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Week 5: Listening to the Spirit
How the Spirit Speaks and Listens
Week 5, Day 1
In the Old Testament, the Spirit was more of a silent partner (Gen. 1:2). God anointed a few choice individuals with His Spirit, some with a double portion (2 Kings 2:9). And then the Spirit carried along the prophets and the writers of the Bible, as we know it today (2 Pet. 1:21, ESV). 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Now that Christ has come and was raised, we each have the opportunity to walk intimately with the Spirit—even have Him dwelling in us! When and how are we anointed with the Spirit? Be sure and include specific scriptures to answer this question.
How does the Spirit speak today?
Read John 15:26-27, 16:7-15. From these verses in John, list five characteristics of the Spirit and His role in our listening.
What does Romans 8:26-27 (ESV) say about the Spirit’s listening and speaking?
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
As the Spirit searches your heart and intercedes for you, take some time today to thank God for the Spirit that listens and speaks. If you don’t have the words, call on the Spirit to speak for you. We can claim these promises! How have you heard the Spirit speak to you? Have you felt its gentle nudging? Did you answer that call or ignore it? Make notes about that time, especially if are willing to share the story when you gather with your Iron Rose Sisters.
If you have not ever felt that the Spirit has spoken to you or led you, now is a good time to ask Him to speak—let Him know that you are listening.
Additional thoughts, notes, or drawings from listening to the Spirit:
We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what you are hearing and how you are growing in your devotion to listening.
This blog post is taken from the book Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion. To order a copy of this book, please visit our website and invite a friend to participate in the study with you. The book includes additional guides and questions to be reviewed in a small group context weekly.
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Week 4: Listening to the Son
It’s a Matter of Perspective
Week 4, Day 7
Compliments and cut downs. Constructive criticism and complaints. For good or for ill, we hear what we want to hear—or at least what we think we have heard. If someone offers a compliment, we may not hear it in the spirit it was shared. The tone of voice, speaker, timing, and many other factors play into our interpretation of the other person’s words. We filter our listening through our perceptions, our past experiences, and our warped understanding. Two people can say the exact same thing, but we hear it better from one person than from the other. We also hear things better when they are presented from a different angle or highlight things in a way we can more easily understand. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John did that. They each shared the story of Jesus, but did so with different audiences and perspectives in mind.
Why do we have the gospel story shared in four different books?
Matthew wrote to the Jews about Jesus, the Messiah—the fulfillment of the prophecies and the One who established the kingdom.
Mark gave an action-packed account of how the people were amazed at all Jesus did.
Luke chose a more Gentile audience who was not familiar with the Jewish traditions and longed to hear other details highlighted during Jesus’ time on earth.
John focused more on who Jesus is and all He represents as the great I AM, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us.