Adult Programs on Calling
Vocation: How does God call us to live our faith? - Four Visual Poems
A Video Based Program
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Theologian Frederick Buechner is often quoted as saying, “Vocation is the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” In this set of four visual poems with accompanying lesson plans, a small group can explore how God calls all Christians to live their faith.
How beautiful will be the day when all the baptized understand that their work, their job, is a priestly work, that just as I celebrate Mass at this altar, so each carpenter celebrates Mass at his workbench, and each metalworker, each professional, each doctor with the scalpel, the market woman at her stand, is performing a priestly office! How many cabdrivers, I know, listen to this message there in their cabs; you are a priest at the wheel, my friend, if you work with honesty, consecrating that taxi of yours to God, bearing a message of peace and love to the passengers who ride in your cab. -- Oscar Romero, Nov. 20, 1977 Christian vocation is more than the work of pastors, priests and minsters. As Oscar Romero, the archbishop of El Salvador, explained, all Christians are called to a priestly work, to consecrate their taxicabs and office desks to God. This holistic understanding of Christian vocation envelops all members of the church: young and old, staffer and entrepreneur, unemployed and underemployed, student and retiree. It goes beyond our careers or economic status and reaches into every aspect of our lives: personal and family commitments, social and community commitments, explicit ministry commitments. But what does it look like to live our faith? In this series of four visual poems we will explore the ways four people live out their Christian vocation. Living Like They Believe Session Plans for Each Video: https://www.faithandleadership.com/vocation-how-does-god-call-us-live-our-faith. Programs (developed by Faith and Leadership, Duke Divinity School)
Approaches for Using Resource #2
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Vocation as WorshipIn “Vocation as Worship” Ella Russell, the creator and owner of E-dub-a-licious Treats, sees each task of her work in the bakery as an opportunity to honor God. As God provides Ella with the resources and opportunities to do good work, Ella returns to God thanksgiving and praise and leads a community of people to delight in what God is doing in her life. Ella compels us to reflect on how our daily lives become an act of worship.
Vocation as ServiceIn “Vocation as Service,” we meet entrepreneur and boot-maker Joshua Bingaman, who encourages us to reflect on how Christian vocation goes beyond service to the self and connects to the deep needs of the community. Joshua’s story of healing and transformation in community is creatively retold through his work as a boot-maker. Joshua challenges us to humbly serve others in all that we do.
Vocation as ObligationJillian “JJ” Simmons, in “Vocation as Obligation,” invites us to consider how Jesus’ love obligates us to live differently, reflecting Christ in the world. JJ’s faith in Jesus compels her to go about her work as a radio personality, nonprofit leader and mother with a drive to bring change in the world. Her grateful obligation inspires a renewed courage to follow the call God places in our lives.
Vocation as CommissionIn “Vocation as Commission,” sculptor Anthony Suber challenges us to get to the work of telling the story of God’s love in tangible ways, fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission. When we answer God’s call and begin to see the imperfect parts of ourselves and others with new eyes -- God’s eyes of love -- we are able to tell a different story about those imperfections. With God’s eyes of love, we are commissioned to live differently.
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The Call and Challenge of Following Jesus
An Two-Session Adult Faith Formation Program
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The Call to Discipleship program focuses on how Jesus invites us to follow him. We follow people who fascinate us or attract us because of who they are, what they stand for, and how they live.
(60-90 minutes) The Challenge of Following Jesus program focuses on the demands of discipleship and Jesus’ instructions for living the Christian life. (60-90 minutes) |
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Becoming Instruments of God
A One-Session Adult Faith Formation Program
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Living one’s calling means becoming an instrument of God in our relationships, our families, our workplace, our communities, and our world. Discover how to grow as an instrument of God.
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Bible Reading Plans on Calling
A Self-Directed Reading Plan
YouVersion Bible App: www.bible.com/app
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Bible Reading Plans on Calling
#1. What Does the Bible Say About Calling? (14 days)
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Approaches
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