Hearing God's Voice Through the Transformative Power of Scripture

Summary

In a world filled with noise and chaos, it’s easy to believe that hearing God’s voice is complicated or even impossible. Yet, God has spoken and continues to speak, and one of the clearest ways He does so is through the Bible. The Scriptures are not just a collection of ancient writings, but the “key of keys”—our central reference point for truth, much like Baddox Rock was for the city of Washington, D.C. The Bible is our final authority on all matters of faith and life, inspired by God and written by flawed people under the flawless guidance of the Holy Spirit. Despite being written over 1,500 years by 40 different authors from various backgrounds, the Bible carries a single, unified message: God’s relentless pursuit to redeem and restore His people.

The Bible is both living and active. It doesn’t just inform us; it transforms us. The same Spirit who inspired the words now breathes life into us as we read, offering conviction, encouragement, and wisdom exactly when we need it. The Scriptures are timeless, always relevant, and timely, speaking directly into our present circumstances. But to truly benefit, we must approach the Bible intentionally—praying for the Spirit’s guidance, reading with purpose, and storing its words in our hearts. Random, sporadic reading may yield something, but intentional engagement allows God’s love and truth to shape us deeply.

Storing God’s Word in our hearts is essential, not just for knowledge, but for transformation. The Spirit brings to mind what we have hidden in our hearts, equipping us for moments of need. The Bible becomes the frame through which we see the world, reminding us of who God is and who we are in Him. If we let other things—social media, news, or our own desires—become our primary lens, our perspective will be shaped by them instead. But when Scripture is our frame, we see with clarity, hope, and purpose.

Transformation through the Word is not always comfortable. Like Eustace in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, real change can be painful as God peels away what doesn’t belong. Yet, this pain is redemptive, leading us to freedom, healing, and a deeper experience of God’s love. God longs for us to know His love, and He has given us His Word as a living testimony of that love. Let’s become people of the Word—not for the sake of knowledge alone, but so we might know, experience, and reflect the immeasurable love of God.

Key Takeaways

- The Bible as Our Central Reference Point
Just as Baddox Rock served as the foundational reference for mapping Washington, D.C., Scripture is the unchanging standard by which we measure truth and direction in our lives. When confusion or chaos arises, returning to the Bible grounds us in what is real and trustworthy, reminding us of God’s consistent message across generations. This centrality is not just theoretical—it’s practical, shaping every decision and belief. [04:05]

- The Miracle of Unity in Diversity
The Bible’s composition over 1,500 years by 40 different authors from diverse cultures and languages is a miracle in itself. Despite this diversity, it maintains a single, coherent message: humanity’s fall, God’s pursuit, redemption through Christ, and the promise of restoration. This unity testifies to the divine authorship and reliability of Scripture, inviting us to trust its message even when we encounter complexities or questions. [07:43]

- Scripture is Living, Active, and Transformative
The Bible is not a static text; it is alive because the Spirit who inspired it continues to speak through it. As we read, the Word exposes, convicts, encourages, and heals, meeting us exactly where we are. The goal is not mere information, but transformation—allowing God’s truth to shape our hearts, minds, and actions in ways that reflect His character. [09:00]

- Intentional Engagement Unlocks Spiritual Growth
Approaching the Bible with prayerful intention—rather than random or routine reading—opens us to deeper encounters with God. Practical steps like following a reading plan, joining a group, or memorizing Scripture help us internalize God’s Word. The Spirit brings to mind what we have stored in our hearts, equipping us for life’s challenges and opportunities to reflect Christ. [12:47]

- Transformation Through the Word is Painful but Redemptive
True change often involves discomfort, as God exposes and removes what hinders us from living as His children. Like Eustace’s painful transformation in Narnia, the Spirit uses Scripture to peel away our defenses, wounds, and sin, leading us to freedom and renewed identity. This process, though difficult, is evidence of God’s love and commitment to our restoration. [28:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:28] - The Story of Baddox Rock
[04:05] - The Bible: Our Key of Keys
[05:14] - The Miracle of Scripture’s Unity
[06:49] - The Consistent Message Across Centuries
[07:43] - The Gospel Thread in Scripture
[09:00] - The Bible is Living and Active
[10:33] - Conviction and Grace in God’s Word
[11:47] - The Bible: Timeless and Timely
[12:47] - Intentional Bible Engagement
[15:53] - Practical Tools and Community
[17:42] - Storing God’s Word in Our Hearts
[20:21] - The Bible as Our Picture Frame
[22:28] - Seeing Ourselves Through God’s Eyes
[24:24] - The Influence of Our Chosen Lens
[25:34] - The Transforming Power of Scripture
[28:02] - The Pain and Beauty of Change
[28:52] - Eustace’s Story: Painful Transformation
[30:24] - God’s Redemptive Love in Our Pain
[32:49] - Hearing God’s Voice Through His Word
[33:35] - God’s Desire for Us to Know His Love
[34:05] - Becoming People of the Word

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Hearing God’s Voice Through His Word

---

### Bible Reading

- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

- Psalm 119:9-11
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

---

### Observation Questions

1. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the different ways Scripture is useful in our lives?
2. In Psalm 119:9-11, what does the psalmist say is the key to keeping one’s way pure?
3. The sermon compared the Bible to Baddox Rock, the “key of keys” for Washington, D.C. What does this analogy suggest about the role of Scripture in a Christian’s life? [[04:05]]
4. The sermon described the Bible as “living and active.” What does it mean for a book to be “living and active” rather than just informative? [[09:00]]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the Bible is our “final authority” and “central reference point.” What are some practical implications of treating the Bible this way in daily decisions? [[04:05]]
2. The preacher mentioned that the Bible was written by about 40 different authors over 1,500 years, yet it has a unified message. What does this unity in diversity reveal about God’s character and His desire for us? [[07:43]]
3. The sermon talks about storing God’s Word in our hearts, not just for knowledge but for transformation. Why is memorizing or internalizing Scripture important for spiritual growth? [[17:42]]
4. The story of Eustace from Narnia was used to illustrate transformation through God’s Word. Why might real change in our lives be uncomfortable or even painful? [[28:52]]

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to approach the Bible intentionally, not just randomly. What is your current approach to reading the Bible? Is it more random or intentional? What is one step you could take this week to be more intentional? [[12:47]]
2. The preacher said, “If we let other things—social media, news, or our own desires—become our primary lens, our perspective will be shaped by them instead.” What is currently shaping your perspective the most? How can you make Scripture your main “frame” for seeing the world? [[22:28]]
3. The sermon encouraged storing God’s Word in our hearts. Is there a verse or passage you want to memorize this month? How could you remind yourself to practice it daily? [[17:42]]
4. The Bible is described as “living and active,” able to convict, encourage, and heal. Can you share a time when a specific Bible passage spoke directly to your situation? What happened as a result? [[09:00]]
5. The story of Eustace’s transformation in Narnia was painful but led to freedom. Is there an area in your life where you sense God wants to bring change, even if it might be uncomfortable? What would it look like to invite God’s Word into that area? [[28:52]]
6. The sermon mentioned practical tools like reading plans, Bible apps, and accountability partners. Which of these tools could help you grow in engaging with Scripture? Who could you invite to join you in this journey? [[15:53]]
7. The preacher said, “Let’s become people of the Word—not for the sake of knowledge alone, but so we might know, experience, and reflect the immeasurable love of God.” What is one way you can reflect God’s love to someone this week, inspired by what you’ve read in Scripture? [[34:05]]

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to give your group a deeper hunger for His Word, to help you see the world through the lens of Scripture, and to give you courage for any transformation He wants to bring in your lives.

Devotional

Day 1: The Bible is Our Key of Keys and Final Authority
Just as Baddox Rock served as the central reference point for mapping Washington, D.C., the Bible is the unchanging reference point for Christians, the “key of keys” to which we return to discern what is true and how to live. In a world full of chaos and confusion, the Bible stands as our final authority on all matters of faith and life, inspired by God and given to us so we can know Him and His ways. When we feel lost or uncertain, we are called to return to Scripture, allowing it to anchor us in truth and guide our steps, trusting that God has spoken and continues to speak through His Word. [04:05]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Reflection: When you feel confused or uncertain about a decision or belief, what would it look like for you to intentionally return to the Bible as your “key of keys” before seeking answers elsewhere?

Day 2: The Bible is Living, Active, and Speaks to Us
The Bible is not a static book but is living and active, uniquely able to speak into our lives because the same Spirit who inspired it now works in us as we read. As we open the Scriptures, we are “inhaling what the Holy Spirit exhaled” thousands of years ago, receiving what we truly need—sometimes conviction, sometimes encouragement, always a clearer picture of the living God. The Word of God meets us where we are, reading us as much as we read it, and shaping us into the people God calls us to be. [09:00]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Reflection: As you read the Bible today, ask God to show you not just what you want to hear, but what you truly need—are you willing to let the Word “read” you and reveal what needs to change?

Day 3: Store God’s Word in Your Heart for Transformation
Storing God’s Word in our hearts is more than memorization; it is about letting Scripture shape our thoughts, actions, and identity. When we intentionally internalize the Bible, the Holy Spirit can bring it to mind in moments of need, guiding us toward purity and helping us resist sin. The more we treasure God’s Word, the more it transforms how we see ourselves, others, and the world, becoming the lens through which we interpret life and make decisions. [17:42]

Psalm 119:9-11 (ESV)
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Reflection: What is one verse or passage you can commit to memory this week, so that the Spirit can use it to guide and transform you in moments of challenge or temptation?

Day 4: The Bible Changes How We See Ourselves and the World
The Bible is meant to be the “picture frame” through which we see reality, reminding us of who God is and who we are in Him. When we let Scripture shape our perspective, we are transported from seeing ourselves as ordinary or defined by the world’s standards to recognizing our true identity as beloved children and heirs of the King. If we allow other things—like social media or news—to be our primary lens, our worldview will be shaped by them; but if we abide in the Word, we gain an eternal perspective that changes everything. [22:28]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can make the Bible your primary “picture frame” today, replacing another lens that has been shaping your view of yourself or the world?

Day 5: Letting God Change Us Through His Word, Even When It Hurts
True transformation often hurts, as God lovingly peels away the layers of sin, shame, or pain that have built up in our lives—much like Eustace’s painful but freeing encounter with Aslan in Narnia. The process of change may be uncomfortable, but it is through surrendering to God’s Word and Spirit that we are cleansed, restored, and made new. When we trust God with our pain and brokenness, He meets us with grace, reminding us of His deep love and the rest He offers to all who come to Him. [31:48]

Romans 8:18 (ESV)
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you sense God inviting you to let go or be changed, even if it’s painful? What would it look like to trust Him with that process today?

Quotes

As Christians, we also have a key of keys, a place that we always go back to when we want to figure out what is true. We always go back to when we want to figure out, all right, things may seem chaotic, things may seem confusing or we forgot. We always come back to our key of keys to know where our central location is. The thing with the Bible is it is this key of keys, but it's not just the starting point. It's our final authority on all things of God, all things of faith. [00:03:56]

As Christians, we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. If you've been in church any amount of time, you've probably heard that said before. But what does that mean? What does it mean to be an inspired word of God? Well, 2 Timothy 3 says, all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, training in righteousness, so that the servant of God, us, may be thoroughly equipped for good work. [00:04:38]

As flawed men wrote these words out, an unflawed spirit of God guided the words to be written so that they would not only lead to salvation for those that read it then, but now and in the future as well. They were flawed men that wrote it, but the flawless God guided these words. [00:05:38]

If any of you all have been in group projects or in a team meeting, if 10 people leave a meeting place and they all leave saying the same message, that's a miracle, right? That's a miracle in itself. But for 1500 years, 40 different authors over different time periods, different nationalities, different languages. And the message rings true that we were created. We fell from our created one. We try to do things on our own and we mess up. But God said, I want to save them, came to be with us, died, saved us from our sins, rose to defeat our enemy death and said, follow me and I'm coming back and I've saved you. Over 1500 years, that message rings true. This book is a miracle. Complex, but it is a miracle. [00:07:22]

The Bible is living and active. We don't just read the Bible. The Bible reads us. The Bible is, how do we say, because the spirit moves in it, because the spirit wrote it. And now the spirit speaks to us in it. This is a living document in a sense, it's not living in a sense that we add to it, but living in a sense of it speaks. It moves to us. The spirit who inspired it is the same spirit that reads it within us. [00:08:32]

I love the way this is put, inhaling what the Holy Spirit exhaled thousands of years ago. We are breathing in what the Holy Spirit exhaled into the pages thousands of years ago. [00:09:07]

When we read the Bible, because it's active, it gives us what we need. Notice I said what we need, not what we want. Okay. Gives us what we need. Sometimes it leads to conviction, which brings to confession. Sometimes it brings encouragement, which brings rejoicing. Sometimes it brings knowledge, which can develop into wisdom, but it always shows us the true picture of the living God. [00:09:20]

The Bible gives us truth that sometimes hurts, but then it always comes with grace of like, but I've paid for it. I've paid for it. Like watch this because it hurts you, but I've paid for it. So let's walk out of it. [00:11:04]

The Bible is timeless and timely. It was written 1500 years ago, but it still has life-changing implications for us today. And it's timely. When we need it, it tells us what we need to hear. It's not just any other book. Like we can't just stop reading it once we read it once because it's constantly working in us through the Holy spirit. [00:11:23]

If you want to hear God speak, open your Bible, open your Bible. That's where God speaks to us. And the goal of reading the Bible since it's timely and it's timeless is for us to get it in us. We're not just trying to read it to say we read it. We want the Bible to be ingrained in us because if it's not ingrained in us, how can we be transformed by it? [00:11:47]

If this book is our map, the Holy Spirit is our guide. So if we don't start in prayer, we're hopping in here hoping we can figure it out on our own. And there's just so much we're going to miss. You can get good things out of here on your own. But we want the author to speak to us as we're reading it. [00:12:41]

Are we being intentional with hearing from the God who loves us and who created us? If that is our primary method of reading the scripture. Again, I'm not trying to beat up on you if that's your method. I just want to point you towards there are words in here. The God who loves you has given you this to show you how much he loves you. Let's dig into it. Let's be intentional to it. [00:14:05]

However you choose to read the Bible, what's most important is that you're reading the Bible. That's what's most important. I heard, I went on a year-long mission trip out of college and I was speaking at a camp later and the kids were like, how do I know what place to go serve? And I'm like, just go serve. I don't care where you go serve. That's not the point. Just go serve. Same way here. Just get in the Bible. Be intentional about it because God wants to show you himself and he wants to show you how much he loves you. [00:16:54]

If the God of the universe has said, I love you, I have saved you, and I want you to know things so that you can walk in life, how foolish are we not to dedicate a huge part of our life to hearing from him by reading it, and not just reading it, but storing it in our heart. [00:18:08]

But how can the Spirit pull Scripture into your mind that you haven't stored in your heart? If we don't have Scripture memorized, we are much less likely to have Spirit brought to our mind in moments when we need it. Once again, God works to us. It's all intertwined. The Spirit speaks. The Word speaks. The God's people speak. But we need to be doing all of them so that God can speak to us in the ways in which he is designed for us to hear from him. [00:18:42]

As we store God's Word in our heart, it does much more than make us more knowledgeable. It changes how we see things. It changes how we see the world because the frame in which we see the world is now through scripture instead of through something else. [00:19:30]

The Bible is our picture frame. If we let it be. The Bible is a picture frame where it shows us you are not just people. Through Jesus, you are the sons and daughters of the all-high king. You are heirs to the throne. You have been saved by this king. Like, our world is transformed when we look at the world through the Bible, when that is the frame that we look through. It reminds us of who God says we are and it reminds us of who God says he is. And when we see our world through those two things, we see things more clearly. [00:22:10]

The surest way to get into the presence of God and to see the world that way is to get into the word of God. We've got to look through the word of God to see the world fully as the way God created it. If we're not looking at the Bible as a picture frame into our world, we're going to be looking through something else to see our world. [00:23:20]

If we constantly look at social media, we're constantly going to look at the world through the lens of social media. If we constantly watch cable news, we're constantly going to look at the world through the frame of cable news. And the list goes on and on and on. Again, not saying all those things are completely bad. But if they are the primary frame through which we see our world, that will be the primary mindset that we see and live our world in. But if we abide in the word, as Jesus told his disciples to in John 14, then we will see the world through his word. [00:24:02]

It is so important, not just that we read the Bible because we're supposed to. We read the Bible because it changes how we see things and it changes how we see things for the good. And if we look at the Bible this way, not only will the world around us look differently, we ourselves will be changed. Reading the Bible changes you. It just does. Just as being with God changes you. [00:25:12]

Charles Spurgeon, one of the more impactful, probably evangelist in the history of our country, he once said that if a Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't falling apart. [00:25:42]

The Bible changes us, which then changes everything around us. Now we often get to the Bible without the expectation that it will change us. Reading the Bible is not going to change us. Reading the Bible is not going to change us, but reading the Bible is not going to change us. isn't about picking and choosing what we want from God, but rather we knowing that we need him and when we are with him, we are changed. But changing hurts. [00:26:37]

It hurts to allow God to have access to the parts of our lives that we're ashamed of. It hurts to allow God to have access to the parts of us that are in pain, whether we cause that pain or someone else did. It hurts to be vulnerable enough to say, God, I've turned into something that I'm not proud of. And I don't know how I got here. Or to say, God, I've been hurt and I don't want to tell anyone about this because it's embarrassing. But no matter how we try to peel that hard skin off, it doesn't work because it takes the hand of our Savior, the hand of a lion sometimes, the lion of Judah, to be able to cleanse us of things that are hurting us, but it hurts for that stuff to be taken off too, right? It hurts. [00:30:03]

But when we soak ourselves in this word, we're going to see things that hurt, but we're going to see the true picture of the gospel, the good news of the God that says, it hurt me more than it hurt you because I love you. And because of what I've went through, I'm going to cleanse you. I'm going to scrape off all those scales. I'm going to dip you in water and I'm going to cleanse you. And you're going to have childlike faith again. You're going to become that boy. You're going to become that little girl. Yeah, it might hurt, but the sufferings in this world are of no comparison to the glory that will be shown to you and the grace that will be revealed to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [00:30:58]

It's so easy for us to be like, I don't hear from God. When's the last time you were in your Bible? Well, I don't hear from God. I wish you would tell me something. Have you prayed and gave him time to speak? Have you tried to calm down the other things that make so much noise so you can hear from him? [00:32:49]

How often do we convince ourselves that God doesn't love us? How often do we convince ourselves that like, I have to do something to make God love me. Do you know why? Because we forget to get into the book that God has given us to show us just how much he loves us. [00:33:53]

He has shown us how much he has loved us in the perfect life of Jesus and in the inspired word of God. I challenge you as a believer and as a church, let's become people of the word. Not so we can say we're people of the word, but so that we can say, oh, how he loves us. [00:34:22]

Chatbot

What is the Bible's role as a key of keys?

How does Scripture transform our worldview and perception?

In what ways does the Spirit use God's Word to speak?