CFC Leader’s Retreat Majodi Centre Johor Bahru, Malaysia Jan 2010 Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth

Talk 1: The Fullness of life in Christ Bible passages: Col 2:6-7 Romans 14 Col 4:6 Ecclesiastes 4:6 Practice: The Art of Gracious Living Put it in your system. Put it in your system. Spend time to reflect. Spend time to reflect. Meditate on the Gospels. Meditate on the Gospels. Actualize the values. Level the playing field further. Empower the enlightened. Actualize the values. Level the playing field further. Empower the enlightened.Reflect: Thank the Lord! Thank the Lord! Praise God for the people, place, and event you are in. Praise God for the people, place, and event you are in. Forgive those who have hurt you and also those whom you are hurting. Forgive those who have hurt you and also those whom you are hurting. Spirit-driven, look ahead with hope. Spirit-driven, look ahead with hope. Theme: Fullness of life in Christ

Talk 2: Blessings from Christian Marriage Couples in good times and in bad (Col 3:18-21) First love. First love. Mutual respect. Mutual respect. Communicating lasting love. Communicating lasting love. Balancing work and home. Balancing work and home. Couples in sickness and in health (Romans 14) When life falls apart. When life falls apart. Jesus weeps over death. Jesus weeps over death. Life goes on. Life goes on. Couples for richer and for poorer (1 Peter 5:6-7) Bearing hardship. Bearing hardship. God cares especially when you are unemployed. God cares especially when you are unemployed. Unfulfilled dreams Unfulfilled dreams Theme: Fullness of life in Christ

Talk 2: Blessings from Christian Marriage (Continued) Till death do couples part. (Matthew 19) The unity and indissolubility of marriage. The unity and indissolubility of marriage. The fidelity of conjugal love. The fidelity of conjugal love. Physical separation and civil divorce. Physical separation and civil divorce. Children are precious gifts of marriage. A parent’s responsibility. A parent’s responsibility. Necessary discipline. Necessary discipline. Preparation for stress. Preparation for stress. Worshipping together. Worshipping together. Proper priorities. Proper priorities. Family is a community of loving communion. Leaving a legacy. Leaving a legacy. Family traditions. Family traditions. Harmony at home. Harmony at home. Theme: Fullness of life in Christ

Talk 2: Blessings from Christian Marriage (Continued) Points of Refleciton: What significant change has happened to me ever since our wedding day? How do I feel sharing this with you? What significant change has happened to me ever since our wedding day? How do I feel sharing this with you? What behaviour do I have that does not seem to match my calling as a Christian serving in the CFC, SFC, HOLD, or SOLD? How do I feel about it? What behaviour do I have that does not seem to match my calling as a Christian serving in the CFC, SFC, HOLD, or SOLD? How do I feel about it? Theme: Fullness of life in Christ

Talk 3: The Reign of Servants Core attitude of Christ (Philippians 2: 1-11) Though He was in the form of God, Jesus did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Though He was in the form of God, Jesus did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 1 Peter 5: Peter 5: 5-7 Wrap yourselves in humility, let us serve each other, for God refuses the proud and the mighty; bestows his favour on the lowly. Wrap yourselves in humility, let us serve each other, for God refuses the proud and the mighty; bestows his favour on the lowly. Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd. Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd. Serving for the wrong reasons (Mark 10: 35-45) Service for others; not self-service. Service for others; not self-service. Power and position. Power and position. Good role models If you want to be follower, you must be prepared not only to serve but also to suffer. If you want to be follower, you must be prepared not only to serve but also to suffer. If you want to be ambitious, be ambitious about God’s Kingdom. If you want to be ambitious, be ambitious about God’s Kingdom. If you want to be great, follow my example. If you want to be great, follow my example. If you want to be my follower, don’t be pushy. If you want to be my follower, don’t be pushy. Theme: Fullness of life in Christ

Talk 3: The Reign of Servants (Continued) Points of Reflection: Who has been a good role model for you in your community? Who has been a good role model for you in your community? What effect has that person had in your life? What effect has that person had in your life? What impact has your faith and beliefs had on your career and definition of success? What impact has your faith and beliefs had on your career and definition of success? Mutual Correction Don’ts: Expecting others to serve them. Expecting others to serve them. Taking advantage of other people. Taking advantage of other people. Using their position to serve. Using their position to serve. Using their position to get ahead. Using their position to get ahead.Do’s Proper servant mentality. Proper servant mentality. Doing menial tasks for everyone. Doing menial tasks for everyone. Allowing others to treat you poorly. Allowing others to treat you poorly. Following the example of Jesus. Following the example of Jesus. Considering others’ interests over your own. Considering others’ interests over your own. Theme: Fullness of life in Christ

Talk 3: The Reign of Servants (Continued) For the Greater Glory of God Say positive things about family, friends rather than gossiping. Say positive things about family, friends rather than gossiping. Visit someone in the hospital or nursing home. Visit someone in the hospital or nursing home. Have a special family time. Have a special family time. Call or send a note to someone who might be lonely or hurting. Call or send a note to someone who might be lonely or hurting. Pray for your leaders. Pray for your leaders. Points of Reflection: Do I give my full attention and interest when someone shares (whatever) with me? Do I give my full attention and interest when someone shares (whatever) with me? What significant commitment have I made for the Church as I contribute myself as a sacrament to the Church? (Are you putting a more commitment to the Church?) What significant commitment have I made for the Church as I contribute myself as a sacrament to the Church? (Are you putting a more commitment to the Church?) Theme: Fullness of life in Christ