40 DAYS OF PURPOSE
Our church participated in a 40 Days of Purpose Program that ran over six weeks beginning on Sunday 6th February and ending on Sunday 20th March 2005. This spiritual growth programme is designed to answer life's most important question: 'What on earth am I here for?'
This event gave each of us an opportunity to learn how to live the kind of lifestyle that honours and glorifies God. We had the opportunity to develop habits for spiritual growth, memorise scripture, participate in a small group, serve in our church and share our faith. We were excited as we saw the possibilities of our whole congregation living in alignment with God's purpose for their lives and the impact that it would have on our church and our community.
The six weeks focussed on the book 'The Purpose Driven Life', which answers that vital question 'What on earth am I here for?' The book covers five major purposes of our existence and each week, the Sunday sermon dealt with a major theme. This was coupled with the personal/family daily chapter reading from the book, along with weekly discussions in small groups. Over the six weeks, groups and other small groups established for the programme covered material from a short video presentation and a workbook.
Many churches tell of the benefit to individuals, families and congregations as a whole. It also provided a way for people to come to faith and reconnect to God and the church - a wonderful opportunity to reach family members, friends and others in the community who are searching for God.
As we approached the 40 Days of Purpose, we had a very important assignment for everyone involved. Everything that we did in the 40 Days of Purpose depended on this assignment - PRAYER.
We know that prayer ignites our hearts with passion for the Lord and His purposes. God is attracted to our dependence on Him. He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him. Our weakness in fact makes room for his power.
We asked everyone involved to live out the following:
- RAISE THE VALUE OF PRAYER IN YOUR LIFE AND IN OTHERS. We do this by being excited about it and talking about it. Tell others about an answer to prayer from the Lord - this will lift people's faith.
- PRAY WHENEVER YOU MEET. Whether you meet for coffee or accountability with anyone in our Church, please pray for God to work amongst us during the 40 Days of Purpose.
- GET GROUPS PRAYING. Take a moment during group meeting/Worship practice/family times/social times/whenever we gather to pray for the programme to achieve God's purpose in people's lives.
- MAKE A PRAYER LIST of un-churched people you want to invite to become part of your small group. Regularly pray over the list by yourself and with others in the church.