It’s Hard To Hear God
Pastor Steven Furtick
Sermon Summary
Have you been wondering how to hear God's voice? If disappointment, comparison, fear, or uncertainty have made it difficult to know your next step, this message will help you discover what the Bible says about recognizing, trusting, and obeying God's direction.
Sermon Highlights
The hard thing about hearing God in my heart is He’s not the only one talking there.
Expect God to give direction in times of disappointment.
Fill, Forward, Found — The challenge of faith is to fill your horn with oil and move forward before you have even found what you're looking for.
Samuel didn’t have to feel it to fill it...I don’t have to feel it to fill it.
As long as you're comparing, you will feel like God is quiet, but He is not going to give you directions for a destination that He did not set for your life.
Sometimes we're waiting on God to tell us what to do next, but we haven't done what He told us to do last.
If you want to see something out of the Bible, are you willing to do something in the Bible?
Sometimes we confuse conviction, which is a sign of love, with condemnation, which is the opposite of love.
Samuel had a problem, but he moved forward in peace because he heard from God.
If it does not align with His Word, it is not God.
When you know His values, you will know His voice.
God doesn’t measure faith by your confidence, He measures it by your correctability.
Scriptures
Read this week’s Scriptures. Ask your group what stands out to them.
Sermon Discussion
Conversation Starter
Choose the one that works best for your group!
Pastor Steven shared a story about becoming a "Code 1" at the airport after being separated from Elijah in TSA. What’s one of your most memorable or embarrassing travel stories?
Pastor Steven mentioned that the maps app is one of the greatest inventions because it helps people with no sense of direction. When it comes to driving, are you a follow-the-GPS-exactly person, or do you think you know a better way than the app?
Discussion Questions
"The hard thing about hearing God in my heart is He's not the only one talking there." What voices compete for your attention when you're trying to hear from God, and what's one way you can create more space to hear from Him this week?
"Expect God to give direction in times of disappointment." Share a time God met you or taught you something during a disappointing season.
"Samuel didn't have to feel it to fill it... I don't have to feel it to fill it." Where might God be asking you to move forward in faith instead of waiting to “feel ready” or have all the answers?
"Samuel had a problem, but he came in peace because he heard from God." Share a time when God's presence gave you peace even though your circumstances hadn't changed.
"When you know His values, you will know His voice." How has spending time in Scripture shaped the way you recognize God's voice?
"God doesn't measure faith by your confidence, He measures it by your correctability." Where might God be inviting you to have a teachable heart this week?
Prayer Prompt
Ask your eGroup if they have any prayer requests or praise reports they’d like to share, and include them in your closing prayer.
Pray this prayer over your eGroup to close, and/or send it to them throughout the week to let them know you’re praying for them!
Lord, thank You for continually speaking to us, even when life feels uncertain. For the times when it’s hard to hear — either because of all the noise or because we’re struggling with obedience — please fill us with peace and help us take the next step. Keep teaching us Your values so that we can recognize Your voice above all others. Thank You for blessing us with Your wisdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Additional Content
Here’s some additional content you can use to encourage your group this week.
Listen to this new song from ELEVATION RHYTHM & Jonathan Stamper and ask yourself this question from the sermon: “If you want to see something out of the Bible, are you willing to do something in the Bible?”