Chapter 28

For many centuries very few people, if any at all, had the luxury and freedom to choose a vocation. They simply did what their fathers or mothers did, which is why many last names, passed down to this day, identify such work. The work of farming turned into Farmer, the work of milling into Miller, the work of fishing into Fisher. Vocational choice in life, such as it was, had less to do with the work itself, which had already been assigned to them, and more to do with their attitude about the work. Would they embrace it as their own? Would they do it well? Would they do it for God? The Reformers believed that work has inherent dignity. All people, no matter what they do, can serve God. Bakers and bankers can do the will of God in their professions, not simply monks and priests. There is no ultimate distinction between secular and sacred work. God is Lord of the entire world, not simply Lord of the church. Most every kind of work can be useful to God, though it’s never guaranteed. Our first “calling”—the true meaning of vocation—is to know, trust, and follow God. Only then can we understand what our other callings are—marriage, family, volunteer, church leadership, politics, various professions—and how we should conduct ourselves in them. “Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness,” Jesus taught. That is always our primary vocation. What do you learn in the following texts about knowing and living for God as our highest calling?

Psalm 90; Matthew 6:19-34; Romans 12; James 4:11-16

What do you learn about ordinary work from the following texts?

Exodus 31:1-12; Proverbs 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

But God also calls us into the world. He has work for us to do. Reflect on the circumstances of your life. Are you single or married? Do you have a family? Who are your friends? What are your interests? What is your neighborhood like? Where do you work and what do you do? What would it mean for you to be “called” by God into these various spheres of influence—to be “called” by God as a husband or wife? As a parent and friend? To be called to your work? To your neighborhood? To your church? In short, to see these various arenas of activity and influence as part of God’s kingdom? How would it change the way you function in them? Identify three concrete steps of action to make these spheres of influence part of your Christian vocation. Pray over them. Test them out. Share them with your small group.

What did you learn about “vocation” in the chapter, Bible study, and spiritual exercise? What does it mean to be called by name, called into relationship with God, called to seek first God’s kingdom? How might that affect your work in the world as students, spouses, parents, coaches, teachers, volunteers, neighbors, and professionals? What would it mean for you to turn a “job” into a calling? What would change?

Matthew 11:28-30

Psalm 90:13-17