Listening for God's Voice : A Discipleship Guide to a Closer Walk

God can get anyone's attention by shouting. For example, on the road to Damascus, a loud voice and a bright light turned his arch enemy into a disciple. But most of the time, God prefers to speak in a softer voice, one that we can miss if we're not listening carefully. This study is designed to provide both scriptural underpinnings and practical help to assist disciples in listening for God's voice, which is usually experienced as a strong impression in a believer's mind and spirit. The goal is to help you become aware both of words he might speak to you, as well as his promptings or nudges. The author begins by exploring how Jesus listened to the Father and becomes an example in this for his disciples. Elijah's "still small voice" is the spring board to examine God's voice in words and sentences. Next, incidents in the Book of Acts are analyzed to understand how God often leads in promptings and the simple word, "No." Samuel's words, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," provide a glimpse into the heart preparation necessary to respond appropriately to God's voice. Finally, we examine how Gideon's fleece served to confirm God's leadings, as we seek to discern his voice from the competing voices of the world, the flesh, and the devil - as well as one's own conscience. Since developing such a sensitivity to God's voice is a learned skill or art, not mastery of some body of content, this study provides practical assignments designed to help move you a place where you actually hear and respond to God's voice. Necessary elements of this practical approach include establishing a daily Quiet Time, securing a notebook, finding a mentor (if possible), and working with a spiritual partner, with whom you can interact as you begin to learn what God's voice and whisperings sound like. Each of the five lessons contains a major scripture passage to study plus related verses, four or five discussion questions, a summary of lessons for disciples, and a practical assignment. Initially developed as an online study, this book is ideal for personal spiritual development, use by a teacher or small group leader, and for sermon development.