Welcome to

Groups:

- Share about a time when you’ve felt God call you / speak to you

- When and where do you feel most alive when reading the Bible?

3C: Vocation: how to help young people hear God’s call

All made in the image of God...yet all unique, different and special

•I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

•For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

•Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

Are we open to God speaking to our young people in their own unique way, or do we presume that God will speak to them in the way He speaks to us?

2 groups...3 examples...20 minutes...

-Samuel

- Saul

-Jesus

God will be with you wherever you go

For I know the plans I have for

you declares the Lord

Is that where we need to learn how to hear and discern God’s voice?

Abi Thomas...

I would say very briefly that I feel that very rarely or even never have I heard God's call in the physical sense of a voice or a feeling that I have to do something. For me normally I get God's confirmation rather than his call ... this means that based on what I know from my relationship with God (what I have learnt in the bible, from friends, and previous experience) I try to make a decision based on that. It is normally after a decision or a step that I get God's confirmation of what I've chosen - be that a friend's encouragement or just a feeling of peace having taken a decision. Sometimes God doesn't give us specific directions, he gave us free will for a reason - so I would say that it is important sometimes to take a step of faith and know that God is with you wherever you go ... His call on your life is to follow his example, and that could be in all manner of directions, but don't worry, he will never lose sight of you even if you take a wrong turning once in a while.

Rebecca Hallam...• God had been speaking to me about joining Pais for a while, but I didn't really

notice. The first time was simply receiving a leaflet but I didn't listen and went to sixth form instead. (Which went horribly wrong) When I got back on track with God and after going to college and getting a qualification I decided that I needed to pray about what to do next. I was all ready being mentored by a Pais worker which I believe was another part of God saying "maybe you could do this". but the BIG wake up call was when I was sat in a church service and this guy was talking about vision for his life and I said in my head "well God you haven't given me a vision for my life" and then God immediately showed me a vision of me in a Pais hoody talking to some girls. And I kinda all ready knew that was what he wanted me to do. So I applied that evening and then continued to pray and search the word. I got an interview. then got accepted! XD Another way God kinda checked that Pais was right was a few weeks later. I was at work and I got offered a full time Job with possible Managerial status. I refused and as soon as I did I got an email through telling me which team I was on!! which was my kinda confirmation. it wasn't quick or easy but it was worth it!!

Role play....Group 1You have a group of 7 young people who are predominately activists by nature. You’ve decided to spend a day in the Peak District during the summer holidays so you can allow the young people to start to dream and to try to hear God speak to them. What would your day look like? Group 2You run a mid-week youth group with 12-15 teenagers. You’ve got a good core of 5-6 young people who are keen and interested in Christianity, God and faith. The rest seem to be non-plussed – although they will ‘go with the flow’ and are probably taking more on board than you realise.What could you do in your youth group sessions to help your young people hear God’s call for their lives?

Be as creative as you can be in terms of the layout of the room and the style of the session.

At what stages are your young people on their faith journey with God? Circle the blobs which best represent them.

Pick one of those people you’ve circled who you would say has heard God’s call in some way, shape or form. (Or pick yourself)

-What’s their story? -How did they hear God? -What was the environment like? -Where did it happen?

How can you continue to encourage them to hear God’s voice in your youth work?