What do you normally do when you face a risky situation? Risks come in all shapes and sizes, you are asked to speak at your company’s next meeting, a promotion is available, you long to leave your job and return to school for a new study pursuit.
You can develop courage to move forward in your life goals and plans. This study is intended to help you hear from God about your upcoming decisions.
Whatever It Takes: Courage to Hear and Obey the Word of the Lord
We are fully committed to doing whatever it takes to reach God’s goal for our lives. 1 Corinthians 9:24, Philippians 3:14
The natural human response to risk and challenge is “fight or flight.” As “Whatever It Takes” Christians we take courage to go above our natural instincts and wait for guidance from God. 1 Samuel 10:8, 1 Samuel 13:8-14
We MUST have the courage to hear and obey the word of the Lord because his guidance is very often unexpected and unusual; guidance that our natural mind would never conceive.
How do we develop our hearing of the voice of God?
• Stop. Ephesians 6:10-13
• Drop. Luke 5:12-16
• Roll Bible, prayer, praise, and worship. 1 Samuel 1:19-20
Stop. Drop. Roll into praise.
Worship is a large term that includes all of our honor, reverence, and respect for God.
Praise is a category of worship. Praise is:
• An internal emotion – a gladness and rejoicing of heart, a music of the soul and spirit. http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/P/PRAISE/
• Which is expressed.
Psalm 103 is an excellent example of praise.
How do you conquer an ancient city with strong, towering walls (remember God often guides in unusual ways)? Joshua heard and obeyed the Lord and walking, trumpet playing, and shouting conquered Jericho. Joshua 6
In order to hear from God, what do I need to stop today?
Is hearing from God important enough to you to drop everything and pursue Him?
In what way are you most comfortable to roll into praise?
“Speak, Lord. Your servants are listening.”
MCA Church LIFE Groups
Getting to Know You
1. When it comes to music we liked in our past, most of us have a few songs or artists we’d be embarrassed to tell people we still listen to (think Bee Gees, MC Hammer or NSync). What are some of your favorite musicians or music groups from junior high or high school that would fall into this category?
2. What did you think when you heard Pastor Kent say, “It takes courage to go above our natural instincts and wait for guidance from the Lord.”
3. Looking back over your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention?, challenged or confused you?
Digging Deeper
1. In Ephesians 6:10-20 we are taught to “having done all, to stand.” At first glance it could appear that this is an easy pursuit. However, how many things does Paul command us to do so that we are able to Stop and stand?
2. Luke 5:12-16 shows us that Jesus understood the importance of dropping activity for seasons of rest and reflection. What are the top five excuses you or your friends use to avoid seasons of rest and reflection? If God rested every six days, why can’t you?
3. 1 Samuel 1:19-20 shows that Hannah moved into worship and praise prior to receiving her answer to prolonged intercession. Have you experienced the power of praise? How? When?
Taking it Home
1. Is there a Stop, Drop, or Roll item to which you would like your LIFE group to hold you accountable for the next 14 days?
2. Prayer Requests
3. Please pray for and plan to attend all of the services in our 2013 Global Outreach Convention.
4. Begin to ask God how you should invest in missions ministry this year.