Alpha Course, Week 7

Here's a look at the worksheet for tomorrow's session.

Alpha Course, Week 7

How Does God Guide Us?

Key Verse: Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”

Introduction:

  • God promises to guide us (Psalm 32:8, John 10:3-4, 27)
  • God has a good plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 12:2)
  • We need to consult God before making decisions (Isaiah 30:1-2)
  • Jesus is the supreme example (Luke 4:1, John 5:19)
  • Our attitude needs to be one of humility (Psalm 25:9, 14)

1. Commanding Scripture

  • God reveals his general will for our lives (2 Timothy 3:16)
  • God reveals his particular will for our lives (Psalm 119:105, 130-133)

2. Compelling Spirit (Acts 20:22, John 10:3-4, Acts 16:7)

  • God speaks as you pray (Acts 13:1-3)
    • The good thought
    • Strong impressions
    • Feelings
  • God speaks through a strong desire to do something (Philippians 2:13)
  • Sometimes he guides us in more unusual ways
    • Prophecy (Acts 11:27-28, 21:10-11)
    • Dreams (Matthew 1:20)
    • Visions/Pictures (Acts 16:10)
    • Angels (Genesis 18, Matthew 2:19, Acts 12:7)
    • Audible Voice (1 Samuel 3:4-14)
  • We need to test what we’re being led to do (1 John 4:1)
    • Is it love (1 John 4:16)
    • Is it in line with the Bible
    • Is it strengthening, encouraging, and comforting (1 Corinthians 14:3)
    • Does it bring the peace of God (Colossians 3:15)

3. Common Sense (Psalm 32:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:7; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24)

4. Counsel of Saints (Proverbs 12:15; 15:22; 20:18)

5. Circumstantial Signs (Psalm 37:5)

  • Sometimes God closes doors (Acts 16:7)
  • Sometimes God opens doors (1 Corinthians 16:9)
  • Watch the circumstances but don’t put too much weight on them
  • Sometimes we need to persevere despite the circumstances

Conclusions:

  • Be patient (Hebrews 6:15)
  • We all make mistakes and God forgives us (Joel 2:25)
  • God calls us for His purpose (Romans 8:28)

Discussion Questions:

1. Nicky begins with a quote from Rick Warren about the shortcomings of those God used to fulfill his purpose. It can be natural to feel unworthy of being called or used by God. Do you ever feel this way? What do you do when you feel this way?

2. Many in the Bible talk about being led by the Spirit, including the Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ. In what ways have you experiences the guiding hand of God in your life?

3. John Stott said, “God’s promises of guidance were not given to save us the problem of thinking.” What does that statement mean to you? How can we apply that principle to determining how God is guiding us?

4. Nicky talks about his call from God to go into ministry. He said also that God calls us into things, not away from things. What has been your experience with this in your own life? Have you had a circumstance where you felt God was leading you to something?

5. Nicky talks about the need for patience in determining God’s will. Time and again in the Bible we see the importance of waiting for answers in God’s time. What is the hardest part about waiting on the Lord?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Now Playing

Image
  It was an interesting week for new releases in theaters. Below is my take on the two big theatrical films from the weekend. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Boy Kills World (Theaters) Starring : Bill Skarsgard, Jessica Rothe, Famke Janssen, Brett Gellman, and Michelle Dockery Synopsis : We have seen a lot of action films this year. Many have featured violent sequences, but some have been more artful than others. The new film, Boy Kills World, provides plenty of violence. It’s right there in the title. But where it falls short is in building something compelling beyond the killing spree. We’re introduced to a Boy (Skarsgard) early in the film. He tells us that his world is ruled by the Van Der Koy family, whose head, Hilda (Janssen) keeps the people in line through an annual Culling, where she kills “enemies.” Our protagonist’s mother and sister were among her victims. The Boy barely survived; saved by the Shaman (Yayan Ru...
Read more

Fall TV Roundup, Week 16

Image
  It’s Christmas week, and you might find yourself looking for some distractions in the form of new shows to check out. But which are worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new shows this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Tuesdays: American Auto, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC (Premiered December 13) About: A lot was made of the fact NBC, former home of Must-See TV, launched a schedule this Fall with no sitcoms. NBC isn’t planning to do the same in the winter, and they got a jump start to close the year, offering two-episode previews of a pair of new sitcoms that will begin their normal runs in January. The first, American Auto , comes from Superstore creator Justin Spitzer and centers on a new CEO (Ana Gasteyer) at a car company. She doesn’t come from the world of cars but is trying to effect positive changes. I thought the first two episodes were funny and definitely filled the Superstore vib...
Read more

Now Playing

Image
  It was a solid week for new releases, including my favorite animated film of the year. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.  Brats (Hulu) Synopsis : From Andrew McCarthy, this new documentary takes a look at the infamous Brat Pack. The film features interviews with the members as they look back at the title that branded them and helped define some of their career. As a member of the group, McCarthy brings a unique perspective. Often the interviews, with actors such as Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Timothy Hutton, and Demi Moore, among others, feels more like old friends catching up. There’s a sweetness and a lightness to the documentary that is incredibly appealing. The film does a good job of capturing the highs and lows, and helping these actors and actresses give an account of what the pressure of that time—and these high-profile films—meant in their lives and their careers. As a child of the 1980s, I was fascinating by t...
Read more