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Pursuing God’s Call on Your Life
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)
1. Opening Prayer
2. Scripture Reading
Read aloud the Bible passage at the top of this page (1 Peter 2:9-10).
3. Group Discussion
(1) What four reasons does Paul give in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 for “sticking with the Scriptures”? (See Taking God at His Word, chapter eight). In what ways do you find the reasons to be helpful?
(2) What struck you about Don Whitney’s talk (transcribed in Broadcast Talks) on “Praying the Bible”? Have you tried praying the Bible in the manner he describes?
(3) Considering Jerram Barrs’ article, “Work: A Holy Calling,” what is the basis for his statement: “Whatever job you do, it is a holy calling”? What are the implications for how you live the portion of your life in the workplace? How might the principles he discusses be relevant to someone who is retired?
(4) What insights did you gain from the Bible Study of Romans 1:6-7, 8:28, 8:30; 1 Peter 2:9-10?
4. Prayer Requests
5. Closing Prayer
Homework
1. Reflect
Within a day or two after the meeting, prayerfully reflect on the meeting and its content.
2. Prepare for Next Meeting
Coming Next: Theme 8: Pursuing God’s Call on Your Life—Meeting B
(1) Read Habits of Grace, by David Mathis, pp. 197-223 (chapters 19-21: CODA: The Commission; The Dollar; The Clock; Epilogue: Communing with Christ on a Crazy Day) (~26 pages)
(2) Read article, “The Importance of Vocation,” by Mark Talbot, found on CSLI website (from Knowing & Doing, Summer 2018, ~10 pages)
(3) Read article, “The Importance of Calling,” by Mark Talbot, found on CSLI website (from Knowing & Doing, Fall 2018, ~5 pages)
(4) Read Reflections, “Our Vocation Encompasses All of Life” (1 page)
(5) Watch Teaching Video, Pursuing God’s Call on Your Life, with Steve King, Senior Pastor Emeritus of Cherrydale Baptist Church in Virginia.
As you watch the video, consider: What are Pastor King’s primary points? What support does he provide for each of these points? Which one (or ones) do you find most relevant to your life at this time? What from the video might you like to share with family members and friends? What about the video might you like to discuss in the next small group meeting?
(6) Complete Bible Study, 1 Corinthians 7:17-24; Nehemiah chapters 1-2 (see 2:12).
a. Read. Carefully read these passages. As you do so, consider: What does the text say? What was the original intent? What do the passages mean? How do the passages apply to my life, and the lives of others, today?
b. Reflect. What is the difference between “general calling” and “particular calling”? How did Nehemiah find the unique calling (burden of concern) for his life?
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