Session Eleven: Guidance

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

1) We aren’t listening 2) We have a “log” in our “EAR” “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5

1) We aren’t listening 2) We have a “log” in our “EAR” 3) Disbelief and waiting for the extraordinary

1) Listen continually (Isaiah 55:12, Matthew 17:20) “There is a way of ordering our mental life on more than one level at once. On one level we may be thinking, discussing, seeing, calculating, meeting all the demands of external affairs. But deep within, behind the scenes, at a profounder level, we may also be in prayer and adoration, song and worship and a gentle receptiveness to divine breathings.” ~ Thomas Kelly

1) Listen continually 2) Always be responsive

1) Listen continually 2) Always be responsive 3) Listen to others “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:12 The Holy Spirit will teach what to say (Luke 12:12) God will “…give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation…” Ephesians 1:17

1) Listen continually 2) Always be responsive 3) Listen to others 4) Be faithful in a “few things” “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Matthew 25:23

1) Listen continually 2) Always be responsive 3) Listen to others 4) Be faithful in a “few things” 5) Be in the Disciplines

Purpose: “God’s usher, and must lead souls in God’s way and not his own.” -Dom Augustine Baker Characteristics: “Mentor” Actively on the discipleship journey Concerned with the whole person Mutual respect and Christian love Comfortable and knowledgeable with himself Prayer will reveal and ordain the relationship Other forms of spiritual guidance: The Word of God Sermons & teaching Small groups Testimony Books & writings

“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3

“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

1) Meeting for Clarity 2) “Sound the Call” 3) Shepherding

1) “Insider Information” 2) Manipulation, exerting Self-will 3) Sign of Spiritual Superiority 4) Hard People who Hinder Unity 5) Guidance without Biblical Correlation 6) Passivity 7) Avoiding Risks 8) “Thus Saith the Lord” 9) Our Own Human Fallibility Warnings to Those in Positions/Roles of Guidance

Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Know your spiritual gifts Seek the gifts of discernment, prophecy, wisdom

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy… the one who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort… he edifies the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 “…so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…” Philippians 1:9-10 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to Him.” James 1:5 “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Know your spiritual gifts Seek the gifts of discernment, prophecy, wisdom Have your own Spiritual Director

 Could your situation benefit from some holy guidance?  Do you run to everyone BUT God for guidance?  Is there someone to whom you should become a Spiritual Director?  Who is He leading you to ask to be your Spiritual Director?

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Bow down before him, his glory proclaim; With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness, Kneel and adore him, the Lord is his name. Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness, High on his heart he will bear it for thee, Comfort thy sorrows and answer thy prayerfulness, Guiding they steps as may best for thee be. Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness Of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine; Truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness, These are the offerings to lay on his shrine.