The Mar Thoma  Sunday School, Kuwait

C  “Here am I! Send me.” B

Class II

Class - I

 GOD’S CALL 

“The Lord called me from the womb; from the body of my mother he named my name.”  (Isaiah 49:1)

 We, the children of God, are called by Him each of us, by our names. It was His call that brought us into existence. Through baptism, we are a part of the church, and the church is the instrument of God, which heeds His special call. God has something planned for each one of us. God needs us in His vineyard but the freedom of choice is ours – to respond or refuse. Is it right that we refuse to respond to His call when He calls each one of us personally? 

In the Bible we have a long list of people who were called by God. Eg: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Prophets, Apostles etc. When we study and examine the lives of these people, we understand how God can work through us.

 1. God’s call being a divine act, it is He who takes the initiative and plays the major role. “You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you”.  John 15:16.

 2. The basis of this call, which is God’s gift, is not the quality of man. (I Corinth. 1:26).

 3. If God does not call, man is not able to attain anything by his desire or attempt. “And he went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him”. (Mark 3:13)

 4. God’s call has a special purpose for each one of us. God called Abraham to be the father of a nation (Gen. 12:1-3). He called Moses to be the leader to liberate His people from the slavery (Egypt) and lead them to the land of milk and honey (Exodus. 3:10). He called the prophets to be the spokesmen between God and the people. His only begotten son was called to be the savior of mankind.

 5. God’s call is a challenge. His call demands adventure, a high degree of sacrifice and courage (Mark. 8:34).

 The challenge of God’s call contains three aspects

                                                                   (a)  Self sacrifice

                                                                  -         of what one has

-         of those that one has

-         of one’s life itself

 (b) Taking the cross – welcoming with grace the loss that may come in life daily.

 (c) Following – following Jesus by giving oneself to the plans and decisions of God

6. God’s call is of urgent nature. The answer must be given at once. No delay, no excuse is allowed (Luke. 9: 60-62).

 7. The people who are called may have many defects, many draw backs. But God rectifies all these defects and strengthens them and sanctifies them (Isaiah 6:7).

 8. It is God Himself who sends out those whom he has called to carry out his mission. (Jeremiah 1:7; Matt. 28:20).

 9. God will always be with those whom he has sent. (Matt. 28:20; Jeremiah 1:8)

 God is always calling the workers for harvest in His fields (Luke 10:2). If we are to distinguish his voice and to hear his loving call “come and see” (John 1:39) we must grow through the devotion of God’s words, prayers and worship.

WORKSHOP - I

 1. Memory verse: Matthew 16:24

 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

 2. Do we listen to the soft voice of God that murmurs in our heart of hearts by keeping down the tumults there? What are the forces that control us against this listening?

3. Do we have the awareness that God calls us by name? If so, how far are the family and the church helpful in making this realistic and in enriching this?