Discernment: Listening, Waiting, and Choosing God's Call

Discernment is presented as a spiritual habit rooted in a theology of calling: it is not merely making decisions but listening for God’s voice and aligning action with that calling. The Christian life requires tools to sift true guidance from worldly noise; without this practice hearts become darkened and choices drift toward what merely gratifies the self. Drawing on Ignatius of Loyola, discernment is framed as a fourfold movement—listening, sorting (seeking/testing), waiting, and choosing—aimed at cultivating a conversational relationship with God so that the most loving action emerges. Practical questions—Does this serve family and community? Does it fit gifts and bring genuine joy? What motives drive the choice?—anchor that listening in concrete realities rather than spiritualized impulses.

Testing options matters. Seeking involves low-risk experiments to see whether a path produces authentic joy, uses God-given gifts, and truly serves others rather than self. Waiting and practicing detachment create space to notice feelings of consolation or desolation; indifference for a season helps reveal whether a choice genuinely aligns with God’s will. The sermon also uses signal-detection theory and the “Where’s Waldo?” metaphor to show how discernment sharpens attention to particular patterns amid confusing noise, and it points to Nehemiah as a biblical model: knowing vocation, praying for strength, and refusing intimidation. Nehemiah’s response—“But now, my God, strengthen my hands”—illustrates faithful focus amid opposition.

Concrete practices are offered: assemble a clearness committee of trusted questioners rather than advisers, run low-cost probes to test callings, and volunteer in areas that might reveal latent gifts (especially work with children). The work of discernment admits mystery and risk—God frequently calls people beyond their present capacity—but promises that where God calls, provision and growth follow. The posture encouraged is sober, patient, communal, and hopeful: cultivate attentiveness, try small experiments, be honest about limits, and trust that God’s call aims to form mature love and faithful service even when the cost is real.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Discernment differs from mere decision-making Discernment flows from a theology of calling and is about hearing and obeying God’s direction, not simply choosing among options. It requires sustained listening, careful questions about motives and fruit, and a willingness to let community and time test impulses. Practicing this avoids the drift into self-directed, unexamined choices that Scripture warns will darken the heart. [39:17]
• 2. Practice Ignatian diocresis: listen, wait Ignatian diocresis frames discernment as listening for consolation, testing feelings, waiting in detachment, and finally choosing with freedom. This pattern trains sensitivity to what draws toward God versus what leads away, helping the soul recognize true joy as a signpost of calling. Regular rhythms of prayer and reflective questions make ordinary decisions a venue for spiritual formation. [44:19]
• 3. Use trusted community for clarity A clearness committee replaces quick advice with hard, clarifying questions from people who know and love the discerner. The role of such a community is to expose blind spots—motives, limitations, and temptations—so choices are tested against shared wisdom, not private impulse. Community discernment also models humility: sometimes the best answer arrives through patient, collective attention. [65:10]
• 4. Test calls with low-cost probes Low-cost probes are small experiments that reveal the fruit and fit of a potential calling without full commitment. By sampling roles, seeking feedback, and reflecting on what brings sustained joy and service, the discerner gains evidential patterns rather than guessing under pressure. These probes honor both prudence and daring: they risk little while allowing God’s call to be confirmed in practice. [66:30]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [36:11] - Opening joke and story
• [39:17] - Discernment versus decision-making
• [40:26] - The danger of suppressed truth
• [41:59] - Ignatius introduced: diocresis
• [44:19] - Listening, seeking, waiting, choosing
• [46:58] - Questions, gifts, and GPS class
• [49:14] - Detachment and decisive choosing
• [55:42] - Signal detection theory (Waldo)
• [62:36] - Nehemiah: calling, prayer, focus
• [65:10] - Clearness committees explained
• [66:30] - Low-cost probes and testing
• [69:46] - God calls beyond ability
• [71:21] - Closing encouragement and worship

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon about discernment:

Bible Reading

Philippians 1:9-10 (ESV)
> 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Proverbs 3:21-24 (ESV)
> 21 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 22 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 23 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 24 So you will find favor and good repute, in the sight of God and man.

Observation questions

1. The sermon distinguishes between discernment and simple decision-making. What is the core difference highlighted? [39:17]
2. According to the sermon, what are the four overarching themes Ignatius of Loyola identified in the practice of discernment? [44:19]
3. The sermon uses the analogy of "Where's Waldo?" to explain a concept related to discernment. What concept is being illustrated by this analogy? [56:28]
4. Nehemiah is presented as a biblical model for discernment. What specific prayer does Nehemiah utter in the face of opposition? [01:02:36]

Interpretation questions

1. The sermon suggests that a lack of discernment can lead to hearts becoming darkened, referencing Romans 1. [40:26] How does suppressing truth, as described in Romans 1, lead to a darkened heart and a loss of discernment?
2. The sermon mentions that discernment helps us "approve what is excellent" and be "pure and blameless for the day of Christ." [52:09] How does the practice of discernment, as outlined in the sermon, equip us to make choices that align with God's will and lead to such purity and blamelessness?
3. The sermon describes "low-cost probes" as small experiments to test potential callings. [01:06:30] How does this approach to testing a calling reflect the wisdom found in Proverbs, which emphasizes walking securely and not stumbling? [51:36]

Application questions

1. The sermon emphasizes that discernment is rooted in a theology of calling, meaning it's about hearing and obeying God's direction, not just making choices. [39:17] Think about a recent decision you made. In what ways did you actively seek God's voice and calling in that decision, versus simply making a choice based on your own preferences or circumstances?
2. Ignatius of Loyola's practice of *diocresis* involves listening, seeking, waiting, and choosing. [44:19] When you face a significant decision, which of these four steps do you find yourself most impatient with, and how might you intentionally practice that step more fully this week?
3. The sermon highlights the importance of a "clearness committee" composed of trusted questioners, rather than advisors. [01:05:10] Who are the people in your life who ask you hard, clarifying questions that help you see your blind spots, and how can you intentionally engage with them for discernment?
4. The concept of "low-cost probes" is presented as a way to test potential callings through small experiments. [01:06:30] What is a small, low-risk experiment you could undertake this week to explore a potential calling or a new direction God might be leading you in?
5. Nehemiah's response to opposition was, "But now, my God, strengthen my hands." [01:02:36] When you encounter obstacles or intimidation in pursuing what you believe God is calling you to do, how can you more effectively integrate prayer for strength and focus into your response?
6. The sermon acknowledges that God often calls us beyond our present capacity, but promises provision and growth. [01:09:46] Can you recall a time when you felt God calling you to something that seemed beyond your abilities? How did you navigate that uncertainty, and what did you learn about God's provision in that situation?
7. The sermon encourages us to be honest about our limitations and to volunteer in areas that might reveal latent gifts, especially with children. [01:08:58] What is one area where you tend to avoid admitting your limitations, and how might you begin to be more honest about it, perhaps by seeking feedback from a trusted friend or family member?