Lean In // 5 minutes
What’s a song that triggers a memory for you?
Leader Note: Many of us have song’s that we associate for certain moments in our life. No matter where we are or what we are doing music has the power to take us back to a moment. Transition your group out of this question by saying something like… “just like music has the power to influence us, God’s voice is powerful and has ability to direct and change us.”
Look Down // 10 minutes
What do you learn about the shepherd and the sheep?
Sample answers may include…
- There are some who try to steal the sheep
- The shepherd enters in through the gate
- The shepherd knows the gatekeeper, has relationship with the gatekeeper
- The sheep listen to and know the shepherd’s voice
- The shepherd calls each sheep by name, he knows them
- The shepherd leads the sheep, goes in front of them
- The sheep know the voice of the shepherd, the trust and follow him
- Sheep run away from strangers, no relationship there, won’t trust won’t follow
Look Out // 10 minutes
What are the types of “voices” people follow?
What does it look like to follow those voices?
- Political commentators
- Money, greed
- Pop culture
- Academic
- Fitness and health
- Appearance, beauty
- Comparison and competition
Leader Note: Make the point to your group that these voices have great influence on the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
Look In // 15 minutes
When was a time you heard and responded to God’s voice?
Leader Note: At this point you may want to remind your group about the content from Rooted Week 3, How Does Good Speak To Us, which highlights the different ways God speaks to us. Have each person in your group describe the way God spoke to them. You may want to also asks other ways He has spoken. The main point to highlight is that God speaks today through various means. In whatever way He always speaks in accordance to His Word, the bible is our guide and standard for how God speaks.
1. God speaks to us through His Word.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. God speaks through His Holy Spirit
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26
3. God speaks to us through His creation.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-
4. God speaks to us through other people
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22
5. God speaks through our circumstances
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:6-10
6. God speaks through supernatural means
- To Moses through a burning bush (Exodus 3)
- To Balaam through his donkey (Numbers 22)
- To Gideon through an Angel (Judges 6)
- To Isaiah through a vision (Isaiah 6)
Where are you currently in need to hear God’s voice?
Leader Note: God’s voice often provides clarity and wisdom and reminds us of our identity in Christ? What’s a situation you’re facing where need God to speak and lead?
Live It Out // 5 minutes
How might your life and the lives of others be affected by you following God’s voice?
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Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.