Called - Week 2

Growing Together:

As we grow together, each week we will practice a discipline together that will help our walk with Jesus.  This week we are going to practice Lectio Divina together. Unlike analytical Bible study, which focuses on historical facts or theological arguments, Lectio Divina aims for personal transformation and communion with God. 

Instruction for Lectio Divina: A Simple Way to Pray Scripture

1. Be still
Sit down. Silence your phone. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak. One sentence is enough: “Lord, I am here.”

2. Read
Read the passage slowly out loud.
Read it a second time.
Notice a word or phrase that stays with you. Do not hunt for a sermon. Receive what is given.

3. Reflect
Sit with that word.
What is God showing you about himself?
What is he showing you about you?
Where does this touch your real life this week?

4. Pray
Talk to God about what you noticed. Thank him. Confess. Ask. Keep it plain.
5. Rest
Stop talking. Stay with God for a minute. You do not have to fix anything. Let the Word hold you.

6. Live
Carry one sentence into the week. If you are in a group, share that one sentence.

Verse for Lectio Divina this week: Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Questions:

1. Are there parts of your story, your testimony that you feel like God would like to use to encourage other people? How can our personal testimonies be a part of the purposes God has for us on earth?

2. How does the call of the disciples and the apostle Paul change the way you view your own call to Christ?                         

3. Have you ever thought about the work you do as being done for Christ? How would this change your approach to your daily life in work?

4. How does understanding your personality, gifting, etc. help guide how God may be using you for His purpose?

5. Sometimes it can feel difficult to sense God’s leading or see where God is moving. Do you ever feel discouraged when it is difficult to see God moving?

6. Of the Spiritual Disciplines (silence and solitude, prayer, fasting, reading/meditating on God’s word, worship) which of these do you find easy? Hard? What is one discipline you feel led to incorporate more of in this season of life?

Resources:

These Five Books are great resources for growth!

Renovation of the Heart — Dallas Willard

Celebration of Discipline — Richard Foster

Practicing the Way — John Mark Comer

Life of the Beloved — Henri Nouwen

The Practice of the Presence of God — Brother Lawrence

Assessments: These assessments help give insight into areas God has gifted you in for His purposes.

Spiritual Gifts Test:

https://giftstest.com/

CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) — Gallup’s assessment of natural talents and strengths.

gallup.com/cliftonstrengths (https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx)

Ian Morgan Cron’s Enneagram Assessment: Research-backed Enneagram report from the author of The Road Back to You.

ianmorgancron.com/assessment (https://ianmorgancron.com/pages/assessment)

(Main site: ianmorgancron.com (https://ianmorgancron.com/))

Working Genius — Patrick Lencioni’s assessment of the types of work that energize vs. drain you.

workinggenius.com (https://www.workinggenius.com/)

Jordan Peterson’s Personality Assessment (Understand Myself) — Big Five Aspects Scale with detailed reports on the five factors and ten aspects.

understandmyself.com (https://www.understandmyself.com/)