2^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Oh, Lord

Day after day I awake,

        but what do I see?

Let me see your presence

        so I can follow you.

Each day I set forth,

        but what do I do?

May I bring your presence

        to others in the ordinary.

Keep me near; I want to stay!

Journal/Reflection Questions

1Samuel 3 :3b-10,19

• How many times does God call Samuel?  What does this tell you about God? How does that support or change how you see God?
• What does it mean for Samuel to answer God by saying, “Your servant is listening?” Do you think Samuel knows the meaning of his words? What do you think these words mean to God?
• God called Samuel several times, do you think he ever stops calling?

1Corinthians 6:13c-15a,17-20

• Identify ways your body is like a temple. How can you treat yourself better and show yourself reverence?
• What do you understand about your body from this scripture? How does it affect your beliefs and/or actions?
• If you looked at others with the same reverence you look at God with, would your attitude about them change?

John 1:35-42

• How would you answer the questions, “what are you looking for?” if Jesus asked you?
• If you knew Jesus’ answer would be “come and see,” what question(s) would you ask him?

General Questions for Journaling

• Do you hear God calling you? What does it sound like?
• Is there something you thought you were called to which turned out badly?
• Is there a young person in your life which you can talk to about God’s call in their life? How would you start the conversation?
• Consider what your life would be like if you didn’t know God. How would it be different? How would it be the same?
• Are there people in your life who still help you recognize God’s voice? Who are they and how do they help?
• Have you experienced a time when you asked God for something and you received it? What was your reaction to this?
• Where does obedience come from? Fear? Guilt? Love? Desire? Find your own word.
• Who are the people you follow? Why do you follow them? Are there people in the news, politics, Hollywood or other celebrities whom you are connected to on social media? What does it mean to follow them?
• Where do you go to seek guidance?  Is it from a person? Is it always the same person? What causes you to go to that person or those people? Is there a better advocate?
• What is worth you changing your plans to go and do? What is worth dropping everything for you to go and see?
• Is there something you are still waiting for God to reveal to you? What do you want him to tell you to come and see?
• Where does God dwell? Do you allow Him to dwell in your home? In your relationship with your significant other? With your children? Grandchildren? Does God dwell in your friendships? In your relationship with your co-workers? In your workplace? Is God in your free time?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Come and see

ALL:  the teacher, teach.

Leader:  Come and see

ALL:  the healer, heal.

Leader:  Come and see

ALL:  the Word, made flesh.

Leader:  Come and see

ALL:  the promise, fulfilled.

Challenge for the Week:  Some of us like, Samuel, will come to hear God’s call at a young age; others will be like Abram, and will hear God’s call when they are older.  Some might hear the call and not answer it because of fear they are not ready or that others will make fun of them or not accept them.  Others will drop everything and follow immediately.  Hearing God’s call and then following it, is what life is essentially about.  However, we aren’t asked to figure it out on our own.  We have been gifted with one another to guide and direct each other along the way, to help us open our ears to hear God’s call.  Who are the people who help you find the path God has called you to follow?  How often do you talk with those people, asking them to keep you on track?  Perhaps you don’t know how God is calling you or where God is calling you?  Or maybe you don’t have friends who can help you discern God’s call from the other garbage you hear.  It might be time for you to intentionally make time to intently listen for God’s voice. God is calling you…do you hear Him?