We all have questions about what we
are going to do with our lives, and most of
us need some guidance! But when so many people
offer advice how can we work out what God
wants us to do? Does God speak to us and how
do we hear him?
The amazing thing is that God does want to
speak to us! The Bible tells us that in the
Old Testament God spoke through specific people
at specific times – we call these guys
prophets – people like Samuel, Elijah,
Isaiah. However, in the New Testament, when
Jesus came, something changed. God no longer
only spoke through the prophets (Hebrews 1:
1-2). God was now speaking to us through Jesus.
And Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would
speak to and guide us all (John 14:26).
Chat
Here’s a fact–
God has a plan for your life. The Bible clearly
says so (Jeremiah 29:11). But how can we find
out what this plan is? How does God speak
to us? Well there are many ways, include:
Through the Bible
– this book equips us for life (2 timothy
3:16-17) and God has already spoken to us
through it. For example, we don’t need
to ask God whether we should lie because He
has already told us not to in the Bible.
Through His Spirit
– when the Holy Spirit lives in us,
God can continually speak to us and guide
us. If we are doing something and are not
comfortable doing it – ask the question
– who is speaking and why?
Through each other
– God wants us to be part of His church,
because He uses us to encourage and speak
to each other.
There are things that stop us hearing God’s
voice. Sometimes we hold onto stuff that we
need to say sorry for – this can stop
us hearing from God (Isaiah 59:2). Sometimes
we want an instant answer when actually we
need to be patient and wait. Sometimes we
simply don’t listen!
John 10 says that we belong to God and we
need to listen to Him so that we recognise
His voice and can be guided by Him.
Options/Help
lines
It’s often confusing trying to work
out what God is saying, but there are people
and places that can help. Check out what the
Bible says by reading the verses mentioned,
or these: Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Proverbs 3:5-6,
Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 119:105.
Resources
The Youth Bible
– lists loads of key subjects and tells
you where you can find what the Bible has
to say about them.
The Street Bible
– The Bible in modern language.
Part of the Big Issues
series from Spring Harvest
Written by Robin Rolls and Ems Hancock.
