Called

Every person has a God initiated desire to have a lasting impact on this world. However, we are often held back by comparison, control, and fear. We forget that the calling that God puts on our lives is not something that we have to achieve, but we just need to be willing to abide in Him and trust that He will fulfill His purpose. Key verses: John 15:5,16, I Cor. 1:8-9, 26-29, 1 John 3:1, Ps 1:1-2 1. Alex said that his former definition of a calling was finding what you’re good at and working really hard to be really good at it, and then God judging if He can use it. Can you identify with that definition? Why is that a tempting way to define a calling? How does that tie back to our lack of trust in God? How does it take the focus off Him? 2. Do you believe that everyone is called to something? Are you? What do you think your calling is right now? Is there a calling you have been afraid to really trust God to guide you in? 3. How does the idea of the kingdom of Jesus vs. the kingdom of self affect your personal calling? How do Christians (you specifically) sometimes lean towards the kingdom of self with the calling on your life? 4. “The Lord must do a work in you before He can do a work through you.” What does that look like for the call on your life? 5. What does “much and lasting fruit” look like as it specifically relates to the call on your life? 6. What are some of the roots that are important to out down to follow God’s call on your life? 7. How has comparison crippled you in the past? Have you been able to overcome it or do you still struggle? What would be some practical steps to take to work through that? 8. How does comparison devalue what God has created? 9. How have you tried controlling the calling on your life? Why is it so tempting to be in control? 10. How does embracing our weakness help deal with fear? What are some weaknesses that cause you to have fear about your calling? 11. In your heart of hearts, do you really believe that God is more interested in our obedience than our performance? Has your life demonstrated that? 12. Have you allowed yourself to really abide in Him and trust His call for your life? What changes do you think you could or should make to leave a place of comparison, control, and fear and enter into abiding with Him?