Living Out God's Will Through Relationship and Transformation

One of the most persistent questions in the Christian life is, “God, what is your will for me?” Whether it’s about big decisions—like who to marry, what job to take, or where to live—or even the small things, we all long to know God’s purpose for our lives. But before we get lost in the specifics, it’s important to remember that God’s will is not a secret code to be cracked, but a relationship to be lived out. God’s will is first and foremost revealed in His Word, and it is rooted in His character—His mercy, grace, and love for us.

Romans 12:1-2 gives us a powerful framework for understanding and living in God’s will. Paul urges us, not with a command but with a heartfelt plea, to present our bodies as living sacrifices—holy and pleasing to God. This is our true act of worship. Unlike the sacrifices of the Old Testament, which required death, we are called to live out our faith daily, being living proof of God’s transforming power. This means letting go of old patterns—grudges, unforgiveness, gossip, and the comfortable sins we sometimes cling to—and allowing God to make us new.

We are not to be conformed to the world’s way of thinking, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is not a one-time event, but a daily process, made possible by the Holy Spirit. The world tells us to look out for ourselves, to pay back those who hurt us, and to chase after what we “deserve.” But God calls us to a radically different way: to love our enemies, to speak the truth in love, and to recognize that everything we have is by His grace.

Knowing God’s will is not about waiting for a mystical download or a step-by-step manual. God has given us free will, and He invites us to walk with Him, making choices in line with His Word and character. We can seek His guidance through prayer, the counsel of wise believers, and by paying attention to the “coincidences” and nudges of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, the answer is to wait, trusting that God will renew our strength and reveal His path in His time.

Ultimately, God’s will is that we love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves. This is not always easy, but as we allow our minds to be renewed and our lives to be shaped by His Spirit, we will find ourselves living out His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Living Sacrifice as True Worship God calls us to present our whole selves—body, mind, and spirit—as living sacrifices. This means daily surrender, not just in the big moments but in the ordinary choices, letting our lives be living proof of Christ’s sacrifice and love. True worship is not confined to songs or services, but is found in a life that reflects God’s mercy and grace to others. [57:03]
• 2. Transformation Begins with the Mind The process of discerning God’s will starts with a renewed mind. This renewal is not automatic; it requires intentionality—feeding on God’s Word, inviting the Holy Spirit to shape our thoughts, and resisting the pull of worldly patterns. The more we allow God to transform our thinking, the more clearly we can recognize His will and respond to it. [70:32]
• 3. God’s Will is Rooted in Relationship, Not Rules God’s will is not a rigid set of instructions, but an invitation to walk closely with Him. He gives us freedom and responsibility, guiding us through His Spirit, His Word, and the wisdom of the community. As we grow in relationship with Him, we learn to make choices that honor Him, trusting that He is more interested in our hearts than in our flawless decision-making. [80:16]
• 4. Practical Steps for Discerning God’s Will Seeking God’s will involves prayerful asking, listening, and sometimes waiting. It means doing our part—researching, seeking counsel, and being specific in our prayers—while remaining open to God’s leading through circumstances and the gentle nudges of the Spirit. God often guides us step by step, using both the ordinary and the unexpected to direct our paths. [88:30]
• 5. Loving Others as the Heart of God’s Will At the core of God’s will is the call to love—loving God fully and loving our neighbors as ourselves. This love extends beyond those who are easy to love, reaching even to those who are different or difficult. As we embrace this command, we become agents of God’s grace in the world, participating in His greater purpose to draw all people to Himself. [97:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:55] - The Universal Question: What is God’s Will?
• [05:00] - Understanding “Will” in Scripture
• [07:03] - Romans 12:1-2 in Three Translations
• [10:32] - Living Sacrifice: What Does It Mean?
• [13:36] - Sinful Desires Beyond the Obvious
• [16:09] - Not Conformed, But Transformed
• [19:18] - Worldly Thinking vs. Godly Living
• [20:32] - Renewing the Mind: The Path to Transformation
• [23:30] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Renewal
• [26:51] - Free Will and Making Godly Choices
• [28:30] - Practical Tips for Discerning God’s Will
• [32:10] - The Bible as Our Guide
• [34:13] - Prayer: Listening as Well as Speaking
• [35:18] - The Power of Waiting on God
• [37:12] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Discerning and Living God’s Will
*(Based on the sermon summary and transcript above)*

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### Bible Reading

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 6:11-14 (ESV)
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 12:1-2, what does Paul urge believers to do with their bodies, and how does he describe this act?
2. In the sermon, what are some examples given of “old patterns” or “comfortable sins” that we are called to let go of as living sacrifices? [[01:03:36]]
3. What does the sermon say is the difference between being “conformed to the world” and being “transformed by the renewing of your mind”? [[01:06:09]]
4. How does Jesus summarize God’s will in Matthew 22:36-40, and how does the sermon connect this to our daily lives? [[01:16:09]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s will is “not a secret code to be cracked, but a relationship to be lived out.” What does this mean for how we approach decisions in our lives? [[01:20:16]]
2. Why do you think Paul uses the language of “living sacrifice” instead of just “sacrifice”? What is the significance of being “living proof” of God’s mercy and grace? [[57:03]]
3. The sermon mentions that transformation is a daily process, not a one-time event. What are some practical ways the Holy Spirit helps us in this ongoing renewal? [[01:14:00]]
4. How does understanding God’s will as rooted in relationship (not just rules) change the way we seek guidance for big and small decisions? [[01:20:16]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to present our “whole selves” as living sacrifices, not just in big moments but in ordinary choices. What is one ordinary area of your life this week where you can intentionally surrender to God? [[57:03]]
2. Are there any “old patterns” (like grudges, unforgiveness, gossip, or comfortable sins) that you sense God is asking you to let go of? What is one step you can take to begin letting go? [[01:03:36]]
3. The world often tells us to “look out for ourselves” or “pay back those who hurt us.” Can you think of a recent situation where you felt this pull? How could you respond differently in light of God’s call to love your enemies and speak the truth in love? [[01:07:26]]
4. The sermon talks about the importance of renewing our minds by feeding on God’s Word and inviting the Holy Spirit to shape our thoughts. What is one practical way you can increase your intake of God’s truth this week (e.g., reading, listening, memorizing, discussing)? [[01:10:32]]
5. When facing a decision, the sermon suggests seeking God’s will through prayer, wise counsel, and paying attention to the Spirit’s nudges. Is there a decision you’re currently facing? How can you apply these steps in your process? [[01:28:30]]
6. Sometimes, the answer is to wait. Is there an area of your life where you are waiting on God? How can you use this waiting time to grow in trust and renewal? [[01:35:18]]
7. Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. Who is one “neighbor” (maybe even someone difficult or different) you can show love to this week, and what might that look like in action? [[01:16:09]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, asking God to renew your minds, help you surrender daily, and give you wisdom and courage to live out His will in both big and small ways.