This is originally designed for HS Youth on learning to know and follow God's Will. But many adult small groups use this to learn how we can make better decisions and beware of deceptions and misleading choices. God calls us to make wise choices, so what will you do about it? Including a handout to give out…
Jesus is to be our center, the reason for our being! And if we keep placing Him first, then we become God's will! Have you considered that pride is in the same category as the 'big' sins of homosexuality, adultery and the like? Perhaps you are shocked? Maybe you never thought through how pride impacts others, or it's impact on our sanctification, or how God feels about it? Well check our Romans 1: 26-32!
I love to talk to missionaries and hear their stories. It gives me a sense of perspective of how God works. I have heard some of the most heart wrenching stories and such great efforts to overcome great difficulties. Stories of a spouse being killed and the other taking over, such as with Elizabeth Elliott and her incredible story of how her husband was speared by South American Indians.
We need to put out the effort and do. Rom. 12:1-3 tells us "to present ourselves as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God…" just like a Marine finishing boot camp and placing himself for duty; so must we place ourselves in His service. We are to offer ourselves daily! Before our feet hit the ground when we get out of bed, our focus is to be in His will! Jesus is our supreme commander, so say "Yes sir, here I am, ready for service!"
Virtue is a prime call and aspect of knowing God's Will! Virtue is not the talk of the town these days; in fact it is depicted in our culture as weak and useless. It is the butt of jokes. It is forgotten as part of a perceived bygone era filled with contempt and arrogance. To be a person of character is to be alone and endure criticism by the world and even by some so-called Christians. Virtue calls us higher to a level where few people desire to go, because it is an assault against the self will. It flies in the face what we expect and desire to do and to be.
Are you ready to engage into the greatest business opportunity conceivable? Do not assume that to be in God's Will, our lives must be harsh and filled with no fun! God's purpose may be vague; yet, our call is to respond out of our love, which comes from the grace He provided as a result of the guilt of sin!
John 15 is the most beautiful description of our relationship to our LORD. He wants us to be with Him! Just as Christ wanted the disciples along His side, training them, loving them, enjoying their companionship, He wants that of us: love, closeness, and relationship. This is our primary call and the will of the LORD. Everything else falls from this prime directive. He loves me! And wants to be with me! Do we want to be with Him? Do we want that close, loving relationship? Do we want to walk as Abraham walked, building altars?
Courage realizes that God has given us the strength and ability to now Him! Abraham in Genesis 22 faced a crisis, which was interpreting God's will as having to kill his son. Abraham had to learn he had to do anything, no matter what the cost, to be totally dependent and obedient to God, no matter how much it went against his convictions and belief system.
Obedience is the foundation of knowing God's will. Without obedience, nothing can happen. For us to be the friend of Jesus, He asks us to, "…lay down our life for His friends…" We must make a conscious decision to give ourselves to Christ. This is not a suicide clause, not at all! What it is about is a life filled with giving wonder and excitement. Yet, it goes against our natural way of thinking and this is where our will collides with God's will. And, we have the choice to obey or face difficulties. So, let us do it with cheerfulness and...
Jesus calls us to know and be for Him; that is to be nourished and grow, as a plant is nourished and grows. As a plant sinks its roots deeper into the soil to receive richer nourishment, so to know the will of God we must sink our will into the depth of Christ and yield to His riches and splendor. Our relationship to Christ is not about a way of thinking or a particular theology but it is to Christ Himself.