The Stare Scare

When God calls on you, claiming the dog ate your homework is not an option.

If you’re looking for an interesting and somewhat unique Bible study, consider how people in the Bible responded to specific calls to service or ministry.

It’s relevant because, as Christians, we have all responded to a call to follow Jesus. Then, as followers, we have been tasked with another call, the mandate recorded in Matthew’s gospel: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

How did biblical characters react when God approached them with a potential speaking or teaching opportunity? A possible prophetic or priestly ministry? Or even a specific one-off assignment?

Take Ananias, for example. Saul, who was a well-known persecutor (Could he even be called a terrorist?), had been knocked face down on a dusty Damascus road, blinded by a light from heaven, and his entourage was now...