Topic: Hearing From God
Memory Verse:
“And the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel, Samuel.’ Then Samuel answered, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.” 1 Samuel 3:10
Lesson Text – 1 Samuel 3:1-10
LESSON INTRODUCTION
You cannot hear if there is no call from somewhere or someone.
Also, you can only answer a call that you hear. Throughout the days of the Bible, God spoke to His people in diverse ways. In contemporary times, God still speaks. The basic questions are:
‘How does God speak?’ and ‘how do we hear?’
Lesson Outline
A. HOW GOD SPEAKS
B. HOW MAN HEARS.
HOW GOD SPEAKS
In times past, God spoke directly with people. For instance, God communicated directly with Abraham (Gen. 12:1; 17:1), Moses (Ex. 3:4; Num. 12:6-8), and Joshua (Josh. 5:13-15). Others, such as Jacob, heard from God through dreams (Gen. 28:12-13).
Ezekiel saw visions, Ezek. 1: 1. Before the Incarnation of God, the Son, God spoke through the prophets (Heb. 1:1). We heard from God through men such as Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Malachi, and the other prophets. They relayed messages from God, and often their words were written down and preserved so we would always know His promises, His law, and His redemptive plans.
Through the ministry of Jesus, God spoke directly to us. Jesus’ words “are full of the Spirit and life” Jn. 6: 63. In these last days God has spoken to us by his Son, Heb. 1: 2. The “last days” are the current dispensation—the church age. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, some of the apostles of Christ were authorized by God to speak and record God’s words to His church so that all the church can truly hear from God. We now hear from God through His written Word, which is the Bible, 2 Tim. 3: 16-17. A pastor’s instruction from God’s Word is one way we hear from God today, Jer. 3: 15. A friend’s advice based on Scriptural principles is another way we hear from God, 2 Cor. 13: 1. A directive issued by a God-ordained authority figure is another way we hear from God (Heb. 13: 17.
God can speak to us through an audible voice, Acts 9: 3-6, inner witness, Acts 27: 9-11, small / still voice, 1 Kgs. 19: 12; Job 4:16, dreams, and visions, 1 Kgs. 3: 5; Acts. 10: 1-3, God’s anointed servants, 2 Kgs. 20: 1, 5. Ultimately, God speaks through His written word- the Holy Scriptures and every other means of hearing God should conform with the written word.
HOW MAN HEARS
Whoever wants to hear God speak must first be genuinely born again, Jn. 10:27. A believer must grow steadily into maturity to be able to recognise and adhere to the voice of God, 2 Pet. 3: 18;
Heb. 5:14. Growth in our knowledge of Christ, as well as maturity in the faith, comes through consistent fellowship with God in the place of prayer, studying of the Scriptures, service, etc, Lk. 18:
1; 2 Tim. 2: 15), obedience to God’s voice in little matters enhances the ability of a believer to hear more from God (Gen. 12:1; 13:14).
Ultimately, the voice you hear must be substantiated in the scriptures for confirmation, Acts 17: 11.
CONCLUSION
God is still in the business of speaking to His children, Psa. 62: 11.
We need to learn how to hear from Him and obey His voice (John 10:4-5, 27).
FURTHER READING
MON: Matt. 1: 20; TUE: Heb. 5: 14; WED: Matt: 16: 17; THUR:
Job 4: 16; FRI: 2Tim. 3: 16; SAT: Ex. 33: 11; SUN: Ps. 85: