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Today is an overview of the key skills on hearing God’s voice that we’ve been looking at this week. Like Joseph, the Father is speaking to us, but do we have ears to hear? Are we listening and are we prepared to respond in obedience? Are we like Samuel who said, ‘Speak Lord for your servant is listening’?
1. Read His word prayerfully
The most important key to hearing God’s voice is honouring His word. All of God’s word is God’s will (His general will) for all of us. However, as we read it, it’s vital to pray and listen to what the Holy Spirit, specifically, wants to say to you.
2. Keep a journal
When God speaks to you through your bible reading, a dream, a prophetic word, an inner conviction… it’s really helpful to write it down for future reference and ongoing prayer. It’s so important to revisit and pray about what God has said in the past.
3. Share ‘dreams’ with others
Joseph shared his dreams. This was not received well, however, it was sharing the dream that led to its fulfilment! Sharing what we believe that God is saying provides wisdom and accountability. Negative responses are also helpful! a negative response can be taken in two ways:
Firstly, after prayer, you may conclude that this response is God telling you that your ‘dream’ is not from Him.
Secondly, the negative ‘testing’ response can make you realise that you are prepared to ‘fight’ for the dream - the ‘fire’ makes you realise that this dream is ‘gold’ from God!
RESPONSE
Finally, we will only expect the Father to speak to us and persevere in obedience if we remain in the love of God. The disposition of knowing that we are unconditionally loved is the foundation for listening and obedience. Joseph was given an ornate robe to wear; this robe spoke of his father’s love. Christians have been given the ‘robe’ of Jesus’ righteousness and the unconditional love of God we have in Christ. Are you wearing this robe as your fundamental identity? Let’s do what Jude encourages us,
‘But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.’ (Jude 1:21)
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - DESPISED BUT NOT REJECTED (JOSEPH PART 1)
Opener
What has been the clearest moment of God speaking to you?
Introduction - please read in your group
Please read Read Genesis 37:1-11.
This week we begin a series in the life of Joseph. He receives dreams from God that, after a long and winding road, will lead to the salvation of many from from famine.
This week’s message was entitled, ‘Despised but not rejected’. Joseph became hated by his brothers, but he remained loved and favoured by God.
If we are going to expect to receive dreams from God, and persevere in obedience, we must know that we are unconditionally loved, no matter how despised we may be.
This week, in the daily devotionals, we are covering how to receive dreams from God, please be going through these this week.
Discuss together
If you or someone you know was feeling rejected by God, what texts of scripture would you use to encourage them?
Discuss/share together in small groups from Sunday’s message:
What did you hear from the Holy Spirit?
What will you do because of it?
How can we pray for you?
Notices
Please share from this week’s Church News
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