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How do you currently encourage your students to find their God-given calling?
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I have counseled with many, many students about this through the years. It always begins with prayer, then discernment around a few areas of interest. I encourage students to keep a prayer journal as they pray through next steps and their ultimate calling. I also encourage them not to worry about seeing the whole picture yet–it is ok to discern just the next season.
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I encourage students to develop their gifts by recognizing their achievements and drawing attention to their capabilities and potential.
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I love this question, because I am so passionate about discussing students’ futures from a biblical perspective. I never ask my own children or my students what they want to be when they grow up. Rather, I believe it is important to ask them about what gifts/abilities God has given them to use in the future. In some cases, what students want to do after graduating doesn’t fit their God-given abilities. This could greatly increase their frustration and difficulty in accomplishing their career goals. I believe it is important to highlight the fact that God has a specific purpose and calling for each student. Consistent time in God’s word and in prayers will inevitably lead them in the way of God’s will.
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In my current setting, I work with adults. We attend to our stories from a biblical perspective and take prayerful inventory of what God has entrusted to us (written into our stories) and how that may be preparation for the work He’s appointed to us.
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Finding their God-given calling is an exploratory time. I think I’m still exploring myself, so I know that kids are going to be all over the place. It is quite obvious though, in which areas their interests lie, and what tickles their fancy. Some are computer whizzes, (can you help me figure out why my printer isn’t printing, Noah?) some are in music (learn to play this song for our classroom singing, Eli?) and the scientists, (why are those flowers so puny and yellowed, Esabelle?). I think God will call on – I can watch and not discourage, but have them ever-aware that God is near and is the whisper in the ear.