Below are nine lessons I created based on the book The God Who Speaks by Ben Campbell Johnson. Each of these lessons was presented on power point. I gave a handout to every participant. This was an in-depth study about prayer.
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
The Biblical Foundation
Chapter 1
The God Who Speaks
Genesis 12:1-4
What’s important about Genesis 12:1-4?
Judiasm-Christianity-Islam
These three religions hinge on the fact that God spoke to Abram.
Chapter 1 uses the story of Abram/Abraham to frame GodSpeech
Psalm 29:3-4 “The Voice”
According to Sigmund Freud GodSpeech proved that God was only a projection of our unconscious/conscious longings.
Others claim all GodSpeech should be taken metaphorically. The authors of the Bible used GodSpeech to frame their vision of God.
Do you believe in GodSpeech? Are you skeptical God speaks? Why?
“Now the Lord said to Abram…” This brief phrase and the explication that follows reveal the most basic truth of Hebrew and Christian faith: God speaks to men and women, and they recognize God’s voice and respond to it.” Pg 6
Read Pg 6 “We do a disservice to God...” ending Pg 7 “faith, life, and mission wane.”
Two kinds of GodSpeech
Primary: God’s direct speech to us or our direct speech to God
Secondary: Our efforts to conceptualize, define, proclaim, or give witness to our primary experiences.
“Without words we may experience a vague awareness of the divine mystery, or a mystical fusion with the holy, or a pronounced interruption in our lives, but communication ultimately demands words-pure, simple, comprehensible words.” Pg 8
Psalm 115:1-8
Genesis 1: 26-27
“Without meaningful speech, relationships fall into pits of misunderstanding, which lead to estrangement. The God who speaks opens doors of relatedness in all who hear.” Pg 10
Have you had misunderstandings with others because of poor communication? How did you resolve the situation? When does your relationship with God feel strained? When does it feel vibrant?
Read Pg 13 “Learning this language presents a challenge..” ending on Pg 14 “which God actually speaks.”
God encounters Abram
- God spoke to Abram out of divine initiative- Abram was not expecting it.
“Abram’s experience describes the experience of most of us. We have yearnings, hungers, and questions, but we are unaware that they express a deep longing for God. Only after accumulated experience do we begin to see that these movements in the heart are the forerunners to God’s address of us.”
- God spoke to an individual.
“God speaks to one for the sake of the many, and the one who hears speaks to the many on behalf of God. When God speaks to us, usually it is not for our sake alone but for others as well.”
- God’s address to Abram included a call and a promise of assistance.
“Not every word spoken by God includes a call: some GodSpeech is about guidance, encouragement, hope, and consolation.”
- God’s word to Abram recognized him as a person.
“Many who journey aimlessly through life, searching for a reason for being, find it in the call of God.”
- God’s word left an indelible imprint upon Abram, one to which he could return again and again.
“At those points where God has touched our lives, there seems to be a sustained spiritual energy that, when we revisit it, empowers us.”
Matthew 3:13-17
Next week
Chapter 2: GodSpeech in Christ
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
The Biblical Foundation
Chapter 2
GodSpeech In Christ
John 1:1-5, 14, 18
Colossians 1:15-19
What does “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” mean?
Match words that appear in John 1:1-18 and Colossians 1:15-23.
What is significant about these words?
What does “in him all things hold together” mean to you?
Jesus’ Life and Ministry as the Parable of God
Read Pg 20 “Because Jesus is God’s Word…” ending Pg 20 “unfolding truth of its narrative.”
Parable
- Multiple Meanings
“A parable can never be exhausted by a single interpretation”
- Inexhaustible
“No matter how many times it is heard, a fresh meaning always emerges.”
- Evocative
Brings about emotions, thoughts, and actions.
How has Jesus been “the parable of God” in your life?
Jesus’ Life and Ministry as GodSpeech
Read Pg 21 “Since Jesus is the Word of God” ending Pg 22 “and his death and resurrection.”
After reading each section talk about what things God is communicating through Jesus?
The Announcement
Matthew 1:1-22 (18-23)
The Birth
Matthew 2:1-12
The Baptism
Matthew 3:13-17
The Testing
Matthew 4:1-11
The Ministry
Matthew 5-7 (5:1-12)
Matthew 8:14-17 & 23-27
Matthew 16:13-17
The Death and Resurrection
Matthew 26:36-56 (38-44 & 50-54)
Matthew 27: 45-54
Matthew 28 (5-10 & 16-20)
Next week (July 14)
Chapter 3: GodSpeech through the Spirit
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” (John 1:1-18)
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” (Colossians 1:15-23)
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
The Biblical Foundation
Chapter 3
GodSpeech through the Spirit
Acts 2:1-6
What is significant about Pentecost?
Read Pg 33 starting “The Christian feast of Pentecost…” ending Pg 34 “amazement of others.”
Illuminating Pentecost
Joel 2:12-13, 19, 26-29
Luke 1:26-38
“The Annunciation anticipates what happened at Pentecost: the Spirit came upon the disciples of Jesus and formed them into his body on earth.”
John 14:15-27
“Thus Pentecost marks the incarnation of the risen Christ in the community of his followers; just as Jesus was the Incarnation of the Word of God in the womb of Mary. And just as Jesus was God’s speech to the world, so his followers will be God’s speech to the world.”
Luke 24:36-53
“To comprehend how Christ remains present among us, we must have a proper understanding of the Ascension. When Jesus was on earth in the flesh, he could only be in one place at one time. The Ascension freed him from this limitation, and when he and the Father poured out the Spirit, he took up residence in the lives of his followers and their community. And the Spirit was poured out not only upon the community but also the whole cosmos…So the historical life of Jesus was made universal and continuous in the coming of the Spirit.”
Read Pg 36 starting “Pentecost illustrates how the ministry…” ending Pg 37 “community that bore his name.”
How does the fullness of Christ exist? How do you become full of Christ?
GodSpeech shift from Risen Christ to the Abiding Spirit
Acts 10:9-23
Why did Peter refuse to do what the Lord said?
How does the Lord respond?
Acts 10:24-28
What meaning does Peter take from the vision he was given?
How does the vision of the Lord and the prompting of the Spirit work together?
Read Pg 41 starting “Peter’s experience of GodSpeech…” ending Pg 41 “opportunity to obey.”
The Trinity of GodSpeech
Remembering the difference between primary GodSpeech (God’s direct speech to us or our direct speech to God) and secondary GodSpeech (Our efforts to conceptualize, define, proclaim, or give witness to our primary experiences) answer the following questions.
Has God spoken to you? In what ways? (Primary or Secondary, GodSpeech through Christ or Spirit, through words or visions, etc…) Be specific!
“The mission of the church receives its primary impetus from the call of God, not the need of the world.” Why is this an important distinction to make?
What does it mean for us to receive our primary call from God not the need of the world?
Ephesians 4:4-6
Verse 4 says “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called…” What do you believe is the one hope you were called to? Can you and those around agree to that one hope?
What does it mean for God to be “over all and through all and in all.”?
Does God have one voice? Please explain…
Next meeting
July 28
GodSpeech: From Polycarp to Julian of Norwich
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
The Historical Development
Chapter 4
GodSpeech: From Polycarp to Julian of Norwich
Hebrews 12:1
Whom are the “great cloud of witnesses” in your life?
In what ways have they helped you in your faith?
“God did not cease speaking at the close of the scriptural canon.”
Polycarp (80-155)
Anthony of the Desert (250-355)
Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)
What are the different ways in which God spoke to the people described in this chapter?
What benefits do you personally derive from the experiences of these devout souls?
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
The Historical Development
Chapter 5
GodSpeech: From Teresa of Avilia to Henri Nouwen
Hebrews 12:1
Whom are the “great cloud of witnesses” in your life?
In what ways have they helped you in your faith?
“God did not cease speaking at the close of the scriptural canon.”
Teresa of Avilia (1515-1582)
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things”
George Fox (1624-1691)
“I saw also that there was an ocean of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness.”
The Two Listeners (1930’s)
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)
“Much violence is based on the illusion that life is a property to be defended and not to be shared.”
From last week
Polycarp (80-155)
Anthony of the Desert (250-355)
Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)
Which of these (great cloud of witnesses) would you like to read more about?
How can their story complement our story?
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
Practical Applications
Chapter 6
The Practice of Prayer as Response to GodSpeech
Two kinds of GodSpeech
Primary: God’s direct speech to us or our direct speech to God
Secondary: Our efforts to conceptualize, define, proclaim, or give witness to our primary experiences.
“From the pagan to the saint, all speak the language of prayer-believer and unbeliever alike.” Pg90
What is the source of prayer?
How does a child learn to speak?
Read Pg 91 “This paradigm of the parent…” ending Pg 91 “important to listen to the prayer..”
This paradigm of the parent teaching the child the language of the family or the clan underscores the face that we cannot speak until we have been spoken to. The speech of God to us awakens the speech of God in us. Primal speech from God gives birth to primal speech in us. Primal speech is original speech, basic speech, speech that matters, and while preliminary in one way, it is ultimate in another.
The revelation of God in human consciousness or, as we are calling it, the speech of God takes the initiative to grasp, shake, and move the human spirit…God comes to us and speaks; our response is prayer, whether it is made in intelligible words, unintelligible speech, or shouts of joy or wonder.
Rose May Dougherty, says, in prayer we should listen for the prayer that Jesus is praying in us.
“In the encounter we actually feel like we are taking the action, only to realize later that God acted first.” Pg 92
Learning the Hallmarks of Responsive GodSpeech
“The divine presence in its myriad forms elicits multiple forms of prayer in and through us. God’s nature disclosed to us not only elicits our prayer but also gives birth to its form.” Pg 92-93
Mystery– Colossians 2:1-3 (TNIV)
“Religion hides God as much as it reveals God.”
Steadfast/Unfailing Love– Psalm 13
Holiness– Exodus 15:11 & Luke 5:1-11
Freedom–
Withdrawal & Absence
1 Kings 8:22-27 & John 20:17
Generosity & Attentiveness
Philippians 4:4-7 & Matthew 7:6-8
Community– Ephesians 4:4-6 & 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Silence– Psalm 62:1-2 & John 6:44-45
What forms of prayer rise out of the modes God speaks?
Mystery
Steadfast/Unfailing Love
Holiness
Freedom
Community
Silence
Read Pg 105 starting “All that I have said about prayer…” ending Pg 106 “that arise within you.”
How does the nature of God affect our prayer?
What are your thoughts on listening to the prayer “Jesus is praying in us.”?
How does seeing prayer as something inspired by God’s nature affect the way you pray?
Next week…
Chapter 7: The Various modes of GodSpeech
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
Practical Applications
Chapter 7
The Various Modes of GodSpeech
Primary: God’s direct speech to us or our direct speech to God
Secondary: Our efforts to conceptualize, define, proclaim, or give witness to our primary experiences.
Manifestations of God:
Mystery
Steadfast/Unfailing Love
Holiness
Freedom (Withdrawal & Absence) & (Generosity & Attentiveness)
Community
Silence
Read Pg 110 “Just as children must acquire…” ending Pg 110 “through a medium.”
The Various Modes of GodSpeech
Creation
Psalm 19:1-6
(Not: totemism, animism, pantheism, or idolatry)
Ideas
Genesis 12:1-4
People
John 1:1-5
James 2:15-17
Visions
Proverbs 29:18
Saint Teresa’s vision types
- A person has a heightened awareness of the presence of Christ in his or her life.
- A person begins to sense the living Christ with him or her through the use of images and meditations.
- A person receives an intellectual insight into a spiritual truth.
Direct Speech
Acts 9:3-7
Imagination/Creativity
Think of a painting, picture, song, or book that has impacted you. In what way did God speak to you?
Events
Exodus 3:1-4
“Every event, every encounter carries within it the potential for an encounter with God.”
What event(s) in your life can you say God has spoken to you?
Dreams
Matthew 1:18-24
Scripture
“To hear the Word of God is to hear God…”
What are your favorite scriptures? How has God spoken to you through them?
Read Pg 127 “How does Scripture come alive…” ending Pg 127 “is speaking to you personally.”
Silence
“[God’s] presence is so much beyond the human experience of being together that it quite easily is perceived as absence. [God’s] absence, on the other hand, is so often deeply felt that it leads to a new sense of [God’s] presence.” Henri Nouwen
How would you prioritize these modes of God’s speech to us, from the most to the least dependable?
Which of these modes of GodSpeech have you experienced?
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
Practical Applications
Chapter 8
Understanding the Syntax of GodSpeech
Primary: God’s direct speech to us or our direct speech to God
Secondary: Our efforts to conceptualize, define, proclaim, or give witness to our primary experiences.
Manifestations of God:
Mystery
Steadfast/Unfailing Love
Holiness
Freedom (Withdrawal & Absence) & (Generosity & Attentiveness)
Community
Silence
Modes of GodSpeech
Creation
Ideas
People
Visions
Direct Speech
Imagination/Creativity
Events
Dreams
Scripture
Silence
Read Pg 131 starting “God is always coming to us…” ending Pg 131 “understanding of the syntax of GodSpeech.”
Read the story of Augustine of Hippo Pg 132-137
Identify where you see GodSpeech taking place in the story of Augustine?
What is the difference between GodSpeech and coincidence?
The Syntax of GodSpeech (in Augustine’s story)
Searching
Providential Occurrences
The Inner Voice
Prayer
The Voice of Evil
The Vision
The Voice of Another Person
The Scriptures
The Convicting Presence
Testimony
What is a central issue in your life? Thinking of the syntax of GodSpeech, how have you seen or not seen GodSpeech in that issue?
What is a dream/vision for your life? Where do you see yourself in 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years, 25 years from now? How has GodSpeech helped shape where you see yourself years from today?
The God Who Speaks
Learning the Language of God
Ben Campbell Johnson
Practical Applications
Chapter 9
The Practice of Listening for God
Primary: God’s direct speech to us or our direct speech to God
Secondary: Our efforts to conceptualize, define, proclaim, or give witness to our primary experiences.
Manifestations of God:
Mystery
Steadfast/Unfailing Love
Holiness
Freedom (Withdrawal & Absence) & (Generosity & Attentiveness)
Community
Silence
Modes of GodSpeech
Creation
Ideas
People
Visions
Direct Speech
Imagination/Creativity
Events
Dreams
Scripture
Silence
The Syntax of GodSpeech (in Augustine’s story)
Searching
Providential Occurrences
The Inner Voice
Prayer
The Voice of Evil
The Vision
The Voice of Another Person
The Scriptures
The Convicting Presence
Testimony
James 1:19-21
Are you slow to speak? Are you quick to listen? How do you think these affect hearing GodSpeech?
What does “humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts…” mean?
Can you name those words?
Come to the present
Read Pg 150 “Intentional expectancy is one listening posture…” ending Pg 151 “Using this rich phrase helps to maintain…”
Listening Postures
Intentional Expectancy
Come to the Present
Reflecting on ideas
Experience reviews
A Way of Intensive Listening
Take a piece of paper and a pen.
Relax for a few minutes and begin to breathe deeply.
Once you feel relaxed ask yourself this question,“What is going on in my life?”
As the words come to mind write them down.
Once you are finished answering that question ask yourself “How is God speaking to what is going on in my life?” or ask “How can I allow God to begin speaking to what is going on in my life?”
Answer as long as you want and continue the same process of asking questions and allowing time for whatever come to mind.
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