40 Days of Small Groups with Purpose

By Paul Hogsten and Phyllis DeSmit

Do you know why you are here? Do you want to be part of the next big step in Central's history? We start 40 Days of Purpose with a Big Screen TV Simulcast on April 12th at Grace Fellowship Church. You definitely will want to be there! It will be an exciting, inspirational, and motivating time of teaching and worship. It will be the first time in this decade that the whole church will come together in one place. It will be a special moment of congregational unity and accelerated spiritual growth. It will also be the beginning of a special small group experience designed just for 40 Days.

A major part of our journey of spiritual renewal is purpose-driven small groups. At the Simulcast, we will invite and encourage everyone to join a special 40 Days of Purpose small group, meeting weekly for just six weeks to examine God's purposes for our lives.

Study and conversation within the small group setting will allow reflection on these key facets of living life for Christ:

• What on earth are we here for?
• How can we more fully worship God?
• How can we love and support each other?
• How can we become more Christ-like?
• How can we better meet the needs of God's family?
• How can we share the good news with those who do not know Jesus Christ?

At the conclusion of our April 12th Simulcast, you will have an opportunity to join one of the fifty small group leaders, based on geography or meeting time or other common interest. You also will receive your copy of The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, which will be the focus of daily devotional readings during the 40 days. To guarantee a high-quality study experience, Rick Warren himself is going to lead each small group (via video tape and study guides).

As we progress through 40 Days, our entire congregation is going to have a lot in common. Each day you will be looking at the same devotion from The Purpose Driven Church. Each week you will study the same scripture and share in similar small group conversation and prayer. Each Sunday we will hear the same message from Pastor George on that week's topic. It won't be a surprise if we are all talking about the same things at the same time, will it?

No matter where you are in your spiritual walk, God will use this 40 Days' journey to strengthen and deepen your relationship with Him and move you forward in fulfilling each of these purposes for your life. But the fellowship of a small group will provide the best atmosphere for growth and accountability. Come to the Simulcast and join a small group for 40 Days of Purpose.