LISTEN (A Sunday school lesson: Seeking God and self-honesty)

LISTEN

James 1:19 (NLT) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Does anyone find this verse difficult with which to comply?

2.  “Listening doesn’t happen by default; it happens by design.” (1)
What does this mean?

3.   An axiom of Mark Batterson has been helpful to me. It is as follows:
    “Change of pace + Change of place = Change of perspective (2)
Has anyone found that to be true? Share.
Dr. Wayne Williams example

4. Confessions for not wanting to listen to God.
What God might say.
He is All-Powerful God.
What if I don’t hear anything?
What if I hear a message, but I don’t know if it is from God?
I am scared that you are not pleased with me, and your voice may not be pleasant.
I might need to change after hearing from God.
God may ask me to do something that I really do not want to do.
Do you have others?

5. Answers
I realized that I was being self-centered minded instead of Kingdom-minded.
I am not loving God like I should. This thinking show lack of trust and lack of obedience for God.
I am not loving people like I should. In order to be the me God wants me to be, I must allow Him to guide me. This will help me to help others.
I desperately want more of God in my life.
Do you have others?

6. Scriptures to help Guide us.
Psalm 46:10a
Psalm 37:23
Romans 8:28
Others?

7. How can I enhance my ability to hear God?(3)
Find a place of quiet.
Carve out the time. (This will not happen by accident.)
We must WANT to hear from God.
We must listen.
Others?

8. How does God speak to us?
Through His word
Through others
Impressions deep in our soul
Circumstances
Others?

9. Final Verses
Matthew 6:33
Hebrews 12:2

10. Other questions, answers, thought, scriptures, or aides to help us listen to God?

Endnotes are all from Whisper; How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson
page 46
page 49
With help from Chapter 2; “The Whispering Spot”