Starting Sunday, 24th July, our church will be participating in a 40 Days of Community Campaign, which will run for six weekends, finishing 4th September. We invite the whole church to participate in this campaign for 40 days.
The primary focus of this campaign is to encourage our congregation to work together and extend our influence within our church family and in to our community.
How it Works
SUNDAY SERVICES (Messages)
The Ministry Team will fully unpack each of the topic below in the messages preached on 6 Sunday services.
DATES:
July 24 – Launch
July 31 – Why We Need Each Other
August 7 – Reaching Out Together
August 14 – What Destroys Relationships and What Builds Them
August 21 – How We Help Each Other Grow
August 28 – Serving Together
September 4 – Fathers Day
September 11 – Celebration Sunday – sharing stories of blessing!
WEEKLY LIFE GROUP Participation (Life Group Study)
A powerful element of 40 Days is exploring and experiencing true biblical community. In Life Groups, we discuss the implications for our lives in areas such as worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism using a Study Guide material. We encourage all groups to meet weekly during 40 Days. The Study Guide can be ordered from the ‘CommUNITY Center’ in the church foyer.
DAILY INDIVIDUAL Participation (Daily Devotion)
Each day, using the 40 Days of Community Devotional Guide, we will be challenged to reflect and journal on the ‘one anothers’ of scripture. This devotional guide can be ordered from the ‘CommUNITY Center’ in the church foyer.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
In 40 Days of Community, all Life Groups will be challenged to do a local missions project together, enabling us to meet an area of need in our community. This one initiative alone could provide a major turning point in the spiritual depth and vitality of our people.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1 What is the purpose/primary focus of the 40 Days Campaign?
The primary focus of this campaign is to:
1) deepen our relationships with one another within our church through our life groups. Our desire is for our life groups to become an authentic community of love, acceptance, grace, forgiveness and truth.
2) encourage our life groups to take a next step to fulfilling the mission of God together
#2 Is this a different direction to our previous focus on life groups in the past?
No. It’s a building on some of our past teachings on life groups through Ps Eddy Leo (Abba Love church). The biblical content of this campaign is focused on the 40+ ‘one another’ verses that Paul instructs us in his letters and these are practically outworked into the campaign.
#3 What happens during the Campaign?
- Attend Sunday Services – over the 6 Sunday services we will address topics on:
Week 1 – What Matters Most in Life?
Week 2 – Reaching Out Together.
Week 3 – What Destroys Relationships and What Builds Them.
Week 4 – How We Help Each Other Grow.
Week 5 – Serving Together.
Week 6 – Worshipping Together (Father’s Day).
Week 7 – Celebration Sunday.
- Participate in Weekly life groups – we encourage life groups to meet weekly for 40 days to watch the teaching videos and go through the study guides.
- Do Daily devotions – we encourage members to go through the daily devotional guide for 40 days
- Initiate a community project – we encourage all our life groups to be challenged to take a next step in fulfil God’s mission together by taking on a project to meet the needs of your relevant community
#4 Is the campaign something I can bring my friends to, or is it strictly targeted at believers?
Yes you can. This campaign will have a powerful impact on both enquirers into the faith and believers alike. The fundamental question of the Campaign, ‘What on earth are WE here for?’ is an ideal starting place for enquirers. Everyone wants to know why we were put on this earth. The questions will be addressed through our Sunday sermons, our daily devotional readings and our weekly life group lessons.
#5 Do I have to be part of a life group to be part of this campaign?
Yes that would be ideal. If you haven’t joined our life groups yet, you will have a chance to connect with one for six weeks to participate in this campaign. It is designed for you to have an experience of our church community for a short period of time. Our desire is to encourage you to be part of a life group for 40 days and you can continue on with the life group after 40 days if you wish to do so. If not, that’s ok.
#6 What will be expected of me should I decide to be part of the campaign?
You can participate in as much as you feel comfortable. The ideal participation would be to commit yourself in the 40 days to; worshipping each Sunday at one of our services, reading a daily devotional for 40 days, and attend a weekly life group of your choice.
#7 Does our life group have to meet weekly?
We strongly prefer and encourage to do so. We understand there will be adjustments to commitments that people will have in their routines, but it is important to make that commitment because the frequency will help foster community. The other reason is that the six bible studies, the daily devotions and Sunday sermons all dovetail together if we are to get the most of this journey. It is only a commitment for six weeks, thereafter each life group can make a decision of what they would like to do.
#8 How are the kids involved on Sunday and in life groups?
Kids church have a 40 Days of Community campaign running alongside the rest of the church. The kids will also be encouraged to deepen their relationships with one another and to serve the community together. The kids will memorise the same bible verses as you, and we encourage you to share the memory verse and what it means during mealtime or family prayer time. This is a great opportunity for your family to deepen your relationships with God and with one another.
#9 What will the community projects involve?
All life groups will be challenged to do a project together that shows the love of Jesus outwardly, enabling us to meet an area of need in your relevant community. Some suggestions will also be provided during the campaign. Also it does not mean that it has to be completed within the 40 days time frame. This one initiative alone could provide a major turning point in the spiritual depth and vitality of our people.
#10 What will happen after the campaign is over?
As a church we will continue to build on the experience of the 40 Days of Community campaign. We will do a series through the book of Proverbs to gain godly wisdom on how to build our relationships with one another and then lead into a missional focus towards the end of the year.
New life groups will be encouraged to continue their relationships within that community, and they will be provided focused training and support during this period.
Do you have more questions regarding this campaign?
Contact Pastor Kenny Koay at kenny.koay@claytonchurch.org.au