If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
A challenge of the Christian life: Knowing what God might want me to do. Sometimes this is because we are confused and want God to show us if there is one way that is going to work out better than others. At other times it is a safety. I know what I want, but does the Lord have a better plan?
There are three parts to this subject
- This page: The Spirit’s leading.
- A page: on Making Godly Decisions.
- The hand in hand illustration - Making decisions and the Spirit’s leading.
We walk in partnership with God, not as automatons under remote control. The outworking of this partnership is the fruit of faith, hope and love. To have a partnership requires interaction from both parties. This page is on God’s part.
Bible Zone
There are five factors given here. Peace is key since it touches on all the remainder.
- Peace - The peace of God, or lack of it can indicate if we are on God’s path.
- In Prayer - Sometimes decisions become clear as we pray.
- Bible Words - Sometimes the Lord directs by highlighting a verse of the Bible.
- Spiritual indicators - Sometimes there are dreams, dreams and prophecies.
- Circumstances - Sometimes events indicate to us that God is directing.
Peace is a key indicator for by it God can show us that paths we would think good are in fact not good.
- What influence are we asked to allow Christ’s peace?
Colossians 3: 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Example of Peace
Paul explains his actions.
- What influenced Paul’s decision?
- At what cost did Paul leave Troas?
2 Corinthians 2: 12 When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.13 But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn't yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.
A personal example of peace. No hiding
Sometimes in the context of prayer ideas come to mind that bring great clarity to a situation.
- How is our understanding influenced through prayer?
- With what attitude should we pray?
James 1: 5 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
Example of Prayer
In the context of a prayer meeting direction is given to a group of church leaders.
- How did God intervene in this situation?
Acts 13: 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them."3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Personal example of prayer - Family to faith.
Sometimes the Lord uses words of the Bible to direct us.
- What is the Psalm writer’s experience of God’s word?
- In what way does the Psalm writer experience God’s leading?
Psalm 119: 105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Example Bible Words
Paul and Barnabas explain their actions by explaining that God has commanded them through a passage of the Bible. (Isaiah 49:6 - a prophecy concerning Jesus.) It should be noted that Paul and Barnabas did not expect anyone else to live by this passage. It was a personal command to them.
- How strongly do they take this passage as being for them?
Acts 13: 47 For the Lord gave us this command when he said,'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.'*"
Personal example of Bible Words - First Fish.
Sometimes things are not clear enough through the Bible and the Lord needs to direct through a greater level of intervention. This can involve such things as visions, dreams and even audible voices.
- How does the Lord indicate that He would lead at this time?
Isaiah 30: 21 Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,
"This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left.
Example of Spiritual Indicators
In this example, Paul has been hemmed into a town on the north west of Turkey (Troas) and seems to be stuck thinking he should be heading east.
- What action did Paul and his group take on seeing this vision?
- How certain is Paul that God was really calling them?
Acts 16: 9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!"10 So we* decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
Sometimes the Lord uses circumstances to stop a path or to open one up.
- How does the Lord explain how He can direct?
- What security does it give us knowing that the Lord can close doors?
Revelation 3:: 7 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.
This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open:*
Example of circumstances
Paul believes he should be moving east, but something is stopping him. He concludes that it is the Holy Spirit at work. We don’t know how, but circumstances can be assumed.
- What decisions do we see here from the missionary team?
Acts 16: 7-8 6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia,* but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.8 So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.
A personal example of circumstances - Red Lights.
Illustration on decisions and God’s leading -Decisions Leading
SPIRIT’S LEADING
