God calls us for a purpose for Primary 4

God calls us for a purpose

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. narrate the story of the call of Abraham;
2. give reasons for God’s call;
3. explain the ways we should respond to God’s call;
4. mention the benefits of obedience to God’s call.

Memory Verse

The memory verse for this lesson is:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

— 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Bible Reading

The following Bible passages support this lesson:

1. Genesis 12:1-3
2. 1 Peter 2:9
3. Isaiah 6:8
4. Mark 1:19-20
5. Luke 5:1-11

The Call of Abraham

God has a special plan for everyone, and He calls people to fulfil His purposes. One important story in the Bible about God’s call is that of Abraham.

Abraham lived in a place called Ur of the Chaldeans. He was a simple man, but God chose him for a great work. God spoke to Abraham and gave him a very important instruction.

God told Abraham to leave his country, his relatives, and his father’s household. He was to go to a land that God would show him. This was a big request, as it meant leaving everything familiar behind.

Along with the instruction, God made wonderful promises to Abraham. God promised to make him into a great nation, to bless him, and to make his name famous. God also said He would bless those who blessed Abraham and curse those who cursed him. Most importantly, God promised that all peoples on earth would be blessed through Abraham.

Abraham showed great faith and obedience. He listened to God’s call and left his home, even though he did not know exactly where he was going. He trusted that God would lead him to the promised land.

Why God Calls People

God calls people for many reasons, but the main reason is always connected to His plan for the world and for each person. God calls people to be His special helpers and to show others His goodness.

The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 2:9 that God calls us out of darkness into His wonderful light. This means He wants us to leave behind bad ways and live in a way that pleases Him. He calls us to be a “chosen people,” a “royal priesthood,” and a “holy nation.”

These words mean that God chooses us to be special to Him, to serve Him, and to live differently from the world. Our purpose is to “declare the praises of him who called you.” This means telling others about God’s love, kindness, and power through our words and actions. God calls us to serve Him, to do good works, and to spread His message of hope and salvation.

Responding to God’s Call

When God calls, it is important to respond in the right way. A right response involves listening, obeying, and being willing to serve.

In the book of Isaiah, God asked, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” The prophet Isaiah immediately replied, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). This shows a willing heart, ready to do whatever God asks.

Another example is when Jesus called His first disciples. He saw Simon Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen, and said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him. Later, He called James and John, who were also fishermen, and they immediately left their boat and their father to follow Jesus (Mark 1:19-20).

These examples teach us that a right response to God’s call means:

1. Listening: Paying attention to God’s voice, which can come through the Bible, prayer, or other people.
2. Obeying: Doing what God asks, even if it seems difficult or requires a change in our plans.
3. Willingness: Having a heart that says “yes” to God, ready to be used by Him.

Benefits of Obedience to God’s Call

Obeying God’s call brings many wonderful benefits and blessings. God always rewards those who trust and follow Him.

Consider Abraham’s story again. Because he obeyed God’s call to leave his home, God fulfilled all His promises. Abraham became the father of a great nation, and through his family, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, was born. Abraham received great blessings and is remembered as a man of faith.

Another example is found in Luke 5:1-11. Jesus taught by the Lake of Gennesaret, and many people gathered around Him. He saw two boats, and He got into Simon Peter’s boat, asking him to put out a little from the shore. After teaching, Jesus told Peter to go out into deep water and let down his nets for a catch. Peter had fished all night and caught nothing, but because Jesus asked, he obeyed.

When Peter and his partners let down their nets, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. They had to call for help from another boat, and both boats were filled with fish, almost sinking. This miraculous catch showed Peter and the others the power of Jesus. After this, Jesus called them to become “fishers of men,” and they left everything to follow Him.

The benefits of obeying God’s call include:

1. God’s Blessings: God blesses us in many ways, just as He blessed Abraham and Peter.
2. Guidance and Direction: God leads us and shows us the right path for our lives.
3. Purpose and Meaning: Our lives gain true meaning when we live for God’s purpose.
4. Being Used by God: We become instruments in God’s hands to do good in the world.
5. Eternal Rewards: Obedience to God’s call leads to blessings not just on earth, but also in heaven.