Sermon Series - Voices

Weekly Study Guide

Week 1: Can You Hear It?

Open in Prayer.

Key Takeaways:
1. God is always speaking, but we need to learn to listen and discern His voice.
2. Closeness with God drives familiarity with His voice.
3. There are four main ways God speaks to us: through His Word, prayer, circumstances, and other people (especially the church).
4. Once we hear God's voice, we should trust and take bold steps of action and determined obedience.

Discussion Questions:
1. Pastor Brent mentions that we live in a world with many voices competing for our attention. What are some of the loudest "voices" in your life right now? How do these voices impact your ability to hear God?
     Reference Isaiah 26:3
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of closeness with God to recognize His voice. What practices have helped you feel closer to God in the past? Are there any new practices you'd like to try? Example: fasting, silence & solitude, daily Bible reading...
     Reference Psalm 25:4-5
3. Reflect on a time when you felt you clearly heard God's voice. How did you know it was God? What was the result of following (or not following) that guidance?
     Reference 1 Kings 19:11-12
4. Pastor Brent discusses four ways God speaks: through His Word, prayer, circumstances, and other people. Which of these do you find easiest to recognize? Which is most challenging for you?
5. How do you distinguish between God's voice and your own desires or thoughts? What strategies do you use to confirm that you're hearing from God?
     Reference Jeremiah 17:9
6. The sermon mentions the importance of taking bold steps of action once we hear God's voice. Can you share an experience where you took action based on what you believed God was saying? What was the outcome?
     Reference 1 Kings 8:58
7. Psalm 23 is presented as an illustration of our relationship with God as our shepherd. Which part of this psalm resonates most with you right now, and why?

Practical Applications:
1. 21 Days of Prayer Challenge: Commit to participating in the church's 21 days of prayer initiative. Set aside specific times each day for intentional prayer and listening to God.
2. One-Day Fast: Choose one day during the 21-day period to do a water-only fast, using the time you would normally spend eating to read and meditate on God's Word.
3. Bible Reading Plan: Start a daily Bible reading plan to immerse yourself in God's Word. Consider using a journaling method to record insights and what you feel God is saying to you.
4. Accountability Partner: Pair up with another group member to check in regularly about your efforts to hear God's voice and act on what He's saying.
5. Service Opportunity: As a group, pray about and choose a way to serve others in your community, listening for God's guidance in how to meet needs around you.

Closing Prayer:
Thank God for His desire to speak to us. Ask for heightened sensitivity to His voice and courage to act on what He says.

Weekly Study Guide

Week 2: Lies, Lies, Lies

Opening Prayer:
Begin your session with a prayer, asking God to guide your discussion and help apply the truths from the sermon to your lives.

Key Takeaways:
The enemy uses lies to undermine God's truth and hinder our spiritual growth.
We must identify the source of negative thoughts and take them captive.
God's truth must trump the lies we believe about ourselves and our circumstances.
In our weakness, God's strength is made perfect.

Discussion Questions:
1. Pastor Brent mentioned that the enemy exploits our weaknesses. What areas in your life do you feel most vulnerable to the enemy's attacks
     Reference: Ephesians 6:10,11. Romans 12:1-2
2. The sermon highlighted that 80% of our daily thoughts are negative, and 90% are recurring. How have you experienced this in your own life? Thoughts contrary to the truth of God’s Word are like a mental wall of resistance—a stronghold. The believer’s approach to pulling down strongholds is to present the truth of God’s Word and let the Holy Spirit reshape the our thoughts, heart attitudes, and perceptions
     Reference: Hebrews 4:12
3. How can we practically "take every thought captive" as mentioned in the sermon? Could you share some strategies you've found helpful?
     Reference: Proverbs 3:5
‍4. Discuss a time when you realized a long-held belief about yourself was a lie from the enemy. How did recognizing and rejecting that lie impact your life?
5. Pastor Brent emphasized that "unaccountable thoughts lead to a life of devastation." How can we hold each other accountable for our thought lives as a small group?
6. How does understanding that we are "God's masterpiece" (Ephesians 2:10) change how we view ourselves and our purpose?

Practical Applications:
1. Daily Truth Declaration: Spend 5 minutes daily in prayer, asking God to expose lies and declaring His truth over your life.
2. Scripture Memorization: Choose a verse from the sermon (e.g., 2 Corinthians 10:5, John 8:32, or Ephesians 2:10) to memorize this week.
3. Thought Journal: Keep a journal this week to track negative thoughts. Next to each one, write a corresponding truth from Scripture.
4. Accountability Partners: Pair up with someone in the group to check in regularly about your thought life and encourage each other to speak the truth.
5. Serve Others: Look for opportunities to encourage others with God's truth this week, whether through a kind word, a text message, or an act of service.

Closing Prayer:
End your session by praying for each other, specifically addressing areas where group members struggle with believing lies. Ask God to renew your minds and help you walk in His truth.

Weekly Study Guide

Week 3: When He Speaks

Open with prayer.

Key Takeaways:
God reveals His nature and character through His Word and through Jesus.
God speaks to grow our relationship with Him and build our trust.
God teaches us our purpose and how to live through His Word.
God communicates His love for us, primarily through Jesus' life and teachings.

Discussion Questions:
1. Pastor Brent mentioned that sometimes we do "interesting things" to try to hear from God. Have you ever tried unconventional methods to hear God's voice? Have you ever attempted to force God's hand? What was your experience?
     Consider the following passage 1Kings 19:11-13
2. As the Israelites were led out of Egypt to the promised land, the journey took 40 years instead of 4 days due to a lack of trust. They were in a wilderness of uncertainty, unbelief, and indecision. Look up the following verses to see how they can guide you through similar experiences.
     Reference: Proverbs 3:5,6 Psalm 37:5,7 Isaiah 26:3,4
3. How has your understanding of God's nature and character evolved? Can you share an experience that significantly impacted your view of God? The following verses reveal specific characteristics of God. Discuss what they are and how they deepen your trust in Him.
     Reference: Proverbs 20:24 Jeremiah 10:23 Jeremiah 29:11
4. The sermon emphasized trusting God's voice. What challenges do you face in trusting God, especially when His guidance doesn't align with your plans or desires? What scriptures do you personally lean on to encourage you to stay the course?
5. Reflect on the story of the Prodigal Son. How does this parable illustrate and communicate God's unconditional love and forgiveness? Have you had a prodigal experience? How did your Heavenly Father reposition you?
     Reference: 1 Peter 2:9
6. The sermon mentioned four purposes of life: glorifying God, knowing and loving God, serving God and others, and having eternal life. Which of these do you find most challenging, and why?

Practical Applications:
Daily Scripture Reading: Commit to reading a passage from the Bible each day this week, focusing on verses that reveal God's nature and character.
Trust Exercise: Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God. Write it down and pray daily, asking God to help you trust Him more in this area.
Purpose-Driven Action: Choose one of the four life purposes mentioned in the sermon and take a specific action this week to live it out (e.g., serve at a local charity, spend extra time praying, share your faith with someone).
Love Letter from God: Write a letter to yourself from God's perspective, based on biblical truths about His love for you. Read it when you're feeling discouraged or doubting God's love.
Group Accountability: Partner with another group member to check in daily about how you're listening for God's voice and applying what you hear.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank you for speaking to us through Your Word, through Jesus, and through Your Holy Spirit. Help us to listen attentively, trust You completely, and live out the purposes You have for us. May we grow in our understanding of Your love.

Weekly Study Guide

Week 4: Confidence in the Calling

Open with prayer.

Summary:
The more we obey His voice, the more confident we can be in our calling and purpose.

Key Takeaways:
1. Obedience to the Holy Spirit versus our fleshly desires will grow our confidence in hearing His voice.
2. Obedience to His voice over our reasoning can be challenging.
3. Obedience to His voice will draw out our fears.
4. To obey His voice is better than sacrifice.
5. To obey His voice is to enjoy His purpose over our plans

Discussion Questions:
1. Pastor Brent mentioned confidence in His voice, and obeying it allows us to live a life of purpose. How does the following scripture speak to this truth? What is the key to the Holy Spirit’s leading?
     Reference: Galatians 5:25
2. Pastor Brent mentioned that sometimes God calls us to do crazy things that take us out of our comfort zones. Discuss when you have obeyed or not obeyed His voice. What was the experience like, and what did you learn? Was there a verse that encouraged you to obey or perhaps one that convicted your heart for disobeying?
3. The sermon emphasized obedience over fear. God sometimes calls you to do something, take on a responsibility, or say something that immediately creates fear. Pastor Brent mentioned fearing failure, rejection, and insecurity, and in our desire to self-preserve, we will not obey. He also encouraged us to be okay with looking like fools and to let go of this fear. How is this statement encouraging you to walk forward in something fearful? How do the following verses encourage you? When has fear kept you from obedience? How can we overcome fear?
     Reference: Matthew 14:30, 2 Timothy 1:7
4. Obedience over sacrifice - 1 Samuel 15:22Why did Samuel rebuke Saul?What is the significance of God valuing obedience over sacrifice?
5. Describe when God radically exceeded your expectations when you trusted and obeyed Him. How did it grow your confidence in your walk with Jesus?
6. Pastor Brent encouraged us to welcome the interruption in our plans, referencing the following scriptures. What does each verse teach you about His plans, our obedience, and the reward of confidence?
     Reference: Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 37:23, Isaiah 46:10, Jeremiah 10:23.

Practical Applications:
1. Daily Scripture Reading: This week, commit to reading a passage from the Bible each day, focusing on verses that speak to God’s reward of confidence when we obey.
2. Obedience Exercise: Is there something God is calling you to do or stop doing? How can you apply the Pastor’s message to encourage you to follow through?
3. Reflection: Examine your heart as to why you may find it hard to submit and obey.
4. Journal the following questions: Does my lifestyle and values align with God’s? What is my fear rooted in, pride, rejection, insecurity?
5. Prayer: Take a day to challenge yourself to be aware of God’s presence and how the Holy Spirit is leading. Write out your experience and share it with someone.
6. Accountability: Partner with another group member to check in daily about how you're listening for God's voice and applying what you hear.

Closing Prayer: Father, thank you for speaking to us through Your Word, Jesus, and Your Holy Spirit. Help us to listen attentively, trust You completely, and live out the purposes You have for us. May we grow in our understanding of Your love and extend that love to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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