2. Is God’s will something I’m
ignorant of, afraid of or
something I genuinely
trust & seek?
QUESTION OF THE DAY
3. The source of anxiety
(over seeking guidance on the
issue of guidance) is that a
desire for guidance is linked
with uncertainty over how to
get it & the fear of the
consequences of
not getting it.
J.I. PACKER
4.
5. Total Depravity/Inability of Man
Unconditional Election
Limited/Particular Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints
5 POINTS OF CALVINISM
6. God's sovereignty (i.e. will)
is unconditional, unlimited,
& absolute. All things
(good & bad) are predetermined
by the good pleasure of God's
will. God foreknew everything
because He planned it.
(The Author analogy)
CALVINIST VIEW
7. GOD’S SOVEREIGN WILL
The part of God’s will that
ORDAINS & DELIGHTS in the
evil things He predestines people do
CALVINISM’S “2 WILLS”
8. GOD’S SOVEREIGN WILL
The part of God’s will that
ORDAINS & DELIGHTS in the
evil things He predestines people do
CALVINISM’S “2 WILLS”
GOD’S MORAL WILL
The part of God’s will that is
SADDENED& REVOLTED by the
evil things people do (even though
His sovereign will decreed they do it)
10. God is indeed sovereign,
but He voluntarily limits
His control in correspondence
with man's freedom & response.
God's decrees are associated
with His foreknowledge of how
people will choose to respond.
(The Kingdom analogy.)
ARMINIAN VIEW
13. Do not conform to the pattern
of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test
& approve what God’s will is—
His good, pleasing & perfect will.
ROMANS 12:2
14. It is God’s will that you
should be sanctified…
1 THESS 4:3
Rejoice always, pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus.
1 THESS 5:16-18
17. 1. Biblical guidance
2. Input from trusted counselors
DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
This MUST
be done in
COMMUNITY!
18. 1. Biblical guidance
2. Input from trusted counselors
DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
This must NOT
be done prior
to step #2!
19. 1. Biblical guidance
2. Input from trusted counselors
3. Our own gifts & abilities
DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
20. 1. Biblical guidance
2. Input from trusted counselors
3. Our own gifts & abilities
4. Opportunities, situations
& relationships
DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
21. 1. Biblical guidance
2. Input from trusted counselors
3. Our own gifts & abilities
4. Opportunities, situations
& relationships
5. The desires of our hearts
DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
22. 1. Biblical guidance
2. Input from trusted counselors
3. Our own gifts & abilities
4. Opportunities, situations
& relationships
5. The desires of our hearts
6. Initiative that leads to action
(that can be redirected…)
DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
23. 1. Biblical guidance
2. Input from trusted counselors
3. Our own gifts & abilities
4. Opportunities, situations
& relationships
5. The desires of our hearts
6. Initiative that leads to action
(that can be redirected…)
7. Dreams, prophetic words,
angels, etc.
DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
24.
25. The right course is (most often*)
to choose the wisest means
to the noblest end, namely:
the advancing of the Kingdom.
(*Thought added by me!)
J.I. PACKER
26. The only thing that counts
is faith expressing itself
through love.
GALATIANS 5:6
27. …without faith it is impossible
to please God, because
anyone who comes to Him
must believe that He exists
& that He rewards those who
earnestly seek him.
HEBREWS 11:6
28. In the midst of any specific
decisions you’re currently
pondering, consider the list of
8 things we discussed to help
you discern God’s will &
rephrase each word
of counsel in the form
of a question…
SOUL TRAINING
