Many voices come at our minds, day after day. Some of those voices come from the world around us, through our 5 senses. But then there are those inner voices. Where do they come from — our own thoughts? the voices of others within?
Discerning all those voices, within and without can be tricky. But believe it or not there was a post on Facebook recently that certainly helps.
Read MoreWere not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road...? Luke 24:32
Carter and I have this thing goin' -- walkin' n talkin'...n talkin' n walkin'...n walkin' n talkin' n....on and on and on.
It's pure delight for both of us, because Carter is 3-1/2**...and I'm Carter's Babci (Polish for Grandma). I know it won't last forever -- he'll grow up and become interested in many other things. But for right now, we have each other and walkin' n talkin' n talkin' n walkin'!
Read MoreCHAPTER 23: POURED OUT
Key Verse:
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-7 ESV
Key Question:
How is God's love manifested through us?
Read Chapter 23: Poured Out and answer the following:
1. What is the difference between God’s kind of love and human love?
2. How has God’s love come to us? What does this say about how we will live out His love?
3. In what ways does the flesh deceive us into thinking that fulfilling selfish desires will bring us life? What does God say will bring us life? What is God saying to you concerning this truth now?
4. Why is it vital for us to know that Jesus is our need-meeter?
5. How does seeing ourselves as God’s asset, not His liability, release us to be poured out for others?
6. How has God individually made you as His vessel, to manifest His life to others in ways different from other believers?
7. How do Dan’s comments about operating in your own world affect the way you think about Christ living through you? In what ways have you thought differently before? How did these different views affect your Christian life?
8. As He lives through you, what is Jesus most interested in? What does God have to say to you through this truth now?
9. What does it mean to be expendable for the kingdom? How was Jesus expendable? How does God want you to be expendable?
10. In the sense that Dan uses the word, what does it mean to be an intercessor on someone’s behalf? Is there someone Jesus wants to intercede for through you?
11. Reread the last paragraph of the chapter. Why is it so important that we know we are loved?
CHAPTER 19: HEARING GOD
Key Verses
To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers... My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:3-5,27 ESV
Key Question:
How do we hear God?
Read Chapter 19: Hearing God and answer the following:
1. What does it mean to us personally that Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice?”
2. What does it take for us to live in the reality of that statement?
3. How do we learn to hear God? Where are you in the process? How does God want you to learn to hear Him more?
4. What does hearing God have to do with Christ living in us? How has God set up the Christian life to be led by the Spirit?
5. How can we give both the written Word of God and the voice of the Spirit their rightful place in our lives?
6. How do you distinguish between the Spirit’s voice and your own thoughts?
7. What role do external results in our lives play in validating whether we heard from God?
8. What are three practical things that Dan mentions concerning hearing God? How might these work out right now in your life?
Janet Renner Loyd has been a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ most of her life. Her formal education includes a degree in education from the University of Arizona and also a degree in Bible & Theology from Moody Bible Institute. For more than thirty years, she has been involved in teaching and leading women’s Bible studies, retreats, and meetings…most notably Precept upon Precept and various studies that she has personally developed. Professionally, Jan recently retired from teaching language and writing to GED and adult ESOL students.
About her life, Jan says, “The most important thing about me is my relationship with my Father God through my Lord Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful to Him for His love, mercy, and grace to me and my family and friends...and the world.”
Jan has been happily married to John Loyd for more than forty years. They have two adult, married children and five lively young grandsons.
