Serving Others through Vocation & Connecting with

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Serving Others through Vocation & Connecting with God through Prayer Bible Text: Colossians 3:12–17; Psalms 23; 51; 150; Luke 11:1–13 Lesson Focus: God calls us to show mercy and serve others in all we do and when we pray we open a connection with God. Big Question: I don't know what I want to do when I'm an adult, so how can I have a vocation now and how do I know He is listening? Key Words: VOCATION, AVOCATION, CALL, INTERCESSION, CONFESSION, BLESSING, SUPPLICATION

Prepare QUICK PREP • Luther's theology expanded the notion of vocation to include all people by virtue of their baptism. • Colossians 3:12–17 points to the vocation of all the baptized. • A vocation extends beyond the walls of the church into every aspect of life. • One's vocation may change throughout the stages of one's life. • Having a vocation involves discernment to hear God's call to you. • Following one's vocation will involve serving others and growing in your life and in your faith. • Prayer is our connection with God. • Prayer can take many forms: verbal and nonverbal, planned and spontaneous. • Prayer can be a two-way street: we tell things to God, and we listen to what God has in mind for us. • The church has a rich tradition of prayer. • The content of our prayer can be whatever we need, including complaint. • Prayer is not something we do to please God. We pray because we are in relationship with God. • God responds to prayer as part of God's covenant with us.

DEEP PREP "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). This verse gives us a good starting point as we begin to talk about vocation. This passage tells us that, as Christians, we are chosen (or called) by God to be God's holy people. Because of this we have a responsibility to love and care for each other, and to treat each other with respect at all times. That is our baptismal call, which gives us meaning in life. Indeed, everything we do is to be done in Jesus' name, whether it is serving as a TV anchor, a police officer, an office worker, or a pastor. Prior to Luther—in medieval times—talking about vocation, or having a "call," meant that you

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were referring to service only within the confines of the institutional church. Priests, nuns, and those in monastic orders were considered called by God, not ordinary people. However, Luther realized that as Christians we all have a baptismal call that extends far beyond the walls of any church. We are, in fact, called to serve, love, and honor each other in Christ's name in all aspects of our lives. In "An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation," Luther states, "and every one by means of his own work or office must benefit and serve every other, that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community, even as all members of the body serve one another." The office or station that we have in life is our calling—our vocation. The challenge we face in our contemporary American society is that vocation is often seen as a highly individualistic endeavor—something to satisfy oneself and make a living. Many young people (and their parents) would define vocation as a job. It is what you do on weekdays from 9 to 5 or on whatever schedule you work outside the home. However, Lutheran theology focuses on the community aspect of vocation that we live out as the body of Christ, not as individuals on private missions in life. Luther's interpretation bids us to delve deeper into the daily meaning of our baptism. This means that one's vocation may include things such as serving on the school board, being a stay-at-home parent, being a friend, or cleaning your room (as if any kid wants to hear that!). Luther also said we may have more than one vocation at a time. Teens can live out their vocations by being a student, playing on a sports team, or playing the cello in the school orchestra. They can also serve as volunteers in their communities and congregations. Because God's call to us often changes with time, so may your vocation. This is where discernment comes in. Following one's vocation involves discernment of God's actions and biddings in our lives. The Here We Stand Student Book offers some guides to use in the discernment process. Take note that a true vocation will produce growth in the life of the person living it. It also will include an aspect of service to others that may draw forth their gratitude. Not all vocations involve making money, but they all involve serving Jesus Christ in some way.

In Luke 11 one of Jesus' disciples requested, "Lord, teach us to pray." Jesus responded with the words we now call the Lord's Prayer. He continued with this reassurance "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you" (Luke 11:9). It is true that human beings yearn to pray. We long for a connection with God, whether we can voice who that God is or not. At its most basic, prayer is our response to this yearning. The New Testament witness preserves the words of the Lord's Prayer, which, because it covers so many issues, captures for us the breadth of prayer's concerns. The church through the centuries has made quite a bit of prayer. It is one of the premier spiritual disciplines, along with fasting and giving alms. The misfortune of this is that many believers have come to understand that prayer requires certain prerequisites, like ordination, or a particular holiness, or a gift with language or memory. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:26–27 that we don't have to worry about praying "as we ought" because the Spirit intercedes for us beyond what we even know. The gift of the church's long attention is that many strategies for prayer have developed over the centuries, many of which are finding audiences today:

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•Lectio divina: a slow, contemplative reading of scripture • Reverential listening • Meditation • Centering prayer: repeating one word or a phrase from scripture • Intercessory prayer: praying for others • Lament • Walking a labyrinth • Praise and/or thanks If we understand prayer to be our connection with God, it certainly is not restricted to a set of words or postures. For some, the deepest yearnings of the heart may be best carried by music, dance, or sculpture. For some, journaling can be prayer, as can a solitary walk in the woods. The question "How to pray?" can be answered in many, many ways. Some also struggle with what to pray for or about. We have learned to pray for things such as health, wealth, wisdom, or luck. We may even pray for these things on behalf of others. New to some might be the idea of listening for God, waiting for the "still, small voice" that might lead us to new insight or awareness. Many of the old forms of prayer seek this kind of outcome. Are any prayers more holy than others? None seem to be. Many Psalms, for example, are laments in which the psalmist complains to God about the circumstances besetting him or her. Even demands to show up or answer are a part of lament. Few of us would imagine that our communication with God could include complaint as well as praise. Luther would be careful to say that the pray-er is not the one who makes prayers effective. It is the receiver of the prayers, God, who discerns without effort what it is we need or long for. We would also confess that God reliably answers prayer, though Luther would say that God answers in God's own way and time. Luther was frustrated by many of the prayers he heard in his day, "not one of them asking for the least thing" (Book of Concord, Tappert, Large Catechism, Part Three: The Lord's Prayer, section 25). Luther's real irritation is revealed in these words: "They only thought, at best, of doing a good work as a payment to God, not willing to receive anything from him, but only to give him something." Here is the danger in prayer. It is not about trying to butter up God, earn points in heaven, or any other such thing. We pray because we need to be connected to God, and because God has invited us to do so. So, how to pray? Simply begin. If the routine of praying before meals helps to draw attention back to the source of our sustenance, there are many useful prayers already written that will do well. Some offer prayer before sleep, and some offer prayer as the first or early act of a new day. Luther himself wrote an evening and morning prayer that continue to be used in Lutheran liturgies. Whether it is a matter of routine or a spontaneous appeal, prayer is God's gift to us. Whether it is oral or not, God will hear. And whether we know what we need or whether we simply come before God with an open heart and open mind, God will respond with love and attention.

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Large Group Teaching - Connecting with God through Prayer 

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What is prayer? o It is our connection with God. o It is not a way to earn points with God to get into heaven. o It is a way for us to express our desires/needs/emotions with God, and for God to share his will with us. Why do we pray? o Romans 2:14-16 - Humans long for a connection with God, even if they don’t know who or what God is. We all have God’s law written on our hearts and have an inward understanding of when we need help/forgiveness. Prayer is a resolution to this basic need. Who should pray? o Over the centuries, many people have felt that only the right priests, or only people with a gift for flowery or powerful words should pray. o Romans 8:26-27 - It doesn’t matter who’s praying, because the Holy Spirit knows our hearts and understands us. Everyone should pray. How/When/Where should we pray? o There is no right way/time/place, and that can sometimes make prayer hard.  verbal prayers before bed or meals  creative outlets like music, dance, and art  silent walks or journaled thoughts  a quick thought while busy driving in heavy traffic  even lamentations (a whole bunch of complaining) is good, look at Psalms What should we pray about? o The things we need and want. o Confession and repentance. o The things we’re happy, sad, and angry about. o Also, we should listen for the “still, small voice” of God. He speaks to us, but we have to listen.

Serving Others through Vocation Summary Points: 1. In all that you do, be kind, gentle, forgiving, and loving to others. 

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What is a “vocation”? o A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. o A person’s main occupation, trade, or profession. o What you are “called” to do. o What is your parent’s vocation? All Christians have a vocation, in addition to their normal jobs. o Colossians 3:12-17 (12-14, 15-17) o All Christians are called to be kind, gentle, and loving to others. o Micah 6:8

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o Our “job” as Christians is to be like Christ. What is your specific vocation? o Recall your spiritual gifts survey. What do you think that survey suggests you should do or would be good at? o What are you passionate about and feel called to do? o You have a vocation now and in the future.  You’re a student, an athlete, a band member, a volunteer, a son or daughter... 

Let God guide your vocation choices in the future.

Small Group Discussion Recall the lesson. Open the Bible. Read Romans 8:26. What is this passage talking about?

Do we always have to have “The Perfect Prayer”? Instill value to the topic and life application.

Ask the following questions: • Have you ever felt called by God to do something? • How do you know when you have been called by God? • Do you think you know what your vocation is? What will you do about it? • How does connecting with God differ to connecting with people? • What kind of things do you pray about every day? • What does it mean to think of prayer as a two way street? Encourage trying life application. Recap last week’s life application of having the students

reflect on this last week’s lesson over the week and have them share their response to the following prompt. “The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer sums up what we believe in one sentence. In one sentence explain what you believe about God’s presence in our lives.” Then challenge the students to look for opportunities to serve others this week through their giftedness. Encourage them to pray for the strength and courage to act on their faith. Pray. Take prayer requests and have a student close the group in prayer.

God's Kingdom and Will. Here We Stand ©2010 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use provided every copy carries this notice.

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