Calling, Gifts, and God's Guidance in Planning

What You Will Learn

• Explain a biblical view of planning: we plan, God directs
• Practice humble planning language from James 4:13–15
• Help a client reflect on her gifts and calling using questions rather than labels
• Include prayer and Scripture in coaching without preaching

Lesson Notes

We Plan, God Directs

Scripture encourages planning and humility together. “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 16:3). “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Coaching honors both: a client thinks carefully about her way, and she holds her plans open to God.

God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11 was first spoken to His people in exile, telling them He had “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” It is a word of hope for women in hard places today, too: God has not forgotten them.

Planning With Humility

James 4:13–15 warns against boasting about tomorrow, “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” In coaching, this sounds like: “What do you sense God is leading you toward?” and “How will you hold this plan if things change?”

Humble planning is not passive. It is careful work done with open hands.

Coaching Calling and Gifts

In BTO 105 you built your own Gifts and Skills Profile. As a coach, your job is different: you help someone else discover hers. Avoid telling her what her gifts are. Instead ask:

• “When have you felt most alive serving others?”
• “What do people often come to you for?”
• “What burdens your heart when you see it?”
• “What do you think God might be inviting you to try?”

Gifts are given for serving others (1 Peter 4:10). Let the client name them, then reflect back what you hear.

Prayer and Scripture in Coaching

Ask permission before praying or sharing Scripture: “Would you like to pray about this together?” Keep Scripture short and relevant, and let the client respond. Coaching is not a sermon. Many coaches open and close each session in prayer and invite the client to listen for God's leading between sessions.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Plans in Pencil

Read Proverbs 16:3, 16:9, and James 4:13–15. Rewrite this plan in humble planning language: “When I get out, I'm going to move to Atlanta, get a job at the hospital, and have my own place by summer.”

Gifts Interview

With a partner, take turns asking the four calling questions from the lesson. Listen without advising. Write down two gifts your partner named and one thing you reflected back to her.

Assignment: Calling Questions Guide

Create a one-page guide you could use with a coaching client:

• Eight open questions about gifts, passions, and calling (at least four of your own).
• Two Scripture passages (KJV) you might share, with one sentence each on why.
• A short opening prayer you could offer, asking permission first.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Proverbs 16:9 says we devise our way but the Lord directs our steps. Think of a time your plans changed and God still led you. How might that experience help you coach someone whose plans fall apart?

Prayer focus: Commit your plans to the Lord and ask Him to direct your steps and the steps of those you will coach.

Plans in Open Hands

Scripture never tells us to stop planning. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” But six verses later comes a reminder: “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” We plan; God directs.

James warns against saying, “To day or to morrow we will go into such a city,” as though tomorrow were ours to control. Instead we say, “If the Lord will.” Humble planning is not lazy planning. It is careful work held with open hands.

As a coach, you will help women plan their futures. Your job is not to tell them their calling. It is to ask questions that help them hear God: “When have you felt most alive serving others?” “What burdens your heart?” Then you reflect back what you hear and let them name it.

God's word through Jeremiah came to people far from home: “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Women in hard places need to hear that God has not forgotten them. A coach can help them take the next step toward that hope.

Think About It

1. When did your plans change, and how did God still lead you? ______________________
2. What gifts have others noticed in you? ______________________
3. How can you help someone hear God for herself? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 2

Commit Your Works

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.— Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)

Planning begins with handing our work to God.

Reflect: What plan do you need to commit to the Lord today?

Pray: Lord, I commit my works to You.

Do: Write one plan and pray over it.

He Directs Our Steps

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.— Proverbs 16:9 (KJV)

We do our best thinking, and we trust God with the path.

Reflect: Where do you need God to direct your steps?

Pray: Lord, direct my steps.

Do: Ask God for guidance before one decision today.

If the Lord Will

For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.— James 4:15 (KJV)

Humility keeps our plans flexible and our hearts open.

Reflect: Which plan are you holding too tightly?

Pray: Lord, Your will be done in my plans.

Do: Rewrite one goal with “Lord willing.”

Thoughts of Peace

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.— Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)

God spoke hope to people in exile. His heart toward His people is peace.

Reflect: Where do you need God's hope right now?

Pray: Lord, thank You for Your thoughts of peace toward me.

Do: Share this verse with someone who needs hope.

Good Stewards of Gifts

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.— 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)

Gifts are given to be shared. A coach helps others find and use theirs.

Reflect: What gift could you use to serve someone this week?

Pray: Lord, help me steward my gifts.

Do: Use one of your gifts to help someone today.