Orientation Program Objectives and Mechanics
I. Introduction
This manual is for the use of household leaders in conducting their household meetings right after the Christian Life Program (CLP). It covers the three‑month period between the CLP and the next part of our formation program, the Covenant Orientation.
II. Objectives
Following are the objectives of the Orientation Phase:
1. This orientation program seeks to develop an atmosphere where members in the household feel comfortable with one another and are growing in their relationship as brethren.
2. The program also aims to explain the purpose and dynamics of household meetings.
3. It intends to establish among the household members clear expectations of the:
- Role of the household head.
- Role of household members.
- Meeting place, time and schedule.
- Attitude of members to the household head and to each other.
4. The program also seeks to develop an atmosphere of trust and openness among the members.
5. It sets-up the structure whereby household members can begin to share and experience a life lived under the power of the Holy Spirit.
III. Role of Household Leaders
Overall, the role of the household leaders is to introduce the members into the pattern of life of SFC and to see to it that members are gradually being integrated into the culture of SFC.
More specifically, household leaders are expected to do, among others, the following:
- Help members adjust and adapt into a new pattern of life and behaviour;
- Help members develop an attitude of trust and confidence in the Lord and with one another;
- Assist members to appreciate their new way of life;
- Help members to understand and appreciate the values and practices of SFC.
IV. Content of the Meetings
Since there are 3 household meetings in a month, this 3‑month phase may encompass 9 household meetings in all. Following are the proposed contents for each of these meetings. The household head may opt to have topics or content other than these, as long as the basic objectives for this phase are met.
Meeting No. 1
- Have a short prayer to start. Have one song and then a prayer by the household head.
- Start off with brief introductions by each member of the household, including the leaders, who should go first.
- These should be only basic information, such as: name, age, residence, work, children.
- It should be only about 5 minutes per member.
Note: It would be good to collate basic information about the household members and give these out to everyone for their respective references. This can include: names, residence, birth dates, telephone, work and family info.
3. Explain the following (refer to your household head’s manual):
- Purpose of household meetings (Sec. A‑2)
- Your role as household head (Sec. B‑2)
- Your wife’s role [If a CFC member and not a single.] (Sec. B‑3)
- 7.Attendance (Sec. C‑2)
- Ingredients (Sec. D‑3)
4. Expound on how you will be conducting the time of worship starting the next meeting.
- Explain the sequence (Sec. D‑3‑a).
- Exhort participation – in singing, praising, exercise of spiritual gifts, individual prayers of thanksgiving and petition.
5. Have a time for questions and answers.
6. Agree on your subsequent meetings.
- What day?
- What time? Have an “arrival time” and a “starting time”, usually about 15 minutes later. Stress that the meeting will start punctually on the designated starting time.
- Where? For ease of remembering, do the rotation of venues based on the surnames of the members, going alphabetically.
7. Remind everyone to have his or her own Bible and to bring it to every meeting.
8. Have your time of fellowship. Try to keep the whole meeting within 2 1/2 hours.
Meeting No. 2
- Have full worship.
- This meeting again is a joint meeting.
- If anyone was late, exhort all to punctuality.
- Examine the time of worship.
- Did people participate actively?
- Discuss the dynamics a bit.
- Exhort all to greater participation and openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
5. Go over the desired attitudes of members (Sec. C‑1).
6. Go quickly over the Bible Reading Guide.
- Does everyone have his/her own Bible?
- Encourage faithfulness to daily Bible reading, using the guide.
7. Encourage all to read one spiritual book a month, drawing from our publications in CFC/FLAME Ministries.
8. Surface any concerns the members might have.
9. Have your time of fellowship.
Meeting No. 3
- Have full worship.
- Before the sharing, encourage openness. Reiterate the principle of confidentiality (Sec. C‑1‑b).
- Have the time of sharing.
- Topic:
- How they were introduced to SFC and what made them decide to join.
- What changes are they observing or experiencing in their lives – home, office, and relationships.
5. Surface any concerns they might still have regarding SFC and their household group.
6. Have your time of fellowship.
Meeting No. 4
- Full worship, a separate meeting, fellowship.
- Topic: Share on personal prayer and Bible reading.
Meeting No. 5
- Full worship, discussion/sharing, and fellowship.
- Topic: Share on personal life – interests, hobbies, work, schedule of activities, etc.
Meeting No. 6
- Full worship, discussion/sharing, and fellowship.
- Topic: Share on family life – relationship with spouse, relationship with children, family schedule, family prayer, family recreation, etc.
Meeting No. 7
- Full worship, discussion/sharing, and fellowship.
- Topic: Share on how they are experiencing growth in and through SFC.
Meeting No. 8
- Have full worship.
- Discuss the SFC logo.
- Do they understand what CFC and SFC stand for?
- Where are they at in relation to who they ought to be and what they ought to be for in CFC Singles for Christ?
3. Have your time of fellowship.
Meeting No. 9
- Full worship, discussion/sharing, and fellowship.
- Topic for sharing:
- How are they experiencing personal conversion and developing their personal relationship with Jesus?
- How are they appreciating God’s call to be in a particular body, which is SFC?
Note
1. Whenever there is a fifth week in the month, this can be devoted to a time of fellowship or a purely social activity. You may choose to do a variety of activities, either in a home or outside.
2. The next phase after this Orientation of New Households is a one‑day recollection referred to as the “Covenant Orientation”. In case this is scheduled early, some of the topics of the above mentioned meetings will have to wait for another time. In case the recollection is late, then there will be added household meetings where the topics will have to be decided on by the household head. You have a variety of sources for topics: the CLP talks, the Ugnayan “Growing in the Lord” articles, Christian books, etc.
Source: SFC Formation Track
SFC 1CentralA PSF Portal 