1. Pr. Dave introduced the following verses of Scripture, corresponding to the three main points of his sermon. Each describes something important about what it means to be called by God.

a) We are called to become like Jesus: 1 Cor 1:2, Rom 1:7, 1 Thess 4:7, Gal 5:13

b) It's a call to belong: Rom 1:6, 1 John 3:1a

c) We're called to serve: Eph 4:1

2a. How do you see these three elements coming together in our spiritual lives?

2b. Are all three important?

2c. How does each one relate to the others?

3. Which is your weakest area, in terms of how you've responded so far to God's call on your life?

4. Dave mentioned that in Jewish and other Middle Eastern cultures, the meaning of names is important. We see that in the following verses of Scripture: Gen 17:5, John 1:42, and Acts 4:36.

a) What do you think about this? What relevance does this have for us today?

b) Do you know what your name means?

c) Have you ever changed your name? Have you ever thought of changing your name? Why?

5. Dave mentioned that our call to belong does not depend on us getting “cleaned up” first. We're called to belong, exactly as we are, warts and all. Has that been your experience? Have you felt comfortable being yourself at church (as a work in process)? Or have you felt pressure to “fit in” by pretending you're someone you're not?

6. What do you think about Dave's statement that we're all called to serve? He mentioned that we've somehow picked up this silly idea that pastors and missionaries are the only ones God who have received a calling from God. What does it mean to you, that God has called you to become, belong, and serve?

7. What was your reaction to the stay-at-home mom's job description? Did this help you to see motherhood (and fatherhood) in a different light?

In the response to the question, “What do you do?” the stay at home mom replied: “I am socializing two homo sapiens into the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition so that they can be equipped to becomes agents for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia that God had in mind from the beginning of time.”

That woman really gets her God-given calling.