Lesson 2: Discipleship 103 (What Is A Call and How Am I Called?)
And this is the way to have eternal life - to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. (John 17:3 NLT).
"What Is A Call?"
I. A Call to Relationship
Throughout the Bible, God is pursuing a love relationship with His children. In every generation, God is calling for His people to return to a love relationship with Him. The Bible is the story of God's redemptive love providing everyone who will believe Him a way back to His love. God provided salvation through His Son so that His eternal purpose of love could be restored.
II. A Call to Mission
The call to salvation is also a call to be on mission with God to reach the lost in the world. The moment any person is brought into a relationship with God, they experience the heart of God, the mind of God, and the eternal purposes of God. As God transforms us, He lays His heart over ours and we begin to share His burdens-that "He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." (2 Peter 3:9 NLT).
Focus/Challenge
Jesus describes "life in Him" vividly in John 15. Read John 15: 1-11. Often we have heard these words of Jesus in John 15 but we don't make the connection to our daily life. Take time to be honest with God and describe your "life in Christ" or your relationship with Christ. Ask yourself these questions: (jot the answers down on a seperate sheet of paper)
- Do you enjoy spending time simply talking with your Lord or do you only pray before going to bed out of habit?
- Do you consider Him and His ways with all of the decisions you make or do you make decisions first and hope it was the right decision?
- Are you regularly resting in His peace or are you anxious about your circumstances?
III. God Initiates the Call
When God chose us He also designed our lives to bear fruit. This fruit includes our character as well as our service to God in His work. With the strong emphasis that Jesus placed on Christians bearing fruit, it is important to look and see what your life is yielding. This call of God will always involve some kind of major adjustment in your life to be the person God can use to accomplish His purposes.
Focus/Challenge
- God chooses us so that our lives will bear fruit. What is your definition of "bearing fruit" in the Christian's life? (Review Galatians 5:22-23).
- There are other kinds of "fruit that our lives should be producing along with those listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Read the following Scriptures and write down what they say about "fruit" in the Christian's life:
- Colossians 1:10-12
- Philippians 1:11
- James 3:17-18
- Romans 7:4-6
IV. A Call to Obedience
God's call requires only one response from every believer - obedience! Once you, as a child of God, recognize the activity of God in your life, you must immediately, without resistance or discussion, respond obediently to all God is directing. Only then will you experience God's working mightily through your life. Our obedience is an essential key to our relationship with Him.
Focus/Challenge
- Look at the following Scriptures and write down how God views our obedience or disobedience to Him:
- John 14:15-24
- I Peter 1:13-16
- Romans 6:16-18
- I Samuel 15:22
"How Am I Called?"
Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. (John 12:26 NLT).
I. Awareness of God's Call
At the moment when you sense God is calling you, you can never be the same again! You will have to make a conscience decision to say, "Yes Lord!" But also know that you may ten to say no. You cannot say "No, Lord!" for at that moment He is no longer Lord of your life. If Jesus is Lord of your life, you should always strive to say "Yes Lord!"
When a person first becomes a Christian, they are a "baby " Christian, and they must grow and learn to use their newly given "spiritual senses." The context for this growth, as designed and provided by God, is the local church. In the local church we learn about our new life in Christ and are given the opportunities to learn to walk, talk, share, and gain experiences. New believers must first receive the "milk of the word" (I Peter 2:2). As they grow, they are carefully taken from milk to meat. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
II. Spiritual Senses Developed
Every believer must be helped to develop the spiritual senses given to them by God. It is crucial to their development and their later usefulness to God. Each child of God must learn to hear and recognize the voice of God, and obey Him.
Our spiritual senses help us to hear His voice and follow Him; to see His activity and join Him; and to have hearts that understand and obey Him. Just as a little child learns to function in our world a little at a time, if we are faithful in a little, He will give us more (Luke 16:10). Jesus said that when we hear and then obey, we are like a man building his house on a rock - nothing can shake it or destroy it (Luke 6:46-49).
III. Accountability to God
Jesus had clearly indicated to His disciples that there would be time of accountability with God (see Matthew 25). It is a serious time before God. He will reward everyone according to his faithful obedience to the Master. Some will hear his Lord say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!" (Matthew 25:23 NLT).
IV. You Must Obey Him
We must have a mindset to obey God immediately. The Holy Spirit, your enabler, will assist you in hearing, knowing, and living out the call of God. He will do this throughout your life.
Focus/Challenge
- Read the following Scriptures and describe how the Holy Spirit will help you to follow God's call on your life.
- John 14:26
- Romans 5:3-5
- Romans 8:26
- 1 Corinthians 2:10
Now praise God for His grace and mercy and thank Him for placing a call on your life. Pray this prayer:
"Heavenly Father, I am so gracious for your mercy and for calling me into Your kingdom. I sense Your calling on my life and I have made a decision to say 'Yes Lord, here I am, use me for Your Glory,' I long to hear you say 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.' Enable me Holy Spirit in hearing, knowing, and living out my call. In the mighty, matchless name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, Amen"
This concludes Lesson 2. We pray that you have been blessed and understand your call and how God wants to be in a relationship with you, Hallelujah!
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