Introduction and Ice Breaker
What would your best friend/family member say is a blind spot or weakness of yours?
Themes to Consider
A God who speaks and a people who listen
Competing voices
Hearing and obedience
Discussion Questions
Describe a “holy ground” moment where you experienced God speaking to you.
Do you have a clear conviction that you need to have the Word of God speaking over your life regularly for sustenance and vitality?
“Earth is crammed with God. Every common bush afire with God. Only he who sees takes off his shoes.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do you think God is trying to get your attention, so that you can hear the words of life he is trying to speak over you?
Do you doubt that God tries to communicate with you?
How do you feel about the idea of obeying your way into understanding and freedom?
Guided Prayer
Silence / Remove distractions as much as you can and spend two minutes (time it, if helpful) in silence, noticing your body, your emotions and thoughts. Perhaps use a simple phrase to pray silently so that you stay focused.
Adoration / Mention and describe the characteristics you have learned about God which astonished you. “God you are…”
Confession / Confess where your week has carried on without awareness of God. Confess self reliance and self sufficiency. Confess depletion from neglecting to stop and listen for God's voice.
Thanksgiving / Thank God for how he has communicated his love to us, primarily through Jesus Christ, and also through specific ways he has acted in your life.
Supplication / Ask God to meet with you and speak to you. Pray for people in your life who need to notice God or hear his voice.
Silence / End with two minutes of silence and write down what you feel like God is saying to you today.
quotes
Talking at God
Talking to God
Listening to God
Being with God
Armchair Mystics, Mark Thibodeaux
Earth is crammed with God. Every common bush afire with God. Only he who sees takes off his shoes.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Habakkuk
In the beginning he wrestles with god -
Habakkuk 1:2 (ESV): O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
God speaks -
Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV): “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
Habakkuk’s change -
Habakkuk 3:17–18 (ESV): Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
