Understanding and Discerning God's Will in Our Lives
Summary
Discerning God's will is a journey that involves understanding the different aspects of His will as revealed in Scripture. We often speak of God's will in three distinct ways: His secret will, His revealed will, and His discerned will. God's secret will encompasses the mysteries of His divine plan, which are beyond our understanding. These are the events and purposes that God orchestrates in the world, and our response to this aspect of His will is to trust Him, even when we don't understand why certain things happen.
God's revealed will, on the other hand, is clearly laid out in Scripture. It includes His commandments and teachings, such as loving God and our neighbors, making disciples, and living according to His moral laws. Our responsibility is to obey what God has revealed, as He will hold us accountable for these things. This should be our primary concern, rather than worrying about missing God's will in areas where He has not provided specific guidance.
The discerned will of God involves making wise decisions in areas where Scripture does not provide direct revelation. This requires us to test and discern through various means. We can look at our experiences, the needs around us, the opportunities that present themselves, the circumstances we face, the counsel of others, the desires of our hearts, and the gifts God has given us. By examining these areas, we can gain insight into what God might be calling us to do.
In Romans 12:2, we are encouraged to be transformed by the renewal of our minds so that we can discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect in God's sight. This transformation involves aligning our thoughts and actions with God's will as revealed in Scripture and seeking His wisdom in areas where we must discern His will. By doing so, we can live lives that are pleasing to Him and fulfill the purposes He has for us.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust in God's Secret Will: God's secret will involves the mysteries of His divine plan, which are beyond our understanding. Our response should be to trust Him, even when we don't understand why certain things happen. This trust is rooted in the belief that God works all things according to the counsel of His will, weaving every event into His purpose. [01:03]
- Obedience to God's Revealed Will: God's revealed will is clearly laid out in Scripture, including His commandments and teachings. Our responsibility is to obey what God has revealed, as He will hold us accountable for these things. This should be our primary concern, rather than worrying about missing God's will in areas where He has not provided specific guidance. [03:35]
- Discerning God's Will Through Testing: In areas where Scripture does not provide direct revelation, we must discern God's will by testing. This involves examining our experiences, the needs around us, the opportunities that present themselves, the circumstances we face, the counsel of others, the desires of our hearts, and the gifts God has given us. [07:32]
- The Role of Experience and Gifts: Our experiences and the gifts God has given us can provide insight into His will for our lives. By reflecting on what we are good at and what we have endured, we can discern how God might be calling us to serve others and fulfill His purposes. [09:06]
- The Importance of Wise Counsel: Seeking the counsel of trusted friends and advisors is crucial in discerning God's will. Discernment is a team effort, and wise counsel can provide valuable perspective and guidance as we seek to make decisions that align with God's will. [19:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Discerning God's Will
- [00:28] - God's Secret Will
- [01:03] - Trusting in God's Plan
- [02:15] - God's Revealed Will
- [03:35] - Accountability to God's Commands
- [04:41] - God's Discerned Will
- [05:35] - Making Life Decisions
- [07:32] - Testing and Discerning God's Will
- [09:06] - Experience and Gifts
- [11:05] - Recognizing Needs
- [12:52] - Seizing Opportunities
- [15:32] - Considering Circumstances
- [18:20] - Seeking Wise Counsel
- [20:05] - Desires of the Heart
- [21:42] - Identifying Gifts
- [24:31] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Discerning God's Will
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 12:2 - "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."
2. Deuteronomy 29:29 - "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 12:2, what is the process by which we can discern God's will? How does this relate to the transformation of our minds?
2. In the sermon, what are the three distinct aspects of God's will that are discussed? ([00:13])
3. How does the sermon describe our response to God's secret will? What is our role when faced with the mysteries of His divine plan? ([01:56])
4. What examples of God's revealed will are mentioned in the sermon, and how are we expected to respond to them? ([02:15])
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God's secret will challenge or comfort believers in their daily lives? What might be the purpose of God keeping certain things hidden from us? ([01:39])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest we can discern God's will in areas where Scripture does not provide direct guidance? How do these methods align with the biblical instruction in Romans 12:2? ([07:32])
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of wise counsel in discerning God's will? What role do trusted friends and advisors play in this process? ([19:29])
4. How does the sermon suggest that our experiences and gifts can provide insight into God's will for our lives? What is the significance of reflecting on what we are good at and what we have endured? ([09:06])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation where God's will was not clear. How did you approach the decision-making process, and what might you do differently now based on the sermon? ([05:35])
2. Consider the areas of your life where you might be struggling to trust God's secret will. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's plan, even when it is not fully understood? ([01:56])
3. Identify one command or teaching from God's revealed will that you find challenging to obey. What steps can you take this week to align your actions with this aspect of God's will? ([03:35])
4. Think about a recent decision you made without clear biblical guidance. How did you discern God's will in that situation, and what role did wise counsel play in your decision? ([19:29])
5. Reflect on your personal gifts and experiences. How might these be pointing you toward a specific calling or area of service? What practical steps can you take to explore this further? ([09:06])
6. Consider a need or opportunity that has recently come to your attention. How can you discern whether this is an area where God is calling you to act? ([12:52])
7. How can you incorporate the practice of renewing your mind, as described in Romans 12:2, into your daily routine to better discern God's will? What specific changes can you make to your thought patterns or habits?
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in the Unseen Plan
God's secret will involves the mysteries of His divine plan, which are beyond our understanding. These are the events and purposes that God orchestrates in the world, and our response to this aspect of His will is to trust Him, even when we don't understand why certain things happen. This trust is rooted in the belief that God works all things according to the counsel of His will, weaving every event into His purpose. Trusting in God's secret will requires a deep faith that He is sovereign and good, even when life seems chaotic or unfair. [01:03]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you struggle to see God's purpose. How can you actively choose to trust Him with this situation today?
Day 2: Obedience to the Known Commands
God's revealed will is clearly laid out in Scripture, including His commandments and teachings. Our responsibility is to obey what God has revealed, as He will hold us accountable for these things. This should be our primary concern, rather than worrying about missing God's will in areas where He has not provided specific guidance. By focusing on obedience to His revealed will, we align ourselves with His desires and live in a way that honors Him. [03:35]
"And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it." (2 John 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one commandment or teaching from Scripture that you find challenging to obey. What steps can you take today to begin aligning your actions with this command?
Day 3: Testing and Discerning in the Gray Areas
In areas where Scripture does not provide direct revelation, we must discern God's will by testing. This involves examining our experiences, the needs around us, the opportunities that present themselves, the circumstances we face, the counsel of others, the desires of our hearts, and the gifts God has given us. By considering these factors, we can gain insight into what God might be calling us to do. This process requires wisdom and a willingness to seek God's guidance in prayer and through the counsel of others. [07:32]
"Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a decision you are currently facing where God's will is not clear. What steps can you take today to seek His guidance and discern His will in this situation?
Day 4: Recognizing and Utilizing Your Gifts
Our experiences and the gifts God has given us can provide insight into His will for our lives. By reflecting on what we are good at and what we have endured, we can discern how God might be calling us to serve others and fulfill His purposes. Recognizing and utilizing our gifts is an important part of living out God's will, as it allows us to contribute to His kingdom in unique and meaningful ways. [09:06]
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one gift or talent you have that you have not been using to its full potential? How can you begin to use this gift to serve others and glorify God today?
Day 5: Seeking Wise Counsel for Clarity
Seeking the counsel of trusted friends and advisors is crucial in discerning God's will. Discernment is a team effort, and wise counsel can provide valuable perspective and guidance as we seek to make decisions that align with God's will. By surrounding ourselves with godly advisors, we can gain clarity and confidence in the choices we make, knowing that we are not alone in our journey of faith. [19:29]
"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you trust to give you godly counsel? How can you reach out to them today for advice or support in a decision you are facing?
Quotes
"Now what is God's secret will? Well, the Bible speaks about the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. In other words, everything that happens is woven into the purpose of God and nothing that happens is outside of his will. God works all things according to the counsel of his will." [00:57:00]
"Now, of course, God's revealed will is not limited to verses that use the words 'God's will.' We're to believe all of God's promises. We're to obey all of God's commands. God's revealed will should always be our first concern. And here's some good news: God's not going to hold us accountable for what he has kept secret, but he will hold us accountable for what he has revealed." [03:13:00]
"So, when you find yourself saying, 'I just need to find God's will,' remind yourself that God's will is that you should live as he has described in the Bible. And for the rest, well, make the wisest and most informed decisions that you can. How do we respond to God's revealed will? Well, God calls us to walk in obedience to all that he has revealed." [04:16:00]
"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. So, there is a will of God that can be discerned. This is neither secret nor revealed, but somewhere in between. It's discerned." [05:03:00]
"Experience: Look again at Romans chapter 12. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. I love that God's will is perfect. Literally, that word means it fits like a hand in a glove." [07:35:00]
"What have you done that God has most obviously blessed? What are you good at? Where have wise people said you should do that more? My son David wanted to be a lawyer. He said this for many years, but when he went to college, a wise professor told him, 'Your word scores are good, but your number scores are better.'" [08:24:00]
"See, God never wastes a thing, especially the hard experiences of your life. Paul says God comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." [09:29:00]
"Notice how Paul discerned God's will. He concluded that he should go to Macedonia. Why? Because the need of this area had been brought to his attention. Now, we need to be careful here because, obviously, you can't fill every need that comes to your attention." [11:29:00]
"Where has God opened a door of opportunity for you? It might not be where you thought or where you expected. You might find yourself saying, 'You know, I never pictured myself being here or doing this.' It's important to be flexible. Where is there opportunity?" [13:33:00]
"Now, here again, Paul is telling us about how he made a decision, and he says a door of opportunity opened for him at Troas. But then, you see, there was another factor in play. Paul's spirit was not at rest on account of Titus, so the open door wasn't everything." [15:16:00]
"Now, the scriptures speak again and again on the importance of wise counsel. The Book of Proverbs says, 'The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed.'" [18:16:00]
"God puts good things into the hearts of his people. Nehemiah chapter 2, he says, 'I arose in the night, I and a few men with me, and I told no one what God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.' Later, Nehemiah says, 'Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the Nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy.'" [20:05:00]
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