CHRISTMAS INSTITUTE 2019

CONCEPT PAPER

This is a conceptual framework designed by the National Executive Committee of the UMYFP for the youth to
have a common and shared objective for the most awaited youth gathering: the Christmas Institute.

Christmas Institute is a time set apart for the youth that has been a tradition in our country since 1921. As one of
the flagship programs of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship in the Philippines, it always aims to provide an
avenue for the youth to grow in their Christian faith, fellowship, and discipleship. It seeks to develop them into
principled Christians who will make a positive impact in their local churches and communities. And in so doing,
it builds them up to become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the Christmas Institute, the delegates are expected to:

1. Continue fulfilling what has been envisioned for oneself, for the church, and for the society.
2. Remember the root of their Christian life.
3. Recognize the strength from Christ to endure uncertain times.
4. Show gratitude to God by continuing to serve Him and all of His creations.

THEME:
PADAYON: Patuloy ang Paglalakbay

The theme for this year’s Christmas Institute is PADAYON: Patuloy ang Paglalakbay. Padayon is a Visayan word
that means continue, move on, carry on, or go ahead.

To continue is to keep on doing something without stopping. Hence, Padayon seeks to challenge and
empower the youth to continue their pursuit of knowing and following Christ.

Padayon is a call for the youth to be relentless in becoming more like Jesus - to keep on following His steps and
example. At the same time, it also is a challenge to carry on and persevere in our service to Him by serving the
people and all of God’s creation.

This is a step towards the fulfillment of our hirayas, another step to learn more about our Christian heritage, a
step to overcome all the adversities we may encounter, and again another step to give the Lord the highest
glory and thanksgiving by going out to where the people are.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE:
Colossians 2:6-7 New International Version (NIV)
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him,
strengthen in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in the city of Colossae. He had never been there before but a
Colossian named Epaphras who traveled to Ephesians responded to Paul’s gospel message and returned to
share the good news in Colossae.

In these verses, Paul wrote against the false teachers who were trying to impose and advocate strict rules
about eating, drinking, and religious festivals. These teachers also denigrated Jesus. Paul thus exhorts the
Colossians to continue in what and whom they were taught. He encouraged them to bear on this difficult and
trying situation. He also reminded them what happened in their lives when they received Jesus as their Lord,
therefore, they should still keep on living their lives in Him.

The apostle Paul penned this letter to the followers of Jesus Christ in Colossians, and it continues to be relevant
as it is now addressed to all of us.

LESSONS:

Lesson 1: Run On
Text: Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which
Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has
called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

The dictionary defines vision as a ‘picture you see in your mind’ or ‘a clear idea about what should happen or
be done in the future’. It is therefore important for us, the ones who follow Jesus, to recognize His vision so that
we can have a clear goal of what should be done – clear visions for oneself, for the church, and for the society.

In our text, the apostle Paul compared the life of a follower of Christ to an athlete that keeps pressing forward
to a goal which is ahead (Barclay). ‘What is behind’ belongs to his image of the race; to win, one must keep
one’s eyes on the finish line. In his encounter with Christ, Paul recognized the Lord’s vision and found his purpose
in life. He understood that the Lord has a goal for him, and he has realized that he has not arrived at that goal
yet. So, he has to ‘press on’ and fulfill what the Lord has tasked him to do.

Padayon! We have taken steps to recognize the Lord’s vision. Now, take another step, Paul is somewhat saying
to us that what has been done is more work to be done because our goal is still ahead of us. Let us put behind
what we have already achieved for the Lord then serve Him even more.

Lesson 2: Ready
Text: Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV)
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have
power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

Methodism started as a movement to inspire and train disciples for Christian living. This movement traces its root
back with a few young college men who initiated a small group, commonly known as the Holy Club. As the
movement started congregations and a denomination, it continued its same mission, to spread God’s love
throughout the world, in words and action.

In our passage, Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus. He asked God to help them to grow in faith that goes
beyond knowledge and be secure in their reliance on love.

The faith and love exemplified by the early Christians give us hope today. John Wesley, the members of the
Holy Club, and even the believers in Ephesus did not just stay at home doing nothing. Their faith in Christ
compelled them to take action to draw nearer to Him as they draw nearer to ministries for and by the people.
Likewise, let us be rooted like a tall tree and be established like a towering building, deeply fixed and firmly built
in faith and love.

Padayon! Take one more step to study the scripture, learn our tradition, and share our own heartwarming
experiences. For United Methodists, Scripture is considered the primary source and standard for Christian
doctrine. Tradition is experience and the witness of development and growth of the faith through the past
centuries and in many nations and cultures. Experience is the individual's understanding and appropriating of
the faith in the light of his or her own life. Through reason, the individual Christian brings to bear on the Christian
faith discerning and cogent thought.

Lesson 3: Get Set

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck
down, but not destroyed.

As a youth, we encounter blocks that hinder us from continuing what God has tasked as to do. We stumble
upon these in our school, workplace, or even inside our church and home.

In our text, Paul warned the believers in Corinth against being lead astray by the false teachers. He
encouraged them to be faithful in every circumstance. Then, he told them his sufferings that highlight his
dependence on Christ. He was troubled on every side, distressed, persecuted, and forsaken. But, however
great his trial, he was sustained by the strength of Christ. He continued serving the Lord.

Padayon! Being a follower of Christ may not be an easy task, but a fulfilling one. Let us take another step to
endure the uncertain times where we feel weak, weary, or troubled. We can cry for help to the Lord as we go
through all of these. Then, we will be able to experience His mercy and compassion.

Lesson 4: Go
Text: Matthew 28:19-21 NIV
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of
the age.

The way we live our lives should be a testament of our gratefulness for all the things He has done for us in the
past and are doing in the present. As a river might overflow its banks, or as a harvest so great that it won’t fit
into the barns, so our gratitude to the Lord pours out of our lives. This overflowing thankfulness is something we
do in response to His faithfulness to us. The gratitude we have for the Lord must be translated into concrete
actions. Therefore, we are expected to be in ministry and fellowship with our fellow human beings, especially to
those who are in need.

In our passage, the command was given before Jesus ascended to heaven. This is the last encounter of the
disciples with Him. First, he commissioned them. They are being sent to bring people to Christ. They are to
baptize and teach. ‘Making disciples’ was the sort of thing rabbis would do, but Jesus’ followers are to make
disciples for Jesus, not for themselves. After commissioning them, Jesus assured them of His presence. His claim
that he would always be with them constitutes a proclamation of His deity. It is an assurance that as they are
being sent out to the entire world, they are not alone. It is a promise that He will always go with those who serve
Him.

Padayon! Take one more step, Jesus is commanding us to go and make disciples. We are challenged to take
deeper commitments by reaching out the unreachable, opening our eyes to the things we cannot or deny to
see, and listening to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let our gratitude to Him lead us into a continuous service to people and all of God’s creation.