Jilly

What does it mean to meditate on the Word? To think about, mull over, or ponder. What is the difference between Christian meditation and Eastern meditation? Christian- To think about, mull over, or ponder. Eastern- Hum or merge minds with the universe. How does God work through his Word to renew our minds? Faith Assurance: "I will never leave you or forsake you" (1:5) Faith Exhortation: "Be strong and very courageous" (1:6,9) Faith Food: "Meditate on it day and night" (1:8)

What kinds of things might Joshua be tempted to fear if he were to allow himself to dwell on his anxieties? Battle / Failing / Rebellion What does it mean to “be strong and very courageous”? Be faithful to God and follow His guidance. What is the distinction between weakness and strength in Joshua’s situation? Joshua's strength is to follow through and trust in the Lord. What is the relationship between fear and faith? Fear is not following through Gods guidance and faith is following through knowing that God is with you. Can you be courageous and still be fearful? Absolutely

Why is God’s promise to be always with Joshua so important to him? Joshua is going to battle many kingdoms and needs God by his side for guidance, power and comfort. Why is this promise so important to you in your present situation? God holds my hand in good and bad situations. It is very comforting to me. If God is with you, what limitations do you have? First thought I have is physical limitations, but God helps with that also.

In what way is God’s promise to Joshua, “I will give you every place where you set your foot,” a conditional promise? Joshua has to go through the land to claim it. If he were to sit back and do nothing, he would not be able to claim the lands. He must go out and claim what God has promised him. What’s wrong with a faith that consists primarily of the philosophy: “If God wants me to have it he will give it to me”? We would never be challenged to go get what is offered if it were just handed to us. What areas that God has promised you that you must press forward to receive? God has me continually studying His word to learn better what He wants of me. I enjoy it.

Why is it valuable to counsel with spiritual people in the Christian community when we’re learning to discern God’s voice? To make sure you are on the right track. How is having a spiritual mentor helpful? So you can discuss things and ask questions. What is the danger of always going to another person to confirm God’s word? That person may tell you something different that what God is trying to tell you. Ask God for confirmation and guidance. Why is out-growing a mentor a common occurrence? Your paths may go separate ways.

Why is it necessary to recognize and then surrender our desires when we are seeking God’s will. When we ask something of God we must be able to obey what He is telling us. What happens if we neglect to do this? Our desires will come through instead of God's desire. How can holding on to sin distort what you think you are hearing from God? We are prone to justify them.

Give an example of what the voice of the flesh – our lusts and desires – might sound like. Wanting to look a certain way or having something that someone else has. Give an example of what the voice of the world might sound like. Desires and ambitions. "The whole world-system, based as it is on men's primitive desires, their greedy ambitions and the glamour of all that they think splendid, is not derived from the Father at all, but from the world itself." (1 John 2:16) Give an example of what the voice of the devil might sound like. 1. Cravings of sinful man 2. **** of his eyes 3. Boasting of what he has and does. Why is a knowledge of the Scripture necessary for discernment of these voices? It shows the way Jesus wants us to be and keeps our lives in line with him.

Why will a person have to make mistakes in the process of learning to discern God’s voice? That is just the process of learning how to hear and know what God is telling us. If mistakes are part of the process, how can this be of God at all? We are learning to know that it is God talking and not us imagining something.

Does Gideon ask for a sign because of his unbelief? No. Gideon asks for a sign to make sure it is God talking to him. What is the difference between Gideon’s seeking confirmation, and “testing God” in a way that displeases God? Gideon is asking for confirmation and is not demanding miracles. Does God mind if we ask for confirmation? No. God knows those that are learning. When might God be upset with us for asking for confirmation? When we demand it.

How can pride corrupt our hearing from God? It can contaminate out motives. How do we protect ourselves from being deceived by our pride? Don't publicly claim God's guidance unless it is clear. Don't say, "God told me," unless he has really spoken. When you talk about God's guidance, do it with humility. It is God you are trying to promote, not the servant whose ears got cleaned out enough to hear Him.

Why is a willingness to obey without understanding the reasons for God’s commands so important? God knows all past, present and future. He knows and guides us the way He wants us to go. How does obedience sometimes help us understand God’s workings. When God allows us to see the end result.

Why is a desire for a relationship with God more important than seeking to hear his voice? Having the desire opens up the relationship that builds on trust. You must trust God with the hard things that He may ask you to do. How does hearing his voice contribute to the relationship? Hearing God's voice flows out of a relationship. Why are we commanded to “press in” to know the Lord? It maintains our relationship with the Lord. How does Paul’s passion for a relationship with God inspire you? Makes me want to continue learning so that I can have the best relationship with God.

What was Eli’s counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Eli told Samuel to go lie back and down and if he heard the voice again to say "Speak, for your servant is listening." Was it good counsel? Yes. Eli realized it was the Lord calling Samuel. What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant? He is humbled and listening to God and carry out His command.

Why does God sometimes not talk to us? God wants us to continue in the pattern we are on presently. He will let us know when it is time for a change. Is it always because we aren’t receptive? No. What should we do when we don’t hear anything from God? Continue on the path we are on. God will let us know when it is time for a change.

Sometimes God nudges you by giving you insight into the spiritual state of people around you. What should you be asking God about once you receive this insight about them? Pray for direction and guidance and follow through to do his will. Have you ever had a nudge from God that resulted in a person receiving help? Possibly. Mostly I get nudges to pray for/with a particular person that I do not know in a store. I do not know what happens after that. What did you learn from this? God is good. I do hope that my prayers have helped the individuals I have met. I continue to follow Gods guidance to where he wants me to do something.

What’s the similarity between God’s brief, inarticulate nudges or promptings, and David’s use of the Urim and Thummim to receive direction? Unsure about this question. Guessing that God would have the stones turned the way he wanted them to answer as with nudges you get a strong answer or feeling. What happens when David needs more than a “yes” or “no” answer? David gets a clear word, answer from the Lord.

Are promptings from the Holy Spirit clear enough when we’re seeking God for direction? Majority of the time I get a very clear understanding of what I am supposed to do. Sometimes I am unsure and pray for understanding. Why is “no” just as important an answer as “yes”? Whether the reason is understood with no or yes, it is God's will to obey both the yes and no directions. Have you ever felt God’s promptings to take some action? Absolutely. If you followed through, what happened? I get a great feeling of accomplishment, or maybe satisfaction, that I have followed the Lords guidance. It is a powerful feeling and hard to explain, but I know the Lord is pleased.

Why was it important for Simon to get a very clear command from the Spirit to go with his visitors? So that Simon would know that it is God's will for him to go with them. What would he have done if the word weren't so clear? As this was the beginning of the evangelization of the Gentiles all over the known world, he may not have gone. What does he do when criticized for taking this action (Acts 11:2, 12)? He explains that the Spirit told him to go with them. What kind of faith does it take to obey the Spirit and take an action you know you'll be criticized for later? Strong faith and belief. You are following God's will and the criticism of others does not matter. Do you disobey when you know you might face criticism for obedience? Sometimes it is hard, but if I know that God is leading me I will follow.

What would have happened if Paul hadn't been sure of his instructions from the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem? He would not have gone and God's will would not have succeeded. Would you have tried to dissuade him? If I knew Paul was following God's will I would not have dissuaded him. It's comforting to receive encouraging words. What level of maturity does it take to receive a direction that might lead us into hardship and danger? If you believe with all your heart that God is leading you into danger (whether mature or not) you will follow. The power of God is great and He can ease any fears you may have. What happens when we choose the easy way, when God leads us on a difficult path? Then you are following you own path and not God's. God bless all.

How do you think it feels to Paul for God to personally encourage him when he is afraid and hurting? He is strong when he depends on God. confident, comforted, encouraged to continue, assurance What do we learn about God that he speaks to Paul in this way? He is a loving God.

Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? God wants us to listen to him. God's quieter voice gets us to concentrate on what He is saying and us to block out what is going on around us so that we can listen to His direction. How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Clarify direction Point to a spiritual companion Correct errors of thinking Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet? There are so many disturbances that surround us. (phones, televisions, minds wandering on things that need to be done, etc) Concentrating on God's voice is difficult for me, although the nudges I seem to be getting better at.

How does the Holy Spirit make “the mind of Christ” available to us? The Holy Spirit mediates it to us. How does this make you dependent upon the Holy Spirit? To be able to have guidance from Christ. How does this relate to listening for God’s voice? The Holy Spirit is telling us what God is wanting us to do.

What promises concerning the Paraclete – Comforter – Counselor – Helper – Holy Spirit does Jesus give in John chapters 14-16? Guide disciples into the way of truth (John 16:13). Teach the disciples (John 14:26). Speak to the disciples what the Spirit hears from the Father (John 16:13a). Declare to the disciples what is to come (John 16:13b). How do these relate to guidance? To “hearing” God? The Holy Spirit will hear what the Father is saying and reveal to the disciples what is to come.

Why do you think Jesus said, “By myself I can do nothing”? (vs. 30). Jesus works were with the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). With the three anything can happen but if they worked individually nothing would happen. I do believe God could work individually though. How do you justify this statement with Jesus’ divine nature as the Son of God? His divine nature is with God. God is with Jesus as he does his journey on earth protecting him, guiding him and giving him knowledge. In what ways can we use Jesus’ example as a pattern for our own life and ministry? We should copy Jesus' ways with love, kindness and caring for the people around us. How do you think Jesus would “see” and “hear” the Father? I believe he could see the Father as an image, like Moses did. I believe he heard the Father audibly.

What pattern do you see emerging in Jesus' prayer life? Jesus prays in solitary places. There are no disturbances and Jesus' time with God is quiet with one on one conversation. Why do you think he spends Quiet Time with the Father before the day begins? I think Jesus would discuss his plan for the day, ask for approval and guidance, and for God to give him strength day. How does this prepare him for for his ministry? He can go in faith and confidence that God is with him to guide him on his ministry. How did the disciple desires for Jesus differ from what Jesus felt impelled to do? Why? Jesus was led by God and followed God's plan rather than the disciples. Do you have a Quiet Time? I haven't before but will have it in the future. What could you do to improve the quality of your time with God each day? I am going to ge a designated space for my time with God