Your Calling: Part 1 - The First Fulfilled Calling

April 20th, 2025

MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
April 20, 2025

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

I said this, you heard that - April 23rd
If you've ever said the wrong thing (or said the right thing the wrong way), you know how quickly your mouth can make a big mess. But it doesn't have to be that way. This 6-session study explores how your wiring affects what you say, how you listen, and how others hear you. And you'll see how advice from the apostle Paul thousands of years ago may have held the secret all along. This class will start Wednesday night, April 23rd at the East Campus. The cost is $25 and that covers your book. To register or get more information simply write class on your connection card.

OneLife Students, United Night - April 23rd
Wednesday night, April 23rd, our middle & high school students from both campuses will be coming together for a United Night. There will be games, worship, and a great message. It will take place at the North Campus at 6:30pm and we will wrap up at 8:15pm. There will also be food, so students, be sure to come hungry! For more information mark the OneLife Students box on the Connection Card.

Next Steps – A 3-Week Sunday Morning Small Group Experience
If you're new or looking to get more connected, Next Steps is the perfect place to start! Next Steps is our three-part small-group experience that's designed to help you grow in your relationship with God, learn about your God-given gifts, and become a member of OneLife Church. Next Steps kicks off on Sunday, May 4th, in the meeting room at both campuses. For more info or to sign up, just write “Next Steps” on your Connection Card.

Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
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GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
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Bottom Line: Jesus fulfilled His calling to give me a calling.

Matthew 9:13

But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

CALL:
To invite, to summon
The authority of the speaker dictates the nature of the calling
To call to the performance of, participation in a certain thing

Matthew 9:13

But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus knew His calling was different than expected.

Matthew 9:9-11

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”

Calling is often misunderstood.

Matthew 9:12-13

But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Calling requires focus.

Matthew 11:19

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

A fulfilled calling is undeniable.

2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

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START TALKING:

Have you ever missed a really important call (literally...a phone call)? Or have you ever been waiting on a really important call and constantly checked your phone? What happened because you missed it? Or what would have happened if you had missed it or didn't return the missed call?

START THINKING:

Read Matthew 9:13.

Who does Jesus say that He came to call? How does this show that he was crystal clear about what His calling was?

Think of the many stories of Jesus found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. What are some examples that come to mind that show Jesus doing exactly what He says in Matthew 9:13 is His calling?

START SHARING:

Read Matthew 9:9-11.

Jesus' calling was misunderstood, and He knew that His calling was different than what was expected of the Messiah. How have you experienced that what God calls you to do might be different than what people expect of you? How might it even be different than what you expect it to be?

Read Matthew 9:12-13.

Jesus was focused on His calling even when there were critics and doubters. When have you seen someone remain focused on their calling even when it didn't make sense to other people or when their calling was misunderstood?

START DOING:

Read Matthew 11:19.

The proof of God's calling will be seen in the results. For Jesus, it was an empty tomb. What can you do this week to begin to see the evidence of God's calling in your life to begin focussing in on what it is and who it is that He has called you to do and be?

Read 2 Timothy 1:9.

When criticism comes or when your own doubt comes, what can you do to stand firm in the calling that God has given you according to this verse?

How will living in your calling impact the way that you make a difference in the lives of other people? Just like others saw Jesus living out an unusual calling, what should people around us see when we are living out the calling that God has given us? What opportunities will this open for you to share your story with those where you live, work, and play?

START PRAYING:

Pray for each person in the micro church to rest in the promise that we are all called according to His purpose. Pray for each person to begin to seek to discover what that calling is and to stand firm in that calling. Pray that we will each impact the lives of others with our calling just as Jesus made a difference in each of us.

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CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
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MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
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WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?