Week 10: Chapter 9 — Responding to God's Voice

1.James 1:22 warns against being "hearers only" who deceive themselves. Shirer argues that God's voice is never meant simply to give us interesting spiritual information — it always calls for action or transformation. Looking back at your life, what tends to happen when you hear clearly from God but delay obeying? What does that delay cost you?

2.Mary's response at the Annunciation — "Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38) — is held up as a model of faithful responsiveness. What made Mary's response remarkable, given how costly and confusing God's word to her was? What would it mean for you to respond to God's current word to you with that kind of open-handed surrender?

3.At the wedding in Cana, Mary's instruction to the servants was simply, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5). Shirer uses this as a summary of the entire Christian life. Is there something God has spoken to you — through His Word, through the Spirit, through circumstances or counsel — that you have not yet done? What would it take to take the next step in obedience?