How to use the Bible to discern your call to mission

You might be wondering if God is leading you to serve in cross-cultural mission. It’s important to take time to listen carefully to his voice. Even though it’s big and maybe a little bit scary, He will guide you along the way.

Have you ever wondered how God called Moses, Deborah, Paul and the Samaritan woman?

There are lots of different ways we can learn to discern God’s call. One really helpful way is to learn from the ways God has called his people before!

Throughout Scripture, God has placed specific calls on the lives of many people to join in his work. We can learn from how God has called other people before us. We can also be encouraged by God’s faithfulness as he works through his people!

When you read, ask God to speak to you personally through his Word.

Here are some stories that you could read through:

• Abram (Genesis 12:1–19)
• Moses (Exodus 3:1–4:20)
• Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9–11, 25–28, 3:1–21)
• Esther (Esther 4:1–17)
• Deborah (Judges 4:1–10)
• Jonah (Jonah 1:1–3, 3:1–4)
• Mary (Luke 1:26–38)
• Peter (Luke 5:1–11)
• The Samaritan Woman (John 4:4–42)
• The ‘Demoniac’ (Luke 8:26–39)
• The ‘Condemned Woman’ (John 7:53–8:11)
• Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–9)
• Paul, Barnabas & Mark (Acts 9:1–32, 15:36–41)
• Lydia (Acts 16:11–15)

As you read, ask these questions:

• Who was called?
• How were they called?
• Why were they called? Did they know why?
• What next? What happened after the call? How did they respond? How long did that call last for?
• What about you? Is God speaking to you in a similar way to any of these stories? How will you respond to his call?

It’s a good idea to ask a trusted family member, friend, mentor or pastor to discuss these Bible passages and pray through these questions together.

We’re also here and we’d love to chat with you too! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to explore how God might call you to join in his mission too.