This Spring, we will be exploring the idea of calling.

Calling is a word that is often said in the church, but frequently left undefined. Understanding it clearly is crucial to live faithfully and fruitfully as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Scripture presents calling not as a rare spiritual experience reserved for religious specialists, but as a consistent way God relates to his people. From Genesis to Revelation, God calls ordinary men and women out of familiar patterns of life and into participation in his redemptive work. Calling is not primarily about discovering a role; it is about responding to God’s initiative with faith and obedience. It features a consistent pattern: God’s action initiates calling, we respond with hesitation, and then God responds back with his presence. This calling then unfolds over time through obedience, suffering, and refinement.

This Spring, we will explore calling by studying the life of Moses found in the first part of Exodus, so that you may understand God’s call on your life in the fullest sense. Each week, we will read, journal, and discuss one short passage from Exodus, allowing you to study and reflect on God’s calling on his life. Journals will be available to purchase for the semester for $10.

This journal will feature a method of reading the Bible that we will be adopting at Christ Methodist that was first developed by David Platt: the MAPS method. This method features the ability to Meditate/Memorize, Apply, Pray, and Share as you read the day’s passage. To learn more, visit the link below for a quick overview, or purchase David Platt’s book, How to Read the Bible, for greater depth. (This book will not be used on Wednesday nights, but it provides additional context for the method we will be using.)