Revisiting Christian Basics to Strengthen the Church and Its Ministries
A full year of discipleship focus — returning to first love, rebuilding on Christ, and remaining faithful to the timeless truths that have always kept the Church standing.
A theme designed to stay with every member throughout the entire year.
Rooted in real challenges facing the church — not just theory.
Every monthly topic anchored in 10 foundational Bible passages.
Sets a clear discipleship direction for all CBC churches nationwide.
Ptr. Jaime Gustilo shares the pastoral urgency behind CBC's 2026 direction — a call to reset, realign, and return.
"My concern is that as our church grows older, the basic principles of life — love for God, disciple-making, prayer, faithfulness, fear of God, true humility and integrity — might be undermined or forgotten."
"Due to the challenging situations we have been facing lately, and because our church is growing older, there is a real need to return to the basic essentials of the Christian life."
As CBC grows older, there is a danger of drifting from the foundational truths that built us. 2026 is a year to intentionally reset and realign.
The pressures facing believers today require more than smart strategy — they require deep roots in the basics of the Christian life.
"From Smarter to Wiser" reflects the shift from accumulating knowledge to actually living out the essentials — love, prayer, humility, integrity.
No matter how modern or high-tech the world becomes, the foundational truths of Scripture must never bend. They are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
These passages share a unified call: never forget the basics of your spiritual life. These foundational truths must never bend, no matter how modern the trends become.
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."
"Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
"Continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught."
"Hold fast the pattern of sound words... Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you."
"We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."
"No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."
"I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth."
"To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you."
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart... Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home."
"If My people... will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven."
Each month builds on the last — a cumulative journey from first love back to lasting faithfulness.
Returning to first love • Ancient paths • Essential truths
Christ the foundation • Lasting spiritual impact
Return to the basics of Christ-centered living
Timeless truths that still guide, still guard, still sustain
Faith built on sound teaching — enduring, prevailing
First love • Restoration • Holding fast
Essential truths • Core doctrine • First principles
Revelation 2 • The Shema • Love as the foundation
Laying foundations that hold — even when everything shakes
Guarding the deposit — truth is not earned, it is kept
The unchanging pattern of truth • Guarding doctrine • Holiness
Perseverance • Consistency • Finishing well in the basics
Each month focuses on one virtue, one discipleship theme, and key Scripture texts — building toward a whole year of spiritual formation.
This theme is not just for pastors. Every ministry, every member, every congregation is called to live it out.
Every Sunday message in 2026 will be shaped by the monthly theme — aligned, cumulative, and discipleship-driven from January to December.
Micro-Discipleship Groups will study the monthly virtue in depth — making the year's theme the backbone of our church's discipleship infrastructure.
All 30+ CBC congregations — from Muntinlupa to Mindanao — will preach the same theme, creating a unified movement of returning to the basics.
The Prayer / Radical Ministry will lead monthly intercession for each virtue — inviting the Holy Spirit to do what our best efforts alone cannot.
"We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."Hebrews 2:1 — The Anchor Verse of CBC 2026
Download, study, and apply the 2026 theme in your personal life, your family, and your ministry.
Download the full 2026 theme document including all 12 monthly topics, key Scriptures, and focus areas.
Print-ready calendar with all 12 monthly virtues, themes, and key Scripture references for your congregation.
Weekly discussion questions and reflection prompts for Micro-Discipleship Groups aligned with each monthly theme.