Week 3: Exploring Your Gifts
Gifts Survey
This week we focused on the gifts, both spiritual and concrete, that God has placed in our lives. We learned about Bezalel and Oholiab, the craftsmen God chose to construct the tabernacle, the holy place where the Israelites could worship and encounter God on their journey to the Promised Land. Just like God gave these men special gifts to use in service to God and others, we also have abilities that we're meant to use in the same way.
Below is a survey that I want you to take this week. Answer honestly! At the end, it will give you some results about spiritual gifts you possess based on your answers. Write down, print out, or screen shot your top 3 gifts and bring them on Sunday to youth. Also, spend some time this week thinking and praying about more concrete gifts you possess. Make a list of 3 concrete things you're good at or enjoy doing (artistic abilities, athletics, craftsmanship, etc.) and bring those with you on Sunday too.
Follow this link to take the survey on your spiritual gifts:
http://survey.adultbiblestudies.com/spiritualgifts
Pray about it:
Heavenly Father, you are the ultimate craftsman. You created the world and everything in it, including me. Help me to discover the gifts you created in me, and help me to find ways to use my gifts to serve you and others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Below is a survey that I want you to take this week. Answer honestly! At the end, it will give you some results about spiritual gifts you possess based on your answers. Write down, print out, or screen shot your top 3 gifts and bring them on Sunday to youth. Also, spend some time this week thinking and praying about more concrete gifts you possess. Make a list of 3 concrete things you're good at or enjoy doing (artistic abilities, athletics, craftsmanship, etc.) and bring those with you on Sunday too.
Follow this link to take the survey on your spiritual gifts:
http://survey.adultbiblestudies.com/spiritualgifts
Pray about it:
Heavenly Father, you are the ultimate craftsman. You created the world and everything in it, including me. Help me to discover the gifts you created in me, and help me to find ways to use my gifts to serve you and others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Week 2: Tuning in to God's Voice
Day One
We started out this week with the analogy of listening to the radio in the car and having the music overtaken by static as you get farther away from the station you're listening to. We said that this sometimes happens in our relationships with God too - things are going great and we're feeling close to God, but then some kind of static gets in the way and we start to move farther away from God.
It makes sense that the farther you are from someone, the harder it becomes to hear their voice. If I'm standing right next to you, you can easily hear everything I'm saying; however, if I'm standing across a football field from you, you'd really have to strain to hear my voice. Then, imagine the marching band starts playing on the field - that kind of interference makes it impossible for you to hear me!
The same is true for God. He is always faithful, always present in our lives, always reaching out and wanting us to draw closer to him. But we sometimes get distracted by other things and other people, and when that happens it becomes more and more difficult to hear God's call in our lives.
Think about it:
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
It makes sense that the farther you are from someone, the harder it becomes to hear their voice. If I'm standing right next to you, you can easily hear everything I'm saying; however, if I'm standing across a football field from you, you'd really have to strain to hear my voice. Then, imagine the marching band starts playing on the field - that kind of interference makes it impossible for you to hear me!
The same is true for God. He is always faithful, always present in our lives, always reaching out and wanting us to draw closer to him. But we sometimes get distracted by other things and other people, and when that happens it becomes more and more difficult to hear God's call in our lives.
Think about it:
- What are some sources of static in your life? What things in your life cause you to get distracted from God?
- Think of a time when you felt really close to God. Now think of a time when you felt very distant from God. What was different in your life during those times? Looking back, can you see something that was drawing you closer to God or distracting you?
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day Two
One of the Bible passages we focused on this week was Romans 12:2:
"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
According to this verse, in order for us to discern or understand God's purpose for us, we have to turn our focus away from the world and all the things going on around us, and focus instead on our identity in Christ. Sometimes we don't even realize what a huge impact our society and the world around us are having on our lives. An easy way to test this is to hold our lives up to the image of Jesus - Are our lives reflecting his message? If the answer is no, or if we aren't sure, we're probably too closely conformed to this world and need to refocus our attention on him.
The purpose of refocusing our attention on God is simple: The more we focus on God and surround ourselves with reminders of his voice, the easier it is to recognize God's call when it comes. Oprah Winfrey once said, "What we dwell on is who we become." By dwelling on God, we become more like him, and in the process we are able to understand and fulfill his purpose for our lives.
Think about it:
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
According to this verse, in order for us to discern or understand God's purpose for us, we have to turn our focus away from the world and all the things going on around us, and focus instead on our identity in Christ. Sometimes we don't even realize what a huge impact our society and the world around us are having on our lives. An easy way to test this is to hold our lives up to the image of Jesus - Are our lives reflecting his message? If the answer is no, or if we aren't sure, we're probably too closely conformed to this world and need to refocus our attention on him.
The purpose of refocusing our attention on God is simple: The more we focus on God and surround ourselves with reminders of his voice, the easier it is to recognize God's call when it comes. Oprah Winfrey once said, "What we dwell on is who we become." By dwelling on God, we become more like him, and in the process we are able to understand and fulfill his purpose for our lives.
Think about it:
- Reflect on your life. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how conformed are you to the pattern of this world?
- We're all impacted by our society and the world around us. What influences in your life are causing you to be more aligned with the world's ways? What influences are helping you to be more aligned with God's ways?
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day Three
The call story of Samuel was our scripture focus for this week. Initially, Samuel was unable to understand the call of God - he heard God's voice but did not recognize it as being from God. Through the help of Eli, an elderly priest, Samuel was able to understand and fulfill God's purpose for his life. Read the story of Samuel again, and think about its meaning for your own life.
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.”
15 Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” 17 Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”
19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.
Think about it:
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.”
15 Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” 17 Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”
19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.
Think about it:
- Why do you think it was so difficult for Samuel to understand God's voice at first?
- What stood in Samuel's way of recognizing God's call?
- What stands in your way of hearing and understanding God's call for you?
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day Four
In Samuel's story, one of the most important influences in his life was the priest Eli. Eli was the one who trained Samuel in serving the Lord, and he's the one who helped Samuel understand and respond to God's call for his life.
We all have people in our life who are able to clarify things for us, people who can encourage us when we're on the right path and hold us accountable when we get off-track. Maybe your parents or other family members who fill this role for you, or it could be a friend or someone at church. If you don't have someone in your life who you feel like helps to clarify God's voice for you, think about developing an accountability partner, maybe with another youth or an adult you trust.
As we grow and mature in our relationship with God, we also have opportunities to fill this role for someone else. God can use us to help other people understand his call for their lives. It's important to think about our influence on the lives of others around us, just as it's important for us to consider the influence others have on us.
Think about it:
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We all have people in our life who are able to clarify things for us, people who can encourage us when we're on the right path and hold us accountable when we get off-track. Maybe your parents or other family members who fill this role for you, or it could be a friend or someone at church. If you don't have someone in your life who you feel like helps to clarify God's voice for you, think about developing an accountability partner, maybe with another youth or an adult you trust.
As we grow and mature in our relationship with God, we also have opportunities to fill this role for someone else. God can use us to help other people understand his call for their lives. It's important to think about our influence on the lives of others around us, just as it's important for us to consider the influence others have on us.
Think about it:
- Wh0 in your life do you trust to help keep you on track with God?
- Do you feel like you serve that role in anyone else's life? How can you help those people stay focused on God?
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day Five
Earlier this week you identified some sources of static in your life, things that sometimes interfere in your relationship with God and keep you from hearing his voice. Go back and review that list (or review them in your mind if you didn't write them down).
The first step to refocusing our lives on God is recognizing that our focus is elsewhere in the first place. Now that you see some areas in your life that are causing some interference, it's time to make a plan for how you can reduce the static and tune in more closely to God.
Below are some suggestions for steps you might want to include in your plan, but you might have other things to add too. Make a commitment to try at least 3 things over the next 3 weeks of our study to refocus your life on God and see what kind of difference it makes at the end!
Suggestions to Try:
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The first step to refocusing our lives on God is recognizing that our focus is elsewhere in the first place. Now that you see some areas in your life that are causing some interference, it's time to make a plan for how you can reduce the static and tune in more closely to God.
Below are some suggestions for steps you might want to include in your plan, but you might have other things to add too. Make a commitment to try at least 3 things over the next 3 weeks of our study to refocus your life on God and see what kind of difference it makes at the end!
Suggestions to Try:
- Start a scripture reading plan and read God's word every day.
- Read a devotion every day.
- Develop an accountability partner who can pray for you, help you discern God's call, and hold you accountable.
- Find an alternative to whatever activities are distracting you from focusing on God. For example, if you are distracted by video games set a time schedule for yourself so that you have some time for playing games and other time set aside for God.
Pray about it:
Almighty God, I know that you want to be in a relationship with me. Your love is strong and consistent, but I am easily distracted. Help me to overcome the many distractions in my life and be focused on you, so that I can understand your purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Week 1: General vs. Specific Call
Day One
This week we started with the idea that God has a call, a purpose, a vocation for each of us.
We read some Bible verses that back up this idea:
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We read some Bible verses that back up this idea:
- Psalm 139:13-14 – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
- Romans 12:6-8 – “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.”
- Which of these Bible passage stands out to you?
- What do you think God is telling you in this passage?
- Do you believe that God has a purpose for your life?
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day Two
We also talked about the difference between a General Call and a Specific Call. We said that our General Call as those created by God is to: 1) give glory to God by reflecting his image to the world, and 2) to spread God's love and God's story to those around us.
This General Call is reflected in Jesus' command to his disciples before his ascension to heaven: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Think about it:
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This General Call is reflected in Jesus' command to his disciples before his ascension to heaven: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Think about it:
- What does it mean to "make disciples"?
- Do you think this command applies to you as well?
- How can you follow Jesus' command in your life?
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day Three
We all have the General Call to give glory to God and share his love with others. But we each also have Specific Calls, which are the unique ways in which we go about doing that in our lives.
The Romans passage we read earlier this week helps us understand this: “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness" (Romans 12:6-8).
According to Paul's message here, we're each given special gifts by God - gifts that we're meant to use in serving God and serving others. If you have the gift of teaching, you're meant to use that gift to bring glory to God. If you have the gift of encouragement, you can use that gift to lift others up. No matter what gifts you have - and we ALL have gifts - you were given that gift with a purpose: to serve God and others.
Think about it:
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The Romans passage we read earlier this week helps us understand this: “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness" (Romans 12:6-8).
According to Paul's message here, we're each given special gifts by God - gifts that we're meant to use in serving God and serving others. If you have the gift of teaching, you're meant to use that gift to bring glory to God. If you have the gift of encouragement, you can use that gift to lift others up. No matter what gifts you have - and we ALL have gifts - you were given that gift with a purpose: to serve God and others.
Think about it:
- List 3 strong gifts you feel like God has given you.
- Brainstorm at least 1 way you could use each of those gifts to serve God and serve other people.
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day Four
At the end of Sunday's lesson, we said that discovering our call from God is not a one-time thing, and it's not always something that happens quickly. This is a journey, and it's one that lasts our whole lives.
We're really used to getting things the minute (or usually the second) we want them. If I want to know the score to a game, I check the ESPN app on my phone. If I want to get in touch with someone, I text them or call them right away. We're really not good at waiting. But God says that patience is a virtue, something that reflects his goodness and character.
Maybe that's why God doesn't give us all the answers right away. Instead, he encourages us to develop a relationship with him that will last our whole lives, and he reveals a little bit at a time to keep us pointed in the right direction.
It can be frustrating to want answers and have to be patient and wait for God to reveal our purpose to us, but I think what God wants to teach us is that the journey is just as important as the destination. The lessons we learn, the people we meet, and the relationship we develop with God along the way prepare us for the purpose God has in mind for us. Don't get discouraged - God is preparing you for something great right now!
Think about it:
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We're really used to getting things the minute (or usually the second) we want them. If I want to know the score to a game, I check the ESPN app on my phone. If I want to get in touch with someone, I text them or call them right away. We're really not good at waiting. But God says that patience is a virtue, something that reflects his goodness and character.
Maybe that's why God doesn't give us all the answers right away. Instead, he encourages us to develop a relationship with him that will last our whole lives, and he reveals a little bit at a time to keep us pointed in the right direction.
It can be frustrating to want answers and have to be patient and wait for God to reveal our purpose to us, but I think what God wants to teach us is that the journey is just as important as the destination. The lessons we learn, the people we meet, and the relationship we develop with God along the way prepare us for the purpose God has in mind for us. Don't get discouraged - God is preparing you for something great right now!
Think about it:
- Do you often feel discouraged that you don't have all the answers about God's purpose for your life right now?
- How does the idea that the journey is as important as the destination impact your view of discerning God's call?
- Can you think of a time when you learned a really important lesson from an experience that wasn't very pleasant at the time?
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day Five
One of my favorite quotes of all time is from Frederick Buechner. It says, "Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need."
We learned earlier this week from the scriptures we read that God's purpose is for GOOD. God cares about what makes us glad, what brings us joy, and what we care deeply about. All those things, along with our gifts, are incorporated into our specific call.
Think about it:
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We learned earlier this week from the scriptures we read that God's purpose is for GOOD. God cares about what makes us glad, what brings us joy, and what we care deeply about. All those things, along with our gifts, are incorporated into our specific call.
Think about it:
- What brings you joy? Name at least 3 things that you would characterize as bringing you "deep gladness".
- List 3 things you care deeply about. These could be issues, people, parts of nature, subjects you study, etc.
- Choose at least 1 thing from each list and think of a way that you could use that to serve God and/or help others.
Pray about it:
Dear God, I trust that you know more than I do, and I believe that you have a purpose for my life and for the world that is bigger than I understand right now. Help me to live in a way that brings glory and honor to you, and help my life to point other people toward your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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