discipleship
Getting a Grip on Guidance
By Keith Davy

The Problem: Decisions

Type	Tool
Moral decisions	Precepts of God's Word
Moral dilemma	Principles of God's Word
Everyday/Common	Wisdom
Life direction	Process of guidance

The Principle: Follow the Master

Mark 8:34	One hard decision: follow Christ
Psalm 25	Guidance occurs in the context of a relationship
Proverbs 16:9: 20:24	God bears the burden of guidance. My part is to follow. His is to guide.
Romans 12: 1, 2	Can't lose if I follow his will. His will is good-no evil; Perfect-no better; Pleasing-if had a choice, I'd choose it.

Process: Watching Signposts as you Follow the Master

Signpost	Goal	Caution	Example(from Paul's life)
Word of God Matthew 28:18-20 Financial Vocation	Think biblically	Misapply No influence	Acts 13:46-48
Impressions in prayer	An intimate sense	Think God doesn't speak Be misled--mistake our thoughts for God's thoughts (or Satan's)	Acts 13:1-3
Godly counsel (can have one or all of these) Know you Know situation Know God	To gain insight	To misuse Don't listen	Galatians 2:9-10
Providential circumstances	To discern design	Misread--just because door is open doesn't mean should walk in it. Closed doors can open. Plus there are a lot of open doors out there.	Romans 1:13 2 Corinthians 2:12, 13
Personal desires	Yield desires	Can be misdirected Desires might be wrong	Romans 15:23, 24
Spirit-filled reasoning	To weigh options (pro/con list)	Can misunderstand Setting thoughts on things of man	1 Thess. 3:1, 2 Philippians 2: 25, 26

The Practice

Step 1: Begin with prayer

Step 2: Observe the signposts

Step 3: Record insights (on one sheet if you can)

Step 4: Act in faith

"Lord, I am confident you are leading me to________. I am trusting you to be guiding me as I head in this direction, directing me as I head in the way you want me to go."

Worksheet | Watching Signposts as you Follow the Master

Signpost	What is God saying in these areas
Word of God
Impressions in prayer
Godly counsel
Providential circumstances
Personal desires
Spirit-filled reasoning

Worksheet | Spirit-filled reasoning

Pro	Con

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discipleship Getting a Grip on Guidance By Keith Davy

discipleship
Getting a Grip on Guidance
By Keith Davy