OVERVIEW - LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR
WEEK 1 (5/3) - GOD'S LOVE: The first session
offers a simple presentation of God's life, God's unconditional
love, and the ongoing personal invitation to a relationship with
God. The first session also explains the seminar as an opportunity
for spiritual formation. A commitment to all the sessions is encouraged,
so that the seminar may be most fruitful. "For God so
loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes
in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (Jn
3:16)
WEEK 2 (5/10) – SALVATION:
The second session focuses on the importance of Christ and the
gift of salvation. Jesus is Shepherd, Healer, Lord, and Redeemer.
Being a Christian and living in the Spirit of Jesus involves committing
and recommitting ourselves to a way of life. The presentation
explains the basic gospel message and what it means to live as
disciples in God's Kingdom. We are presented with the daily choice
between good and evil, between sin and redemption. This is a sobering
invitation. "He has taken us out of the power of darkness
and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves,
and in him we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins."
(Col 1:13-14)
WEEK 3 (5/17) - NEW LIFE IN CHRIST:
This session centers on the promise of new life in Jesus. It helps
participants realize the goodness of the gift being offered to
them. An explanation of how Jesus lived in the Spirit is given.
The Baptism of Jesus becomes our model. A witness is given on
the place of gifts, fruits and charisms of the Spirit in daily
life. In the personal contact with the faith sharing facilitator
and/or sponsor, the people in the seminar can work out any problems
and receive personal help. "I came so that they may have
life and have it in abundance." (Jn 10:10)
WEEK 4 (5/24) - RECEIVING GOD'S GIFTS:
This session is a time of commitment to Jesus Christ and openness
to the Spirit. This is the session in which the process of conversion
is explained as an essential part of the Christian life. This
is the session in which people are called to reorient their lives
as needed. The presentation explains how to turn to the Lord (repentance
and faith) and what is involved in being baptized in the Spirit.
"If any man is thirsty, let him come to me! Let the man
come and drink who believes in me! As scripture says: From his
heart shall flow fountains of living water." (Jn 7:37-38)
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"BAPTISM" IN THE SPIRIT - A renewal
of Baptismal Vows and prayer for baptism in the Spirit.
People may experience a variety of gifts and charisms that
are closely related to a release of the Spirit.
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WEEK 5 (5/31) - GROWTH & TRANSFORMATION:
The final session is about persevering in our baptismal
vocation as disciples of Jesus. Participants are challenged to
make the decisions and changes necessary to maintain the life
in the Spirit. The session offers a vision of both transformation
and mission. The Holy Spirit is at work changing us and enabling
us as Church to change the world. We must persevere in this work
despite trials and difficulties. The focus of the presentation
is on prayer, community, Scripture, sacraments, and service. "I
am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with
me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can
do nothing." (Jn 15:5)
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REFERENCE: TEAM MANUAL, THE NEW LIFE IN THE
SPIRIT SEMINARS (CATHOLIC EDITION 2000)
