DIGGING DEEPER

Hear & Obey:

Listening for Encouragement

Big idea: like a good parent, God doesn’t just give us instructions for guidance, He gives us encouragement as fuel.

What is a biblical basis for hearing God’s encouragement?

• Old Testament examples (Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, etc.)
• Matthew 3:16-17
• Matthew 17:1-5
• Romans 8:14-17
• John 17:22-26
• John 15:9

What helps us (Jesus’ followers) hear God’s encouragement?

• Learning and trusting God’s Word
• Connecting in healthy Christian community
• Pursuing healing and freedom
• Embracing our identity as a way of life
• Being more intentional to listen for it

Steps to healing:

1. Identify the lie (what does the devil want you to believe?)
2. Hear and claim the truth (what does God want you to believe?)

Steps to freedom:

1. Confess and repent
2. Renounce/cancel
3. Command/break
4. Commit/claim

View the "Who I Am In Christ" booklet HERE.

From your perspective, what happens when parents give instruction without affirmation?

React to this idea: like a good parent, God doesn’t just give us instructions for guidance, He gives us encouragement as fuel.

Read Matthew 3:16-17 and 17:1-5. Reflect on Jesus’ relationship to the Father. What do we sense about the importance of affirmation?

Read Romans 8:14-17. What is Holy Spirit’s job? What does that look like in our lives? Be as specific as possible or give examples.

Read John 17:22-26 and try your best to put words to this radical idea: the Father loves His children the way He loves Jesus.

Read John 15:9. Why is this basically the most awesome command we could ever be given?

How common is it for you to hear God’s encouragement? What would help with that? Some ideas include:

• Learning and trusting God’s Word
• Connecting in healthy Christian community
• Pursuing healing and freedom
• Embracing our identity as a way of life
• Being more intentional to listen for it

Considering all this, what could you do to hear God’s encouragement in the next 24 hours that takes no more than five minutes?

Looking for questions based on a past sermon?