Talking Points....
July 14, 2026
This week's group discussion will focus on what Pastor Doug thinks will be the last part of his directional series "Hearing God's Voice."
I. Part 7
A. We need to train our ears to hear His voice.
1. Proverbs 4:20-22 The Message - Dear friend, listen well to my words;
tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they’re bursting with health.
2. How has your relationship with God changed over the years as you have learned to train your ears to hear from Him?
B. Prepare to hear from God.
1. Whatever you value, you will prepare for.
2. What things do you do in preparation to hear from God?
C. God frequently comes to a prepared atmosphere.
1. He comes to where we make a space and place for Him to move and speak.
2. Exodus 19:10-11 - Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. 11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.
3. God facilitated an appointment to meet with His people.
4. When you find yourself overwhelmed and don't know what to do, what changes do you make to prepare an atmosphere to hear from Him?
D. God sometimes comes into places of chaos.
1. God came to Jonah, Balaam, and Saul while they were in rebellion.
2. Has God ever come to you during a time of chaos or rebellion? How did that help you?
E. Misappointments lead to disappointments.
1. When we find ourselves disappointed because of possibly being in the wrong position or place, what should we do?
F. Worship is a powerful tool to prepare you to hear what He has for you.
1. Worship helps to calm our minds and prepare our hearts.
2. 2 Kings 3:15-18 - Now bring me someone who can play the harp.”
While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha, and he said, “This is what the Lord says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water! You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab!
3. The Lord came to him after the music was played.
4. How has worship helped you to hear from Him?
G. Meditate on the Word and pray.
1. Get a word from the Word.
2. Psalms 119:147 - I rise early, before the sun is up;
I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.
3. When you skip time in the Word and prayer first thing in the morning, how has your day differed from the days you spend time with Him in the morning?
H. Where should we go to in the Bible to meditate on His Word?
1. Anywhere on the inside.
2. We have a Bible plan in our church app.
3. We have an opportunity to collectively get the same Word from God as we read His Word together.
4. What do you think that God could do in and through our church if we were all in the Word together, meditating on the same verses?
I. We need to pray to God whatever is on our hearts.
1. We can come to God and pray to Him like we are speaking with a friend.
2. We need to make sure that we are not praying like we are ordering at a drive-thru.
3. Exodus 33:11 - Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.
4. How has speaking with God like a friend brought you closer to Him?
J. Don't wait until you get to Heaven to have an intimate relationship with God.
1. If we learn to have an intimate relationship with God now, how much more intimate will that relationship be once we are in Heaven?
K. We are friends of God.
1. John 15:15 - I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
2. Revelation 3:20 - “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
3. How does it make you feel to know that God wants to be friends with you?
L. Abraham models how to setup and hear God's voice.
1. Genesis 18:17-33 - “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”
And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”
Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”
“Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”
Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.
2. Have you ever spoken to God as boldly as Abraham did? What happened?
M. Stop what you are doing. Draw near to God.
1. How has stopping what you were doing, helped you to draw near to God?
N. The Lord loves to have a good conversation with His friends.
1. God will take your complaining, frustration, guilt, I wants, I don't wants, and dislikes because He loves talking with us.
2. James 2:23 - And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
3. If you don't share these things with your friend, God why not?
O. Call out to God when you are unsure and need a word.
1. Doug shared about when Sarena was pregnant with Riley, and the discouraging things the doctor thought was happening.
2. God directed him to the story of Joseph and Mary, and the challenges Joseph faced.
3. God shared a lot with Doug after he called out to Him.
4. It is not what it looks like.
5. Joseph heard the news, but still hadn't had the dream.
6. Not everything that is shiny is significant.
7. Just because it is loud, doesn't mean it is legit.
8. Sometimes the box says pain, sometimes betrayal, but if we can get past how it is packaged, there is strength on the inside.
9. Joseph, don't be afraid to take Mary home to be your wife because what is inside her is from the Holy Spirit.
10. It is not what it looks like.
11. Which of the words that God gave to Doug stand out to you the most?
P. Cherish the God moments when He speaks.
1. Write them down.
2. Use them as a testimony.
3. If we don't cherish the moments God speaks to us, do you think He will speak to us as often?
Q. We need to hunger for a word from God.
1. Knock and the door will be answered.
2. Call and He will answer.
3. He loves you.
4. Are you hungry for a word from God? If not, what are you filling yourself with, that you need to get rid of, to make room for Him?
R. Reflection time.
1. What has stood out to you the most with this series "Hearing God's Voice?"
This week's group discussion will focus on what Pastor Doug thinks will be the last part of his directional series "Hearing God's Voice."
I. Part 7
A. We need to train our ears to hear His voice.
1. Proverbs 4:20-22 The Message - Dear friend, listen well to my words;
tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they’re bursting with health.
2. How has your relationship with God changed over the years as you have learned to train your ears to hear from Him?
B. Prepare to hear from God.
1. Whatever you value, you will prepare for.
2. What things do you do in preparation to hear from God?
C. God frequently comes to a prepared atmosphere.
1. He comes to where we make a space and place for Him to move and speak.
2. Exodus 19:10-11 - Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. 11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.
3. God facilitated an appointment to meet with His people.
4. When you find yourself overwhelmed and don't know what to do, what changes do you make to prepare an atmosphere to hear from Him?
D. God sometimes comes into places of chaos.
1. God came to Jonah, Balaam, and Saul while they were in rebellion.
2. Has God ever come to you during a time of chaos or rebellion? How did that help you?
E. Misappointments lead to disappointments.
1. When we find ourselves disappointed because of possibly being in the wrong position or place, what should we do?
F. Worship is a powerful tool to prepare you to hear what He has for you.
1. Worship helps to calm our minds and prepare our hearts.
2. 2 Kings 3:15-18 - Now bring me someone who can play the harp.”
While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha, and he said, “This is what the Lord says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water! You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab!
3. The Lord came to him after the music was played.
4. How has worship helped you to hear from Him?
G. Meditate on the Word and pray.
1. Get a word from the Word.
2. Psalms 119:147 - I rise early, before the sun is up;
I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.
3. When you skip time in the Word and prayer first thing in the morning, how has your day differed from the days you spend time with Him in the morning?
H. Where should we go to in the Bible to meditate on His Word?
1. Anywhere on the inside.
2. We have a Bible plan in our church app.
3. We have an opportunity to collectively get the same Word from God as we read His Word together.
4. What do you think that God could do in and through our church if we were all in the Word together, meditating on the same verses?
I. We need to pray to God whatever is on our hearts.
1. We can come to God and pray to Him like we are speaking with a friend.
2. We need to make sure that we are not praying like we are ordering at a drive-thru.
3. Exodus 33:11 - Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.
4. How has speaking with God like a friend brought you closer to Him?
J. Don't wait until you get to Heaven to have an intimate relationship with God.
1. If we learn to have an intimate relationship with God now, how much more intimate will that relationship be once we are in Heaven?
K. We are friends of God.
1. John 15:15 - I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
2. Revelation 3:20 - “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
3. How does it make you feel to know that God wants to be friends with you?
L. Abraham models how to setup and hear God's voice.
1. Genesis 18:17-33 - “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”
And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”
Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”
“Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”
Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.
2. Have you ever spoken to God as boldly as Abraham did? What happened?
M. Stop what you are doing. Draw near to God.
1. How has stopping what you were doing, helped you to draw near to God?
N. The Lord loves to have a good conversation with His friends.
1. God will take your complaining, frustration, guilt, I wants, I don't wants, and dislikes because He loves talking with us.
2. James 2:23 - And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
3. If you don't share these things with your friend, God why not?
O. Call out to God when you are unsure and need a word.
1. Doug shared about when Sarena was pregnant with Riley, and the discouraging things the doctor thought was happening.
2. God directed him to the story of Joseph and Mary, and the challenges Joseph faced.
3. God shared a lot with Doug after he called out to Him.
4. It is not what it looks like.
5. Joseph heard the news, but still hadn't had the dream.
6. Not everything that is shiny is significant.
7. Just because it is loud, doesn't mean it is legit.
8. Sometimes the box says pain, sometimes betrayal, but if we can get past how it is packaged, there is strength on the inside.
9. Joseph, don't be afraid to take Mary home to be your wife because what is inside her is from the Holy Spirit.
10. It is not what it looks like.
11. Which of the words that God gave to Doug stand out to you the most?
P. Cherish the God moments when He speaks.
1. Write them down.
2. Use them as a testimony.
3. If we don't cherish the moments God speaks to us, do you think He will speak to us as often?
Q. We need to hunger for a word from God.
1. Knock and the door will be answered.
2. Call and He will answer.
3. He loves you.
4. Are you hungry for a word from God? If not, what are you filling yourself with, that you need to get rid of, to make room for Him?
R. Reflection time.
1. What has stood out to you the most with this series "Hearing God's Voice?"