Father Christian Shiu, 2026
How is God Calling You Today?
From Abraham stepping into the unknown and Samuel listening in the quiet of the night, to Andrew, Peter, James, and John leaving their nets by the sea—Scripture is filled with moments where God calls ordinary people to follow Him. Join Fr Christian for an inspiring study as he helps us explore these powerful stories of faith and reflect on how God is speaking to each of us right now in our daily lives. ALL ARE WELCOME! Snacks, water and coffee will be available.
Sessions begin September 16th/17th and go through October 14th/15th. We will gather in the Ministry Center on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm or Thursdays at 10:00am or you can join on Zoom on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.
Session 1: The Call of Abram (Genesis 11 & 12)
presented September 16th, 2026
What does it truly take to step out in faith and surrender everything to God?
In this opening session, Fr. Christian unpacks one of the most foundational call narratives in all of salvation history: the call of Abraham (Abram).
Through Genesis 11:10, 27–32 and Genesis 12:1–9, we trace Abraham’s origins, journey, and the radical divine invitation: "Go from your land." Fr. Christian explores how God's command demands total surrender, obedience, and a life-changing partnership. Discover how God's sevenfold promises directly reverse the pride of the Tower of Babel, and see how Abraham’s response—building an altar—stands as a profound act of worship, thanksgiving, and consecration.
Take time to reflect: How is God speaking directly to you through Abraham's story, and where is He inviting you to say "Yes"?
Objectives:
Learners will know who Abraham is (Gn. 11:10, 27-32)
Learners will know where Abraham is from and where he settled to
Learners will know the call and response of Abraham (Gn. 12:1-9)
Learners will have time to reflect on how God is speaking to them through this text
In This Session:
00:00 – Opening Prayer & Welcome
02:15 – Who Is Abraham? Lineage, Origins & The Journey (Gen 11:10, 27–32)
08:30 – The Call: "Go from Your Land" & Total Surrender (Gen 12:1–3)
17:45 – The 7-Fold Promises: God’s Reversal of the Tower of Babel
25:10 – Abraham’s Response: Building an Altar of Worship & Consecration (Gen 12:4–9)
32:00 – Reflection: How Is God Calling You to Respond Today?
Small Group Questions:
How does studying Scriptural call stories shape and impact how I understand God’s call in my life?
What part of Abraham’s story caught your attention?
What new insight do you have from tonight’s session?
What does total surrender sound like to you?
What would you (or we in our current life) need to do to surrender?
What new thoughts do you have about obedience?What does life changing partnership with God sound like?
What would it look like?
What insights did you have from the Lectio Divina exercise?
What do you like about this form of prayer?
How do we respond to God’s call? Acts of worship? Thanksgiving?
Week 2: The Call of Moses (Exodus 2–4)
presented September 23rd, 2026
When God calls, do you feel unqualified? Do you ever find yourself asking, "Who am I?"
In this session, Fr. Christian explores the compelling and relatable call of Moses.
From his dramatic beginnings in a basket floating down the Nile to growing up in Egyptian royalty (Exodus 2:1–10), Moses' life takes a radical turn at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1–15). Fr. Christian examines God’s command to "Go!" and reveals how every person’s story is sacred—a true piece of "holy ground."
We also dive into Moses’ deeply human response (Exodus 3:13; 4:1–20): wrestling with feelings of inadequacy, questioning God, and offering excuses—until finally finding the trust to say "Yes." To close, Fr. Christian guides us through the four steps of Lectio Divina (Read, Meditate, Pray, Contemplate) to help us listen to how God is calling each of us today.
Objectives:
Learners will know who Moses is
Learners will know the call and response of Moses
Learners will have time to reflect on how God is speaking to them through this text
In This Session:
00:00 – Opening Prayer & Welcome
02:20 – Who Is Moses? From the Nile Basket to Egyptian Royalty (Exodus 2:1–10)
09:15 – The Burning Bush: Encountering God on Holy Ground (Exodus 3:1–15)
16:40 – "Who Am I?" Moses' Doubts, Excuses & Hesitation (Exodus 3:13; 4:1, 10, 13)
24:30 – Overcoming Doubt: Saying "Yes" to God's Mission (Exodus 4:18–20)
31:10 – Lectio Divina Exercise: Listening to God's Call in 4 Steps
38:00 – Reflection & Closing Prayer
Small Group Questions:
How does studying Scriptural call stories shape and impact how I understand God’s call in my life?
What part of Moses’ story caught your attention?
What new insight do you have from tonight’s session?
Have you ever felt less than qualified to do something?
Did you do it anyway ? How did it work out?
Have you ever said “But” to God / challenged Him?
How did Moses’ “yes” inspire or challenge you?
What do you think of the statement that:
Your story is Holy Ground
How can we honor other people’s stories thinking of them as Holy Ground
What insights did you have from the Lectio Divina exercise? What do you like about this form of prayer?
Week 3: The Call of Samuel (1 Samuel 1–3)
presented September 30th, 2026
When God speaks, do you recognize His voice? In the noise and busyness of life, do you know how to listen?
In this session, Fr. Christian explores the powerful and inspiring call of Samuel.
Born through the persistent prayer and faith of his mother Hannah, Samuel grows up serving the Lord in the sanctuary of Shiloh, home of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 1–2). Fr. Christian examines how God calls young Samuel three times in the quiet of the night (1 Samuel 3:1–9), revealing how much we need trusted mentors—like the high priest Eli—to help us recognize when God is reaching out to us.
We also dive into Samuel’s courageous response (1 Samuel 3:10–21): "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening!"—an open-hearted surrender that allowed God to use his prophetic voice to transform a nation. To close, Fr. Christian guides us through the four stages of Lectio Divina (Read, Meditate, Pray, Contemplate) to help us connect call and response in our own daily lives.
Objectives:
Learners will know who Samuel is
Learners will know the call and response of Samuel
Learners will have time to reflect on how God is speaking to them through this text
In This Session:
00:00 – Opening Prayer & Welcome
02:15 – Who Is Samuel? Hannah's Prayer & the Sanctuary at Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:9–28; 2:18)
09:30 – The Call in the Night: God Calls Samuel Three Times (1 Samuel 3:1–9)
16:45 – Recognizing God's Voice: Eli's Guidance & Samuel’s Role
23:20 – "Speak, Lord, Your Servant Is Listening": A Prophetic Response (1 Samuel 3:10–21)
30:50 – Lectio Divina Exercise: Connecting Call & Response in 4 Stages
37:15 – Reflection & Closing Prayer
Small Group Questions:
What part of Samuel’s story caught your attention?
What new insight do you have from tonight’s session?
When have you heard God call you?
How did Samull’s call remind you about an experience you had in your past?
Reflect on how God is speaking to you through this text.
Hannah gave birth to Samuel by “favor” of God.
What qualities, gifts and talents have you received from God ?
Samuel served in the “tabernacle” / tent of the Lord (cf. 1 Samuel 2:18)
How do you serve the Lord?
How can you see times in your daily life when you have cared for others as opportunities to serve the Lord?
Have you had someone else help you see when God is speaking to you? Have you noticed how God speaks to someone else?