Citywide Baptist Church
FOLLOW: Listen to God
Last week we spoke about how hard it is for us to stop and focus, this week we will be talking about what it means for us to lift our eyes beyond ourselves and learn to listen to God.
Locations & Times
Citywide Baptist Church (Mornington)
400 Cambridge Rd, Mornington TAS 7018, Australia
Sunday 10:00 AM
God invites us to listen as he speaks... but so often we settle for a distant and dry relationship
Picture of a well with a false bottom that I received when praying...
Before we talk about Listening to God, we need to look at what is getting in the road of us doing that.
Before we talk about Listening to God, we need to look at what is getting in the road of us doing that.
We want to explore what it means to truly listen to God, and do do that we will look at people who weren't, and why they weren't and see if we can relate at all.
Wreath here is a symbol of celebration, it's like the crown worn by the Ceasars.
The people of the Northern Kingdom had three problems:
- They were using anaesthetics (wine) to dull the pain of their lives
- They were wanting to have a good time and party, avoiding the sad reality that confronted them.
- Their security was in their city, in their property, and they assumed nothing would ever change.
The people of the Northern Kingdom had three problems:
- They were using anaesthetics (wine) to dull the pain of their lives
- They were wanting to have a good time and party, avoiding the sad reality that confronted them.
- Their security was in their city, in their property, and they assumed nothing would ever change.
God takes issue with your anaesthetics (the things you use to dull the pain) and the things you trust in to provide security.
They are the things that are holding you back from entering the deep refreshing living water of relationship with God.
They are the things that are holding you back from entering the deep refreshing living water of relationship with God.
God is better security than anything you can possibly imagine.
God calls us to face the reality of the mess of the world through justice, and promises to be the strength you need to prevail rather than the anaesthetic you use to avoid.
God calls us to face the reality of the mess of the world through justice, and promises to be the strength you need to prevail rather than the anaesthetic you use to avoid.
If you are not Listening to God, all you can look for is childish Do-This, Do-That kind of faith.
God longs for us to live from a place of rest and relationship, but we can get caught up with a do-this, do-that kind of religion... which misses the point.
When we have put our hope in a lie, whether it be security in the wrong place or an anaesthetic protecting us from reality, the truth can't get to us.
The starting point of listening to God is necessarily allowing Jesus to sweep away the anaesthetics and wrong foundations... He is the plumb line and his living water is available.
Discussion Question:
What are the anaesthetics and wrong foundations that can take you away from Hearing God?
What are the anaesthetics and wrong foundations that can take you away from Hearing God?
Respond to the Question
https://www.menti.com/1y9kqvs1ypTo Listen to God is to consciously become aware of God’s specific communication to you
through practises such as being still, meditation, reflection on scripture, Lectio Divina, journalling, practising the presence of God, or seeing God’s hand in creation.
You will need to find what works for you.
through practises such as being still, meditation, reflection on scripture, Lectio Divina, journalling, practising the presence of God, or seeing God’s hand in creation.
You will need to find what works for you.
“There is no trick to hearing God’s voice. It has nothing to do with the number of years someone’s been a Christian. Nor is it about being more spiritual than another. Once the barriers are cleared away, it comes down to noticing things, taking a second look, and pausing to reflect.”
-Susan Hill, Closer Than Your Skin
-Susan Hill, Closer Than Your Skin
The Process of Listening Prayer
Withdraw from distraction
Honestly face the different parts of who you are
Ask a question God has not already answered
Tell God you are willing to surrender to His answer
Sit with the question in your heart and notice what you feel/hear.
Articulate what God says by writing it down or saying it to someone
Test what God is saying with the Bible and Fellowship
Withdraw from distraction
Honestly face the different parts of who you are
Ask a question God has not already answered
Tell God you are willing to surrender to His answer
Sit with the question in your heart and notice what you feel/hear.
Articulate what God says by writing it down or saying it to someone
Test what God is saying with the Bible and Fellowship
Small Group Questions:
1) Isaiah seems to indicate that the things we use as anaesthetics and the things that provide security to us. Can you see what those things are to you? Do you think they get in the road for you?
2) God wants us to live from his place of rest, however we can get stuck listening to the the voices that tell us "Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that, a little here, a little there". What are the voices you know you need to not listen to?
3) What has been your experience of listening to God?
4) Take some time together to go through the process of listening prayer and ask God a question. Have everyone ask the same question and come back and share what you noticed as you slowed down and asked the question.
5)What questions would you like answers for from God?
1) Isaiah seems to indicate that the things we use as anaesthetics and the things that provide security to us. Can you see what those things are to you? Do you think they get in the road for you?
2) God wants us to live from his place of rest, however we can get stuck listening to the the voices that tell us "Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that, a little here, a little there". What are the voices you know you need to not listen to?
3) What has been your experience of listening to God?
4) Take some time together to go through the process of listening prayer and ask God a question. Have everyone ask the same question and come back and share what you noticed as you slowed down and asked the question.
5)What questions would you like answers for from God?