Leadership Development Module Nick Azzuolo

4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. 9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev Genesis 12: 4-9 (NIV)

Consider: What elements of the video clip or Scripture passages resonate with your understanding of hearing and responding to God's call?

A Broad Definition Affirming your call is a journey that considers a series of actions and experiences which over time informs and cultivates your unique Kingdom contribution.

1. Called to Christ (1 Pet.2:21) 2. Called to Corporate Worship (Heb.10:24,25) 3. Called to all Things and all Places (Rom.12:4) 4. Called to be Entrepreneurial (Matt.25:14-30). 5. Called to Take Risks (Ruth 1:16,17) 6. Called to Pursue Justice (James 1:27) 7. Called to Celebrate (Lev.23: 29-40) 8. Called to Impact the Next Generation (Deut.6: 4-7)

a. Called to a life that fulfills our deepest human desires. b. Our calling in Christ challenges to embrace a paradox for living. (Rom. 12:1,2) c. In Christ, we purpose to please an audience of one. d. God calls us decisively to “follow Him”.

a. Our unique calling is critical to achieving the mission of the church. b. We are encouraged to participate in communities that celebrate, commemorate, and commiserate together. c. Our church family can stir us in the direction of our calling. d. Our church family is a place that provides a needed channel of encouragement. e. Our church family provides gracious accountability and opportunity to grow in knowledge and in truth.

a. The farmer’s calling is just as important as the pastor in the pulpit. There is no higher, no lower, no secular, no sacred. (1 Cor 7:17) b. All believers receive the ordinary call while some receive a special call. c. As much as 80% of our calling is fulfilled by pursuing Christ-like character. d. Consider a “commitment to place” as an element of your calling.

a. God is not interested in micromanaging our lives. b. We have an opportunity to define ourselves through both negative and positive experiences. c. Ignoring the whispers from God can stagnate our spiritual growth. d. The objectives we desire to pursue should be agreed upon by other people who might be affected by our decision.

a. Taking big risks comes as a result of taking smaller risks. b. Tithing is a good indicator of your heart towards God. c. Great risk-takers see faith as a verb, not as a noun. It is not as much as what you have but of what you do. d. Recall God’s faithfulness throughout scripture. (Hebrews 11) e. Recall God’s faithfulness in the life of those you know who took great risks for God. f. Recall God’s faithfulness in your own life.

I want to suggest that every Christian’s life is marked by windows of opportunity that demand a radical step of faith in order to follow Christ and fulfill his purposes for their life. The difference between good and great is not a matter of knowledge or pedigree but of a willingness to take a radical step of faith. Chip Ingram, Good to Great in God’s Eyes

Where there’s no risk, there’s no faith; where there is no faith, there’s no power or joy or intimacy with God. Chip Ingram, Good to Great in God’s Eyes

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Discussion Questions: 1. Think of a situation in your past which you took a risk. What fears did it bring up for you? What aspects of it appealed to you? 2. What reactions would you expect to get from your family and friends if you took a great risk that didn’t make sense to them? What criteria would you use to distinguish between godly counsel and human wisdom?

a. Everyone is created in the image of God and therefore should be treated with dignity, respect, and consideration. b. The bible awakens us to be responsive to the needs of the vulnerable in our communities and in our world. c. Acts of mercy encourage our faith and impact our witness. d. We are God’s chosen instrument for protecting His creation.

a. Feasts and Festivals were significant events in the Old and New Testaments. b. Celebrations are opportunities for remembering God’s goodness, mercy and faithfulness. c. Celebration builds community and community strengthens our resilience. d. Celebrations inspire and attract onlookers.

a. Impact the next generation through mentoring relationships. b. Impact the next generation by adapting to emerging trends and embracing change. c. Impact the next generation by modeling patience and perseverance. d. Impact the next generation through prayer.

 Be attentive to whispers from God.  Recognize and develop your sweet spot.  Engage in meaningful conversations about your own calling and encourage honest feedback. Practice vulnerability.  Look for general themes of interest ie. evangelism, justice, teaching etc.  Gauge your level of energy once you’ve completed an activity you felt called to.  Listen for confirmations through thoughtful prayer, scripture reading, and meditation.

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV) I have come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly. John 10:10b (NKJV)