In this famous story, Moses encounters God speaking through a burning bush. Sometimes we feel called but aren’t gifted, and that’s disappointing. Other times we are gifted but don’t feel called, and that’s frustrating. What are the signs of our callings, and how can we be attentive to them?

There isn’t much about Moses' origins that would make you think he would be the leader that God would raise up to lead his people. Neither hard circumstances nor bad choices disqualified Moses from being called by God.

For many of us, praying in front of a group of people can be difficult. But prayer is central to the church, and small groups provide an opportunity and a place where you can grow in your understanding of prayer and your own personal prayer life. It’s also a place where your personal prayer request can be heard and prayed for by people who know you. Praying for one another is an essential element of a small group experience.

Fellowship is more easily experienced than explained. It is sharing joys and sorrows. It is celebrating successes and being quiet in disappointment – together. The hard to explain but easy to experience fellowship is the thing that keeps you coming back to your small group. It’s what makes you, after a hard day's work, feel pulled to go to your small group when every logical impulse would say to stay home and sit on the couch. The breaking of bread together is a common way for us to experience feeling connected to each other. For in the moment we are eating together we are connected through the shared experience of a meal.

In worship, we read the Bible and usually a Pastor shares a message based upon the Bible reading. This practice has been done for thousands of years. But hearing the Bible in worship is only one way to encounter the Bible. In a small group setting, though, we are allowed to go deeper. We hear different perspectives. We tell our stories and find application to life. When this happens in the context of a small group God’s spirit can guide and teach us through the reading and application of the Bible. The study of the Bible in a small group connects us together in a unique way that enlivens our spirits and draws us closer to our creator.

When someone asks “How’s it going”, it seems like more often than not we've said, “Oh, its been crazy. I’ve been so busy.” Why do we wear our busyness like a badge? What would we find if we were to give ourselves permission to slow down?

Do we take advantage of “cheap grace” or do we work diligently for our master?

How often do we like a second chance? How often are we willing to extend that to others?

What does it say about the character of God that the work may be different but the reward is the same!?

Platte County campus • July 15, 2018