it is exactly in common searches and shared risks that new ideas are born, that new visions reveal themselves and that new roads become visible.
Nouwen: The Wounded Healer, p.104
Preperation for Vocation Session 2
To notice, share, and give thanks for God’s call in each Seeker’s spiritual journey so far, and to consider what Paul means by “work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope.”
Readings
- “Listening Hearts” introduction and chapter 1
- I Thessalonians 1:2-5b
- Micah 6:8
For all that has been — Thanks!
To all that shall be — Yes!
Hammarskjold: Markings, p.74
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
1. What is the story of your baptism? If you have no stories of your baptism, can you tell the story of a family member’s baptism?
2. Write a spiritual autobiography OR draw a map of your spiritual journey thus far.
3. Describe your “work of faith.”
4. Describe your “labor of love.”
5. Describe your “steadfastness of hope.” (What scripture passages, music, art, books, relationships, etc. have carried you through life?)
Following a Vocation Session Individual Reflections
You will use these notes in writing the final Discernment Reflection
1. What new learnings about yourself have surfaced in this session?
2. What new learnings about each other have surfaced in this session?
Preparation for Vocation Session II
To remember Biblical stories of calling; exploring each Seeker’s spiritual life of prayer and commitment.
Readings
- “Listening Hearts” chapter 2
- Luke 19:1-10
- Matthew 2:1-12
- John 11:38-44
- John 20:1-18
- Acts 1:15-26
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
1. In the Baptismal Covenant we promise to “continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.” What nourishes your faith on a regular basis? We also promise to “persevere in resisting evil.” How do you resist evil?
2. At times we will “fall into sin.” The etymology of “sin” is to “miss the mark” or to “sunder/separate.” Identify a moment in your life when your self- image or a relationship has been broken because of sin. We promise that when we sin we will “repent and return to the Lord.” What are your stories about repenting and returning to the Lord? What does that homecoming feel like?
3. In our baptismal covenant we promise to “proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.” Is it easiest to proclaim this Good News by word or example? Give examples of how you do both and explore why one is harder than the other.
4. In our baptismal covenant we promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.” Is it easier for you to love your neighbor or yourself?
Why? When and how have you experienced Christ in another person?
5. We also promise to “strive for justice and peace among all people” and to “respect the dignity of every human being.” How do you do this? Are there individuals or groups whom you know personally who experience the absence of justice and peace?
Following a Vocation Session Individual Reflections
You will use these notes in writing the final Discernment Reflection
1. What new learnings about yourself have surfaced in this session?
2. What new learnings about each other have surfaced in this session?
Preparation for Vocation Session III
To consider and identify the many varieties of Christian ministry.
READINGS
- “Listening Hearts” chapter 3
- I Corinthians 12:4-13
- I Peter 5:1-7
- Philippians 1:1-2
- Matthew 28:16-20
- I Corinthians 11:23-26
- James 5:13-16a
- Romans 10:14-17
‘It is a great mistake,’ wrote Archbishop William Temple, ‘to suppose that God is interested only, or even primarily, in religion.’
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
1. What makes an activity “ministry?” What is ministry? What makes a gift a gift? What about gifts we don’t want or which “dry up”? Make a list of the activities in your life that you identify as “ministry.” What makes them “ministry”?
2. What do you love to do, simply for its own sake? What are the activities in which you “lose” yourself? (When did you last spend time doing any of these activities?) What do others say that you do well? Make a list and make it as long as possible so that some of your less obvious gifts may emerge.
According to the Catechism, the ministry of lay persons is “to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.” BCP, p. 855
3. When you have experienced being reconciled and being a reconciler? Which gifts have been most useful in receiving and in witnessing to God’s reconciling love?
4. As you consider each other’s gifts, what vocational directions might they indicate? Don’t be afraid to “play” with this. Open your imagination to many possibilities.
Following a Vocation Session Individual Reflections
You will use these notes in writing the final Discernment Reflection
1. What new learnings about yourself have surfaced in this session?
2. What new learnings about each other have surfaced in this session?