Big Idea

Hearing from God is a natural outgrowth of a supernatural relationship with Christ.

Scripture

John 10:1-6, John 14:25-26, Hebrews 1:1-2

Icebreaker & Opening Thought

1. Who do you know that is a good listener? How about someone who articulates themselves well?
2. What do you think or feel about the experience of people hearing from God?

Bible Discussion

3. Read John 10:1-6. What do you notice about this passage?
4. Read John 14:25-26. Jesus is our teacher, and the Holy Spirit is the live-in tutor helping us to live according to the teaching of Jesus. Why is it important for us to have one who comes alongside us to help us live according to Jesus?

Life Application

5. The Holy Spirit can speak to us through Scripture, other people, circumstances, nature, and prayer. Which of these have you experienced? Or which of these modes of communication would you like to try during this series?
6. One of the ways we expand our plausibility structure is through learning tactics to hear from God. A straightforward way is to Expect, Engage, and Evaluate. (See below). Can you see yourself trying this tactic? Explain.
7. What will you do this week to expand your plausibility structure?
8. Close the group time by praying the prayer for this series: “God, expand my vision, embolden my heart and release your Kingdom; on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

Tactics for Hearing from God

Expect: The first step is to expect to hear from God. Since we can relate to God, we can ask God to speak to us. A simple prayer of expectation might be “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” from I Samuel 3:10. You might also pray the ancient prayer of the church “Come, Holy Spirit.”

Engage: The second step is to engage with God. Often this is getting quiet enough that we can hear the voice of God. Often our interior lives are so loud and crowded that we can’t hear from God. The more we learn to stop, relax, and embrace silence, we are then in a good place for God to speak to us.

Evaluate: This final step is essential. Sometimes we believe we’ve heard from God, but we might be confusing God’s voice with something we want to do or want to justify. A few questions to ask:

1. Is it Biblical? Does it run counter to God’s revealed will in Jesus?
2. What does the community say about this? What do friends, pastors, and leaders say about what you’ve heard?
3. Finally, what is the fruit? In his letter to the Galatians, Paul says that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Messages from the Spirit will likewise bear this fruit.