Romans 8:28-30 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
“I used to think God guided us by opening and closing doors, but now I know sometimes God wants us to kick some doors down.”
So many times in the Bible the Lord calls ordinary people and equips them for extraordinary purposes. What is your favorite story in the Bible of someone who was surprised by their calling: Noah? Abraham? Sarah? Moses? David? Jonah? Mary? Matthew? Zacchaeus? The rich young ruler? Peter? Lydia? Paul?
How have you experienced the power of the right words being said to you? Bob says, “Ordinary people like you and me can launch each other.” Have you ever launched someone else, or witnessed it? How do you know when to wait on God vs. when you are "over-spiritualizing” a decision that God just wants you to make? Is there such a thing as “over-spiritualization”?
Bob wonders “if we can launch people better than a dean [or someone with a lot of power] because we’re ordinary.” Why would this be? What are some things that stop us from launching people? When has there been a time in your life when “words can change everything”?
Read page 42, “I have a lot of time … by the right people.” Discuss—what is faith? When, if ever, has there been a time in your life when you felt that God wanted you to kick some doors down? Read page 44-45, “I once heard somebody … say them.” Discuss.