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We can stop dreaming - hearing God’s voice - for many of reasons. However, ultimately, is boils down to putting what is less important above what is most important! Everything else is less important than knowing and loving God! And, putting what is most important at the top of our agendas will have a positive impact on every other facet of life. Today we'll look at another two hindrances to hearing God's voice.
Lack of teaching and community stop us 'dreaming'
i) Teaching
We can also stop hearing God’s voice because we are not being taught how to hear Him. Sometimes we are not hearing God’s voice because we are not teachable.
The converse is also true: if we are being taught a good diet of God's word, we will learn to hear God's voice. I do hope that you managed to do last week’s devotionals that spoke about keys to receiving ‘dreams’ from God. I do urge you to participate in being an active part of this learning community.
ii) Community
Sometimes we can stop hearing God’s voice because we are not being encouraged in church or a Community Group because we are not attending. Or, maybe we attend for our own benefit alone -without realising that God wants us to love and encourage His people.
The converse is also true: if you want to hear God's voice (dream for God) being in a loving community will aid this. It’s in community that we develop a culture of listening to God; it’s in community that we can practice sharing what we believe God is saying to others.
I was really inspired whilst talking to a friend from this church recently; he shared how they made space in their Community Group meeting to pray and share words for each other - what a great thing to do!
RESPONSE
When was the last time you shared a prophetic word for someone in your Community Group? What could you do make this more of a regular occurrence for you?
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY – GOD IS STILL SPEAKING, ARE WE STILL DREAMING?
Opener/Ice-breaker
What has been the funniest/strangest dream that you've had?
Introduction - please read in your group
Please read Read Genesis 37:5-11.
God spoke to Joseph in two dreams. These dreams were not received well by his family who became hateful and defensive. Jacob, Joseph's father, and his family should have known better; they had a history of God speaking to them in dreams. However, even their poor response is used by God to actually fulfil His promises!
God has promised to speak to his people, but we can fail to listen. Jesus has said,
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:12-13)
We can stop hearing because we are too busy, discouraged or have not been teachable so have not learned to listen. Many struggle to think that God loves them and would want to speak to them.
During last week's devotionals, we looked at 3 basic practices that will help all of us to hear and do what God says. These were:
1. Read His word prayerfully
2. Keep a journal -write down what you think God is speaking to you about .
3. Share ‘dreams’ and pray with others
God is still speaking, are we still dreaming - are we giving quality making time to prayerfully listen to our Father's voice?
Discuss together
Do you have any examples from the last week of God speaking to you through His word?
Discuss/share in smaller 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