L HZ H JOPSK VM `V\YZ 3VYK KV ^OH[ 0 HT \UHISL [V KV 0M `V\ JVTL PU[V T` OLHY[ L]LY`[OPUN ^PSS JOHUNL 6US` `V\ JHU KV ^OH[ 0 HT PUJHWHISL VM
61 Conversion
Experiential Activity: Three Gift Boxes Process: A member of the Service Team knocks on the door of the conference hall each time that someone new is to take the tour of the three gift boxes. 6UL VM [OL WHY[PJPWHU[Z Z[HUKZ \W VWLUZ [OL KVVY HUK PZ SLK [OYV\NO [OL [V\Y All participants go through each of the three facilitators to receive the message from the boxes. H 1: Empty box sprayed with men’s cologne. Facilitator 1 says: Your life is like this nice and beautiful gift. Do you like how it smells? Now, let’s look within your heart. Is your life like this? Does your life lack something? What good is an empty life? What is the greatest void in your life? Do you ULLK [V Ă„SS ZVTL LTW[` HYLH VM `V\Y SPML& H 2: Box sprayed with women’s perfume, and containing animal excrement. Facilitator 2 says: Your life appears very beautiful and valuable to you and others. @V\ OH]L THU` X\HSP[PLZ HUK HIPSP[PLZ I\[ PUZPKL [OPUNZ TPNO[ IL KPɈLYLU[ 0[ ZTLSSZ good. It might be beautiful on the outside, like this box, but let’s see what’s inside. While opening it, the facilitator asks: Is your life like this? Is there any similarity between this box and your heart? In which way are they alike? Is there something that smells bad in your life? Do you want to continue on like this? 2 H (S[LYUH[P]L NPM[! In cultures where this example may seem too aggressive, place in the box a watch, car keys, TV remote control, money, make-up kit, a magazine with sensual images, credit card, cigarettes, etc. Facilitator 2 says: Your life appears very beautiful on the outside but let’s look at what’s in your heart. What matters to you most is money, you want to control the car of life and control others. Does vanity and sex control you? H 3: ;OL [OPYK IV_ JVU[HPUZ H JY\JPĂ„_ Facilitator 3 says: This box represents God’s plan for you, that can change your entire life. This is the solution you’ve never imagined. I am going to show it to you. In order for your life to change, your heart must be like this box. Do you want to know the secret? You have it within you’re grasp. If you want your life to change, Jesus must enter into your heart. Invite him in so he, with all his power, can transform what is necessary, and you can live the life of a child of God and receive the inheritance of the Kingdom of God. The participants then move on to the chapel. Members of the service team pray for participants individually as they enter, to open themselves to conversion. 4H`IL `V\Y SPML HWWLHYZ SPRL VUL VM [OL Ă„YZ[ [^V IV_LZ )\[ PM `V\ ^HU[ [V L_WLYPLUJL [OL transforming power of Jesus’ resurrection, invite him to enter into your heart. Today you have the great opportunity for Christ to enter your life and to transform you forever. He is anxious to enter your life. He’s been waiting for this moment. 7YH`LY [V PU]P[L 1LZ\Z PU[V [OL OLHY[ [OL OLHY[Z \ZLK PU [OL 7YLZLU[H[PVU HYL VWLULK
Conversion
3VYK 1LZ\Z 0 VWLU ^PKL [OL KVVY VM T` OLHY[ HUK 0 PU]P[L `V\ [V JVTL PU[V T` SPML ZV 0 TH` SP]L `V\Y SPML 0 OH]L JSVZLK VɈ THU` HYLHZ VM T` SPML [V `V\ I\[ [VKH` 0 Z\YYLUKLY ILMVYL `V\ HUK 0 HZR `V\ [V JVTL PU[V T` SPML PU H UL^ ^H` HUK [V YLTHPU MVYL]LY *VTL PU[V T` OLHY[ ^P[O `V\Y >VYK VM L[LYUHS SPML 0 HJJLW[ `V\Y .VZWLS HZ [OL UVYT VM T` SPML ZPSLUJL and now that you have come in, I have decided to close the door for two reasons: -PYZ[ ZV [OH[ `V\ TH` UL]LY SLH]L HUK ZLJVUK ZV [OH[ ZPU TH` UL]LY LU[LY T` SPML 5V^ [OH[ `V\ HYL PUZPKL JVU]LY[ TL HUK JOHUNL PU TL ^OH[ 0 JHUUV[ *VU]LY[ TL 3VYK HUK 0 ^PSS IL JVU]LY[LK
e. Renounce sin and occasions of sin 6U V\Y V^U ^L HYL PUJHWHISL VM JVUX\LYPUN ZPU" I\[ UV^ [OH[ 1LZ\Z SP]LZ PU \Z ^L OH]L [OL power and capacity to defeat sin.
y
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We are more than conquerors.
4HU` [PTLZ ^L TH` OH]L ILLU [H\NO[ [OH[ ^L T\Z[ Ă„YZ[ YLUV\UJL ZPU ZV 1LZ\Z TH` LU[LY PU[V V\Y OLHY[Z )\[ [OPZ PZ PULɈLJ[P]L HUK JVU[YHY` [V [OL NVZWLS ILJH\ZL ^L KV UV[ OH]L [OL WV^LY to liberate ourselves from sin. The way to go is exactly the opposite, and it’s precisely what we have done. Now that Jesus has entered into our heart, we have the strength to defeat sin. We YLS` VU [OL WV^LY VM [OL 9PZLU 1LZ\Z ^OV KLMLH[LK KLH[O ZV [OH[ ^L JHU LTLYNL ]PJ[VYPV\Z PU the battle against sin and death.
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In the 16th century, Hernan Cortes arrived on the eastern shores of Mexico to conquer it. However, when he received reports concerning the powerful Aztec army, some of his generals became fearful and attempted to return to Cuba which had been conquered earlier. During the night, the Conquistador Cortes ZL[ [OL ZOPWZ VU Ă„YL PU [OL KVJRZ ZV [OH[ UV VUL ^V\SK IL HISL [V NV IHJR Then, there was only one road left: to conquer the great Tenochtitlan, capital city of the Aztec Empire.
In the same way, to have this New Life, we need to burn every ship that leads us to sin. We must formally renounce every situation or circumstance that leads us to sin. Each one of us knows which ships must be burned, to never sin again.
63 Conversion
Experiential Activity: Small Paper Boat
Process: Each participant makes or draws a small boat that represents whatever is their temptation or possibility that exposes them to sin again. :L[ [OL IVH[Z VU Ă„YL ^P[O [OL ,HZ[LY *HUKSL ^OPJO Z`TIVSPaLZ [OL SPNO[ VM Jesus, so that we never again let ourselves get close to the possibility of sin.
7YH`LY MVY SPILYH[PVU MYVT ZPU LHJO WHY[PJPWHU[ YLWLH[Z V\[ SV\K ^OPSL THRPUN ^P[O [OLPY OHUK [OL ¸=š MVY ]PJ[VY` Now that the Risen Jesus is in my heart, in his name, who has all the power in heaven and LHY[O 0 KLJSHYL T`ZLSM HZ JVUX\LYVY V]LY ZPU HUK KLH[O )` [OL ISVVK VM *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Z ^OV OHZ MVYNP]LU HUK W\YPĂ„LK TL 0 KLJSHYL T`ZLSM MYLL MYVT [OL ZSH]LY` HUK WV^LY VM ZPU 0 WYVJSHPT 1LZ\Z JVUX\LYVY VM ZPU" HUK PU OPT 0 HT ¸TVYL [OHU H JVUX\LYVYš [OHURZ [V [OL TLYP[Z VM OPZ KLH[O HUK YLZ\YYLJ[PVU" LZWLJPHSS` [OL ZPU [OH[ TVZ[ LUZSH]LZ TL HUK [OH[ 0 JV\SK UV[ JVUX\LY -YVT UV^ VU ZPU OHZ UV WV^LY V]LY TL UVY LUZSH]LZ TL ILJH\ZL 0 UV SVUNLY ILSVUN [V P[ 0 UV^ ILSVUN [V OPT ^OV KPLK MVY TL HUK YVZL HNHPU [V NP]L TL UL^ SPML 0 HT KLHK [V ZPU HUK SP]L MVY .VK PU *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Z f. Renunciation of the works of Satan Sin entered the world through the deception of Satan who continues to convince us with his lies and false promises. He seduces us, making us believe we are gods who have control over ourselves and others. He has three territories that are his property and venturing into them PU]VS]LZ ILPUN PU OPZ VYIP[ VM PUĂ…\LUJL HUK KLWLUKLUJL ŕ Ž Self control through power or knowledge apart from God: Magic, quackery, ouija boards, divination, horoscopes, mind control, amulets, spells, etc.; are means that people use in an attempt to gain power and control over themselves and others. But, the worst thing is that instead of gaining control, we are controlled by Satan, with the deceit of knowledge. (Each country and culture has its own types of means that are to be referenced) ŕ Ž 6JJ\S[PZT! This area is much more dangerous because it has direct contact with the evil forces that operate by means of necromancy, spiritualism, consulting with the dead, invoking spirits, black magic, quackery, etc. The world of lies and death orbit Satan in particular, because he is the father of lies and death from the very beginning. ŕ Ž Esotericism and Satanism: This area includes invocation of the devil, satanic pacts, black masses, satanic signs, etc. ;OL WLVWSL ^OV OH]L LU[LYLK [OLZL HYLHZ NLULYHSS` Z\ɈLY MYVT KLWYLZZPVU JVU[PU\HS MLHYZ chronic sadness, oppression, unexplainable illnesses and strange happenings. They do not live in peace. They live a lie, and have suicidal tendencies. The cause is very simple, they have entered into the territory of death, and Satan is making them pay a heavy price. We must therefore explicitly renounce all contact with this world of darkness.
64 Conversion
Prayer to renounce the works of darkness Standing, we respond: “Yes, I do renounce!”, to each of the things being mentioned.
+V `V\ YLUV\UJL :H[HU& (SS OPZ ^VYRZ HUK ZLK\J[PVUZ& ;OL VJJ\S[ [OL LZV[LYPJ HUK HSS superstition? 2UV^SLKNL VM [OL M\[\YL HWHY[ MYVT God? 4HNPJ HUK ^P[JOJYHM[& 9LHKPUN VM JHYKZ JVɈLL NYPUKZ HUK hands? (Z[YVSVN` HUK OVYVZJVWLZ TPUK control and dianetics? +V `V\ YLUV\UJL HSS JVU[HJ[ ^P[O spiritualism, necromancy invocation of the dead or spirits? 3`PUN KLJLW[PVU HUK O`WVJYPZ`& +V `V\ YLUV\UJL HJX\PZP[PVU VM WV^LY
for self-control or to control others? ;OL \ZL VM HT\SL[Z HUK [HSPZTHUZ& +V `V\ YLUV\UJL HSS LNV[PZT S\Z[ HUK evil? (SS ZLSM Z\ɉJPLUJ` NYLLK HUK ambition? (SS WYPKL HUK ]HUP[`& +V `V\ YLUV\UJL OH[YLK HUK resentments? +V `V\ YLUV\UJL SPLZ KLJLP[ HUK leading a double life? +V `V\ JVTWSL[LS` HUK MVYL]LY renounce all these practices? +V `V\ YLUV\UJL [OLZL WYHJ[PJLZ VU behalf of your ancestors?
In the Name of Jesus and with the power of his precious blood, I renounce all contact with the WV^LY VM KHYRULZZ 0 JV]LY T`ZLSM ^P[O [OL ISVVK VM 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ ^OV ZH]LZ HUK WYV[LJ[Z TL MYVT :H[HU HUK HSS OPZ SPLZ -YVT UV^ VU 0 ^HU[ UV[OPUN [V KV ^P[O [OL ^VYSK VM KLH[O HUK [OL SPLZ VM :H[HU I proclaim and declare before God, before his saints and his angels, that the blood of Jesus *OYPZ[ OHZ JVUX\LYLK :H[HU HUK 0 YLUV\UJL JVTWSL[LS` HUK MVYL]LY HSS OPZ ZLK\J[PVUZ C.
CONCLUSION
Jesus has visited your heart. He has entered into your life. Now, you can conquer sin and death.
A song that expresses Jesus’ victory and/or our liberation.
Attention: Situations related to the esoteric, satanism and abortions require more than a renunciation; they require the attention of a priest to make an explicit deliverance or even an exorcism if required. 4V[P]H[L [OL WHY[PJPWHU[Z [V HWWYVHJO [OL :HJYHTLU[ VM 9LJVUJPSPH[PVU
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7HY[PJPWHU[Z (J[P]P[`! /\N Process: The participants hug, saying: “Congratulations, because Jesus is your Savior.”
65 Conversion
4B. CONVERSION A. NEW MENTALITY 9VT !
B. GO FROM DARKNESS TO THE LIGHT 1U ! 7[ !
C. EXCHANGE OF LIFE: THE LIFE OF JESUS FOR OUR LIFE OPEN THE DOOR OF THE HEART 9L] !
D. RENOUNCE SIN AND THE WORKS OF SATAN
INVITE JESUS INTO YOUR HEART 66 Conversion
JESUS, LORD, MY LORD
4C
1. GOAL OH[ [OL WHY[PJPWHU[Z M\SÄSS [OL ZLJVUK JVUKP[PVU [OH[ :[ 7H\S PUKPJH[LZ PU VYKLY [V IL ZH]LK! ; Proclaim Jesus as my Lord and Lord over all the areas of my life..
2. KEY IDEA For if with sin we usurped the Kingdom of God, upon surrendering before Jesus as our Lord, God’s original plan is restored, and we gain access to the inheritance as children of God.
3. METHODOLOGY
H
+PKHJ[PJ HUK 7LKHNVN` When the Blessed Sacrament is revealed, it is not a time to praise and adore him, but for each participant to surrender before him. Sins are not given up now, but our entire life is submitted to the Lordship of Jesus, so he can decide from that moment on.
b.
Time 80 minutes.
67 Jesus, Lord, My Lord
4. TOPIC’S OUTLINE
a. I
Introduction Jesus is the Lord, but I have to proclaim him my personal Lord to govern my entire life. ;LHJOPUN 7YVJLZZ H 1LZ\Z ^HZ JVUZ[P[\[LK 3VYK PU OPZ NSVYPÄJH[PVU b. Proclamation of Jesus as Lord, my Lord, to be saved 1st: What does it mean to proclaim Jesus as Lord?
c.
UK How is he proclaimed? Conclusion Submitting my life under the Lordship of Jesus is not an enslavement but a privilege.
JESUS IS MY LORD, 100% AND FOREVER
68 Jesus, Lord, My Lord
5. TOPIC’S DEVELOPMENT A.
INTRODUCTION
a. Evocation Who is the most important person you know from politics, sports, religious, social or business circles? b. Presentation and location of the topic After having accepted Jesus as our personal Savior through faith and a sincere conversion, it is necessary to acknowledge him as Lord of our entire life. If with conversion we changed the past, with this topic we will go forth into the future, from here on, and in this way experience integral salvation. c. Topic’s objective and motivation >L ^PSS M\SÄSS [OL ZLJVUK JVUKP[PVU PUKPJH[LK I` :[ 7H\S [V L_WLYPLUJL ZHS]H[PVU! 7YVJSHPT ^P[O [OL TV\[O [OH[ 1LZ\Z PZ 3VYK 9VT ! It’s not enough that Jesus is in us.
y B.
It’s necessary that he sits on the throne of our life.
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TEACHING PROCESS
H 1LZ\Z ^HZ JVUZ[P[\[LK 3VYK PU OPZ NSVYPĂ„JH[PVU ;OLYLMVYL SL[ [OL ^OVSL OV\ZL VM 0ZYHLS RUV^ MVY JLY[HPU [OH[ .VK OHZ THKL OPT IV[O 3VYK HUK 4LZZPHO [OPZ 1LZ\Z ^OVT `V\ JY\JPĂ„LK! (J[Z ! 0U OPZ YLZ\YYLJ[PVU HUK NSVYPĂ„JH[PVU .VK NH]L 1LZ\Z HSS [OL WV^LY PU OLH]LU HUK VU LHY[O (SS WV^LY PU OLH]LU HUK VU LHY[O OHZ ILLU NP]LU [V TL! 4[ ! I He was given a glorious title: “Lordâ€? .VK NYLH[S` L_HS[LK OPT HUK ILZ[V^LK VU OPT [OL UHTL [OH[ PZ HIV]L L]LY` UHTL that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ PZ 3VYK [V [OL NSVY` VM .VK [OL -H[OLY! 7OPS ! What does “Lordâ€? mean ŕ Ž 0U [OL YVTHU J\S[\YL P[ ^HZ [OL [P[SL YLZLY]LK MVY [OL LTWLYVY HUK P[ TLHU[ [OH[ OL ^HZ [OL owner and “Dominus,â€? that controlled the entire world. ŕ Ž 0U [OL 6SK ;LZ[HTLU[ [OPZ [P[SL ^HZ YLZLY]LK L_JS\ZP]LS` MVY .VK" PUKPJH[PUN [V[HS KP]PUL authority that holds the executive, legislative, and judicial powers. God gives the title of “Lordâ€? to Jesus, because he constituted him as absolute owner of the entire universe: ŕ Ž 6]LY [PTL! WHZ[ WYLZLU[ HUK M\[\YL ŕ Ž 6]LY [OL ]PZPISL HUK PU]PZPISL ^VYSK! [OL SP]PUN HUK [OL KLHK HUNLSZ HUK ZHPU[Z :H[HU HUK all the demons are subject to him. ŕ Ž 6]LY JYLH[PVU! TLU HUPTHSZ WSHU[Z SHUK L[J
69 Jesus, Lord, My Lord
The dominion of Jesus should extend over the entire universe especialy and concretely over those who believe in his Name: Us. b. Proclamation of Jesus as Lord, my Lord, to be saved He holds everything in his hands and nothing can escape his power, but this is not enough. It’s necessary to acknowledge him as the proper Lord of life, so he can be the one to take authority. Each one of us has a kingdom where we legislate, govern, and decide as sovereign. 6\Y JVUZJPLUJL HUK PUKP]PK\HSP[` JSHPT L_JS\ZP]L [LYYP[VYPLZ [OH[ VUS` ^L RUV^ HUK WLUL[YH[L 6\Y MYLLKVT NP]LZ \Z [OL YPNO[ [V YLZLY]L [V V\YZLS]LZ JLY[HPU HZWLJ[Z VM V\Y lives which personally belong to us.
³
Didactic Resource: Crown Everyone places a crown on their head.
To proclaim Jesus as Lord means to surrender our throne and recognize his authority in all the areas of our life: work, money, sex, family, future, desires, decisions, values, etc.. This also includes subjecting our fears, wounds, and frustrations under his power. When we WYVJSHPT 1LZ\Z HZ 3VYK VM V\Y LU[PYL SPML OPZ ZHS]H[PVU ILJVTLZ LɈLJ[P]L PU \Z 0M [OYV\NO ZPU ^L rebelled against God with a revolt, now, proclaiming his Lordship we return to him what we had usurped. ;OH[ PZ ^O` :[ 7H\S HɉYTZ! [OH[ PU VYKLY [V IL ZH]LK ^L T\Z[ ZWLJPÄJHSS` JVUMLZZ 1LZ\Z HZ Lord. This implies that Jesus exercise his executive, legislative and judicial power over our entire life. 0M `V\ JVUMLZZ ^P[O `V\Y TV\[O [OH[ 1LZ\Z PZ 3VYK `V\ ^PSS IL ZH]LK VUL JVUMLZZLZ ^P[O [OL TV\[O HUK ZV PZ ZH]LK! 9VT ! ;OL` WYVMLZZ 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ ^OV PZ [OL 3VYK VM SPML HUK VM OPZ[VY` 7VWL -YHUJPZ
1st: What does it mean to proclaim Jesus as Lord? It means to surrender 100% of all the areas of our life. Not 51%, not 90%, not 99%. All or UV[OPUN 1LZ\Z ^HU[Z P[ HSS ILJH\ZL `LHYZ HNV OL NH]L P[ HSS MVY LHJO VUL VM \Z Acknowledge and submit to his executive, legislative and judicial powers. Forever. From now on Jesus will be in charge of all the decisions of our life. ;OPZ PZ JLY[HPUS` UV[ HIV\[ H MVYT\SH [OH[ PZ WYVUV\UJLK VUS` ^P[O `V\Y SPWZ I\[ HU LɈLJ[P]L reality. In constitutional monarchies, the king or queen has an honorary position, but in reality they are not the ones who govern, rather it’s the Parliament with the ,_HTWSL Prime minister who govern. The king signs the treaties and laws but he does UV[ KL]LSVW [OLT ;OL RPUN PZ VUS` MVY [OL VɉJPHS JLSLIYH[PVUZ HUK WHYHKLZ" his photo is even on postage stamps. He is on the front page of magazines, but he doesn’t exercise any real power. At times we could do the same with Jesus: You are the king but I am the Prime Minister. I write [OL SH^Z MVY T` SPML HUK `V\ HYL VUS` MVY [OL VɉJPHS JLSLIYH[PVUZ 0U YLHSP[` 0 THPU[HPU JVU[YVS VM my existence. We have been those Prime Ministers that today must recognize the royal power of Jesus so he may totally govern our lives, surrendering all that we are and have to him. If today you proclaim him as your King and Lord, this will open the door for you to enter paradise. It’s Guaranteed.
70 Jesus, Lord, My Lord
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The thief on the cross ;OH[ HM[LYUVVU [OYLL TLU ^LYL K`PUN I` JY\JPÄ_PVU VU *HS]HY` 6UL [OPLM J\YZLZ 1LZ\Z ;OL V[OLY JVUMLZZLZ 1LZ\Z HZ 2PUN HUK 3VYK HUK proclaimed him as such before everyone. The thief was saved when he proclaimed Jesus as King, his King; his Lord. Jesus responds: “Today you shall be with me in Paradise.”
UK How is he proclaimed? To proclaim his Lordship means to totally surrender before him and submit all the areas of our life to his Gospel. This proclamation consists of four characteristics: 2ULLSPUN! Knees bend at the Lordship of Jesus to declare that he holds the executive, legislative, and judicial power. Publicly: It must be proclaimed before the community. Out loud: So that others may witness that we have submitted to Jesus, Lord. With Pride: With the certainty that we are privileged to have such a Lord, who doesn’t dominate us but liberates us and makes us happy. Being his servants is the greatest privilege. This is about giving back to Jesus the throne we had usurped with sin, placing him at the center of our life.
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0M ^L KV UV[ JVUMLZZ 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ UV[OPUN ^PSS H]HPS 7VWL -YHUJPZ
Didactic Resource: Circle of the Lordship
9LMLY [V [OL JPYJSL VM ZPU PU [VWPJ ! We were the center and Jesus was simply a satellite. We were kings with our own throne, crown and personal territory. But today we change the center of gravitation. We surrender the throne to Jesus and we are at his service, so he can be our Lord, the Lord of each one of us.
71 Jesus, Lord, My Lord
J 7HYHSP[\YN` MVY [OL JVUZLJYH[PVU HUK JVUMLZZPVU VM [OL 3VYKZOPW VM 1LZ\Z Motivation We are going to surrender unconditionally to Jesus, acknowledging him as the Lord of our entire life. Each one of us is a King and has a kingdom.
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L Like Napoleon, we have declared and crowned ourselves emperors. Each one o of us holds a territory where we are in charge, dominate and legislate. We are ssovereign. This area is sacred and no one has the right to enter.
But today we have the opportunity to acknowledge that Jesus is the only Lord of our life. Today is the day to surrender unconditionally before Jesus, giving him our crown, our kingdom and submitting 100% to him, especially that territory or aspect of our lives that we’ve never before been willing to surrender to him. All of us have a territory where we have made ourselves kings and lords, that today we can place under the Lordship of Jesus, surrendering our crown and scepter to him. 7HYHSP[\YN` MVY [OL JVUZLJYH[PVU HUK JVUMLZZPVU VM [OL 3VYKZOPW VM 1LZ\Z Invite the participants to leave their crowns before the Blessed Sacrament and to kneel before Jesus, the Lord of Lords. Kneeling before Eucharistic Jesus, King of kings, we surrender our crowns, proclaiming him the Lord and “Lord of my life.” Prayer to confess the Lordship of Jesus Jesus, today I accept your Gospel as the norm of my entire life ( UK `V\ HZ [OL TVKLS [OH[ 0 ^PSS MVSSV^ HUK PTP[H[L 0 WYVJSHPT `V\ HZ [OL 3VYK T` 3VYK `V\ OH]L HIZVS\[L H\[OVYP[` V]LY TL 0 HJRUV^SLKNL [OH[ `V\ HUK VUS` `V\ OH]L [OL L_LJ\[P]L SLNPZSH[P]L HUK Q\KPJPHS WV^LY V]LY T` SPML 0 Z\YYLUKLY T` RPUNKVT \UKLY `V\Y 2PUNKVT" 0 NP]L `V\ HSS T` SPML MVYL]LY And as a sign, I give you my crown and I kneel before you [V HJRUV^SLKNL `V\Y [V[HS H\[OVYP[` V]LY TL The speaker says the following prayer and the participants respond: Jesus is my Lord! 6M T` MHTPS` HUK MYPLUKZ 6M T` OVTLSHUK HUK OVTL 6M T` WHZ[ WYLZLU[ HUK M\[\YL 6M T` OV\ZL HUK NVVKZ 6M T` Z[\KPLZ HUK ^VYR 6M T` OVWL HUK MLHYZ 6M T` OLHS[O HUK ZPJRULZZ 6M T` WVSP[PJHS HUK ZVJPHS SPML 6M T` WV]LY[` VY YPJOLZ 6M T` PTHNPUH[PVU HUK TLTVY` 6M T` MYPLUKZ HUK HJX\HPU[HUJLZ 6M T` PU[LSSPNLUJL HUK ^PSS 6M T` IVK` HUK ZV\S 6M T` L`LZ LHYZ OHUKZ HUK MLL[ 6M T` LU[LY[HPUTLU[ 6M T` WLYZVUHS YLSH[PVUZOPWZ 6M T` ZL_\HSP[` HUK LTV[PVUZ 6M [OL ^H` 0 LH[ HUK KYLZZ HUK [OPUR 6M T` [LSL]PZPVU HUK YLHKPUN
Jesus, Lord, My Lord
C.
CONCLUSION
You have made a vital decision. From now on Jesus, by means of the Gospel, will decide in your life
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If by sin you had usurped part of the Kingdom of God; now you have returned it to him and you have surrendered to his Lordship.
Now we have (I have, you have) the right to the inheritance! We are (I am, you are) God’s heir(s) and co-heir(s) with Christ Jesus.
At A the beginning of this topic, we asked you to recall the most important person you know. You now know the Lord of lords, the King of kings. Moreover, in proclaim him the Lord of your entire life, you become an heir to his Kingdom. 7HY[PJPWHU[Z» (J[P]P[`! /\N Process: The participants hug each other, saying: “Congratulate me because Jesus is my Lord.”
73 Jesus, Lord, My Lord
4C. JESUS, LORD, MY LORD A. JESUS IS THE LORD, THE KING OF KINGS (J[Z !
B. JESUS IS MY LORD 9VT !
JESUS IS MY LORD, 100% AND FOREVER 74 Jesus, Lord, My Lord
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PROMISE AND OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. GOAL Stir up a thirst to receive the living water of the Holy Spirit which enables us to permanently live the New Life.
2. KEY IDEA The Holy Spirit makes Jesus present here and now, so that we can experience salvation.
3. METHODOLOGY
H
+PKHJ[PJ HUK 7LKHNVN` ; OL Ă„YZ[ WHY[ VM [OPZ [VWPJ PZ KVJ[YPUHS HUK JVSK (]VPK THRPUN [OL [VWPJ [VV SVUN but touch on it enough to help attain the goal. The motivational testimony of the speaker is necessary and crucial, that shows his/her change of life, thanks to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is done in two stages. First is a general prayer and then one for each person who requests it. The music ministry accompanies the prayer with songs to the Holy Spirit.
b.
Time 90 minutes plus the estimated time for the prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit.
75 Promise of the Holy Spirit
4. TOPIC’S OUTLINE a. I
Introduction The Holy Spirit makes Jesus present here and now so we can experience salvation. ;LHJOPUN 7YVJLZZ a. The Promise of the Father: The Holy Spirit I -\SĂ„SSTLU[ VM [OL 7YVTPZL! 7LU[LJVZ[ *M (J[Z c. The Promise of the Holy Spirit is for you 1st: -PYL *M (J[Z ! UK!
Wind (Cf Jn 3:8)
3rd: Water (Cf Jn 7:38-39) d. Four attitudes to be baptized in the Holy Spirit 1st: To thirst
c.
UK!
Be open
3rd:
Ask God, my Father, for the inheritance of the Holy Spirit with the certitude of receiving it
4th: 2UV^ [OH[ [OL NPM[ PZ MYLL *M 9L] ! Conclusion The Holy spirit enables and guarantees us to receive the life in abundance won by Jesus Christ.
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT
76 Promise of the Holy Spirit
5. TOPIC’S DEVELOPMENT A.
INTRODUCTION
a. Evocation 9LTLTILY H [PTL ^OLU ZVTL[OPUN PTWVY[HU[ ^HZ WYVTPZLK [OH[ `V\ OHK ^PZOLK HUK ^HP[LK MVY \U[PS ÄUHSS` P[ ILJHTL H YLHSP[` b. Presentation and location of the topic
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7HY[PJPWHU[Z» (J[P]P[`! :PNU VM [OL JYVZZ Process: Guided by the speaker, the participants make the sign of the cross: “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” - Who is the Holy Spirit?
1\Z[ HZ ^OLU 1LZ\Z ^HZ JVUZ[P[\[LK ¸3VYK¹ VU [OL KH` VM OPZ NSVYPÄJH[PVU HUK YLJLP]LK [OL fullness of the Holy Spirit that spilled over onto his disciples on Pentecost, in the same manner when we proclaim Jesus as our “Lord” we receive the Spirit of the Promise so abundantly that ^L YLMLY [V [OPZ HZ [OL ¸)HW[PZT PU [OL /VS` :WPYP[¹ VY ¸6\[WV\YPUN VM [OL /VS` :WPYP[¹ c. Topic’s objective and motivation ;V HZR 1LZ\Z [V M\SÄSS [OL 7YVTPZL VM ZLUKPUN [OL /VS` :WPYP[ MV\U[HPU VM UL^ SPML 1LZ\Z accomplished our salvation over two thousand years ago, thousands of miles away, but to make him present today, here and now; that is the work of the Holy Spirit. B.
&
TEACHING PROCESS *OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY /V^ KV ^L THRL 1LZ\Z :H]PVY HUK 3VYK WYLZLU[ ^P[O HSS [OL MY\P[Z VM OPZ 9LKLTW[PVU here and now? Today’s topic will give us the answer.
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;LZ[PTVU`
Why did Peter deny Jesus? Jesus forewarned Peter that he would deny him three times that night. The ÄZOLYTHU MYVT *HWLYUH\T Z^VYL OL ^V\SK UL]LY KV Z\JO H [OPUN /L ^HZ so convinced that, in order to prove it, he defended his Master with his sword when the guards came to arrest him at the garden of Gethsemane. How did Jesus know that this brave and decisive man, who even dared to enter the High Priest’s palace, could deny him? Jesus knew that Peter would deny him, because the impetuous Simon had not yet received the Power from on High, the Holy Spirit. Since the Fisherman did not have that Power, as soon as a servant girl interrogated him, the poor man denied Jesus repeatedly, and even cursed Jesus. We have surrendered our life to our Lord Jesus, but the same thing that happened to Peter could happen to us, if we do not have this divine Power, called the Holy Spirit. Moreover, without this Divine Power from above, we will repeatedly fall and deny Jesus just as Simon Peter did. The speaker gives his testimony on how his life was changed when he/she received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
77 Promise of the Holy Spirit
a. The Promise of the Father: The Holy Spirit Therefore, Jesus ordered his Apostles to wait for the Promise of the Father of which he had ZWVRLU [V [OLT THU` [PTLZ *M (J[Z ! " 3R ! 0[ PZ IL[[LY MVY `V\ [OH[ 0 NV -VY PM 0 KV UV[ NV [OL (K]VJH[L ^PSS UV[ JVTL [V `V\! 1U ! The Holy Spirit is so indispensable, that it is even to our convenience for Jesus to leave us. 0 HT ZLUKPUN [OL WYVTPZL VM T` -H[OLY \WVU `V\" I\[ Z[H` PU [OL JP[` \U[PS `V\ HYL JSV[OLK ^P[O WV^LY MYVT VU OPNO! 3R ! @V\ ^PSS IL IHW[PaLK ^P[O [OL /VS` :WPYP[! (J[Z ! ;OL 7YVTPZL PZ UV[ ZVTL[OPUN I\[ :VTLVUL [OL ZHTL /VS` :WPYP[ ^OVT [OL NSVYPĂ„LK 1LZ\Z gives, like a river of living water to those who believe in him. (Jn 7:37-38). The Holy Spirit is the fountain of New Life. If we want New Life,
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y
the Holy Spirit is indispensable
Why is the Holy Spirit promised?: ŕ Ž ;V IL IVYU HNHPU HUK [V ILJVTL UL^ JYLH[\YLZ HUPTH[LK ^P[O [OL ZHTL :WPYP[ VM .VK 1U ! " *VY ! ŕ Ž ;V JOHUNL V\Y OLHY[ ;OL /VS` :WPYP[ HSVUL JHU NP]L \Z H UL^ OLHY[ ,a ! ŕ Ž ;V IL JSV[OLK ^P[O [OL 7V^LY MYVT VU /PNO 3R ! [V V]LYJVTL V\Y ^LHRULZZ ŕ Ž ;V IL ^P[ULZZLZ VM 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ (J[Z ! ŕ Ž ;V N\PKL \Z [V JVTWSL[L [Y\[O HUK ZV [OL [Y\[O ^PSS ZL[ \Z MYLL 1U ! " ! ŕ Ž ;V ZLHS [OL WYVJLZZ VM V\Y JVU]LYZPVU ,WO ! ŕ Ž ;OL /VS` :WPYP[ PZ [OL NYLH[ PUOLYP[HUJL VM [OL JOPSKYLU VM .VK [OH[ HSSV^Z \Z [V JY` V\[ [V God: “Abba-Fatherâ€?, and therefore be heirs of his Kingdom. I -\SĂ„SSTLU[ VM [OL 7YVTPZL! 7LU[LJVZ[ (J[Z This outpouring was so abundant that Jesus called it the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Baptism means complete immersed . 1LZ\Z ,_HS[LK H[ [OL YPNO[ OHUK VM .VK OL YLJLP]LK [OL WYVTPZL VM [OL OVS` :WPYP[ MYVT [OL -H[OLY HUK WV\YLK P[ MVY[O HZ `V\ IV[O ZLL HUK OLHY! (J[Z ! Pentecost has two phases: Jesus who receives Holy Spirit and Jesus who pours out Holy Spirit VU[V [OL KPZJPWSLZ PU [OL <WWLY 9VVT 1LZ\Z YLJLP]LK ZV T\JO /VS` :WPYP[ [OH[ OL WV\YLK P[ out onto his disciples on the Day of Pentecost.
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Didactic Resource: Glass Of Water Process: ( J\W PZ ÄSSLK ^P[O ^H[LY \U[PS P[ V]LYÅV^Z ( That’s what happened on the day of Pentecost: Jesus received so much Holy Spirit that he poured it profusely onto his disciples. ;LHJOPUN! Those of us who have proclaimed Jesus as Lord, let us be open to receive the Holy Spirit.
78 Promise of the Holy Spirit
For the Apostles it was truly a Baptism in the Spirit, just as Jesus had promised (Acts 1:5). They ^LYL Z\ITLYNLK HUK ÄSSLK IV[O PUZPKL HUK V\[
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When a boat sinks, it is completely submerged inside and out. The water penetrates the wood and even the metal corrodes; the boat is baptized in water.
It is the same for us when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit.
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The Consoler reaches into the deepest part of our life.
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c. The Promise of the Holy Spirit is for you >OLU WLVWSL ^LYL NH[OLYLK HYV\UK [OL <WWLY 9VVT [OL` THY]LSLK H[ [OL L_[LYUHS THUPMLZ[H[PVUZ HZ ^LSS HZ I` [OL [YHUZMVYTH[PVU PU [OL SP]LZ VM [OL ^OV OHK YLJLP]LK [OL Power of the Holy Spirit. Peter then made it clear: -VY [OL WYVTPZL PZ THKL [V `V\ HUK [V `V\Y JOPSKYLU HUK [V HSS [OVZL MHY VɈ! (J[Z ! Therefore, it’s for us. The Holy Spirit is so fascinating that we must approach him through three images to know who he is and how he acts. 1st:
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-PYL (J[Z ! Didactic Resource: Fire ( (U ,HZ[LY JHUKSL PZ SP[ ZV [OH[ [OL NYV\W JHU L_WLYPLUJL [OL KPɈLYLU[ JOHYHJ[LYPZ[PJZ VM ÄYL
à ® à ® à ® à ® à ®
)\YUZ: 0UJPULYH[LZ HSS PTW\YP[` HUK Z\WLYÄJPHSP[` 0SS\TPUH[LZ! :OLKZ SPNO[ VU [OL WLYZVU VM 1LZ\Z ZV [OH[ ^L TH` RUV^ OPT 7\YPÄLZ! 7\YPÄLZ V\Y TV[P]H[PVUZ >HYTZ! 9LTV]LZ [OL PJL VɈ [OL OLHY[ ZV ^L JHU MLLS SV]LK I` .VK HUK SV]L .VK *VUZVSPKH[LZ! Unites the members of the Body of Christ. UK! >PUK 1U ! à ® 4`Z[LYPV\Z! >L KV UV[ RUV^ ^OLYL P[ JVTLZ MYVT VY ^OLYL P[ NVLZ à ® -YLL! 0[»Z TV]LTLU[ PZ \UWYLKPJ[HISL ^L JHUUV[ JVU[YVS P[ à ® 7V^LYM\S! 0Z H O\YYPJHUL ^PUK [OL Z[YLUN[O HUK WV^LY VM .VK à ® .LU[SL! 0Z H SPNO[ IYLLaL [OH[ JVUZVSLZ HUK NP]LZ WLHJL 3rd: >H[LY 1U ! à ® -V\U[HPU VM SPML! ;OL /VS` :WPYP[ JVTT\UPJH[LZ [OL SPML VM .VK [V \Z à ® :WYPUNZ MVY[O \U[V L[LYUHS SPML
79 Promise of the Holy Spirit
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The Samaritan Woman This woman had drunk from many fountains, without ever satisfying her thirst. But one day, at Jacob’s well, she received the Living Water, symbol of the Holy Spirit, that springs unto eternal life, this not only changed her life, but also that of her entire village.
;OL /VS` :WPYP[ PZ UV[ SPRL H Z\WLYĂ„JPHS ]HYUPZO ;OL /VS` :WPYP[ ^HU[Z [V WLUL[YH[L HUK WLYTLH[L all of our being. Jesus promised that the Apostles would be baptized in the Holy Spirit, but that Promise is also for us. This Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a new Sacrament, but renews the Gift we received PU )HW[PZT *VUĂ„YTH[PVU HUK PU [OL ,\JOHYPZ[ 0[ÂťZ HU L_WLYPLUJL VM [OL WV^LY HUK SV]L VM .VK that changes all our being to have a new life and be transformed in Christ;
Âł d.
+PKHJ[PJ 9LZV\YJL! 9VJR (UK :WVUNL Process: Place the rock in the water. Then the sponge (both are compared). The rock gets wet only on the outside, while the sponge is completely soaked. ;LHJOPUN! Today is the day to be completely soaked, to the very depth of our being.
Four attitudes to be baptized in the Holy Spirit 3L[ HU`VUL ^OV [OPYZ[Z JVTL [V TL HUK KYPUR ^OVL]LY ILSPL]LZ PU TL! 1U ! 1st:
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To thirst
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9LJVNUPaL `V\Y ULLK MVY .VK
The one who needs more, will be given more. The one who owes more, will be forgiven more. We will receive according to what we acknowledge we need. )\[ OV^L]LY T\JO ZPU PUJYLHZLK NYHJL PZ HS^H`Z NYLH[LY" 9VT ! I UK! Be open 9LTV]L ^OH[L]LY JHW `V\ TH` Z[PSS OH]L ;OPZ PZ [OL SHZ[ VWWVY[\UP[` [V SLH]L HSS [OH[ OHZ [V KV with sin. Take a risk. You have nothing to lose. .VK ^HU[Z [V ÄSS `V\ ^P[O [OL 3P]PUN >H[LY VM [OL /VS` :WPYP[ I\[ [OL HTV\U[ `V\ YLJLP]L depends on you, for your capacity to receive is the only thing that limits God’s generosity.
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Didactic Resource: Three Containers Process: ;OYLL JSLHY JVU[HPULYZ VM KPɈLYLU[ ZPaLZ HYL Ă„SSLK ^P[O ^H[LY ;OL SHYNLZ[ PZ JHWWLK and doesn’t receive water. ;LHJOPUN! 6WLU \W ZV `V\ JHU IL Ă„SSLK ^P[O [OL 3P]PUN >H[LY [OH[ ZWYPUNZ \U[V L[LYUHS SPML
80 Promise of the Holy Spirit
;OL JHW [OH[ WYL]LU[Z \Z MYVT ILPUN ÄSSLK ^P[O [OL /VS` :WPYP[ JHU PKLU[PM` P[ZLSM HZ IP[[LYULZZ VY YLZLU[TLU[ PU V\Y OLHY[ 0[»Z [PTL [V MVYNP]L [OVZL ^OV OH]L VɈLUKLK \Z [V IL VWLU HUK ZV receive an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 3rd: Ask God my Father for the inheritance of the Holy Spirit with the certitude of YLJLP]PUN P[ /V^ T\JO TVYL ^PSS [OL -H[OLY PU OLH]LU NP]L [OL /VS` :WPYP[ [V [OVZL ^OV HZR OPT! 3R ! The only thing you need to do is ask with the certainty that God wants to give it to you. He is committed. That’s why it’s a Promise. Jesus himself is the one interceding for you to receive this abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We will pray in the name of Jesus, because Jesus is the only one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit. 4th: 2UV^ [OH[ [OL NPM[ PZ MYLL! 9L] ! It doesn’t cost anything. It already cost Jesus his life. It does not depend on your merits. Just receive it. PRAYER TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT We will now ask and receive the Gift of the Spirit. -PYZ[ H NLULYHS WYH`LY ;OLU WYH` MVY LHJO WLYZVU [V YLJLP]L [OL /VS` :WPYP[ ;OVZL ^OV ^HU[ P[ VWLU [OLPY OHUKZ as a sign that they are open and in need. Motivation You are before a door, which leads you to a new world beyond your imagination. Let the Holy Spirit enter like never before. Let the Holy Spirit penetrate to the very depth of your being and of your history, like the sponge, and not like the rock. (It is preferable that the person for whom we pray be able to hear the prayer. This is not a time for participants to sing out loud or pray out loud.) GENERAL PRAYER Father M\SÄSS `V\Y 7YVTPZL PU [OPZ JVTT\UP[` [VKH` SPRL VU [OL +H` VM 7LU[LJVZ[ I` ZLUKPUN `V\Y /VS` :WPYP[ MYVT /LH]LU /LSW \Z L_WLYPLUJL `V\Y PUÄUP[L SV]L HUK MVYNP]LULZZ 0M [OPZ PZ `V\Y 7YVTPZL ^L HYL Z\YL [OH[ `V\ HYL M\SÄSSPUN P[ UV^ ;OHUR `V\ Jesus, You are so full of the Holy Spirit that you want to pour it out over all of us. >L HYL NH[OLYLK OLYL PU [OPZ <WWLY 9VVT PU WYH`LY ^P[O 4HY` `V\Y 4V[OLY L_WLJ[PUN [OL M\SÄSSTLU[ VM `V\Y 7YVTPZL Baptize us in your Holy Spirit. Fill us, submerge us, so we can live as one body, animated by one single Spirit. Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus, let us be born anew. Fill our minds, our hearts, our entire being. Come and manifest yourself with the abundance of your fruits, gifts and charisms. 4PNO[` ^PUK ÄSS \Z HUK [YHUZMVYT \Z JVTWSL[LS` Celestial Fire, burn our sins away so that we can burn with God’s love. Living Water, make fruitful the very life of God within us. *64, /63@ :7090; *VTL /VS` :WPYP[ HUK ZLUK H YH` VM `V\Y SPNO[ MYVT OLH]LU *VTL -H[OLY VM [OL WVVY *VTL NP]LY VM NYHJLZ *VTL [OL SPNO[ VM OLHY[Z .YLH[ JVUZVSLY :^LL[ N\LZ[ VM [OL ZV\S :^LL[ JVTMVY[LY ([ ^VYR YLZ[ 0U V\Y LHNLYULZZ [YHUX\PSP[` 0U ZVYYV^ JVUZVSH[PVU
81 Promise of the Holy Spirit
6O OVS` SPNO[ Ă„SS [OL KLW[O VM [OL OLHY[Z VM `V\Y MHP[OM\S VULZ >P[OV\[ `V\Y NYHJL [OLYL PZ UV[OPUN PU THU [OLYL PZ UV ]PY[\L *SLHU ^OH[ PZ KPY[` >H[LY ^OH[ PZ KY` /LHS ^OH[ PZ ZPJR )LUK ^OH[ PZ YPNPK >HYT \W ^OH[ PZ JVSK :[YHPNO[LU V\[ ^OH[ OHZ ^HUKLYLK VɈ JV\YZL .P]L [V `V\Y MHP[OM\S VULZ ^OV [Y\Z[ PU `V\ `V\Y ZL]LU ZHJYLK NPM[Z .P]L [OLT [OL TLYP[ VM ]PY[\L .P]L [OLT ZHS]H[PVU H[ [OL LUK VM [OLPY QV\YUL` .P]L [OLT H WLYWL[\HS QV` (TLU (SSLS\PH PRAYER OVER EACH PERSON -H[OLY OLYL PZ `V\Y ZVU KH\NO[LY ^OV ULLKZ [V L_WLYPLUJL `V\Y WLYZVUHS SV]L [OH[ PZ Ă„YT HUK steadfast, tender and unconditional. Show him (her) how much you love him (her) and that you have a marvelous plan for his (her) life. Your son(daughter) has already recognized that he (she) is a sinner, and humbly prostrates before you, so that you may save him (her), because he (she) is unable to save himself (herself). Jesus, you are the Savior, and at this moment this brother (sister) is proclaiming you as his (her) personal Savior, his (her) one and only Savior This brother (sister) has opened the door of his (her) heart, and proclaims his (her) faith in you as his (her) only Savior. He (she) has renounced all sin, situations of sin or sinful attitude. He (she) does not accept any other means of salvation but you, Lord Jesus. He (she) has surrendered completely to you, unconditionally, and proclaims you as the Lord of all his (her) life. 5V^ Ă„SS OPT OLY IHW[PaL OPT OLY PU `V\Y /VS` :WPYP[ [V YLJLP]L H 5L^ 3PML HUK SPML PU abundance that you gained through your death and resurrection. Make him (her) be born anew, so that today he (she) may begin a New Life. Holy Spirit, enable him (her) to have a personal encounter with the risen Jesus so he (she) can live as a child of God, without fear, but as an heir of the New Life. Fill him (her) with your gifts, charisms, and fruits so he (she) can be a witness with power to the 9LZ\YYLJ[PVU VM 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ PU [OL *OYPZ[PHU JVTT\UP[`
Promise of the Holy Spirit
5. PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT A. THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER 3R ! " (J[Z !
B. PENTECOST, FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE (J[Z
C. THE PROMISE IS FOR YOU (J[Z !
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT 83 Promise of the Holy Spirit
CHURCH AND COMMUNITY TO GROW AND PERSEVERE
6 1. GOAL
Show how to NYV^ and persevere in the New Life: Church and Community.
2. KEY IDEA It is not enough to be born again, it is necessary to grow and persevere as Church.
3. METHODOLOGY
H
+PKHJ[PJ HUK 7LKHNVN` It is best to give personal testimony. It should not be theoretical or doctrinal, but eminently pastoral and practical.
b.
Time Two sessions of 40 minutes each.
84 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
4. TOPIC’S OUTLINE a. I
c.
Introduction 6US` PU JVTT\UP[` JHU ^L NYV^ HUK WLYZL]LYL PU [OL SPML VM [OL :WPYP[ ;LHJOPUN 7YVJLZZ a. Church: Sacrament of salvation b. Nourished to grow and reach the stature of Christ c. Strengthen ourselves to persevere to the end d. An evangelized and evangelizing Community with the Charisms of the Spirit Conclusion We can only grow and persevere in the christian community: in the Church.
IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE BORN, WE MUST GROW AND PERSEVERE IN CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
85 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
5. TOPIC’S DEVELOPMENT A.
INTRODUCTION
a. Evocation: The tower 1LZ\Z ZHPK [OH[ ^OLU ^L HYL [V I\PSK H [V^LY ^L ZOV\SK Ă„YZ[ THRL HU LZ[PTH[L [V ZLL PM ^L OH]L L]LY`[OPUN ^L ULLK [V Ă„UPZO P[ 6[OLY^PZL P[ ^V\SK IL HU HIZVS\[L MHPS\YL MVY \Z HUK ILMVYL others as well. >OPJO VM `V\ ^PZOPUN [V JVUZ[Y\J[ H [V^LY KVLZ UV[ Ă„YZ[ ZP[ KV^U HUK JHSJ\SH[L [OL JVZ[ [V ZLL PM [OLYL PZ LUV\NO MVY P[Z JVTWSL[PVU&! 3R !
&
*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY Do you feel capable to continue building the tower of your life, or have you considered the possibility of failing midway?
/LYL UV[ VUS` ^PSS ^L THRL HU LZ[PTH[L I\[ ^LSS HSZV WYLZLU[ [OL TH[LYPHS ULLKLK [V ÄUPZO [OL construction we have just begun. b. Presentation and where the topic is located >L OH]L HSYLHK` ZLLU [OL ÄYZ[ Z[LW [V IL IVYU HNHPU" UV^ ^L OH]L [V JVUZPKLY OV^ [V UV\YPZO that life and make it grow to its fullness. For Jesus did not only come to bring life, but life in abundance. This is about a race where having a good beginning isn’t enough, but about reaching the goal as victors. 0M VUS` 0 TH` ÄUPZO T` JV\YZL! (J[Z ! H This topic will cover the guidelines to grow to the stature of Jesus Christ as well as to persevere in the New Life. c. Topic’s Objective and Motivation To know what we must do to not only begin the race, but to be able to obtain the winner’s crown. B.
TEACHING PROCESS
a.
Church: Sacrament of salvation
6\[LY ZWHJL JHU IL ]LU[\YLK PU H ZWHJL JHWZ\SL 0[ PZ WVZZPISL [V UH]PNH[L [OL ,_HTWSL seven seas in a small boat; but no one, absolutely no one, dares to challenge the desert alone. The desert that take us to the Promised Land is crossed in a caravan; in community. That is why the converts who receive the power of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost immediately congregate as Church, because there is no other way to persevere in the New Life: They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the IYLHRPUN VM [OL IYLHK HUK [V [OL WYH`LYZ! (J[Z ! Those who were converted that morning of Pentecost and received the Holy Spirit of the Promise, congregated immediately in community, because it was the only way to persevere in the New Life. 6UL PZ IVYU PU[V [OL 5L^ 3PML I` [OL NYHJL VM .VK I\[ P[ PZ \W [V \Z [V NYV^ [V [OL :[H[\YL VM *OYPZ[ HUK WLYZL]LYL PU [OL 5L^ 3PML PU [OL *O\YJO ^OLYL .VK VɈLYZ \Z [OL TLHUZ [V NYV^ especially the sacraments. God already saved us two thousand years ago, but we need for the light of salvation to reach us who are far in time and space.
86 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
&
*OHSSLUNL [V JVUZPKLY How do we make the merits of Jesus’ death and resurrection reach us?
Through the Church, because the Church is the sacrament of salvation, through which the TLYP[Z VM 1LZ\ZÂť KLH[O HUK YLZ\YYLJ[PVU ILJVTL WYLZLU[ HUK LɈLJ[P]L
Âł
Didactic Resource: Extension Cord Process: Place a lamp at a distance away from the outlet. To turn on the lamp, an extension cord is added. ;LHJOPUN! ;OL *O\YJO PZ SPRL [OL L_[LUZPVU JVYK [OH[ THRLZ WYLZLU[ HUK LɈLJ[P]L [OL MY\P[Z VM redemption.
The New Life grows and is nourished by the ministry of the Church, sacrament of salvation, which is like the extension cord that makes present the fruits of Jesus’ death and resurrection. )` TLHUZ VM [OL *O\YJO [OL :HS]PÄJ ^VYRZ VM 1LZ\Z HYL L_[LUKLK PU [PTL HUK ZWHJL In the measure in which we live as Church, in community, we can continue in this race, that at times appears to be an obstacle race, but thanks to God we rely on the Power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens and equips us to continue moving forward.
Âł
Didactic Resource: Dry Branch Goal: To show that if we’re not attached to the trunk, we dry up and die. Motivation: Christ is the trunk; we are the branches (Jn 15: 5). Process: Show a branch that was cut from its trunk. ;LHJOPUN! The branch (person) that detaches from the trunk, dries up, is lost, and is thrown in the trash. Do you want to lose what God gave you, what Christ has won for you and what the Holy Spirit has done within you? Separate yourself from your brothers and sisters and everything is lost.
Lead the participants in the following way: 9HPZL `V\Y YPNO[ OHUKÂŻ 7H\ZL [OVZL ^OV ^PZO [V NV IHJR [V `V\Y MVYTLY SPML HUK YL[\YU to the world of darkness. I will give you an infallible way to achieve this: isolate yourself and attempt to walk alone through the desert that leads us to the Promised Land.
,_HTWSL
Alcoholics Anonymous A A recovering alcoholic who doesn’t join others who are going through the ZHTL YLJV]LYPUN WYVJLZZ ^PSS UV[ VUS` YLSHWZL I\[ ^PSS IL ^VYZL VɈ [OHU before.
I 5V\YPZO V\YZLS]LZ [V NYV^ HUK YLHJO [OL Z[H[\YL VM *OYPZ[ We have been born into a New Life through the work and grace of God, to Him be the power, the honor and the glory. :V ^OVL]LY PZ PU *OYPZ[ PZ H UL^ JYLH[PVU! [OL VSK [OPUNZ OH]L WHZZLK H^H`" ILOVSK UL^ [OPUNZ OH]L JVTL! *VY !
87 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
Now we must be nourished to live the fullness of life brought by Christ Jesus. ;OLYL HYL WLVWSL ^OV Z\ɈLY ZWPYP[\HS HUVYL_PH HUK ILJH\ZL [OL` HYL UV[ UV\YPZOLK [OL` become anemic, without strength and without defenses. This way they expose themselves to return to their former life or die slowly. >L HYL PU H Z[Y\NNSL ^P[O [^V HU[VNVUPZ[PJ MVYJLZ! [OL SPML PU [OL :WPYP[ HUK [OL SPML PU [OL Ă…LZO 5V[ NYV^PUN PU VUL Ă„LSK PZ MLY[PSPaPUN HUK JVUZLU[PUN MVY [OL V[OLY Ă„LSK [V NYV^ ;OL UL^ creature’s diet consists of three types of nourishment: ŕ Ž :HJYHTLU[HS SPML ;V UV\YPZO V\YZLS]LZ ^P[O [OL ZHJYHTLU[Z VɈLYLK I` [OL *O\YJO LZWLJPHSS` [OL ,\JOHYPZ[ HUK reconciliation. ŕ Ž 9LHK [OL >VYK VM .VK [V VI[HPU H IPISPJHS TLU[HSP[` Daily reading, not with the eagerness to study it, but to allow us to have the thoughts, feelings, and attitudes of Jesus Christ.
#
Participants’ Activity: Pray With The Word Process: The Service Team lays a Bible over each participant with the following prayer: 6]LY [OL OLHK! 3VYK VWLU OPZ OLY PU[LSSLJ[ [V \UKLYZ[HUK [OL >VYK¯ 6]LY [OL LHYZ! 3VYK VWLU OPZ OLY LHYZ [V OLHY `V\Y >VYK¯ 6]LY [OL L`LZ! 3VYK NP]L OPT OLY H [OPYZ[ [V YLHK `V\Y >VYK¯ 6]LY [OL TV\[O! 3VYK NP]L OPT OLY JV\YHNL [V WYVJSHPT `V\Y >VYK¯ 6]LY [OL OLHY[! )\[ HIV]L HSS NP]L OPT OLY H SV]L MVY `V\Y >VYK PU VYKLY [V SP]L P[
ŕ Ž :LY]PJL PU [OL JVTT\UP[` ^P[O H KP]LYZP[` VM TPUPZ[YPLZ We carry out a job or ministry in the community, which raises our self-esteem, for we feel useful to others. ;OLYLÂťZ H KP]LYZP[` VM TPUPZ[YPLZ PU [OL )VK` VM *OYPZ[! *VY ! : And he (God) gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as WHZ[VYZ HUK [LHJOLYZ! ,WO ! To form the Body of Christ To be born is not enough. We must grow, but grow in the Life of the Spirit, because if we do not NYV^ PU [OL :WPYP[ ^L ^PSS NYV^ PU [OL Ă…LZO It’s about growing to the stature of Christ Jesus, having his same feelings and hierarchy of values. ,_WLYPLU[PHS HJ[P]P[`! 1PNZH^ 7\aaSL 6M 1LZ\ZÂť 7PJ[\YL Goal: To become aware that if one person is missing, the Body of Christ is incomplete. Motivation: We form one body with a variety of Charisms and functions, where each one has a place and is irreplaceable. Process: 4HRL H WVZ[LY ZPaL QPNZH^ W\aaSL VM WPLJLZ ^P[O HU PTHNL VM 1LZ\Z HWWYV_PTH[LS` š _ š /PKL VUL WPLJL MYVT [OL WHY[PJPWHU[Z Place another piece on a board as the initial guide to form the image of Jesus. .P]L [OL YLTHPUPUN WPLJLZ [V KPɈLYLU[ WHY[PJPWHU[Z ZV [OL` TH` WPLJL [VNL[OLY [OL puzzle. In the end it is noted that one piece of the puzzle is missing. ;LHJOPUN! You are missing and without you the Body of Christ is incomplete. No one can be missing otherwise the Body of Christ is incomplete.
88 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
,_HTWSL
6UL VM [OL IPNNLZ[ IPSSIVHYKZ PU [OL ^VYSK PZ PU :LH[[SL >HZOPUN[VU ^OLYL [OL Boeing company builds its aircraft, it reads: “If everything is not right, it is not YPNO[ š ;OLYLMVYL PM VUL WPLJL PZ UV[ YPNO[ [OL HPYWSHUL PZ UV[ Ă„UPZOLK
In the same way, if one piece of the puzzle is missing, the whole is not right. Synthesis:
/L ZOL ^OV KVLZ UV[ NYV^ PU [OL :WPYP[ NYV^Z PU [OL Ă…LZO
J :[YLUN[OLU V\YZLS]LZ [V WLYZL]LYL [V [OL LUK 0[ÂťZ UV[ LUV\NO [V ILNPU [OL YHJL I\[ YH[OLY [V YLHJO [OL Ă„UPZO SPUL 6[OLY^PZL HSS [OH[ ^L OH]L lived is useless. >OVL]LY LUK\YLZ [V [OL LUK ^PSS IL ZH]LK! 4[ ! I 0[ PZ HIV\[ H YHJL [V ^OPJO ^L OH]L ILLU JHSSLK [V UV[ VUS` ILNPU ^LSS I\[ [V YLHJO [OL Ă„UPZO SPUL and receive the crown of victors. We strengthen ourselves through various means: ŕ Ž 7LYZVUHS HUK JVTT\UHS WYH`LY Certainly, personal prayer is necessary, but to remain faithful we need the support of other brothers and sisters who accompany us on this road that sometimes turns arid. Without these brothers and sisters we run the risk to falter without anyone to give us a hand to lift us up. ŕ Ž )YLHRPUN VM [OL )YLHK The source and summit of Christian life is in the Eucharist, where we announce the death and proclaim the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. ŕ Ž ;OL [LHJOPUNZ VM [OL (WVZ[SLZ It is necessary to receive the Deposit of Faith that Jesus entrusted to his apostles. A permanent formation strengthens us to grow in wisdom and grace before God and men.
He (she) who does not persevere, does not arrive at the New Jerusalem.
K (U L]HUNLSPaLK HUK L]HUNLSPaPUN *VTT\UP[` ^P[O [OL *OHYPZTZ VM [OL :WPYP[ The New Life we have received with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit needs the shelter of others to survive, grow and persevere so that we can all arrive together at our celestial homeland. 6[OLY^PZL ^L ^V\SK KPL PU [OL UPNO[ VM ZVSP[\KL ;OLYLMVYL P[ÂťZ HIV\[ PU[LNYH[PUN V\YZLS]LZ PU HU evangelized and evangelizing community.
,_HTWSL
4VUHYJO I\[[LYĂ…PLZ +\YPUN ^PU[LY PU *HUHKH [OL TVUHYJO I\[[LYĂ…PLZ ILNPU [V TPNYH[L [V [OL Mexican state of Michoacan seeking a warmer climate. +\YPUN [OL KH` LHJO I\[[LYĂ…` Ă…PLZ MYLLS` VɈLYPUN H THY]LSV\Z ZPNO[ )\[ ^OLU the sun goes down, they gather together on trees to spend the night and to RLLW LHJO V[OLY ^HYT ;OL I\[[LYĂ…` [OH[ KVLZ UV[ QVPU [OL NYV\W KPLZ MYVT [OL cold during the night.
If we (I, you) do not congregate, we cannot (I cannot, you cannot) persevere.
89 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
If we want to extinguish this New Life, all we need to do is isolate ourselves, live alone and without community.
³
Didactic Resource: Small Sticks Goal: To show that united we have the strength to persevere. Motivation: If we are alone, we are like an isolated small stick that can be easily broken. Process: Break a single small stick. <UP[L [^LS]L ZTHSS Z[PJRZ HUK ZOV^ OV^ P[»Z TVYL KPɉJ\S[ [V IYLHR [OLT ;LHJOPUN! If we are alone we cannot persevere in the New Life that God has given us. Helping one another is possible only in community
,]HUNLSPaLK JVTT\UP[` Those converted and evangelized gather in the communion of faith and love to be witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a favorable environment where we can grow and maintain the New Life that we have received: an evangelized community with all that this implies. ,]HUNLSPaPUN *VTT\UP[` The evangelized community must also be an evangelizing community. But an evangelization ^P[O [OL WV^LY VM [OL /VS` :WPYP[ [OH[ PZ ^P[O [OL JOHYPZTZ [OH[ JVUÄYT [OH[ 1LZ\Z PZ HSP]L [VKH` and who is able to do what we cannot do. This is the purpose of the charisms: to evangelize with power to show that Jesus is alive in our midst. ;OLYL HYL J\S[\YLZ ^OLYL [OL ZLLK VM [OL >VYK HWWLHYZ [V IV\UJL VɈ OHYK YVJRZ /LYL PZ precisely where the charisms are needed, which become like an entryway to evangelize them. ,HJO OHZ H WHY[PJ\SHY NPM[ MYVT .VK VUL VM VUL RPUK HUK VUL VM HUV[OLY! *VY ! There are two types of charisms, the ordinary ones and the extraordinary ones.
³
Didactic Resource: Tool Box Show a toolbox with various tools.
6YKPUHY` *OHYPZTZ! Calculator: Administration. /HUNLY! 6U ^OPJO V[OLYZ SLHU Scissors: Know how to discern. Glue: Know how to unite the Body of Christ, reconciling people. Ballpoint pen: To write and compose. Battery: Strengthen the weak. CD: Teaching and preaching ,_[YHVYKPUHY` *OHYPZTZ! Electrical plug: Gift of tongues. Photograph: Visions. 9LJVYKLY! 7YVWOLJ` 6PU[TLU[! 7O`ZPJHS /LHSPUN Syringe: Inner healing.
90 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
C.
CONCLUSION
a. Content Summary Here we have the aids to grow and persevere in the New Life.
y
It is not enough to be born; we must grow to the stature of Jesus Christ.
y
We can only grow and persevere in community, in the Church. What is essential is not to have begun the race, but to obtain the crown of victory. I *SVZPUN ^P[O 6IQLJ[P]L We have considered our responsibility: to integrate ourselves to the life of the church in an L]HUNLSPaLK HUK L]HUNLSPaPUN JVTT\UP[` V[OLY^PZL ^L ^V\SK IL KPZX\HSPĂ„LK MYVT [OL YHJL c. Final prayer: We pray to receive the ordinary and extraordinary charisms.
91 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
6. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY TO GROW AND PERSEVERE A. CHURCH, SACRAMENT OF SALVATION (J[Z !
B. NOURISH OURSELVES TO GROW TO THE STATURE OF CHRIST JESUS *VY !
C. STRENGTHEN OURSELVES IN ORDER TO PERSEVERE 4[ ! I"
D. EVANGELIZED AND EVANGELIZING COMMUNITY WITH CHARISMS 1 Cor 7,7b
MEDICAMENTO
PEGAMENTO
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE BORN, WE MUST GROW AND PERSEVERE IN CHURCH AND COMMUNITY Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
93 Church and Community to Grow and Persevere
III. LOGISTICAL SUMMARY OF THE COURSE
HOUR
1. COURSE SCHEDULE METHODOLOGY
TOPIC
¥
Presentation
45’
A.: Eagle D.R.: Hearts. E.A.: Hands Up.
60’
E.A.: The Father’s house. D.R.: Candle, Kippa, Tattoo, Merciful Father, ;OL Z[YPWWLK YVZL" ;OL -H[OLY»Z SL[[LY 9PIIVUZ ([[HJOTLU[
2. Sin
60’
E.A.: Identify With. D.R.: Candle, Kippa, Extinguished candle, Shooting at a dart board, crown, Story of Absalom, Mud, Flour, I cannot save myself, Consequences of sin, Mask, Table with 3 mats.
3. Salvation
75’
E.A.: *Y\JPÄ_PVU D.R.: Paschal candle and candle, Jesus-Sin.
4A. Faith
90’
A.: Equilibrist E.A.: Lord, save me. D.R.: Lamp, Watch.
4B. Conversion
90’
E.A.: Three gift boxes, Small boat. D.R.: Lamp and bulb, Exchange of currency. P.A.: Hug
1. God’s Love
Experiential Activities, Didactic Resources, Participants’ Activities, Conceptual Challenges and Attachments.
1
2
3
E.A.: Paraliturgy for the consecration and confession of the Lordship of Jesus
4C. Jesus, Lord my Lord
80’
5. Promise of the Holy Spirit
90’
P.A.: Sign of the Cross. D.R.: Glass of water, Fire, A rock and a sponge, Three clear containers.
45’
E.A.: Jigsaw puzzle of Jesus’ image. D.R.: Branch, Extension cord, Small sticks. Tool box. P.A.: Pray with the Word.
6. Church and community [V NYV^ HUK persevere
D.R.: Crowns, Circle of Lordship. P.A.: Hug
94 Logistics
2. MATERIALS # = Approximately
& = Standard or normal ARTICLE
* = For all participants
TOPIC
QTY
MATERIAL
WT. / LENGTH
Electric lamp. Extension cord. Box of matches. Pascal candle. Kippa.
& & & Wax cardboard/cloth
& 14-15 feet. # & PU +PHTL[LY
4 in. diameter. #
With a bulb. Electrical.
GENERAL
1 1 1 1 1 *
Hearts.
9LK WHWLY
4 in. Diameter. #
1
“Eagle.”
6U [OL V\[ZPKL! >YP[L [OL participant’s name and the phrase: “I stand at the door and knock”. 6U [OL PUZPKL! 7OYHZL MYVT attachment 01 Person dressed as an Eagle (removing their old feathers, beak and talons). Scenery of a “Mountain” made out of brown paper.
1 * * 1 1 * *
Candle Kippa. Prodigal son. Prodigal son. 9VZL Father’s letter. 9PIIVU VY `HYU Curtains. Mirrors. Signs.
Wax. cardboard/cloth Paper. Paper. Natural. & Blue and pink. Cloth. Glass. Cardboard.
&. 4 in. diameter. # 3” x 4” # » _ »
& & 8 in. x ¼ in. # 3’ x 3’. # » _ »
8” x 16” #
1
Sign.
Cardboard.
8” x 16” #
1
Sign.
Cardboard.
8” x 16” #
1 1
Wax. cardboard/cloth Clay & water. Powder. Glass.
&
1 1 10
Candle. Kippa. Mud. Flour. Containers. Lock. Thin Chain. Thick Chain. Dry branch. Crown. Empty glass. Masks. Dart board. 9H[ [YHW ¸9H[ ¹ Mats.
Metal. Metal. Natural. Cardboard. Glass. & & & & Paper.
3‘ # 9’ # »
& & & & & & &
1
Table.
Presentation
1. God’s Love
2. Sin
1 1 1 1 1
&
3 cups # 3 cups # &
&
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OBSERVATIONS
Candle of God’s love. )` 9LTIYHUK[ )` 9LTIYHUK[ With stem and thorns. Copy of attachment 11. For attachment 11. To cover the mirrors. It reads: “The person most loved by God” It reads: “You are my beloved son” It reads: “You are my beloved daughter” Extinguish the candle. (Used in God’s love)
;V OVSK [OL T\K ÅV\Y With two keys. To wrap around a person.
Adjustable on the head. Ugly masks. With darts. Type that snaps. Plastic rat or human doll. VM JVSVY ( VM JVSVY ) of color C. To put paper mats on.
1 1
Candle. Sign.
Wax. Cardboard.
4� tall š _ š
1
Cross-like sign
Cardboard.
š _ š
1
Cross.
Wooden.
6 ft.
1 1 1 1 *
Key for the lock 9LK WHPU[ Brush Hammer Nails Post it Matches.
& & & & Metal.
& 1 pint # š ^PKL
& š [V š
1 1 1 1 1 1
Wrist watch Electric lamp. Extension cord “Equilibrist.� Wheel barrow “Balancing rod.�
& & Electrical.
wood pole
5 ft
1 3
Electric lamp. Gift boxes.
& Cardboard
& š _ š_ š
1 1
*Y\JPÄ_ & Women’s perfume &
8�-10� # Small bottle
With loose bulb. That opens and closes LHZPS` IV_LZ WLY participants 4\Z[ Ă„[ PU IV_ Set aroma
1
Men’s cologne.
&
Small bottle
Dry aroma
*
Animal dung. Money. Hearts.
Cow or horse Coin or paper 9LK 7HWLY
WV\UKZ & 4� in diameter #
* 1
Small Paper Boat Bucket or tub. Matches.
Sheet of paper Metal
& 3’ in diameter #
9LMLY [V (S[LYUH[P]L .PM[ 6UL SVJHS HUK VUL MVYLPNU The same one used in the topic presentation. To make a boat To burn boats in. To burn boats.
4C. Jesus, Lord, My Lord
* 1 1
Crowns. Picture of Jesus. Circle of Lordship
& Photo/poster + 9
š
3’ x 3’ #
Adjustable to the head Face or full body See topic 4c
Glass cup. Candle. 9VJR Sponge. Large Container. Containers. Container. Pitcher.
Clear & & & Transparent Transparent Transparent Transparent
& 6� diameter # 4� x 6� # 8� x 6� x 4�# +PɈLYLU[ :PaLZ NHSSVUZ 1 gallon.
;V IL Ă„SSLK ^P[O ^H[LY Matches. 5VU WVYV\Z Ă„[Z JVU[HPULY
5. Promise Of The Holy Spirit
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Capped with clear tape. With water.
1 1 1
Dry tree branch. Electrical lamp Extension cord.
Natural & Electrical.
Âť
A dry branch
1
Jigsaw puzzle.
Photo/Poster
3’ by 4’ #
15 1
Small sticks. Tool box.
Wooden &
4� # &
3. Salvation in Jesus
4A. Faith
4B. Conversion
6. Church and Community [V NYV^ HUK persevere
6UL ZPKL YLHKZ! ¸16/5š the other “Paul� 6UL ZPKL YLHKZ! ¸1,:<:š the other side “SIN� Without Jesus’s image so it can be nailed on The lock from topic “SIN� To apply paint
To burn Cross-like sign.
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&
Inexpensive; to give away
Âť Âť
Analogy Analogy Analogy
To put rock/sponge in.
Âť Âť Jigsaw puzzle of an image of Jesus With a calculator, hanger, scissors, glue, ballpoint pen, battery, CD, extension cord, photograph, recorder, syringe, medicine (ointment).
3. ATTACHMENTS (;;(*/4,5; =,9:,: 6- .6+Âť: 36=, ŕ Ž Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you: Is 49:15.
ŕ Ž No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us: 1U ! ŕ Ž Those who love me I also love, and those ^OV ZLLR TL Ă„UK TL! Prov 8:17.
ŕ Ž 4LYJPM\S HUK NYHJPV\Z PZ [OL 369+ ZSV^ [V anger, abounding in mercy: Psalm 103:8.
ŕ Ž I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with justice and with judgment, with loyalty and with compassion: /VZLH !
ŕ Ž He pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, He redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion: Psalm 103:3-4.
ŕ Ž 2UV^ [OH[ [OL 369+ ^VYRZ ^VUKLYZ MVY OPZ MHP[OM\S VUL" [OL 369+ OLHYZ ^OLU 0 JHSS out to him: Psalm 4:4.
ŕ Ž He has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our wrongs deserve: Psalm 103:10.
ŕ Ž But I, through the abundance of your mercy, will enter into your house. I will bow down toward your holy sanctuary out of fear of you: Psalm 5:8.
ŕ Ž As a father has compassion on his JOPSKYLU ZV [OL 369+ OHZ JVTWHZZPVU VU those who fear him: Psalm 103:13. ŕ Ž Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love: 1Jn 4:8.
ŕ Ž .VVK PUKLLK PZ [OL 369+ /PZ TLYJ` endures forever, his faithfulness lasts through every generation: Psalm 100:5.
ŕ Ž I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your mercy and faithfulness. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise: 7ZHST !
ŕ Ž For as the heavens tower over the earth, so his mercy towers over those who fear him: Psalm 103:11.
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ŕ Ž Praise the Lord of lords; for his mercy endures forever: Psalm 136:3.
ŕ Ž Let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God: 1Jn 4:7.
ŕ Ž Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine: Is 43:1.
ŕ Ž With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you: Jer 31:3
ŕ Ž You are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you: Is 43:4
ŕ Ž His mercy for us is strong; the faithfulness VM [OL 369+ PZ MVYL]LY! 7ZHST !
ŕ Ž Though the mountains fall away and the hills be shaken, My love shall never fall away from you: Is 54:10.
ŕ Ž Praise the God of heaven, for his mercy endures forever: 7ZHST !
ŕ Ž But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead ... brought us to life with Christ: ,WO !
ŕ Ž For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life: Jn 3:16.
ŕ Ž I will praise you among the peoples, 369+" 0 ^PSS JOHU[ `V\Y WYHPZL HTVUN [OL nations. For your mercy is greater than the heavens; your faithfulness, to the skies: Psalm 108:4-5.
ŕ Ž In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins: 1Jn 4:10. ŕ Ž ;OL 369+ PZ NYHJPV\Z HUK TLYJPM\S ZSV^ to anger and abounding in mercy: Psalm 145:8.
ŕ Ž .P]L [OHURZ [V [OL 369+ MVY OL PZ NVVK H his mercy endures forever: Psalm 118:1
ŕ Ž See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you: Is 49:16.
ŕ Ž ;OL 369+ [HRLZ WSLHZ\YL PU [OVZL ^OV fear him, those who put their hope in his mercy: Psalm 147:11. ŕ Ž Fear not, for I am with you: Is 43:5.
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(;;(*/4,5; 3,;;,9 ;6 >64,5 4,5 -964 (33 ,;,950;@ My daughter, I have been wanting to tell you something for a long time. Today I want to remind you that I love you. My love for you is steadfast and stable. It is impossible to stop loving you. For the mountains may go away and hills may totter, but my faithful love will never leave you. I cannot stop loving you for any reason. I am faithful to my 7YVTPZL HUK 0 M\SÄSS T` >VYK +V `V\ UV[ RUV^ [OH[ 0 OH]L JHY]LK `V\ PU [OL WHST VM T` OHUK& When you feel weak or sick, you have a father who protects you. My hand is over you and I have taken responsibility over your life. You are special to me. If someone attacks you or tries to harm you, I take up your cause in my hands. My daughter, I love you unconditionally. It doesn’t matter what you are or what you are not, I love you. Like the tenderness of a mother with her children, so am I with you. My love for you does not depend on you, but on me. Could a mother forget the child of her womb? Even if they forget, I will never forget you. I love you as you are. I have made you this way when I created you. I love you, whether you are young or old, laborer or executive, whether you feel beautiful or ugly. I like the color of your skin. I love you just as you are. I do not love you for your good qualities, but neither do your imperfections keep me from loving you. Your sin does not keep me from SV]PUN `V\ 0 JSLHU `V\Y ^V\UKZ 0 Z\ɈLY PU `V\Y SVULSPULZZ >OLU `V\ OH]L WYVISLTZ 0 HT ^P[O you. When you’re asleep, I watch over you. I am with you as you walk. When you cry, I console you. When you feel alone, I am your company. Entrust your worries to me. I will take care of them. I will answer for you. In front of your enemies, I am your shield. You can count on me unconditionally, since it was not you who chose me, but I who chose you. I have sought you as a shepherd seeks his lost sheep. I have not come to save the righteous, but those who need my love. The love I have for you does not cost you anything. The only thing I ask of you is to allow yourself to be loved. Allow yourself to be loved, only allow yourself to be loved. I want you to know that I have a marvelous plan for you. .
I love you Your Father, God
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-964 (33 ,;,950;@ My son, I have been wanting to tell you something for a long time. Today I want to remind you that I love you. My love for you is steadfast and stable. It is impossible to stop loving you. For the mountains may go away and hills may totter, but my faithful love will never leave you. I cannot stop loving you for any reason. I am faithful to my 7YVTPZL HUK 0 M\SÄSS T` >VYK +V `V\ UV[ RUV^ [OH[ 0 OH]L JHY]LK `V\ PU [OL WHST VM T` OHUK& When you feel weak or sick, you have a father who protects you. My hand is over you and I have taken responsibility over your life. You are special to me. If someone attacks you or tries to harm you, I take up your cause in my hands. My son, I love you unconditionally. It doesn’t matter what you are or what you are not, I love you. Like the tenderness of a mother with her children, so am I with you. My love for you does not depend on you, but on me. Could a mother forget the child of her womb? Even if they forget, I will never forget you. I love you as you are. I have made you this way when I created you. I love you, whether you are young or old, laborer or executive, whether you feel ugly or goodlooking. I like the color of your skin. I love you just as you are. I do not love you for your good qualities, but neither do your imperfections keep me from loving you. Your sin does not keep TL MYVT SV]PUN `V\ 0 JSLHU `V\Y ^V\UKZ 0 Z\ɈLY PU `V\Y SVULSPULZZ >OLU `V\ OH]L WYVISLTZ 0 am with you. When you’re asleep, I watch over you. I am with you as you walk. When you cry, I console you. When you feel alone, I am your company. Entrust your worries to me. I will take care of them. I will answer for you. In front of your enemies, I am your shield. You can count on me unconditionally, since it was not you who chose me, but I who chose you. I have sought you as a shepherd seeks his lost sheep. I have not come to save the righteous, but those who need my love. The love I have for you does not cost you anything. The only thing I ask of you is to allow yourself to be loved. Allow yourself to be loved, only allow yourself to be loved. I want you to know that I have a marvelous plan for you. .
I love you Your Father, God
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(;;(*/4,5; *H[LJOLZPZ I` )LULKPJ[ ?=0 5V]LTILY BENEDICT XVI .,5,9(3 (<+0,5*, St. Peter’s Square >LKULZKH` 5V]LTILY Saint Paul (13): ;OL +VJ[YPUL VM 1\Z[PĂ„JH[PVU! MYVT >VYRZ [V -HP[O Dear Brothers and Sisters, 6U [OL QV\YUL` ^L HYL THRPUN \UKLY :[ 7H\SÂťZ N\PKHUJL SL[ \Z UV^ YLĂ…LJ[ VU H [VWPJ H[ [OL JLU[YL VM [OL JVU[YV]LYZPLZ VM [OL JLU[\Y` VM [OL 9LMVYTH[PVU! [OL X\LZ[PVU VM Q\Z[PĂ„JH[PVU /V^ KVLZ THU ILJVTL Q\Z[ PU .VKÂťZ L`LZ& >OLU 7H\S TL[ [OL 9PZLU 6UL VU [OL YVHK [V +HTHZJ\Z he was an accomplished man; irreproachable according to the justice deriving from the Law (cf. Phil 3: 6), Paul surpassed many of his contemporaries in the observance of the Mosaic Law and zealously upheld the traditions of his fathers (cf. Gal 1: 14). The illumination of Damascus radically changed his life; he began to consider all merits acquired in an impeccable religious career as “refuseâ€?, in comparison with the sublimity of knowing Jesus Christ (cf. Phil 3: 8). The 3L[[LY [V [OL 7OPSPWWPHUZ VɈLYZ \Z H TV]PUN [LZ[PTVU` VM 7H\SÂťZ [YHUZP[PVU MYVT H Q\Z[PJL MV\UKLK on the Law and acquired by his observance of the required actions, to a justice based on faith in Christ. He had understood that what until then had seemed to him to be a gain, before God was, in fact, a loss; and thus he had decided to stake his whole existence on Jesus Christ (cf. 7OPS ! ;OL [YLHZ\YL OPKKLU PU [OL Ă„LSK HUK [OL WYLJPV\Z WLHYS MVY ^OVZL W\YJOHZL HSS ^HZ [V be invested were no longer in function of the Law, but Jesus Christ, his Lord. ;OL YLSH[PVUZOPW IL[^LLU 7H\S HUK [OL 9PZLU 6UL ILJHTL ZV KLLW HZ [V PUK\JL OPT [V THPU[HPU that Christ was no longer solely his life but also his very living, to the point that to be able to YLHJO OPT KLH[O ILJHTL H NHPU JM 7OPS ! ;OPZ PZ UV[ [V ZH` OL KLZWPZLK SPML I\[ [OH[ OL realized that for him at this point there was no other purpose in life and thus he had no other KLZPYL [OHU [V YLHJO *OYPZ[ HZ PU HU H[OSL[PJZ JVTWL[P[PVU [V YLTHPU ^P[O OPT MVY L]LY ;OL 9PZLU Christ had become the beginning and the end of his existence, the cause and the goal of his race. It was only his concern for the development in faith of those he had evangelized and his HU_PL[` MVY HSS VM [OL *O\YJOLZ OL MV\UKLK JM *VY ! [OH[ PUK\JLK OPT [V ZSV^ KV^U PU OPZ race towards his one Lord, to wait for his disciples so they might run with him towards the goal. Although from a perspective of moral integrity he had nothing to reproach himself in his former observance of the Law, once Christ had reached him he preferred not to make judgments on himself (cf. 1 Cor 4: 3-4). Instead he limited himself to resolving to press on, to make his own the 6UL ^OV OHK THKL OPT OPZ V^U JM 7OPS ! It is precisely because of this personal experience of relationship with Jesus Christ that Paul henceforth places at the centre of his Gospel an irreducible opposition between the two alternative paths to justice: one built on the works of the Law, the other founded on the grace of faith in Christ. The alternative between justice by means of works of the Law and that by faith in Christ thus became one of the dominant themes that run through his Letters: “We ourselves, ^OV HYL 1L^Z I` IPY[O HUK UV[ .LU[PSL ZPUULYZ `L[ ^OV RUV^ [OH[ H THU PZ UV[ Q\Z[PĂ„LK I` works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus in VYKLY [V IL Q\Z[PĂ„LK I` MHP[O PU *OYPZ[ HUK UV[ I` ^VYRZ VM [OL SH^" ILJH\ZL I` ^VYRZ VM [OL SH^ UV VUL ^PSS IL Q\Z[PĂ„LKš .HS ! (UK [V [OL *OYPZ[PHUZ VM 9VTL OL YLHZZLY[Z [OH[ ¸HSS OH]L ZPUULK HUK MHSS ZOVY[ VM [OL NSVY` VM .VK [OL` HYL UV^ Q\Z[PĂ„LK I` OPZ NYHJL HZ H NPM[ [OYV\NO [OL YLKLTW[PVU ^OPJO PZ PU *OYPZ[ 1LZ\Zš 9T ! (UK OL HKKZ ¸^L OVSK [OH[ H THU PZ Q\Z[PĂ„LK I` MHP[O HWHY[ MYVT ^VYRZ VM [OL SH^š PIPK ] ([ [OPZ WVPU[ 3\[OLY [YHUZSH[LK!
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¸Q\Z[PĂ„LK I` MHP[O HSVULš 0 ZOHSS YL[\YU [V [OPZ WVPU[ H[ [OL LUK VM [OL *H[LJOLZPZ -PYZ[ ^L T\Z[ explain what is this “Lawâ€? from which we are freed and what are those “works of the Lawâ€? that do not justify. The opinion that was to recur systematically in history already existed in the community at Corinth. This opinion consisted in thinking that it was a question of moral law and that the Christian freedom thus consisted in the liberation from ethics. Thus in Corinth the term â€œĎ€ÎŹÎ˝Ď„Îą ΟοΚ ÎÎžÎľĎƒĎ„ÎšÎ˝â€? (I can do what I like) was widespread. It is obvious that this interpretation is wrong: Christian freedom is not libertinism; the liberation of which St Paul spoke is not liberation from good works. So what does the Law from which we are liberated and which does not save mean? For St Paul, as for all his contemporaries, the word “Lawâ€? meant the Torah in its totality, that is, the Ă„]L IVVRZ VM 4VZLZ ;OL ;VYHO PU [OL 7OHYPZHPJ PU[LYWYL[H[PVU [OH[ ^OPJO 7H\S OHK Z[\KPLK and made his own, was a complex set of conduct codes that ranged from the ethical nucleus to observances of rites and worship and that essentially determined the identity of the just person. In particular, these included circumcision, observances concerning pure food and ritual purity in general, the rules regarding the observance of the Sabbath, etc. codes of conduct that also appear frequently in the debates between Jesus and his contemporaries. All of these observances that express a social, cultural and religious identity had become uniquely important in the time of Hellenistic culture, starting from the third century B.C. This culture which had become the universal culture of that time and was a seemingly rational culture; a polytheistic culture, seemingly tolerant constituted a strong pressure for cultural uniformity and thus threatened the identity of Israel, which was politically constrained to enter into this common identity of the Hellenistic culture. This resulted in the loss of its own identity, hence also the loss of the precious heritage of the faith of the Fathers, of the faith in the one God and in the promises of God. Against this cultural pressure, which not only threatened the Israelite identity but also the faith in the one God and in his promises, it was necessary to create a wall of distinction, a shield of defense to protect the precious heritage of the faith; this wall consisted precisely in the Judaic observances and prescriptions. Paul, who had learned these observances in their role of defending God’s gift, of the inheritance of faith in one God alone, saw this identity threatened by the freedom of the Christians this is why he persecuted them. At the moment of OPZ LUJV\U[LY ^P[O [OL 9PZLU 6UL OL \UKLYZ[VVK [OH[ ^P[O *OYPZ[ÂťZ 9LZ\YYLJ[PVU [OL ZP[\H[PVU had changed radically. With Christ, the God of Israel, the one true God, became the God of all peoples. The wall as he says in his Letter to the Ephesians between Israel and the Gentiles, was no longer necessary: it is Christ who protects us from polytheism and all of its deviations; it is Christ who unites us with and in the one God; it is Christ who guarantees our true identity within the diversity of cultures. The wall is no longer necessary; our common identity within the diversity of cultures is Christ, and it is he who makes us just. Being just simply means being ^P[O *OYPZ[ HUK PU *OYPZ[ (UK [OPZ Z\ɉJLZ -\Y[OLY VIZLY]HUJLZ HYL UV SVUNLY ULJLZZHY` For this reason Luther’s phrase: “faith aloneâ€? is true, if it is not opposed to faith in charity, in love. Faith is looking at Christ, entrusting oneself to Christ, being united to Christ, conformed to Christ, to his life. And the form, the life of Christ, is love; hence to believe is to conform to Christ and to enter into his love. So it is that in the Letter to the Galatians in which he primarily KL]LSVWLK OPZ [LHJOPUN VU Q\Z[PĂ„JH[PVU :[ 7H\S ZWLHRZ VM MHP[O [OH[ ^VYRZ [OYV\NO SV]L JM .HS ! 14). Paul knows that in the two fold love of God and neighbor the whole of the Law is present and carried out. Thus in communion with Christ, in a faith that creates charity, the entire Law is M\SĂ„SSLK >L ILJVTL Q\Z[ I` LU[LYPUN PU[V JVTT\UPVU ^P[O *OYPZ[ ^OV PZ 3V]L >L ZOHSS ZLL [OL same thing in the Gospel next Sunday, the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is the Gospel of the judge whose sole criterion is love. What he asks is only this: Did you visit me when I was sick? When I was in prison? Did you give me food to eat when I was hungry, did you clothe me when I was naked? And thus justice is decided in charity. Thus, at the end of this Gospel we can
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almost say: love alone, charity alone. But there is no contradiction between this Gospel and St Paul. It is the same vision, according to which communion with Christ, faith in Christ, creates JOHYP[` (UK JOHYP[` PZ [OL M\SÄSSTLU[ VM JVTT\UPVU ^P[O *OYPZ[ ;O\Z ^L HYL Q\Z[ I` ILPUN united with him and in no other way. At the end, we can only pray the Lord that he help us to believe; really believe. Believing thus becomes life, unity with Christ, the transformation of our life. And thus, transformed by his love, by the love of God and neighbor, we can truly be just in God’s eyes. *** O[[W! ^^^ ]H[PJHU ]H OVS`FMH[OLY ILULKPJ[F_]P H\KPLUJLZ KVJ\TLU[Z OMFILU _]PFH\KF FLU O[TS
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ICONOGRAPHY <ZLK PU [OL 4HU\HSZ MVY [OL :HU (UKYLZ :JOVVSZ VM ,]HUNLSPaH[PVU *V\YZLZ
Types of Text
y
Phrases the speaker repeats slowly, in a low voice, and a low tone.
y
(UHSVNPLZ HYL ^YP[[LU PU 0[HSPJ )PISPJHS [L_[Z HYL ^YP[[LU PU 0[HSPJ Speaker’s Activities
Teaching Links
,_HTWSL
When an example is given.
;LZ[PTVU`
When a testimony is given.
A quote by an author or theologian.
>OLU [OL 4HNPZ[LYP\T VM [OL *O\YJO VY [OL /VS` -H[OLYZ HYL X\V[LK
³
When a melody or song is used as reference or when participants are to sing.
Didactic Resource: For the teaching to be comprehensible
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Participants’ Activities Attachment must be referred to. A
A phrase that participants repeat out loud.
9LHK VY JVUZ\S[ H KVJ\TLU[
Memorize.
When writing is needed.
9LHK H [L_[ MYVT [OL >VYK VM .VK
Sing along.
‘
To embed the teaching in the memory.
0U[LYHJ[P]L 4L[OVKVSVN`
Explore the Panoramic Map or Graphical Synthesizer of each topic.
&
Questions, Challenges
*VUJLW[\HS *OHSSLUNL
A question in the form of a dilemma is presented; the participants must be allowed to resolve it as they progress through the course.
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0U[LYHJ[P]L 4L[OVKVSVN` *VU[K
Experiential Activity: To experience the teaching
#
For interactive learning.
H
For interactive learning.
Ăƒ
To get to know the cultural level and personal interests of participants.
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