This week we will consider the meaning of calling and vocation in the context of these passages and in the contemporary church community. (Note that we will meet at Wesley at 7:00 pm and then walk to Mandarin Wok on Green Street.)
Text: Mark 8.34-35
"Then he called the people to him, as well as his disciples, and said to them, 'Anyone who wants to be a follower of mine must renounce self; he must take up his cross and follow me.'"
Text: Mark 10.17-22
"As he was starting out on a journey, a stranger ran up, and kneeling before him, asked 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: "Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not give false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother."' 'But Teacher, he replied, 'I have kept all these things since I was a boy.' As Jesus looked at him, his heart warmed to him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.' At these words his face fell and he went away with a heavy heart; for he was a man of great wealth."
The usual Discussion Questions:
- What 'grabbed' you? What did you notice?
- Is there a question you would like to put to any character in the story?
- Did you have a 'feeling' reaction at any point in the story?
- What did the passage say to you?
- What do you think the passage says to us?
- Summarize the passage in one sentence.
And the questions left over from last week's conversation:
- If we get them to the table, what will be the menu?
- What will be the cost of the meal?
1 comment:
After we discussed our callings last night, I realized that the reason I felt so dissatisfied and selfish about my "calling" is that I was equating it with my career, my professional life. I was defining myself as MD/PhD student first, Christian second. I have always struggled with the balance between my Christian calling to do overtly Kingdom work and my desire to do the intellectual things that make me happy. In fact, to preserve the facade of wanting to become I doctor, in 8th or 9th grade I actually outright lied to my pastor about ever having considered entering the ministry. Then, shortly before I attended a United Methodist weekend conference for college kids interested about ministry, I had a dream (involving the same pastor) that I interpreted to mean I should not in fact go the seminary route. Ever since my Confirmation I have been an active lay person, and I think/hope that is how God is calling me. I still wonder, though, if I'm going to be a third-career minister? (Medicine and history are already two!) :-P
Post a Comment