Bible Study - HEARING GOD - Can You Hear Him Now?
Sermon-Based Bible Study – August 28, 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 four ways scripture reveals that God communicates with us: (1) creation, (2) other people, (3) circumstances/events, and (4) angels. Which, if any, of those ways has God used to communicate with you? Can you think of other ways scripture reveals that God communicates with us? Make a list of all the different ways God communicated to people in Scripture.
- Read Romans 1:20 and Psalm 19:1-4. What are some things that creation communicates to you about the Creator? Has God ever communicated something particular to you through creation?
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:7-8. Has God ever spoken to you through another person? Do you think God has ever used you to communicate a message to another person?
- Read Acts 16:6-10. In this passage Luke records a past experience and is able to see that it was the Spirit that was preventing Paul from entering Asia. Do you think in the moment it was happening that Paul was aware that he was being blocked by the Spirit of God? Have circumstances ever hindered your efforts to do something for God? What, if anything, do you think God was trying to communicate to you through that experience?
- Read Hebrews 13:1-2. In Hebrews 1:14, the writer says that angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.” Has God ever communicated to you, or someone you know, through an angel? Have you ever shown hospitality to a stranger thinking the person might be an angel?
- Does it seem reasonable to you that a person might be unaware of times when God is trying to communicate with them? Why?
- Chris suggested three things we can do that will help us to discern what God is trying to communicate to us through creation, others, circumstances or angels: (1) keep Jesus at the center; (2) consult Scripture; and (3) process with other believers. Which of these has been the most beneficial for you in the past? Why? Which needs to be improved?
- 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?