Trinity UMC strives to reveal that God is essential in people's lives.

  

40 Days of Purpose

Based on the Popular Book: The Purpose Driven Life,  

by Rick Warren

                                    February 22 – April 11, 2004

Join us for this tremendous growth opportunity as your life will definitely be impacted by The Purpose Driven Life book. Just ask some of our leaders (Jeff Balsbaugh, LaVerne Garman, Trudy Trautman, Sue Boltz, Marilyn Meyer, Rich Myers, Bernie Rollman, Deb & Terry Binkley, Judy Stickler,…) They have truly benefitted from reading this book and I’m sure would highly recommend it for the entire church to read and reflect on. The books themselves will go on sale in February – cost will be $10.00 [one per family]. In addition, our worship services/sermons will coincide with what you are reading and as well we plan to offer a Sunday School class and /or Small group for a deeper study of the Purposes. So look for a chance to sign up in February.

It is my hope that we would all choose to participate in this exciting 40 Day journey.

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Background on the 40 Days of Purpose:

The Bible teaches that God created you with five purposes in mind:

bulletWorship - you were planned for God's pleasure.
bulletFellowship - you were formed to be part of God's family.
bulletDiscipleship - you were created to become like Christ.
bulletMinistry - you were shaped for God's service.
bulletMission - you were made to tell others about Christ.

The Bible says, "David served God's purpose in his own generation." I can't think of a better epitaph. That's what I want for my life - that when I die people will say, "He served God's purpose in his generation."

And that's what I want people to say about you, that you served God's purpose in your generation. I hope this encourages you on your journey.

Your friend,
Rick Warren

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Now you may be wondering, "Why 40 days? What's so special about that time frame?"

The Bible is clear that God considers 40 days to be a spiritually significant time period. Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days:

bulletNoah's life was transformed by 40 days of rain.
bulletMoses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai.
bulletThe spies were transformed by 40 days in the Promised Land.
bulletDavid was transformed by Goliath's 40-day challenge.
bulletElijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from a single meal.
bulletThe entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave them 40 days to change.
bulletJesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.
bulletThe disciples were transformed by 40 days with Jesus after his resurrection.

However it's not just the duration, but the direction of 40 Days of Purpose that changes lives. This emphasis is designed to help you answer the most basic question of life: What on earth am I here for? During 40 days, you will rediscover God's five eternal purposes for your life:

WORSHIP: We were planned for God's pleasure!

FELLOWSHIP: We were formed for God's family!

DISCIPLESHIP: We were created to become like Christ!

MINISTRY: We were shaped for serving God!

EVANGELISM: We were made for a mission!

Every part of 40 Days of Purpose is designed to help people...

1. CENTER their lives on God, not themselves, and live a lifestyle of worship for the glory of God, because we were planned for God's pleasure. This begins with complete surrender of our lives to Christ.

2. CONNECT with other believers who experience real fellowship, because we were formed for God's family. This includes identifying with other believers through baptism, joining a local church family and participating in some kind of small group fellowship.

3. CULTIVATE spiritual maturity and godly character, because we were created to become like Christ. This includes developing the habits necessary for spiritual growth.

4. CONTRIBUTE something back by using their talents in ministry because we were shaped for serving God. This includes discovering your SHAPE for ministry and finding a place of service in your church.

5. COMMUNICATE God's love to others and develop a heart for the world, because we were made for a mission. This includes learning to share your faith and participating in some kind of mission activity.

FEBRUARY 22, 2004 Don't Waste Your Life-Pre-Campaign Message
FEBRUARY 29 - MARCH 6 What on Earth Am I Here For? - Introduction

MARCH 7 - 13 You Were Planned for God's Pleasure -Worship

MARCH 14 - 20 You Were Formed for God's Family - Fellowship

MARCH 21 - 27 You Were Created to Become Like Christ - Discipleship

MARCH 28 - APRIL 3 You Were Shaped for Serving God - Ministry
APRIL 4 - 11 You Were Made for a Mission - Evangelism
APRIL 11, 2004 What Have We Learned

www.purposedrivenlife.com

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