Listening for God's Voice, by Ralph F. WilsonListening for God's Voice

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
JesusWalk Publications, 2018
107 pages


Preface

4

 

Table of Contents

7

 

References and Abbreviations

10

 

Reprint Guidelines

11

Introduction to Listening for God's Voice

12

 

1. God's Interest in Our Affairs

12

 

2. My Worthiness

13

 

3. Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture

13

 

4. Need for Obedience

14

 

5. Going Off the Deep End

14

 

Practical Assignments

15

 

Week 0 Assignment. Get Ready. Find A Mentor, a Spiritual Partner, and a Notebook

15

1. Listening for God as a Biblical Pattern (Mark 1:35; John 5:19)

17

 

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place (Mark 1:33-39)

18

 

Seeing What the Father Is Doing (John 5:17-20)

21

 

The Son Can Do Nothing by Himself (John 5:19)

22

 

Jesus' Reliance on the Father's Voice (John 5:19)

23

 

Jesus' Pattern of Communing with the Father

24

 

Healing the Demon-Oppressed Boy (Mark 9:29)

25

 

Jesus Ministered in the Power of the Spirit

26

 

Promises of the Holy Spirit (John 14-16)

26

 

The Spirit Reveals the Mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:9-11, 16)

28

 

God Speaking to Believers is a Clear Biblical Pattern

29

 

Lessons for Disciples

30

 

Week 1 Assignment. Set Aside a Regular Quiet Time to Spend with God

31

2. Recognizing God's Voice (1 Kings 19)

34

 

Elijah's Great Victory and Deep Depression (1 Kings 17-19)

34

 

The Theophany to Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13)

35

 

The Still, Small Voice (1 Kings 19:12b)

37

 

Learning from Elijah's Still Small Voice

38

 

Samuel Anointing David (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

41

 

But We're Not All Prophets

42

 

Words of Encouragement

42

 

Guidance to Travel to Jerusalem -- and Confusing Interpretations

44

 

Instruction to Testify in Rome (Acts 23:11)

46

 

The Embarrassment of Not Persisting

48

 

Don't Hesitate to Go with Them (Acts 10)

48

 

Separate for Me Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3)

49

 

Lessons for Disciples

49

 

Week 2 Assignment. Learn to Quiet Yourself and Listen

50

3. Nudges and No (Acts 8:26-40; 16:6-10)

54

 

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)

54

 

Where to Preach -- and Where Not To (Acts 16:6-10)

56

 

David Inquiring of the Lord (1 and 2 Samuel)

59

 

Supernatural Spiritual Insight

61

 

Is This a 'Word of Knowledge'?

61

 

Seeking Direction in Regular Prayer

62

 

Everyday Nudges

62

 

Where Have You Seen God Lately?

63

 

Is God Talking Non-Stop?

64

 

God's Nudges to Us Provide Incremental Encouragement to People He Loves

65

 

Lessons for Disciples

65

 

Week 3 Assignment. Sensitize Yourself: Where Have You Seen God Lately?

66

4. Heart Preparation for Listening to God(1 Samuel 3:1-10)

68

 

Samuel: "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:1-10)

68

 

What We Can Learn from Samuel's Call

70

 

It Is the Relationship, not the Voice, that We Seek

71

 

Learning to Follow Orders without Questioning

73

 

God Leads by Seeing the Whole Picture (Psalm 32:8-9)

74

 

We'll Only Know When We're Willing to Trust

74

 

Waiting on the Lord (Psalm 27:14)

75

 

The Subtlety of Pride

76

 

Lessons for Disciples

77

 

Week 4 Assignment. Ask God Questions and Listen for His Response

77

5. Discerning God's Voice (Judges 6:36-40)

80

 

Yahweh Speaks to Gideon (Judges 6-8)

80

 

Gideon Asks for a Sign (Judges 6:36-38)

81

 

Tempting or Testing God

82

 

Humbly Asking for Confirmation

84

 

The Voices in Our Head

85

 

A Learning Process Involves Mistakes

85

 

The Voices of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil (Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17)

86

 

The Renewal of Our Minds (Romans 12:2)

87

 

Learn the Scriptures

88

 

Recognize and Surrender Your Desires

88

 

Confess and Repent of any Known Sin

89

 

Inner Peace

90

 

Don't Be Rushed

91

 

Counsel with a Spiritual Brother or Sister

92

 

The Voice of the Spirit (John 10:3-5; Romans 8:16; 1 John 2:20, 27)

93

 

You Can Trust Your Shepherd

93

 

Lessons for Disciples

94

 

Week 5 Assignment. Converse with God While Around Other People

95

Appendix 1. Participant Handouts

100

Appendix 2. Assignments to Sensitize You to God's Voice

101

Appendix 3. Bibliography

107

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