How to Hear from God
photo courtesy of dbking Helping people learn how to hear from God is a part of Christian discipleship. In his book Organic Church, Neil Cole notes that all living things have DNA. In the human body, DNA is what encodes each cell with its proper role and place. At conception, human life begins by the union of a male seed and female egg, leading to birth and growth. DNA is the chemically based genetic code that dictates life, health and reproduction. This explains how children look like their parents. Truth, relationships, missionBecoming disciples is getting the DNA. Making disciples is spreading the DNA. The DNA of Jesus is truth, relationships and mission.
How to hear from GodThe DNA of Divine Truth comes from heaven. It comes from the Spirit of God through the Word of God. The Bible is unlike all other books. It is inspired by God (II Timothy 3:16). That puts it in a category by itself. A.W. Tozer writes, “The knowledge of God is by the direct impression of the Spirit of God upon the spirit of man.” A “direct impression” begins when we read the Word of God. Just as God once spoke directly to Moses from within the burning bush (Exodus 3:4), God continues to speak directly to us from within the Bible. We should approach the Bible as a Voice from heaven, not a user’s manual. It’s not a book that was once written – it’s a Voice that is speaking here and now.Christian discipleship Bible studyAre you leading or participating in a small group? In your Christian discipleship relationships, are you asking and expecting others to make a commitment to read the Bible for themselves? In Acts 17:11 we read “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” There is a time to “receive the message” and a time to “examine the Scriptures” for yourself - to hear God. This is how to hear from God.
photo courtesy of notashamed
Expect members to readAre you expecting the members of your small group to merely come each week and “receive the message” from a lesson that you have prepared for them? Or are you teaching them how to hear from God by asking them to "examine the Scriptures" for themselves? What if I purchased a membership at a local gym and asked you to come and watch me work out? Would you get in shape by watching me do my workout? We must read the Scriptures for ourselves and stop depending on others to always prepare a lesson. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. The Bible is our curriculum. Open your heart to the Word and you learn how to hear from God for yourself.
Author:Paul Schlieker www.bible-study-lesson-plans.com
For any reuse or distribution of our free Bible study materials author credit and web address is required.
Please email us with questions or comments
Return from How to Hear from God to |
