The Purpose Driven Church Outline Go to http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/Home.htm to learn more about having a Purpose Driven Life.

Day 41 Guidebook (download as a Word document or pdf. file)

SHAPE and Ministry Assessment Tools

When was the last time that you read a book that actually changed your life?  Chinese Baptist Church will join churches across the nation to study the New York Times best-selling book, "The Purpose-Driven Life".  It answers the question, "Why am I here?" and offers a biblical perspective that has transformed millions of lives.  Together, we will learn to cultivate a lifestyle based on God's eternal purposes.

Come explore its life-changing principles and see how it can transform your life!  Start living a more purposeful life today!

Pastor James Wong's Letter
Program Details
40 Days Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

"40 DAYS OF PURPOSE" Based on the bestseller by Rev. Rick Warren September 26 -  November 7, 2004 (7-Week Study) Special Worship Services - Small Study Groups Ministry & Mission Fair See Below for More Details

This fall, our church will participate in the "40 Days of Purpose Campaign", which will run for seven weeks, beginning September 25th and ending November 7th, 2004.  This spiritual growth campaign is designed to address life's most important questions.

In a church-wide emphasis, we wil discover God's five purposes for our lives.  We will also have opportunities to take steps in developing and applying each of these five purposes.

We invite you to join us in this exciting experience.  To receive the full benefit of these 40 life-changing days, you will want to participate in each component of the program:

1.  Attend the seven weekend services in the series, "The Purpose Driven Life".  Special messages of focus and encouragement will be delivered by our pastoral staff in all our Sunday worship services (English and Chinese) as well as lively music, drama and other creative forms of worship.

2.  Read the 40 daily readings in the The Purpose Driven Life book by Rick Warren.  These readings will guide you in your personal journey to discover God's purposes for your life.  CBC will have specially purchased copies available for the subsidized cost of $5.00 along with study guides at $2.00 for all participants.

3.  Join a 40 Days of Purpose small group.  Numerous groups will be available.  These include the following:

• All English Sunday School classes
• Chinese Fellowship groups
• Evening groups on CBC campus and Regional Host homes are being established

 

 
 
 
 
 

(Youth and Children's Sunday School departments will also study 40 Days of Purpose through age-appropriate curriculum and activities.)

Will you commit to making 40 Days of Purpose a priority for you and your family?  Imagine the impact on our community if the members of our church were all committed to living out God's purposes for their lives!

Please sign up in your Sunday School classes or fellowship groups.  If you do not regularly attend our church, please call the church office at (713) 461-0963 to join.

Get ready to have your life changed and be blessed!

In His Service,

James K. Wong
Senior Pastor
Chinese Baptist Church

Relevant Messages in English and Chinese Worship Services

English -- 9:15 am
Cantonese & Mandarin -- 11:00 am

• English speaking Sunday School Classes -- 11:00 am
• Chinese speaking Fellowship groups (days/times vary--to be announced)
• Additional small groups during the week at various locations

1.  What is the 40 Days of Purpose campaign all about?
The 40 Days of Purpose is a spiritual campaign based on the book, The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren.  During the 40 Days (which runs from 9/25 - 11/7, 2004), our worship services, Sunday School/small groups, and individual study will be focused on God's 5 purposes for our life.  By participating in this program, each person will find the answer to the question, "What on earth am I here for?"

2.  Who is Rick Warren?
Rick Warren is the Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church.  After finishing seminary, Rick and his wife felt God's leading for him to plant a church in the Orange County area of California.  Even though there were several large churches in the area led by very well known pastors (e.g. Chuck Swindoll, Robert Schuller, Jack Hayford, Chuck Smith), Rick was faithful in carrying out the call of God.  Starting with no members or budget, Rick was able to form a small group Bible study of 5 people that eventually grew to a church of 22,000.  Saddleback is now one of the largest and best-known churches today.

3.  What type of format will the 40 Days follow?
Each adult participant (high school and above) will be asked to obtain a copy of The Purpose Driven Life.  CBC will be selling the books at a subsidized rate of $5.00 per copy.  Participants will also be asked to join a Sunday School class or small group.  You may also be asked to purchase a workbook for $2.00.  Before Sunday, each person will be assigned to read 7 short chapters in the book.  On Sunday, all worship services will be focused on the theme based on the past 7 days of reading.  All English Sunday School classes (including children), and Chinese-speaking small groups will have a lesson focused on that theme.  Throughout the 40 Days, there will also be special events, such as a simulcast kick-offf, Ministry Fair and Mission Fair for people to participate in.

4.  Do I have to read the WHOLE book?  In order, on schedule?
Although it sounds like a lot, we do encourage you to read the whole book in order for you to get maximum benefit from it.  The chapters are relatively short and should take no more than 10-15 minutes a day to read.  If you miss a day, just pick up from where you left off and try to make up that day sometime before Sunday.  The last week will be a "catch-up week" for you to finish your reading.

5.  Can I JUST read the book?  Can I JUST "sit in" on the discussion?
The 40 Days campaign has been specifically developed with the book, worship services, Sunday School/small group lessions, and other special events to immerse and reinforce God's purposes for each individual.  Although you could "just read the book" or "just sit in your small group", you will be cheating yourself out of the full benefit of this program, and may even miss out on some of God's blessings because you were unable to receive all that He had for you.

6.  Do I have to be a Christian to participate in this campaign?
No, you do not have to be a Christian to participate in the campaign.  Even if you are not a Christian, we encourage you to participate, because you will gain a greater understanding of what Christianity is all about and understand why God created you.

7.  Is this study Bible-based?
Yes.  God's purposes in the book are based on biblical principles.  In each chapter, numerous Bible verses are given to support points the author is making.

8.  Do I have to stay in my group throughout the study?
We do encourage each person to remain in his or her group and commit to attending every session during the 40 Days.  At your first meeting, your group leader will talk about a covenant he would ask you to sign in order that your entire group would experience all that God would have for you during the campaign.

9.  What happens if I have to miss some of the messages and/or discussions?
Tapes of each Sunday's message can be obtained by calling the church office at (713) 461-0963.  Your Sunday School teacher/small group leader can also make arrangements for you to make up a particular class.

10.  Is this a Baptist program?
No.  Although Saddleback Church is a Southern Baptist church, this is not a "Baptist" program.  Since its inception in 2002, over 15,000 churches from all denominations and backgrounds have participated in the 40 Days campaign.

11.  Will there be another session of the Purpose-Driven emphasis for those who cannot participate in this one?  Or for those who start halfway into the campaign?
Right now, one is not scheduled although if demand is great, we can certainly offer it in a Sunday School class and/or small group.  Even if we do, the worship services and programs will probably not be coordinated with this course.  So, to get the maximum benefit from the 40 Days, you should participate now!

12.  What are the reasons that CBC decided to participate in this campaign?
Our Senior Pastor, James Wong, has a vision of our church becoming a purpose-driven, healthy/balanced church.  By going through these 40 Days as an entire church, we hope to get every one on the same page in being purpose-driven people.  As we unite together in being purpose-driven for God, we can move on to the next step of becoming a purpose-driven church.

13.  What's going to happen after the "40 Days"?   Does CBC have an "action plan" to follow up on any of  the results that may occur?
Individually, as our people embrace the 5 purposes that God has for their lives, several things will happen:

• They will be moved to serve others
• They will seek to reach out to their friends and family members who do not have a relationship with Jesus
• They will be motivated to go on misison trips
• They will desire to grow in their own relationship with God

Corporately, several groups are already meeting to talk about the next phase of becoming a Purpose-Driven church.  Through the praying/fasting, seeking and planning, we will continue to build on what God has done during the 40 Days and implement action plans to help us become healthy and balanced in all 5 areas.