Hearing God's Voice: Cultivating Spiritual Communication

Summary

Have you ever wondered if God still speaks to people today, or even if He would speak to you personally? The truth is, God is a God who still communicates with His people, and He desires to speak to each of us. Throughout history, both in the Old and New Testaments, God has spoken in a variety of ways—sometimes audibly, sometimes through scripture, sometimes through other people, and often through impressions or thoughts that resonate deeply within us. The key is to recognize that God’s voice is not limited to dramatic or supernatural moments; He often speaks in the quiet, in the ordinary, and through the community of believers.

Personal experience has shown that hearing God’s voice can be a life-altering anchor, providing direction, peace, and purpose. There are, however, common hurdles that keep us from hearing Him: skepticism, doubt, fear of being misled, or past experiences of spiritual abuse. Yet, Jesus assures us in John 10:27 that His sheep know His voice. If God values us as His masterpiece, it is reasonable to believe He wants to communicate with us.

Hearing and discerning God’s voice is much like learning a musical instrument—it takes practice, patience, and intentionality. It’s not about perfection, but about growing in confidence and sensitivity to His leading. There are practical steps to cultivate this: first, presume that God wants to speak to you; second, position yourself to hear from Him by spending time in His Word, in worship, and in environments where you can listen without distraction; third, process what you sense by filtering it through scripture, wise counsel, and prayer; and finally, proceed with confidence and obedience when you are convinced it is God’s leading.

When we prioritize hearing from God and respond in faith, we experience a life of greater direction, fulfillment, and intimacy with Him. Conversely, neglecting His voice leads to discontentment and missed opportunities for growth and purpose. Ultimately, the invitation is to pursue God wholeheartedly, knowing that as we seek Him, He will speak, guide, and transform us into the people He created us to be.

Key Takeaways

- God Still Speaks Today
God’s communication with His people did not end with the Bible; He continues to speak in diverse ways—through scripture, impressions, other believers, and even in the quiet moments of worship. Recognizing this truth is foundational to developing a relationship where you expect and seek His voice in your daily life. [26:29]

- Overcoming Barriers to Hearing God
Skepticism, doubt, fear, and past spiritual abuse can all hinder our ability to hear God. It’s important to acknowledge these barriers and bring them before God, trusting that He desires to speak to you personally, not just to “spiritual giants” or people in the past. God’s love and value for you as His masterpiece means He wants to communicate with you. [24:24]

- Hearing God Requires Practice and Positioning
Just as learning an instrument takes time and intentional practice, so does learning to discern God’s voice. Position yourself by immersing in scripture, worship, and undistracted moments with God. The more you practice, the more your spiritual “ears” are trained to recognize His leading, even in subtle ways. [33:11]

- Process and Test What You Hear
Not every thought or impression is from God. Use scripture as your primary filter—God will never contradict His Word. Seek confirmation through prayer and wise counsel from trusted spiritual leaders. This process helps you move forward with confidence, knowing you are responding to God’s true direction. [35:44]

- Obedience Unlocks Growth and Fulfillment
When you hear God and respond in obedience, even when it means stepping out of your comfort zone, you open yourself to transformation and purpose. God’s guidance leads to a life of peace, direction, and deeper intimacy with Him, while neglecting His voice often results in discontentment and missed opportunities. [46:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:43] - Introduction: Hearing God’s Voice
[20:06] - A Personal Story of God Speaking
[24:24] - Common Barriers to Hearing God
[26:29] - God Speaks: Biblical Foundations
[28:15] - How God Spoke in Scripture
[29:50] - Anchors of Faith: Personal Encounters
[30:32] - Ways God Speaks Today
[32:03] - Healthy Spiritual Leadership
[33:11] - Learning to Discern God’s Voice
[34:51] - God’s Value for You
[35:44] - Four Steps to Hearing God
[38:17] - Positioning Yourself to Listen
[40:07] - The Power of Spiritual Environments
[44:10] - The Cost of Neglecting God’s Voice
[45:04] - The Fruit of Obedience
[47:18] - Following God’s Call
[48:00] - Pursuing God Wholeheartedly
[48:47] - Responding in Worship and Prayer
[49:46] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Hearing God’s Voice

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### Bible Reading

- John 10:27
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

- Psalm 27:7-8
“Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”

- Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

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### Observation Questions

1. In John 10:27, what does Jesus say about His relationship with His sheep? What does this imply about God’s desire to communicate with us?
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the different ways God spoke to people in the Bible? ([28:15])
3. What are some common barriers mentioned in the sermon that keep people from hearing God’s voice? ([24:24])
4. In Psalm 27:8, what is the response of the heart when God invites us to come and talk with Him?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Jesus use the image of sheep and a shepherd to describe how we hear His voice? What does this say about trust and familiarity?
2. The sermon compares learning to hear God’s voice to learning a musical instrument. What does this analogy suggest about the process and expectations of hearing from God? ([33:11])
3. How does understanding ourselves as “God’s masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:10) affect our confidence in believing God wants to speak to us? ([34:51])
4. The sermon mentions using Scripture, wise counsel, and prayer as filters for what we think we hear from God. Why are these filters important, and what could happen if we ignore them? ([35:44])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon encourages us to “presume God wants to speak to you.” Do you find it easy or difficult to believe that God wants to speak to you personally? Why? ([35:44])
2. What is one practical way you can “position yourself” this week to hear from God—whether through reading Scripture, worship, or creating quiet space? ([38:17])
3. Think about a time when you sensed God might be speaking to you. How did you process that experience? Did you use Scripture, wise counsel, or prayer to test it? ([35:44])
4. Are there any barriers—like skepticism, fear, or past negative experiences—that make it hard for you to hear God’s voice? What would it look like to bring those barriers honestly before God? ([24:24])
5. The sermon says that obedience to God’s voice leads to growth and fulfillment, while neglecting it leads to discontentment. Can you think of a time when you obeyed (or ignored) God’s leading? What was the result? ([46:10])
6. The speaker shared how hearing God’s voice brought direction and purpose to his life. Is there an area in your life right now where you need God’s direction? How can the group pray for you in this? ([45:04])
7. What is one step you can take this week to “pursue God wholeheartedly,” trusting that as you seek Him, He will speak and guide you? ([48:00])

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person grow in recognizing and responding to His voice.

Devotional

Day 1: God Still Speaks to His People Today
God is not silent or distant; He continues to speak to His people in a variety of ways, just as He did throughout the Bible. Whether through Scripture, a gentle impression, a word from another believer, or even a moment of worship, God desires to communicate with you personally. The stories of God speaking to people in both the Old and New Testaments remind us that His voice is not limited to the past. If you have ever doubted that God would speak to you, remember that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and He delights in guiding His children. Open your heart to the possibility that God wants to speak to you today, just as He has always spoken to those who seek Him. [28:15]

John 10:27 (ESV)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally paused to listen for God’s voice? What would it look like for you to create space today to simply listen and expect Him to speak?


Day 2: You Are God’s Masterpiece—He Wants to Communicate with You
God values you deeply, calling you His masterpiece, and desires a relationship where He communicates with you personally. You are not excluded from hearing God’s voice because of your past, your doubts, or your perceived shortcomings. God’s love for you is so great that He sent Jesus for you, and He wants to guide you into the good things He has planned for your life. When you understand your worth in God’s eyes, it becomes easier to believe that He wants to speak to you, encourage you, and direct your steps. [34:51]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: What doubts or insecurities keep you from believing God wants to speak to you? How can you remind yourself today that you are God’s masterpiece, worthy of His attention and voice?


Day 3: Position Yourself to Hear from God
Hearing God’s voice often requires intentionality—presuming He wants to speak and positioning yourself to listen. This means making space in your life for prayer, worship, and reading Scripture, as well as eliminating distractions that can drown out His voice. God often speaks when you are attentive and open, whether in the quiet of personal devotion or in the gathered worship of the church. By prioritizing these moments and returning to them regularly, you create an environment where you are more likely to hear from Him. [38:17]

Psalm 27:7-8 (ESV)
"Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, 'Seek my face.' My heart says to you, 'Your face, Lord, do I seek.'"

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to eliminate distractions and intentionally position yourself to hear from God?


Day 4: Process and Obey What You Hear
When you sense God speaking, it’s important to process what you hear through Scripture, wise counsel, and prayer, ensuring it aligns with God’s character and truth. Once you have discerned His voice, respond with obedience and confidence, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. God’s guidance leads to purpose, peace, and growth, but it requires a willingness to trust Him more than your own plans or preferences. As you practice discerning and obeying God’s voice, you will find your confidence and clarity growing over time. [44:10]

Psalm 23:3 (ESV)
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Reflection: Is there something you sense God has been prompting you to do? What would it look like to process this with Scripture, prayer, and trusted mentors—and then take a step of obedience today?


Day 5: Pursue God as He Pursues You
God’s love is relentless—He pursues you with goodness and unfailing love all the days of your life, inviting you to pursue Him in return. The greatest life you can experience comes from seeking God wholeheartedly, responding to His voice, and following where He leads. As you pursue God, He will speak, guide, and transform you, drawing you into deeper intimacy and purpose. Let your response to His pursuit be a life of continual seeking, worship, and obedience, trusting that He is always near and always speaking. [48:00]

Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively pursue God today, knowing that He is already pursuing you with love and goodness?

Quotes

But the truth that we've got to hold on to today, that I'm going to lovingly challenge you and encourage you to believe, is that God still speaks today. God still speaks to people. God still speaks to people. today. And God still speaks to you and to me. [00:26:17] (00:00:18 seconds) Edit Clip

God can and does speak in ways that become undeniable for the person who hears him. The story I told at the beginning of this message about hearing God at the end of a worship service, you can't tell me different. I know I heard from God that day. And when you have that experience, that encounter with God, and you know without a shadow of a doubt that it was God, nobody can convince you otherwise. These moments, they become anchors for your faith. [00:29:33] (00:00:30 seconds) Edit Clip

Listening for, hearing and discerning God's voice, it's very similar. It takes practice. You're not always going to be perfect at it. But along the way, you'll find it gets easier in your confidence in hearing God's voice and distinguishing when it is God's voice and when maybe it's something else. Your ability to hear the voice of the good shepherd grows and develops. [00:33:55] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

If you are someone who doubts that God would want to speak to you, read the start of that verse again. For we are, say it with me, God's masterpiece. That's how much God values you. He values you so much that he sees you as a masterpiece. Jesus says that my sheep know my voice. He loves you enough that he wants to communicate with you. [00:34:31] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

Once you've heard God speak and you're confident it was God don't let anything stand in your way of obeying him choose your choose the call of God whatever he's spoken to you choose that over your personal comfort choose the call of God over staying in your comfort zone and the rhythm and the habits that maybe you're in rejoice that the God of the universe the God of all creation has spoken to you he loves you enough that he would speak directly to you let your response then be obedience and proceeding with confidence. [00:42:57] (00:00:38 seconds) Edit Clip

But when you follow God's leading, He will grow you. When you say yes to Him, when you seek Him and you want to hear from Him, and you take the time to process and you can then walk with confidence, yes, this is God, yes, He cares about me, yes, He's got direction, yes, He's got purpose for my life, then all along the way He helps you begin to grow into the person that He created you to be. [00:46:10] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

If you want to hear God's voice, pursue God and never stop pursuing him. Pursue God and never stop pursuing him. Why? Because he is mad, wild, just crazy in love with you. And his word tells us that all the days of our lives he's pursuing us. [00:48:00] (00:00:24 seconds) Edit Clip