Bible Study - HEARING GOD - No Strings Attached
Sermon-Based Bible Study – August 14, 2022
- What is something God has done for you that you are thankful for? What is something you are celebrating? How have you experienced God’s love and faithfulness this week?
- Where are you experiencing stress, anxiety or discouragement? How would you like to see God move in your life or in the life of someone close to you?
- What did you hear in this week’s sermon that was new or particularly interesting? Did anything stand out to you as puzzling or troubling?
- Chris mentioned that “it’s only the genuine that’s counterfeited.” People genuinely hear God speak. Others “counterfeit” the genuine experience of hearing from God as a way to manipulate or fit in. Does the argument that Chris made seem reasonable to you? Why?
- Read John 10:3-16. What is the connection between why Jesus came as revealed in v.10 and listening to Him? What stands out to you from this passage in regard to hearing from God? What is it in this passage that gives you the most hope? Are there any questions raised by this passage that you would like to hear addressed in the coming weeks?
- Chris identified four common beliefs/attitudes of people who dismiss the idea of hearing God. Which of them best describes why you may have discounted the idea of God speaking to you? Why? Did you hear anything from the sermon that challenged that belief/attitude?
- “God already told us everything we need to know in the Bible.”
- “God wouldn’t speak to me because I’m not that important.”
- “God wouldn’t speak to me because I’m not good enough.”
- “How come I’ve never heard Him?”
- What do you think it means to say, “If you want to hear God better – start with agreeing and submitting to what He’s already saying?”
- One practical way to agree with and submit to what God is already saying is to read a portion of the gospels where Jesus is speaking. Before reading, simply say, “Jesus is Lord. I only want to hear from the Spirit that says Jesus is Lord.” Then read until something sticks out to you. Then ask, “Lord what are you saying to me?” Then see what comes to mind and write it down. Is this something you would be willing to do each day this week and then tell someone else about the experience?
- Do you think it is good advice for those who want to hear God better to “Seek to hear from God with no strings attached?” Why?
- What is a simple, next step you could take in obedience to what the Spirit is saying to you through this time in the Word? Who would benefit, or be interested in hearing about what you’ve learned in this study?