1. Knowing and Doing God’s Will Seeking and Accepting Advice John Oakes San Diego Singles October, 2013

2. Knowing God’s Will Coll 1:9-14 Knowing God’s Will Coll 1:9 Knowing God’s Will Coll 1:9 Actually doing God’s will Coll 1:10 Actually doing God’s will Coll 1:10

3. How Can We Know God’s Will? 1. By reading and applying scripture. Psalm 119:105 2. By living a dedicated and righteous life. Romans 12:1-2 3. By prayer. James 1:5 4. By seeking and accepting advice.

4. Seeking and Accepting Advice Prov 15:22 Prov 11:14 Prov 19:20 Prov 12:15 Prov 13:10 The key to all this is humility Prov 11:2

5. Everybody’s Different Stages in Christian Development: I. Chaos II. Conformity III. Questioning IV. Conviction Moving from advice-based to Bible- based and godly conviction-based decisions. But we always need advice. Chaos

6. Christian Advice: Practicals The three biggies: Finances/CareerRelationships/Dating/Marriage Parenting/(for us: Discipling?)

7. Advice: Practicals Do not go advice-shopping. Remember, it is often good, better, best. Avoid giving unsolicited advice. Remember: Advice is Advice. Let God work. Remember the goal: Colossians 1:9-10.