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A Prayer for George Barclay

Album: 19: Passport To Adventure

Episode: 262

Lesson/Theme: God's call to the ministry; dealing with change.

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:14,16

Characters: Donna, George, Jimmy, Mary, Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: April 2, 1994

Last Air Date: January 26, 2009

Description:
George Barclay has been out of steady work for some time. He's kept himself busy doing odd jobs, but mostly he has been waiting on the Lord to direct his life. That's not good enough for Jimmy and Donna, though. They decide the Lord needs some extra pushing, so they pray earnestly for their father. The next day, George's old company offers him a new job, one with better benefits. The family is ecstatic, until George says that he's not sure if he should actually take the job. After lots of prayer, George drops the bombshell that he's not accepting the job. Instead, he believes that God is calling him into ministry. Jimmy and Donna are stunned. But there is yet another surprise: Mary is pregnant! Change is in store for the Barclays. They have little choice but to place themselves in God's hands.

Questions:
Did Jimmy and Donna pray for their father in the right way? Why or why not? What does it mean to be called into the ministry? Is it a choice you make? Explain. How do you think George knew that God wanted him to be a minister? How can you best determine what God's will is for your life?