The Nourishing Vocation Lectionary Bible Study Resources are essential to the Nourishing Vocation Project. These resources support both personal and congregational discernment by rooting essential questions in the biblical narrative. The primary resource is the “Near and Now Integrative Study Series.
To access Part 1 of Near and Now Studies, follow the steps below:
- Scroll to “Part 1 – Nourishing a Rhythm”
- There are 8 sections in Part 1. Each section contains 4 different studies
- In each section, open “Scripture and Vocare”
- Under each scripture reading, “click here”
- Scroll to “Near and Now”
- Click on “Near and Now” for the study corresponding with the reading. You can either print the study or use the online flipbook.
To access Part 2 of the Near and Now Studies, follow the steps below:
- Continue scrolling through all eight sections to “Part 2 – Living into the Called Life – Today”
- Open the “Near and Now” under each section
- Click on the “Combined Near and Now for Section…” You can either print the studies or use the combined online flipbook.
- OR you can click on the subject name and access each individual study to either print or use online.
Additional resources for some texts include:
- “Engaging the Living Word” – a resource guide for preaching and teaching
- Vocare Guided Meditations related to the section theme
- Readers’ Theaters
Participants are encouraged to use the Bible Study resources in a way that supports both their personal and congregational discernment. Editable MS Word documents of individual Near and Now studies are available upon request at nourishing-vocation@stolaf.edu.
Part 1 – Nourishing a Rhythm
Section 1: Well-being – Listening to your Longings
The emotive themes for this section are:
Longing, Need, Hunger, Thirst
Section 2: Openness – Embracing Holy Indifference
The emotive themes for this section are:
Receptive, Open-minded, Amenable
Section 3: Values – What are They and Why do They Matter?
The emotive themes for this section are:
Care, Love, Commitment, Passion
Section 4: Encountering God – Experiencing the Holy in Everyday Life
The emotive themes for this section are:
Awe, Wonder, Reverence, Doubt, Fear
Section 5: Holy Tending – The Art of Paying Attention
The emotive themes of this section are:
Wrestling, Contemplating, Brooding
Section 6: Reframing Regret – From Hindsight to Insight
The emotive themes of this section are:
Sadness, Despair, Grief, Heartache, Determination
Section 7: Discernment as a Way of Life – Posture, Process, Practice
The emotive themes for this section are:
Awareness, Wonder, Apprehension, Peace, Habit
Section 8: Vocation – Who are you called to be? What are you called to do?
The emotive themes for this section are:
Fulfillment, Purpose, Fear, Pleasure, Determination, Anxiety
Part 2 – Living into the called life – today
Section 1 – Called
The emotive themes for this section are:
Chosen, Special, Particular
Section 2 – On Purpose
The emotive themes for this section are:
Resolve, Commitment, Devotion
Section 3 – For Good
The emotive themes for this section are:
Worthy, Useful, Beneficial
Section 4 – When my calling “fits” both me and the needs of others
The emotive themes for this section are:
Fulfillment, Contentment, Serenity
Section 5: When I am called in the ordinary
The emotive themes for this section are:
Blessed, Satisfied, Pleased
Section 6: When I don’t think I have what it takes to live into my calling
The emotive themes for this section are:
Anxiety, Fear, Sadness
Section 7: When my calling is exhausting and produces burnout
The emotive themes for this section are:
Tired, Stressed, Angst
Section 8: When my calling requires difficult choices
The emotive themes for this section are:
Uncertain, Distress, Worry
Section 9: When I doubt my calling
The emotive themes for this section are:
Questioning, Distrust, Disbelief
Section 10: When my calling requires courage
The emotive themes for this section are:
Strength, Conviction, Fortitude
Section 11: When my calling is a second chance
The emotive themes for this section are:
Joy, Relief, Liberation
Section 12: When my calling is behind the scenes
The emotive themes for this section are:
Supportive, Helpful, Useful
Section 13: When my calling brings joy
The emotive themes for this section are:
Bliss, Elation, Excitement