Introduction:

As you get started, catch up on how y’all are doing since you last met. Celebrate how God has been at work in your lives. Ask how have the 40 Days of Devotion gone so far. Share something meaningful from your times with the Lord.

Biblical Foundations:

A fourth building block in a lifestyle of devotion and friendship with Jesus is listening to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Helper who lives within us. He is God’s presence with us always. Being intentional to listen for His guidance and receiving His ministry in our lives is another vital building block in a lifestyle of devotion and friendship with Jesus. 

John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another _________ to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of _________. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives _________ you and will be _________ you.

John 16:13-14 But when he, the Spirit of _________, comes, he will _______ you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will _________ me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

Romans 8:14, 16 For those who are _________ by the Spirit of God are the children of God... The Spirit himself _________ with our spirit that we are God's children.

Galatians 5.25  If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Questions for Discussion: How have you experienced the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in your life?What makes it difficult for you to hear God's voice? What helps you hear more clearly?

Modeling:

For the Leader: Share your own experience with listening to God. Describe how you've learned to recognize God's voice, times when following His guidance has made a difference, and practices that help you listen more effectively.

Together: Do listening prayer together

1. Begin with a simple invitation: "Lord, I'm here to listen. What do You want to say to me today?"

2. Sit in silence for a few minutes

3. Notice any Scripture verses, impressions, or thoughts that come to mind

4. Write these down and share them with one another

5. Test these against Scripture.

6. Respond to what you've heard

Practice:

We want to develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's voice in our devotional life. As part of the 40 Days of Devotion, you'll be guided through practices that help you create space to hear from God.