RECALLING A HISTORY OF GOD’S CALL

Posted on August 1, 2018 | Leave a comment | Edit

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

Because we are people of the Book, it is good to call on Scripture as we examine God’s call. Because we are human, it is fun if we can have a little friendly competition in the process.

Whether it is at a presbytery meeting or at a clergy retreat, divide your group into at least four (depending on size possibly more) groups. Number your groups, or even more fun, have your group convene and choose a name for their group. Set up a very visible score sheet with each group defined. If the group is large, an overhead projector on a large screen and a scorekeeper with a marker will serve well.

PLAYING THE GAME

The leader will point to the first group and ask them a biblical question about God’s call. If they can answer it, they will score a point. If not, the question will move from group to group until someone provides an answer and thus their group scores a point. Once the point has been scored, the process begins again but with the second group being asked the question.

I have proposed ten questions below for the first phase of the game. This is perhaps the easier phase and is designed for people to relax and enjoy the game. It also refreshes people’s memories to biblical events and reminds them that even as we enjoy the process, we are listening for God’s word.

QUESTIONS FOR THE GAME

The leader asks the first group if they can identify a biblical story about someone responding to God’s call by expressing a lack of confidence in their ability to do what God asks. (In many cases there will be more than one correct answer. You might even offer bonus points if the group can give more than one correct answer.)

1. lacked confidence.

____________________

Ask the second group for a biblical example of someone called by God that the world would consider a failure.

1. The world would consider a failure.

____________________

Group 3 is to name an example where the obedience to the call was not rewarded economically.

1. Was not rewarded economically in responding to the call.

____________________

Group 4: The one called was ridiculed or mocked, even by other people of faith.

1. Was ridiculed or mocked.

____________________

If there are four groups, then begin a second round. Adapt to fit your circumstances.

A biblical example where the person who was called was afraid.

1. Was afraid.

____________________

Biblical example where the person who was called had doubts.

1. Had doubts.

____________________

Biblical example where the person(s) trusted God to give them directions later.

1. Trusted God but didn’t know where they were going.

____________________

Biblical example where the person called lacked energy to continue.

1. Lacked the energy to continue.

_____________________

Biblical example of where the person called experienced deep depression.

1. Experienced depression.

____________________

Biblical example of where the person lacked the skills to do what God asked.

1. Lacked the skills to do what God asked.

_____________________

This is the first phase of the game. At this point, the score should be totaled and the winners should be asked to stay seated while the losing groups rise, face the winners, bow and say, “Hail O great Biblical scholars. We salute you.” Or some may add, “until the next time.”

AFTER REFRESHMENTS

Take a break for some refreshments.  Then have everyone return to their group designations.

If they have given themselves fun names, you might have each group have a spokesperson rise, declare their name, and some single statement about how they are going to participate in the next phase.

GOD’S CALL TODAY

An Exercise in Excuses

Explain that we are engaging in a fictional and imaginary exchange. We will move around the room beginning with quadrant one.  That group will have two minutes to formulate a reason that someone might offer for why they believe that they are no longer called by God to ministry in the church. Then they will have a spokesperson declare that reason to the entire room.

The other quadrants will have three minutes to formulate the best response that God might make to that excuse. Creative paraphrasing of the Scripture is encouraged. Each will share their conclusion, and the first quadrant will declare which response they think is the best. That winning quadrant will score a point.

The process will repeat itself with the second quadrant providing the excuse, and Quadrants 3,4,& 1 have 3 minutes to formulate their response. The initiating quadrant will declare the winner. The best response scores a point.

The process repeats itself with quadrant 3 initiating, etc. There will be two full rounds.

WINNERS GET A REWARD:

The quadrant scoring the most points will stay seated and the other three quadrants will rise, face them, bow, and declare “We celebrate (give the name of the group) and praise you for your wisdom.”

IT LOWERS THE ANXIETY TO RECALL THAT GOD’S BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.