Walking in God's Direction: Trusting His Guidance

This week kicks off our Wild Summer Series—Wild Life with Jesus—where we’re learning what it means to walk in the Lord’s direction. “Wild” stands for “Walking In the Lord’s Direction,” and that’s our focus for July. God wants us to follow Him, to hear and know His voice, and to trust Him to guide us, even when we don’t know the way. Life is full of choices and distractions, but God’s desire is for us to be attentive to His leading, just as the Israelites had to watch where they were going when God led them out of Egypt.

We explored Proverbs 3:5-6, which teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. When we submit to Him in all our ways, He promises to make our paths straight. We practiced this verse together, using hand motions to help us remember and hide it in our hearts, so it’s there when we need it most.

Looking at the story of the Israelites in Exodus, we saw how God didn’t take them on the shortest route out of Egypt, but instead led them the long way around to protect them from danger. Sometimes, the longer way is actually God’s best way for us, even if it doesn’t make sense at the time. God guided His people with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, showing them He was always with them and leading them step by step.

Today, God guides us through His Holy Spirit, who lives inside everyone who believes in Jesus. The Holy Spirit acts like a stoplight in our hearts—sometimes telling us to stop, sometimes to slow down and pay attention, and sometimes to go forward. We don’t have to be confused or lost, because God’s Spirit, His Word, and the example of Jesus all show us the way. We can always pray and ask God for direction, trusting that He will lead us, just as He led His people in the wilderness.

As we go through this Wild Summer, let’s commit to watching where we’re going, listening for God’s voice, and allowing His Spirit to guide us in every decision—big or small. God’s way is always the best way, and He promises to be with us every step.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s direction is often different from what we expect, and sometimes He leads us on a longer path to protect us or prepare us for what’s ahead. The Israelites wanted the shortcut, but God knew the dangers they couldn’t see. Trusting God means believing He sees the whole picture, even when we don’t understand why the journey is taking longer. [28:02]
• 2. The Holy Spirit is our guide today, just as the cloud and fire guided the Israelites. The Spirit prompts us with inner warnings, cautions, and encouragements—like a stoplight in our hearts—helping us discern when to stop, slow down, or move forward. Learning to recognize and obey these promptings is key to walking in God’s direction. [34:30]
• 3. God’s Word is a clear map for our lives, and memorizing Scripture like Proverbs 3:5-6 equips us to make wise choices. When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, it becomes a source of guidance and strength, especially when we face uncertainty or temptation. The more we know His Word, the more confidently we can follow His lead. [18:11]
• 4. We don’t have to walk through life confused or alone. God’s Spirit, His Word, and the example of Jesus all provide direction for every step. When we feel uncertain, we can pray and ask God for wisdom, trusting that He will answer and guide us, just as He did for His people in the wilderness. [42:13]
• 5. Following God’s direction is not just for kids—it’s a lifelong journey for all of us. Every day, we face choices about friends, media, and how we spend our time. By leaning on the Holy Spirit and surrounding ourselves with godly influences, we can stay on the path God has for us and live a life that brings Him glory and blesses others. [42:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Introduction to Wild Summer Series
• [02:45] - What Does “Wild” Mean?
• [04:30] - Importance of Hearing God’s Voice
• [06:00] - Icebreaker Game: Top 5 Fast Food
• [12:06] - Transition to Worship
• [15:39] - Praise and Thankfulness
• [16:50] - The “W” in Wild: Watch Where You’re Going
• [17:30] - Memory Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
• [18:11] - Learning the Memory Verse with Actions
• [21:40] - Hiding God’s Word in Our Hearts
• [23:00] - Story Time: God Leads the Israelites
• [25:07] - The Compass and God’s Guidance
• [28:02] - Why God Sometimes Takes Us the Long Way
• [32:00] - God’s Presence: Cloud by Day, Fire by Night
• [34:30] - The Holy Spirit: Our Inner Stoplight
• [40:36] - You Don’t Have to Be Confused
• [42:13] - Praying for God’s Guidance
• [45:14] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Reading

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) — Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Exodus 13:17-22 (ESV) — When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Observation Questions

1. According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what are we told to do with our hearts and understanding? What does God promise if we do this?
2. In Exodus 13, why did God not lead the Israelites on the shortest route out of Egypt? ([25:07])
3. What two things did God use to guide the Israelites through the wilderness, and when did He use each one? ([28:02])
4. In the sermon, what is the “W” in WILD, and what does it mean for our lives? ([16:50])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might God sometimes lead us on a longer or more difficult path instead of the easiest or shortest one? What does this show us about His character? ([28:02])
2. The sermon compares the Holy Spirit to a stoplight in our hearts. What does this mean, and how can someone recognize these “stop,” “slow down,” or “go” moments? ([34:30])
3. How does memorizing and “hiding” God’s Word in our hearts help us when we face tough choices or temptations? ([18:11])
4. The Israelites had a visible sign of God’s presence (cloud and fire). What are the ways God guides us today, according to the sermon? ([41:06])

Application Questions

1. Can you think of a time when you wanted to take a shortcut in life, but it didn’t turn out well? How might God have been protecting or teaching you through that experience? ([28:02])
2. The Holy Spirit is described as a stoplight inside us. This week, did you sense a “red light” (stop), “yellow light” (slow down), or “green light” (go) in your heart about something? What did you do? ([34:30])
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust God with all our heart. Is there an area in your life right now where you’re struggling to trust God’s direction? What would it look like to submit that area to Him? ([18:11])
4. The sermon talked about watching where you’re going and being careful about friends, media, and how you spend your time. Is there something you feel God is asking you to change or pay attention to this week? ([42:57])
5. When you feel confused or unsure about a decision, what is your first response? How can you make prayer and asking for God’s guidance your first step instead? ([42:13])
6. The Israelites had to follow God step by step, even when they didn’t know the whole plan. How can you practice listening for God’s voice in your everyday decisions, both big and small? ([16:50])
7. Who are some godly influences in your life that help you stay on God’s path? How can you spend more time with them or learn from them this summer? ([42:57])