The Hearing God’s Voice Series
from Matt Peterson
Part I | God is Speaking to You
In this episode, Matt shares about the fact that God is a communicator and He desires to talk to us and for us to hear Him because we are in relationship with Him.
“Knowing is an intimate and relational word. It’s interchange; it’s an exchange, listening as well as speaking. You were designed to know God. He made us in His image, to be able to hear, speak, communicate and perceive in some of the same ways that He does. We were created this way. ”
Scriptures to Study:
+ John 17:3
+ 2 Corinthians 5:17
+ 1 John 1:3
+ John 10:27
+ Luke 9:33-35
+ 1 Samuel 3:1-11
+ 1 Corinthians 6:19
Questions + Reflections:
+ What are the ways that you can recognize that God wants to, and is, speaking to you personally?
+ What are the ways that you can recognize and believe that the Holy Spirit dwells within you at all times?
Prompts + Practical steps:
+ In a short prayer, simply ask God to speak to you. Wait a minute or two on Him, and write down anything you see, hear, feel.
+ Begin the practice of quieting your soul/mind. Spend several minutes a day honing your ability to just "listen" to what God wants to say to you personally.
Part II | Ways that God Speaks
In this episode, Matt reminds us that we can hear God’s voice. He delves into ways that God speaks to other people from the Bible, as well as how He can speak to each of us today.
Scriptures to Study:
+ Exodus 3:1-4
+ Proverbs 25:2
+ Jeremiah 29:13
+ Luke 11:5-13
+ 1 Corinthians 14:3
Questions + Reflections:
+ Have you ever asked for a word of encouragement for another person? In Luke 11, Jesus promises that we will receive as much as we need to give away to others.
+ Has someone ever given you a word of encouragement from God? If so, what impact did that encouraging word have on your life?
Prompts + Practical steps:
+ Pay attention to things that catch your attention/curiosity and simply ask God if He is speaking to you.
+ Ask God for something encouraging to give away to someone else in the room and then share it with them. It's important to remember that we should only share encouragement (see 1 Corinthians 14:3.)
“He [God] is looking for seekers. He is looking for those kids who want to hear, that want to know what He is saying, who want to know Him. And if we do, it’s unlimited what He will share with us.”
Part III | God’s Language with You
In this episode, Matt highlights how important it is for us to learn how to hear God and how to know His voice by learning from some of the natural relationships and communications that we have in this life, such as touch, tone of voice or vision.
“If you feel something, ask, ‘Lord, are you speaking? Is this You?’ Don’t assume something is wrong with yourself; ask that question.”
Scriptures to Study:
+ 2 Peter 1:19
+ Genesis 15:1
+ Acts 16:9
Questions + Reflections:
+ What are some of the ways He speaks to you personally?
+ Have you ever had a dream that God has spoken to you through? If so, share the dream with someone and discuss what God was speaking.
Prompts + Practical steps:
+ Pay attention to the early morning hours to what you feel/hear from the Lord and write them down.
+ When he shows you something, ask the Lord, “What does that mean? What are you saying through that?”
+ Ask God for something encouraging to give away to someone else in the room and then share it with them. It's important to remember that we should only share encouragement (see 1 Corinthians 14:3.)
Part IV | Elements of Hearing from God
In this episode, Matt focuses on some of the three elements of hearing from God and then what to do with what we hear.
SCRIPTURE TO STUDY:
+ Daniel 7:16
+ John 16:13
+ Proverbs 25:2
+ 2 Peter 1:19-21
+ Genesis 40:8
Questions + Reflections:
+ What are the 3 parts/elements of hearing from God?
+ Who owns interpretations?
+ What dangers do we need to avoid regarding interpretation?
Prompts + Practical steps:
+ Invite someone to share a word/dream/vision that you don't understand and see if the group can arrive at the interpretation. Often you "feel" when the interpretation is right, and there is hope and peace in it.
“Since God speaks in ways we may not understand, it’s important to learn how to interpret the things that we hear and that God says.”
Part V | Applying What You Hear
In this episode, Matt shares that after you have received revelation and interpretation from God, we need a right understanding of how to apply what you hear in a way for yourself and others.
“God loves us and others so much, that He wants us to partner with Him. He will give us things that are intended for other people. Where you have responsibility, you have authority. Authority is married to responsibility, and it is not related to skill or gifting. ”
Scriptures to study:
+ 2 Corinthians 10:13
+ 1 Corinthians 9:2
+ Luke 10:19
+Matthew 20:25-28
+ 2 Corinthians 12:2
+ 1 Corinthians 14:3
Questions + Reflections:
+ What are some spheres where you have authority (through responsibility not skill or gifts) in your life? How can you help those under your authority grow closer to God?
+ When we get a word from the Lord, what does the bible say about the types of insights we are to pass along to others? (1 Corinthians 14:3)
+ How can you share what you have received from the Lord in a responsible way?
Prompts + Practical steps:
+ Invite the Lord to give you a word of encouragement for someone. Practice giving that word in the way you received it.
For example, if you have a feeling, share that with the person as “I am getting the feeling that…” rather than saying something like “I heard the Lord say...”
Part VI | Communicating What You Hear
In this episode, Matt offers useful tips for communication, insights for giving fresh, clean encouraging words from Heaven and strategies to avoid hindrances and miscommunications.
Scriptures to study:
+ Mark 11:22
+ Act 2:39
+ 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
+ 1 Corinthians 14:1
+ Luke 11: 5-13
+ Acts 21:11 - 31
+ 1 Corinthians 14:31
+ John 10:27
Questions + Reflections:
+ What are some of the “don’ts” that Matt shared when giving encouraging words?
+ What has the word “prophesy” meant to you in the past? What does it actually mean according to the Bible?
+ What are some helpful insights for either receiving words from others and for hearing clearly from God for yourself?
Prompts + Practical steps:
+ Ask the Lord to speak to you in special ways, such as dreams, visions, feelings, or impressions.
+ Seek the Lord daily and ask Him to speak, invite Him to give you something to give away to someone else.
+ In your journal, keep a timeline of how God speaks to you.
+ Read these books as you continue hearing God’s voice.
“God is the inviter. Even as strong and powerful and omnipotent as He is, He doesn’t force anything on anybody. Everything is invitation; it’s the nature of God. He invites us to follow him. He invites us to receive Him. And He invites us to receive from Him, His Truth.”