GUIDELINES FOR PERSONAL DIALOGUES (one-to-one)
1. First Dialogue.
After the talk on Repentance and Faith ending Module One, the discussion group leaders
meet individually with each of the members of their group. These meetings should be
held within the week prior to the start of Module Two.
The purpose of this meeting is to see how the participants are doing, and more
importantly, to see whether they are ready to go on.
Readiness to go on consists in being willing to repent and turn away from serious
wrongdoing. Has the person repented for serious sin? You need to ask them and get a
direct response. If they are unclear as to what is serious sin, go through the list. Note
that what is important is willingness to turn away from sin. Sometimes the actual
turning away may not be accomplished in a single, immediate act (e.g. breaking off with
a mistress or giving up addiction to liquor). But if they are willing to repent and continue
with the CLP, they may be allowed to go on. Work out with them a timetable for finally
setting their lives right, and follow up on them through the succeeding weeks. NO ONE
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO TAKE MODULE TWO IF THERE ARE SERIOUS
THINGS THAT THE PERSON IS NOT WILLING TO TAKE STEPS TO AMEND.
Readiness also involves a willingness to follow Jesus and to learn more about Him.
These individual meetings may be held at any place convenient to both leader and
participant. It may be at either’s home or office, in a church, in a restaurant, at a park,
etc. The only requirements are privacy and a peaceful atmosphere.
If there are any issues on wrongdoing that you cannot resolve, refer them to the team
leader. Also inform the team leader of any participant who cannot be allowed to go on,
prior to the start of Module Two.
Guide questions for the meeting
a) We have been talking and discussing basics of our faith. Are there any questions
that have not been answered? Is there any unclarity that I can help you with?
b) The first step to a full and committed life with the Lord is repentance, i.e., turning
away from serious wrongdoing and turning toward the Lord. If there is serious
wrongdoing in your life, are you willing to make a definite break with it? Serious
wrongdoing includes the following:
* Non-Christian religions and non-Christian practices (e.g., Freemasonry, New
Age, TM, etc.)
* All forms of the occult, spiritualism, witchcraft.
* Sexual wrongdoing (adultery, masturbation, active homosexuality, perversity,
etc.)
* Murder, stealing, cheating.
* Lying, slander, gossip.
* Drunkenness, drugs.
Note for Catholics: To make repentance full and effective, go to sacramental
confession and make a firm resolution to lead a new life acceptable to Jesus.
c) Is there anything you wish to share or discuss with me? Is there any other way I can
help you?
d) Are you ready to turn away from sin, confess (if there is serious wrongdoing) and
commit your life to the Lord? Accept Him as Lord and Savior?
2. Second Dialogue.
After the 8th session on "Life in the Holy Spirit" ending Module Two, the discussion
group leaders once again meet individually with each of the members of their group.
These meetings should be held prior to the next session (Receiving the Power of the
Holy Spirit) which is the start of Module Three.
The primary purpose of this individual meeting is to help the participant prepare for the
prayer session where the participant is prayed with for a renewed outpouring of the Holy
Spirit. Often called "Baptism in the Holy Spirit", this session sometimes causes
unclarity in the mind of the participant. The discussion group leader will try to clear up
any question concerning this. The meeting also serves to give encouragement and
support to the participant and to find out specific areas where he/she needs to be
strengthened and prayed for.
These individual meetings should be held as early as possible during the week so that
the participant may have enough time after this meeting to adequately prepare
himself/herself for the prayer session. Don't wait till the last minute!
Guidelines for the meeting
a) Start with a prayer. Foster an atmosphere of concern, friendliness and informality.
b) Find out if there are any questions regarding what has transpired in the program or
if there are any problem areas. Discuss these.
c) Check the participant's understanding of baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gift of
tongues. Explain these concepts again. If there is any hang-up or fear in any of these
areas, help the participant to get over them.
d) If the participant has any involvement in the occult and the like (fortune telling, card
reading, spirit of the glass, etc.), which may or may not have been brought out in the
first individual meeting, lead the participant to renounce verbally this involvement.
e) Make sure that any serious wrongdoing which the participant disclosed during your
first individual meeting is no longer present in his/her life. Find out if there are other
Areas of wrongdoing which the participant has not disclosed.
f) Find out if there are other obstacles to the full release of the Spirit in his/her life.
Check areas of unforgiveness, resentments, hatred, bitterness, etc. Lead the
participant to forgive the cause(s) of all these negative emotions. Pray for a
repentant and forgiving heart.
g) Find out if the participant has had any traumatic experiences, so that you can pray
for healing of memories during the prayer session.
h) Find out if there are other areas of concern or difficulties that the participant would
like to share with you.
i) Ask if the participant has any prayer intention, or any specific areas that he/she
would want to pray for during the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
j) Encourage the participant (if Catholic) to go to confession, to go to Mass and receive
Holy Communion, and to pray prior to the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
k) Pray together at the end of the meeting.
3. Reminders.
a) The principle of confidentiality is still very much in force. Keep to yourself
whatever information is brought out, except what you cannot handle, in which case
you should bring the same to the team leader. Any discussion of serious problems
should be only with the team leader (or if necessary with the supervising Unit Head
or the Chapter Head), and should not be specifically taken up during the team
meeting. The team meeting is a time of sharing in general, to see where people are
at. Always avoid gossip, slander, or any wrong way of speaking about any
participant.
b) Inform the team leader immediately of any problem you cannot handle or of any
obstacle to being prayed with for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Don't wait till prior
to the prayer session itself.
