"The Bible is composed of numerous stories of men and women and their relationships with the loving God who created them. To study the lives of these individuals is meaningful and uplifting. We can learn both what to do and what to be by looking at the positive attributes of hundreds of people who fill the pages of scripture. We can also gain vast knowledge and wisdom by observing and avoiding the tremendous failures and negative aspects of people mentioned in God's Word." Rick Warren, Personal Bible Study Methods, 1982

The great gift of Rick Warren's writings is they help to provide a practical way for many Christians to grow in faith and ministry. Most people understand that you need to maintain a balanced diet in order to remain healthy (whether we follow through or not!). Rick addresses the need for a balanced spiritual life.

"The Purpose Driven Life" is a useful guide for Christians (and congregations) seeking to maintain a healthy balance between outreach, worship, fellowship, discipleship, and service. Scripture repeatedly stresses the need for all five (Acts 2, John 17, Ephesians 4). Mature disciples seek meaningful ways to incorporate all these purposes.

During his early ministry at Saddleback church, Rick Warren led his leadership through a process to define their purpose. They concluded that two statements by Jesus summarized their church's purpose;

•  The Great Commandment
  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souls and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matt 22:37-40

•  The Great Commission
  "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28: 19-20

The mark of a good mission statement is one that members can easily remember and one that provides clarity for all actions of the church's ministry. From these two Bible passages Saddleback leaders developed the following mission statement;

This faith statement, Saddlebacks motto, summarizes all that the vision of their ministry together. If an activity or program fulfils one of these commands, they do it. If it doesn't, they don't. A community of believers can only do so much. Why not stick to the priorities? Saddleback commits itself to five purposes that are emphasized in those two passages from Matthew.

• PURPOSE 1: Worship: Love the Lord with all your heart.

• PURPOSE 2: Service: Love your neighbor as yourself.

• PURPOSE 3: Evangelism: Go and make disciples.

• PURPOSE 4: Fellowship: Baptizing them (into the community of God).

• PURPOSE 5: Discipleship: Teaching them to obey.
   

This Bible study looks at key people of the New Testament and the ways that these purposes transformed their lives. Enjoy the journey.