Bilbo Baggins was a respectable hobbit who had no interest in adventure until Gandalf came along.  Like many of us, he liked to stay in his comfort zone.  He liked to be surrounded by familiarity.  If he had to face change, he wanted to have all the facts.  He wanted to know what he was going to get out of it.  He wanted to exist according to his own agenda.  But that is not how Gandalf works.  Gandalf called Bilbo when he least expected it.  Gandalf nudged him out the door “without a hat, a walking-stick or any money, or anything that he usually took when he went out; leaving his second breakfast half-finished and quite unwashed-up.”  When we compare Bilbo Baggins’ call to our own, Jesus tells us “take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff.”  God calls us to leave our second breakfast half-finished and to have trust and faith in the midst of the unknown and the unexpected.

This book study will compare the story of Bilbo Baggins to our own call stories.  What does it mean to be called by God, and keep in mind everyone's call is different?  What does it feel like to be pushed out of our comfort zone with our second breakfast still on the table?  During this six-week study, we will read the entirety of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, as well as several chapters from the devotional Walking With Bilbo by Sarah Arthur.  Please purchase both of these books (physical, ebook, or audio format) before September 30th.  If you are interested in joining Bilbo on his quest (aka want to join the book study), please sign-up using the form below  All of our meetings will be via Zoom. If you are interested in joining