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Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

Hearing voices

We are all capable of hearing God’s voice; how we respond is what matters (Jeremiah 1.4-10; Luke 4.21-30).

Context

  • Hearing the Voice is a large interdisciplinary study of voice-hearing, based at Durham University and funded by the Wellcome Trust.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

  • Most of us experience/hear an inner voice which narrates our lives, thoughts, amusing stories, angry narratives, etc. Writers, such as myself, are those who quite simply write things down(!): stories, histories, poetry, sermons and the list goes on. The 'trick' for any writer-to-be is simply to trust the voice you have been given. Mental illness aside, it's the same voice with which you tell jokes, relate sad events and speak words of endearment to a loved one. It’s the same voice God gave you.
  • Jeremiah heard God’s voice/call but felt he had every reason to say ‘no’. God does not always pursue each of us with the same persistence shown Jeremiah. Yet this writer believes that God indeed speaks to each of us; we simply need to find the ways and time to listen.
  • I believe that God calls each of us (vocation) to live for God in specific ways. Yet, as Jeremiah discovered, listening to God often means acting on what God tells us – which can often be met with derision and disbelief. Look what happened to both Jeremiah and Jesus!
  • Those who heard Jesus preach in Nazareth wondered at his grace-filled words, but then dismissed them because they could not get past his being the local builder’s son. He then cites how the prophets Elijah and Elisha, acting upon God’s word, were sent to heal and help foreigners, rather than ‘deserving’ Hebrews. At this, Jesus’ listeners run him out of town and try to murder him! In recent times we might think of Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King and others.

 

Questions for discussion

  • Play ‘Hearing God’s Voice’ by the Tutus. Have you heard God speak to you in any of those instances? How often do you listen for and hear God’s voice?
  • Visit Hearing the Voice and find some examples of ‘hearing voices’—particularly God’s. Use several of these as discussion material. You might find you are not the only one who hears voices!
  • Despite biblical accounts of God speaking to humanity through dreams, prophets, heavenly messengers and directly to humans, why do most Christians seem reluctant to talk about hearing God’s voice?
  • As with Jesus’ audience in Nazareth, how often might we be missing God’s message for us?

Revd Dr Jack Lawson is a freelance writer and author of four novels – Doing Time, No Good Deed, Criminal Justice and The Woods – and a blog.

 

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

Have you dared to speak out against challenging voices this month? This week? Today, maybe? Right now, there seem to be a lot of challenges in our world that we can respond to, don’t there?!

Perhaps you participated in Veganuary to have your voice heard about our environment and treatment of animals?  Or shared your thoughts on social media over allegations of illegal parties in our government? Have you considered how you feel about the new easing of restrictions – are we ready to drop the masks and isolation periods? Would you speak out for or against this decision?

It might feel like it is hard to know where to start when responding to challenges. But how amazing it is that we have a saviour who supports us in doing so!

Jesus shows us how he isn’t afraid to speak the truth, even if it causes him to be unpopular. But he also demonstrates how to do this in a peaceful manner. He doesn’t shout or fight or become aggressive when the crowds turn on him; he walks away and continues his good work in another town.

Speaking out against challenging voices but doing it with grace is a tricky tightrope to walk, isn’t it?

This week why not re-read the news headlines and strike up conversations with your peers and family about the ones which challenge your thinking. Spend some time praying over how you could respond and give praise that we have a God who listens!

Natasia Bullock is the director of Christian theatre company, The B Tales

 

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