Oct 25-God's Calling

On Nov 1^st we’ll begin our study of Philippians. In preparation, you may read Acts 16.

Here’s what we talked about this week.

Philip and the Ethiopian, Acts 8:26-40. Philip’s call is unclear. Philip is just told to walk down the road, without a clear assignment. He comes across the Ethiopian, in need of an explanation of scripture.

Philip has to work out what his call is. How does he? How do we work out our calling?

- look for signs of God’s activity. God is a hands-on God. We only see the tip of the iceberg of what God is doing.

- Remember that God initiates the calling. We respond.

- Most of our ministry is an immediate response to an opportunity. We are not saying “let your circumstances dictate what you do,” but rather, “regardless of circumstances, be attentive to God’s call.”

- The boundary between the call “to be” and the call “to do” is fuzzy.

- Some callings are not easy, but God wants you to love doing your calling. Have fun! For example, the “Muffy the Cat” ministry or the Barefoot Water-skiing ministry.

- Prepare each day to serve God. Always be checking in with God, in position to receive the calling. Be listening.

Oct 18-God's Calling

This Sunday we’ll finish our series on “God’s Calling.” On Nov 1, we begin our series on Philippians. I invite you to prepare by reading Acts 16.

Here’s what we talked about this week.

The call of Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21). Elisha’s calling is to a life radically different from the one he has led. Elisha has radical obedience. A calling is sometimes this dramatically different than one’s current life. But usually not.

What is Elijah’s role in Elisha’s call?

1. Proactive. Elijah doesn’t just sit there. In a healthy faith community some are asking others about their call.

2. External affirmation to the internal witness. Elisha probably was thinking about this call before Elijah comes. The external affirmation is that Elijah put the cloak on Elisha. In a faith community today, someone considering a call (internal witness) should be able to get confirmation from the Body of Christ (external affirmation).

3. Willingness to nurture. Elijah commits to be a mentor to Elisha. In a healthy faith community, some are mentors.

Questions we discussed:

Where are our Elijahs? Our Elishas?

How do we discern what’s from God?

How can we be an Elijah?

Oct 11- God's Calling

Next week we’ll look at Elisha and his calling.

Recommended (but not required) reading: 1 Kings 19:19-21.

You are invited to continue to wrestle with The Big Questions:

How do I discern what my calling is?

Is there something God is calling me to? What is my unique role in God’s kingdom?

Here’s what we talked about this week.

“Don’t despise small beginnings. If you are faithful in little, God will know you can be faithful in much.”

After a dramatic reading from Judges 6 (Oscars to be handed out later), we looked at Gideon’s response to God’s call.

- he doubts that it is God calling him

- he doubts his own abilities

- he asks for a sign

- he asks for another sign

Gideon’s response was quite different from Mary’s response, which we discussed last week (Luke 1: 26-38).

Some of the questions we talked about:

Can you say “No” to a calling from God?

Why does God ask us to do anything at all?

Why did God ask Gideon to cut down the Asherah pole first before going after the Midianites?

Is a particular call a life calling or a seasonal calling?

Oct 4 - God's Calling

Next week we’ll look at:

What are possible responses to a call from God?

Can you turn down your calling?

Here’s what we talked about this week.

There are two kinds of calling. We are called

1) To Be

2) To Do

Every person redeemed by Christ is called to be a disciple, molded to the image of Christ.

Definition of “Calling” (the call To Do) – being appointed for a specific assignment; being held responsible to do it (God will hold you accountable).

Questions we discussed:

Is it possible to have a calling and be faithful to the calling but not realize it?

Why is understanding your calling significant?

What are we called to do?

Read Luke 1: 26-38. Does Mary have a calling?

Can work (in the business world) be a calling?

Question – can you choose your mission and the timing of fulfilling it?

The Big Question to think about throughout the month: How do I discern what my calling is?