Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (NKJV)
I’m often asked, ‘How do you hear God speak so clearly?’ It’s an important question, and the answer is a bit nuanced. (Note: These thoughts should not be interpreted as a ‘how-to recipe’ or exhaustive study but only a few signposts or guides.) Jesus promised we would be able to hear him,1 and because Romans 10:17 is a familiar passage, it’s easy to miss the punch line – ’hearing’ comes by the word of God, the Bible.
The Bible is no ordinary book. It is alive and active, a living word.2 The key to hearing his voice are reading, studying, memorizing his words, and applying what you heard and learned.3 Those aren’t several things; they are one thing. Followers of Jesus who do only some of this won’t hear as well as others. This is beautifully illustrated in a short 1-minute video from Francis Chan. (Link here)
Reflecting on our journey, the foundation for hearing God’s voice was learning to study using the Inductive Bible Study method. Inductive Bible study focuses on observing the text, interpreting its meaning, and applying it to one’s life. It’s an investigative approach that encourages readers to discover the truth of God’s Word for themselves. The process generally involves four steps: prayer (asking the Holy Spirit to guide you4), observation (what the text says), interpretation (what it means), and application (what it means for you). Then, ‘run the play.’
We were introduced to this form of study through Kay Arthur’s Precept Ministry.5 We used a double-spaced Bible, colored pencils, a concordance, a Greek interlinear dictionary, and a leader. (This is what was required before the internet.) After years of reading and studying inductively, it has become second nature. It’s made hearing his voice much easier and incredibly rewarding.
In the Pentecostal tradition, it’s common to hear testimonies of people getting a ‘word from God,’ and some friends receive pictures. Thanks to our inductive studies, I sometimes receive sudden detailed spiritual insights — I call them ‘downloads’ — during prayer or study. I don’t know how else to describe them. I’ve asked for words and pictures, but those are rare. Downloads are pretty common for me. One of the reasons I enjoy writing so much is that Jesus is a great writing partner. He is generous, kind, and funny.
Jesus wants us to know him; to know him is to hear him. He wants that for us so much that he died, arose again, ascended into heaven, and sent his Spirit so we could hear and follow him. Hearing God’s voice well and responding to it in faith is a process that requires growing and maturing spiritually. We can trust God to do his part, but we must also do ours.
If you’ve never studied the Bible inductively, start this week. Try the method. Watch the Francis Chan video. Expect to hear from Him.
Run The Play
Finding Our Place in the Story
- How well are you hearing God’s voice now?
- What would you be willing to do to hear God speaking to you more clearly and frequently?
- What impressed you from the Francis Chan video? How consistent are you with applying the things you learn from the Bible?
5 Precept
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