Christian Thought Student Fellowship Calling and Vocation Pt

Christian Thought Student Fellowship “Calling and Vocation” Pt. 1

Questions and Challenges ¢ What does it mean to be “called”? ¢ How do we discern and follow a calling? l l ¢ Relates to who we are as much as what we do Discerned through grid of multiple factors Risks and hazards along the way

What is a “Call”? General calling ¢ Specific calling ¢ To a specific task, place, role? l Irreversible? l Relationship to other factors (gifts, gender, background, etc. ) l Role of our motives l

Discerning a Calling Paradigms Recognizing that Scripture has a diverse range of examples and no explicit formula for answering the question. . . ¢ ¢ ¢ The “dot” or “bullseye” approach The wisdom approach The narrative approach

Factors to Consider ¢ Life-stage and faith development ¢ Role of mistakes in growth ¢ Active v. passive responsibilities

Summary Observations ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ God may guide us in a variety of ways. Our discernment and conviction must never be treated as on par with Scripture. God’s call does not guarantee the outcome. God expects us to learn and grow. Discerning God’s call is a creative process. God’s call is often a wild, unsafe, unpredicatable journey Discerning God’s call should not be a paralyzing, fear-inducing process. This whole discussion must be kept in perspective.

Let’s Talk ¢ ¢ Where has your own journey reflected any of these tensions? How has your thinking, processing, and responding to God’s call changed? What fresh issues, perspectives, or possibilities have been raised for you? How does our view of God’s call reflect or affect our view of God?