7/7 Discipleship Being a Christian in our working lives Session 4

God’s calling to everyone We all have a vocation

Vocation ….. Vocation ……. Vocation …….

What does the Bible say? In groups, read and discuss the suggested passage(s). Be prepared to feedback briefly to the whole group.

Some questions to consider (and others may occur to you): How and why does God call people in the Bible? What is the significance of someone’s name (or the changing of a name) in the Bible? What can we learn from the Bible about God’s calling to us.. our vocation?

A story … The Hasidic rabbi, Zuscha, was asked on his deathbed what he thought the kingdom of God would be like. He replied, "I don't know. But one thing I do know. When I get there I am not going to be asked, 'Why weren't you Moses? Why weren't you David?' I am only going to be asked, 'Why weren't you Zuscha?”

The naming of cats by T S Eliot The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter, It isn't just one of your holiday games; You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES. First of all, there's the name that the family use daily, Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James, Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey-- All of them sensible everyday names. There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter, Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames: Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter-- But all of them sensible everyday names. But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular, A name that's peculiar, and more dignified, Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular, Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride? Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum, Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat, Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum- Names that never belong to more than one cat. But above and beyond there's still one name left over, And that is the name that you never will guess; The name that no human research can discover-- But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess. When you notice a cat in profound meditation, The reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name: His ineffable effable Effanineffable Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

Peter AugustusAlonzo Victor Jonathan George Bill Bailey Plato Admetus Electra Demeter

Peter AugustusAlonzo Victor Jonathan George Bill Bailey Plato Admetus Electra Demeter Munkustrap Quaxo Coricopat Bombalurina Jellylorum

Peter AugustusAlonzo Victor Jonathan George Bill Bailey Plato Admetus Electra Demeter Munkustrap Quaxo Coricopat Bombalurina Jellylorum ?

Finding your vocation Your true name before God

Working life Job Home activities Sport Voluntary work Church tasks Club or committee membership Family activities

Working life Job Home activities Sport Voluntary work Church tasks Club or committee membership Family activities Skills Qualifications Talents Gifts Aptitudes Experiences

Working life Job Home activities Sport Voluntary work Church tasks Club or committee membership Family activities Your unique name. The personal qualities that make you who you are. The image of God within you? Skills Qualifications Talents Gifts Aptitudes Experiences

Working life Job Home activities Sport Voluntary work Church tasks Club or committee membership Family activities Your unique name. The personal qualities that make you who you are. The image of God within you. Skills Qualifications Talents Gifts Aptitudes Experiences

Your Turn …………………….

Working life Job Home activities Sport Voluntary work Church tasks Club or committee membership Family activities Your unique name. The personal qualities that make you who you are. The image of God within you. Skills Qualifications Talents Gifts Aptitudes Experiences

Suggestions for the week It can be quite difficult, especially for adults, to get in touch with the ‘inner circle’ of who we are. Some questions for thinking about are given on the handout. You might like to use some or all of these in order to help you to get more deeply in touch with your ‘innermost circle’. You might like to write or draw your response to these questions in a journal. You will not be asked to share your specific responses to this exercise, unless you want to, although it would be good to know next week whether or not you found it useful.

Closing worship ….