Hearing God In A Disenchanted World

For LifeGroup Discussion

Main Theme:

The heart of Christianity is not mere principles or formulas, but a living intimacy with God who still speaks. In a world that often feels disenchanted and closed off to the mystical, we are invited—like Elijah—to listen for the “voice of a thin silence,” to be re-enchanted by His presence, and to become a people who not only hear God but embody His heart and nature to the world.

Icebreaker Question:

When was the first time you knew God was speaking to you? What did He say or do?

Read Together:

Hebrews 1:1–2 & 1 Kings 19:11–13, Proverbs 29:18

Discussion Questions:

• Why do you think many people (even Christians) see hearing God as rare, strange, or even dangerous?

• In what ways have we sometimes reduced the Christian life to “formulas and principles” rather than intimacy with God?

• Why do you think some believers struggle to hear God?

• What’s the difference between God being silent and us being unaware?

Real Talk: Why Can’t I Hear?

Common hindrances to hearing God:

• Unbelief or fear

• Distraction and noise

• Wounds or disappointment

• Religious performance mindset

Discuss:

• Which of these obstacles have you personally faced?

• What does Elijah’s encounter with the “still small voice” teach us about how God speaks?

Prayer & Response:

• Sometimes our ability to hear God is hindered by wounds, past disappointments, or fear. God wants to restore intimacy and confidence in His voice.

• Take time to invite the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that blocks our hearing (e.g., lies we believe, hurtful words, fear of deception).

• As a group, spend time in quietness, asking God: “Is there a lie I’ve believed about hearing Your voice?” “What do You want me to know instead?”

• Pray for one another—especially for ears to be opened, wounds healed, and fear broken.

For Personal Devotion

This Week’s Shared Practice: Journaling in Your Quiet Time 

Daily Devotion Rhythm:

Day 1: Read Hebrews 1:1–2 – “God spoke in many ways...”

Day 2: Read Acts 10:9–20 – Peter’s vision.

Day 3: Read Job 33:14–18 – “God speaks... in one way or another.”

Day 4: Reflect on Luke 24:13–35 – “Were not our hearts burning?”

Day 5: Self-check: What misconceptions do I have about hearing God?

Day 6: Practice listening through Scripture meditation (Lectio Divina on Psalm 139:1–6)

Day 7: Prayer walk with this question: “God, what are You drawing my attention to?”

Reflection:

• When was the last time I felt a true sense of awe or mystery in God’s presence? What stirred that moment?

• Do I approach hearing God as a transaction (to get answers) or as communion (to know His heart)?

• What does it mean to “tune in” to God amidst the noise?

Practical Tips for Journaling:

• Create “Listening Spaces” in your week: moments where you pause and ask, “God, are you speaking to me now?”, “What do You want me to know today?”

• Journal impressions or thoughts each day.

• Write what you sense without overthinking.

• Test it with Scripture.

• Review past entries — notice patterns or confirmations.

• Try journaling at least 3 days this week during your quiet time. Be intentional to pause and listen. 

Appendix 

Multi-dimensional Hearing

God is multi-dimensional. He communicates in diverse ways and on many different spiritual frequencies. God does not think, act or talk like a human. His first language is not any earthly language. God’s voice cannot be confined to the box of human language. The sound of God’s voice entails much more than the sounds made and heard by the verbalisation of any earthly language.

If we limit God’s voice to the realm of human dialect, we also limit our receiving from God to the hearing of the ear. Consequently, we live in a one-dimensional realm of communication. 

The fact that we do not hear or see the spirit world does not indicate the absence of God’s voice any more than the blindness or deafness of a person invalidates the existence of the physical world around them. The truth is that God constantly communicates on every wavelength and frequency known to creation.

When we are born again, we have the ability to hear His voice, it’s in our nature. Everything about us is designed to hear and recognise the voice of God. We often expect the voice of God to be external and intrusive. However the voice of God comes as a friend, a familiar voice or an internal desire.

The manner in which we hear from God varies according to the uniqueness of our personality, our emotional and spiritual make-up and other distinct characteristics.

Believers are privileged to hear God through the five physical senses. If we properly utilised all of our senses, we will awaken the spiritual awareness that once enabled our ancestor Adam to hear and talk with the Creator.

Common Ways God Speaks Today:

• Scripture (Logos and Rhema)

We can sit reading the Bible or listening to a sermon and it’s just words going over our heads. But another time your heart is moved and stirred by the same passage that you have read countless times.

• The “Still Small Voice”

- A deep sense of conviction or peace.

- A gentle internal prompting or whisper.

• Impressions/Inner Thoughts

An impression is a spiritual nudge or inner witness from the Holy Spirit. It may come as a subtle feeling, a picture, a phrase, or an urge to say or do something. Inner thoughts are spontaneous thoughts that carry the tone, character, or clarity of God’s voice.

• Dreams and Visions

- Dreams: Images, stories, or impressions experienced while asleep, often in symbolic form.

- Visions: Spirit-inspired pictures or scenes received while awake, in a trance-like state or internally. Visions can be symbolic or literal.

For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. Job 33:14-16

• Trances

The Greek word used for “trance” in the New Testament is “ekstasis”, from which we get the word “ecstasy.” It means:

- A state of amazement, or being beyond one’s normal senses.

- A condition where one’s external awareness is suspended while receiving revelation from God.

Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance. Acts 10:10

• Physical Sensations

These are Spirit-initiated impressions or sensations that believers may experience in their physical bodies—such as warmth, pain, pressure, or unusual feelings—meant to convey a prophetic message, often related to healing, intercession, or discernment.

• Audible Voice

Also called the “external voice” or the “voice from heaven,” this is when God speaks in a way that is physically heard by the ears, not just perceived in the spirit. It is exceptionally rare, even in Scripture. When it occurs, it is often to confirm divine identity, calling, or purpose in a profound way.

• Angelic Visitations

God speaking through angelic visitations is a rich and biblically grounded theme that shows up in both the Old and New Testaments. While such visitations are rare and not the primary way God communicates today, Scripture clearly affirms that He can and does use angels as messengers to deliver His word, especially in pivotal moments of His redemptive plan.

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:4

• Unusual Circumstances and Divine Coincidences

God often speaks through what we might call “unusual circumstances” or “divine coincidences.” These are events that, though they may appear random on the surface, bear the unmistakable mark of God’s orchestration.

• Creation and Nature

- Creation reveals who God is — His character, creativity, power, order, and beauty.

- Nature is a form of general revelation — accessible to all people in all times and places.

- It is non-verbal, yet it communicates truth through design, function, beauty, and consistency.

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

• Community, Relationships and God-appointed Leaders

One of the most consistent and practical ways God speaks is through community, people, and spiritual leaders He has placed in our lives. While God can speak directly, He often chooses to speak through others—especially in the context of the body of Christ.