Midterm

Quote each of the following Scriptures, then discuss the significance of the verse(s) in a course on learning to hear God’s voice. (5 points each – partial credit may be given)

1. Habakkuk 2;1, 2: I will stand…

   I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will speak to me; And I will know how to reply when I am reproved. Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads may run.”

   This verse gives the foundation for the four keys to hearing God's voice. These are: "I will stand" (being still); "Keep watch to see" (fixing your eyes on Jesus); "He will speak to me" (tune to spontaneity); "Record the vision" (journaling).

2. Proverbs 11:14 NASU: Where there is…

   Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in the abundance of counselors there is victory.

   This verse shows the importance of having people I trust to speak into my life, help me synthesize my thoughts and understanding of the spiritual, and keep me accountable to the Body of Christ.

3. John 17:3: And this is…

   This is eternal life, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.

   Jesus' prayer for us to know God intimately and enter a spiritual fellowship with God. God desires intimacy with us.

4. Isaiah 55:10, 11: For as the…

   For as the rain which comes down from heaven, and not returns there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall my words be which goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty; without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

   God's voice can accomplish and perform what he has purposed it. We receive the word of God both as the Logos and rhema. Recognizing God's voice through both means allows us to accomplish what God has decreed.

5. John 7:37b-39a: If any man…

   “If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive.

   The Spirit flows naturally from within when we put our trust in Jesus and pray in the Spirit and allowing him to inspire, guide, and sustain our prayers.

6. Psalm 46:10 expanded: Be still…

   Be still, let go, cease striving, relax, and know that I am God.

   Quiet the mind, cease trying to have my needs fulfilled, and stay focused on the Lord and His being.

Short Answer – Answer each of the following (3 points each)

1. State the four-word summary of the four keys to hearing God’s voice.

   Stillness, Vision, Spontaneity, Journaling.

2. State the single-sentence summary of the four keys to hearing God’s voice.

   Quiet the mind to listen to God's voice and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as the spontaneous thoughts arise from the mind and write down the vision.

3. State Virkler’s definition of submission.

   Submission is an openness to the Spirit-led counsel and correction of several others, while keeping a sense of personal responsibility for our own discernment of God's voice within us.

4. State the five senses of the spirit.

   (1) Eyes and (2) ears of the heart, inner (3) mind and (4) will, and (5) emotion of the heart.

5. State the definition of mysticism.

   A belief in direct spirit encounter with God.

Discussion Questions – Answer eight (8) of the following (7 points each)

1. Discuss at least four differences between left- and right- hemisphere brain functions, and how this information relates to your spiritual life.

   1. Spoken language versus music awareness.
   2. Written language versus art awareness.
   3. Number skill vs. 3D forms.
   4. Left brain controls the right body and vice-versa.

2. List five important safeguards that should be in your life before you explore the spiritual world and hear God’s voice.

   1. Bible.
   2. Church.
   3. Humility.
   4. Testing.
   5. God's desire

3. What are the five qualities of a good counselor or advisor?

   1. Close friend.
   2. Biblically sound.
   3. Hears the Spirit.
   4. Commitment to the sheep.
   5. Receives counsel.

4. Discuss how the voice of God is experienced and recognized. Use your personal experience as well as the information discussed in your texts.

   Voice of God is experienced when we quiet our thoughts, fix our focus on Jesus, tune to flow, and record the spontaneous thoughts that arise.

5. What is the Hebrew word for true prophecy? How does its meaning clarify our understanding of the voice of God?

   Hebrew word for true prophecy is naba. The spirit of prophecy bubbles up when we fix our eyes on Jesus and tune to spontaneous flow. In contrast, our desires produce the word or vision we cook up (ziyd).

6. Discuss what it means to pray with an idol in your heart and give an illustration of doing so.

   I pray with idols in my heart when the object of my desire is more significant than my desire for Jesus. If I'm in pain and focus on the pain going away when I pray, the relief of the pain is an idol. Instead, I should focus on coming to Jesus, and in His presence, there is healing.

7. Discuss at least three techniques for bringing yourself to stillness.

   1. Focus on Jesus.
   2. Praising, singing songs from the heart.
   3. Confess and put on the robe of righteousness.

8. List five major differences between the New Age and Christianity, and New Age spirit encounter and Christian Spirit encounter.

   1. God's voice intuits in one's mind, whereas New Age's intuition comes from one's heart.
   2. Christians interact with the Holy Spirit, whereas New Age contacts any spirit in the spiritual world.
   3. Christians quiet themselves and hear from God, whereas New Age repeats mantras.
   4. Christians record spiritual experiences through God's voice, whereas New Age is overtaken by automatic writing.
   5. God's Spirit will redeem the planet, whereas New Age focuses on man's efforts.

9. Discuss the differences between study and meditation.

   Study uses one hemisphere of the brain to acquire knowledge, while meditation uses all five senses of the spirit and is filled with the Holy Spirit.

10. State the seven steps or prayers involved in biblical meditation.

    1. Cleanse by Christ's blood
    2. A teachable heart
    3. Suspend the use of faculties
    4. Enlightened eyes of the heart
    5. Yield abilities for God to use
    6. Ask for a specific solution
    7. Thanksgiving