Have you ever struggled with the question "what am I supposed to do with my life?" From pretty early on in our lives, we begin to ask that question, only to discover that it reappears in almost every stage of life. So, this week, Daniel is going to lead Elisa and Bill and Rasool in looking at a few stories of “calling” in the Bible and see how these stories might help us think through where we currently are, how God may be leading us in whatever season we’re in, and what the answer to that question—what am I supposed to do with my life?—might be for us right now. Hearing God's Call is the focus of this series of conversations on Discover the Word.

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If you've ever struggled with the question, "What am I supposed to do with my life?" be encouraged that you're not alone. Questioning what you're supposed to do with your life, no matter what stage you're in, is a common and valid question.

As we look at a few stories of “calling” in the Bible, let's see how these stories might help us think through where we currently are and how God may be leading us in whatever season we’re in.

We can take heart that regardless of where we are in life right now, God is calling us into an ever-deepening relationship with Him, where we're being transformed into the person that God has made us to be.

Reflect

• Why is Genesis 1–3 a good passage to begin with to discuss “calling” in the Bible?
• According to Esther 4, how much of Esther’s story, or calling, has to do with what she wanted versus having to respond to what happened to her?
• Based on Ruth 1:1–18, how does Ruth's story demonstrate how faithfulness in the everyday is part of God’s calling on all our lives, especially when we can’t see what may come?
• According to Amos 1:1 and Amos 7:10–15, how does Amos' story show us that God can call us out of our comfort zones and skill sets to do the work He has for us to do?
• What can Paul and Ananias in Acts 9:1–22 teach us about our primary calling in life?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You've called me to have a deeper relationship with You. Help me to follow You and serve You even if it seems ordinary and mundane, if it means stepping out of my comfort zone, or I feel unqualified."

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• 7 Bible Stories to Hear God's Calling (Reclaim Today)

Listen:

• Answer the Call
• God Hears Her Podcast: Your Everyday Purpose (Elisa, Eryn and Vivian)

Read:

• The Call to Discipleship: Embracing the Journey of Following Christ
• Discipleship and Obedience

Watch:

• Outside Your Comfort Zone | Acts 10
• A Call to Something New (Matthew 4:19-22)

Bill Crowder admits to being a Christmas junkie. It's easy to feel the joy of celebrating Jesus' birth. But it's the message of Easter, and Jesus' resurrection, that fueled the growth of the early church. Join the group as Bill leads Elisa and Daniel and Rasool in exploring how and why The Message of Good News is still the transformative truth that Jesus conquered sin and death, and has proven His power to deliver us from eternal destruction. Jesus' resurrection is at the center of The Message of Good News.

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The message of Jesus’ resurrection isn’t meant to be celebrated just on Easter Sunday. Every Sunday is Easter Sunday! Jesus’ resurrection is what fueled the growth of the early church. The message of good news is still the transformative truth that Jesus conquered sin and death and has proven His power to deliver us from eternal destruction.

As we reflect on Jesus’ resurrection, let’s remember that the message of good news is the centerpiece of God’s rescue plan for a broken world. And it’s central to our Christian walk.

As we ponder how the good news of Jesus’ resurrection was presented for the first time, let’s rejoice knowing the resurrection really is the hinge on which all of history turns.

Reflect

• How do the events recorded in Luke 24:1–12 still impact our Christian faith not just on Easter but today?
• According to Acts 1:1–3, how was Jesus preparing the Eleven during those 40 days? What was He preparing them for?
• What makes Peter’s first sermon on Pentecost that’s found in Acts 2:1–32 still so impactful?
• Why did Peter include Psalm 16:8 –11 in his sermon?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Thank You for raising Him from the dead on the third day! Help me to never take the message of good news for granted. Help me to keep Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection at the center of my life.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• God Hears Her Podcast: Understanding Easter
• Our Daily Bread Ministries Publishing

Listen:

• Cross Stations - Week 1
• Cross Stations - Week 2

Read:

• What Is the Easter Event?
• Hunting for Resurrection Hope

Watch:

• Alive and Reconciled | Ephesians 2:16
• The Empty Tomb - Matthew 28:6