Beginning in July, we will turn our attention from Galatians to one of our three goals as apprentices of Jesus: Becoming Like Jesus. Becoming like Jesus, is about how we relate to God and others, and our focus this next season will be the importance of communication in a relationship. Specifically, we will set our attention on that all-important component of healthy communication called listening, or, as we'll refer to it throughout the next few months, Hearing God.
Hearing God is, as Dallas Willard encourages us to remember, "more about becoming comfortable in a continuing conversation, and learning to lean constantly on the goodness and love of God, than it is about turning God into an ATM for advice, or treating the Bible as a crystal ball." Over the next couple of months, we will look at our Scriptures, our perceptions and mis-perceptions, our practices, and our intentions to help us Hear God. And, in so doing, become like Jesus, living "a life of free-hearted collaboration with Jesus and his friends in the kingdom of the heavens." If you'd like to look ahead to where we are going, we encourage you to check out the following resources, listed in order of relevance to our upcoming series. Let us know if you have any questions!
Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas
While this book doesn't discuss "hearing God" specifically, relating to God is both the key and purpose of our topic. This book helps you discover and explore the various "temperaments" God has created for us to share our love and life with him; and therefore "Hear God."
Hearing God in Conversation by Scott Williamson
A practical guide to “hearing God” in ordinary experiences and everyday life.
Imaginative Prayer by Jared Patrick Boyd
A guide to teaching and leading our children to hear God.