Classroom Activities

January: Vocation Awareness
These activities presume that God calls each adult Christian to a vocation that will spread God's reign of justice and peace. Each Christian will find "life to the fullest" (John 10:10) in such a "vocation." A vocation refers to a lifestyle, not a job. It refers to the manner of life by which a disciple can most fully give self to God and God's world. There is at least one vocation that fits for each person. Catholic vocations include single life, married life, ordained life, and religious life.

As Catholic youth ministers, we bear a responsibility to help young people search for a vocation that fits, one that will offer them "life to the fullest" as adults. Our ministry to them must look way beyond their teen years and consciously help provide a bridge to adult, committed discipleship. We can do this through service and/or reflection experiences that connect them with adult role models from various vocations. It is important that these experiences challenge teens to ask the big questions, like "What will make my life meaningful? How will seeking God's will for my life bring meaning? What does this world need from me? How might God's will shape my college and career plans?"

In recent years, January been the month that U.S. Catholics have focused on vocational discernment. The following activities help you explore vocations with students or youth group members this month.

Activity 1-Free the Prisoners
Activity 2-Open the Eyes of the Blind
Activity 3-Isaiah Still Lives!
Activity 4-God is Calling
Activity 5-You Can't Take a Vacation from a Vocation