BASIC INFORMATION FOR LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR

"I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts." - Ezekiel 36:26

Welcome to Life in the Spirit. Members of the team rejoice that the Lord has called you to this seminar; we rejoice that you answered that call.

THE GOAL OF THE SEMINAR:

"The seminars are designed to help people find a new and fuller life as Christians by laying or strengthening the foundation of a truly Christian life ... .In Life in the Spirit Seminar, you can take the steps which will allow Jesus Christ to establish or restore or deepen a relationship with you." (Taken from the orange training manual team members carry.) This seminar will enable you to receive the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to live a new life in Jesus, or to deepen an already existing relationship with the Lord Jesus. It will make you more God-centered and less self-centered. You will not be asked to do anything that would make you uncomfortable. We simply ask that you leave at the door any preconceived notions that might stymie the Spirit of God. Be faithful to the instructions. Receive them with an OPEN HEART AND YOUR LIFE WILL BE CHANGED DURING THE NEXT SIX WEEKS. The changes may come slowly, but THEY WILL COME. We of the team promise you that.This is a program that should appeal to most Christians. It is a faith walk. It is NOT the intent of the seminar to direct you into a particular movement or organization. There are many paths leading to the Kingdom of God. This is one of them, one that has proven beneficial to Christians of many denominations.

NAME TAGS:

Those with their names on pink cards are members of the Life in the Spirit team. Those with their names on white cards are participants. We ask that you turn in your badge at the end of each session. There will be boxes in the rear of the church where you can leave them on departing tonight. When you return next week, pick up your badge and check if there is any new material to be picked up. It will be on a table in the foyer of the church.

THE TEAM:

All members of this year's team are members of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Most of them have served on previous teams. We are here to SERVE you. We are not theologians who have all the answers. We are not counselors who can cure deep-seated psychological problems. We are witnesses to the goodness and greatness of God.

SHARE GROUPS:

Each participant will be assigned to a Share Group. And that's the purpose to share your feelings about each night's talk. However, no one will force you to say anything. These generally are not problem-solving or therapy sessions. They are not for teaching - your Leader is more of a guide than a teacher. It is important that all members of a Group are given an equal chance to share. It would be uncharitable for one or two persons to dominate a discussion at the expense of others. Each participant will have a Group Leader, and in some instances an Assistant Group Leader. If you have a problem you wish to discuss privately, you are encouraged to contact one of these persons or one of the directors of the seminar. Each session will last 30 to 40 minutes. When you hear the bell ringing, it is important to close your meeting and return to the main sanctuary of the church as quickly as possible.

PRAYER TEAMS:

At the end of Sessions 1 through 4, we will have prayer teams available at the foot of the altar. If you have a fear, a burden or obstacle for which you need prayer, if you need strength to cope with a problem or you are in need of a physical or an emotional healing, or if you simply want your faith strengthened, please come forth after the closing song. You may tell the prayer team what is troubling you, or you may simply ask for prayer help. These are experienced prayer warriors. Anything you say to them will be treated with confidence. This is not the time, however, to ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life. That will come later in the Seminar.

SEMINAR MATERIAL:

It is important that you stay current with the readings in your Guidebook. This will help you to get the most out of various sessions. Also, please read all the material provided to you tomake the seminar more meaningful. Keep all material in your folder.

THE PROGRAM:

This is the procedure we will follow at most sessions (you will soon learn that few things are fixed in concrete around here):
• Musical warm-up (prior to the 7:00 p.m. opening)
• Opening Song
• Opening Prayer
• Opening Scripture
• Opening remarks by one of the co-directors
• Evening's talk
• Share Groups meet
• Song
• Final exhortation
• Meditation
• Closing Song(s)

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT:

During this seminar you will hear people speaking of the gifts, or the charisms, of the Holy Spirit. In Chapter 12 of First Corinthians, Paul refers to such gifts as wisdom, knowledge, faith,healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, tongues and interpretation. Different gifts are given to different persons for the common good, Paul writes. But there are other gifts, such as administration or leadership, teaching, service, counsel, fear of God, courage, integrity, love, and understanding. All Christians, you will learn, should be open to receive any gifts God wants to bestow on them.