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A.
JOINING THE RETREAT
B. REGISTRATION
C. SMALL GROUP FACILITATORS
D. SMALL GROUP HOSTS
E. WHAT NEXT AFTER THE RETREAT
Q1. Who can participate in the retreat?
Anyone! This retreat will have a powerful impact on both seekers and believers alike. The fundamental question of the retreat, "What on earth am I here for?" is relevant to all. Everyone wants to know what their purpose in life is! So you are very welcome to join us!
Q2. Why should I join a small group?
Small groups make the best settings for in-depth discussion and building friendships.
Q3. What happens if my care group has already studied the Purpose-Driven Life prior to the retreat?
Do continue
to participate in the retreat. The retreat can serve to reinforce what they
have learnt. More importantly, your group is in the best position to invite
their friends or relatives to join in your discussion. Your group can reach
out to the newcomers and add value to the discussion since they are familiar
with the material.
Q4. Can I invite someone along?
Of course! You will be given a 40 Days postcard and you can send it out to your friend, relative or neighbour. They can be seekers or believers. Make a difference in someone’s life!
Q5. I’m interested to join a Small Group. How can I go about doing it?
1. Fill
in the registration form which will available the Info Hub at the Church Fellowship
Deck on Sundays
2. Submit the form at the Info Hub or mail it to Bedok Methodist Church, 86
Bedok Rd, Singapore 469371.
3. OR register online at www.bmc.org.sg/40days
4. Buy The Purpose-Driven Life book by Rick Warren, if you do not have it,
at a discounted price of $8.
5. Wait for the Small Group coordinator to contact you regarding your group
details – where / when to meet etc.
6. Try your best to register early. That helps with the group allocation and
administration. Late registrations should reach us before 10 Apr (Sunday).
This
enables you to start the first small group study promptly during the week
from 10 – 17 April.
Q6. What criteria must I have in order to lead or facilitate a group discussion?
1.
Be a Christian.
2. Have a sound knowledge of the Scriptures.
3. Be able to facilitate a group.
4. Should have no current problems with habitual struggles or moral issues
(e.g. drugs, alcohol, infidelity etc.)
5. Should preferably have attended the 40 Days workshop for small group facilitators.
Q7. What happens if I am already facilitating a Care group?
1. You
can continue to lead your current Care group and challenge them to invite
more newcomers to join your CG for the study or be prepared to receive new
members allocated by the CGM committee.
2. OR You and your Assistant CG leader can work out a temporary arrangement.
You can leave your Care group to lead a Small Group during the retreat and
get your Assistant
CG leader to lead your current CG, or vice-versa.
Q8. What happens to the group after the retreat?
Help your group with their transition – for those who are staying on or leaving the group. Before the retreat ends, get them to complete the “What’s Next?” card which will help them decide where to move on next. At the end of the retreat, have a party to celebrate the time you’ve spent together! Assure each member of his or her importance and encourage the group to continue in biblical fellowship.
Q9. Can I get a friend to help me host?
Absolutely! We encourage you to pair up with another friend or another couple. Together you can pray for the people God will be bringing to your home. You can decide how you will share the role of Host. It is our hope that by teaming up with someone else, you can find a way to make this an exciting and challenging adventure for both of you.
Q10. How many people should I be expecting to accommodate?
We suggest inviting between 15-20 people. About half of those who say they will come may actually come. An optimum number of people to have in a small group is 8-10.
Q11. Who will be attending these meetings in my home?
Hosts will have several options. First, we will provide you with the names of people who sign up for a 40 Days of Purpose small group that live in your area.
Second, simply invite your relatives, neighbours and colleagues, people you already know. Perhaps you have a relationship with the people who live in nearby homes, or those at your workplace, and what better way than to invite them to a video series that will answer the question, “What on earth am I here for?”
Here’s the point – we are more interested in impacting men and women for eternity, whoever they are. Work hard to fill your home and you will be a significant part of this extraordinary retreat that will spiritually transform this community!
Q12. Will I be asked to continue Hosting this group after the retreat?
We are SO grateful for your gift of six weeks. When your commitment is over, each Host needs to personally decide what his or her role will be with the group. It is our hope that some Hosts will choose to continue with their new groups. If that’s not your plan, we hope you will help the group select a new leader and find a new place to meet.
Q13. What if I want to go back to my previous group?
You can return to your previous group. We thank you for honoring God by hosting a 40 Days of Purpose group. If you do return, it is important that anybody in your 40 Days group that wants to continue in a group has an opportunity to do so. The first thing to do is to invite people in your 40 Days group to join your previous group. If this is not possible, we can assist you with this situation if you complete the “What’s Next?” card.
Your
group will complete the “What’s Next?” card which will help
them decide where to move on next:
1. They can continue in the existing small group, if the group
decides to stay together.
2. They can join another care group that will suit their needs (allocated
by the CG Committee).
3. They can move on to join other groups in the Masterlife course, a highly-recommended
course which equips participants in the foundations of the Christian life.
4. They can become a member of BMC (To be a member, you need to have accepted
Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, be baptized and complete the membership
class).
5. They can serve in BMC ministries.