1. The Story of Elijah Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
The Story of Elijah
A courageous prophet who stumbled when he became afraid
Elijah was afraid [of Queen Jezebel's threats] and fled for his life. (1 Kings 19.2 NLT)

2. The Story of Elijah Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
The Story of Elijah
Elijah wanted to die,
because he saw no hope ahead.
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life..." (1 Kings 19.4 NLT)

3. The Story of Elijah Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
The Story of Elijah
Fear can block the voice of God.
Fear is the anticipation of evil.
You can’t live in fear and yet have faith.
Fear blocks our vision of who God is.

4. The Story of Elijah Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
The Story of Elijah
God is not in the powerful, rock-smashing wind, nor in the earthquake.
God talked to Elijah in a whisper.
God doesn’t talk all the time and not because we want to hear him.

5. The Story of Elijah Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
The Story of Elijah
God rarely shouts because he doesn’t overwhelm us with his presence.

6. The Story of Elijah What does God want?
Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
The Story of Elijah
God didn’t make us to be robots.
Hearing God is not like having GPS.
He wants us to learn to mature
by making wise decisions.
What does God want?

7. Intimacy Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Intimacy
God, who is love, longs that we open
to him in an intimate friendship, love responding to love
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I’ll come in, and we’ll share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3.20 NLT)

8. Intimacy Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Intimacy
The replacement for intimacy is religion, having a formula for connecting with God
Religion makes you judgmental and hateful.
The real issue: you don’t know God.
[Jesus]...those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. (John NLT)

9. Intimacy Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice Intimacy takes Time
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Intimacy
Intimacy takes Time
Time is a prized gift to give to anyone.
My lover said to me, “Rise up, my darling!
Come away with me, my fair one!
(Song of Songs 2.10 NLT)

10. Intimacy Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Intimacy
Intimacy takes Transparency
Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.
(2 Cor NLT)
God made himself vulnerable in Jesus. We see this best by viewing the cross.

11. Hearing God Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Hearing God
Intimacy takes Submission
Both parties yield to the other, want the best for each other and serve each other.
...submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5.21 NLT)

12. Hearing God Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Hearing God
Intimacy takes Submission
God has already submitted himself to us in Jesus, who became a slave.
...they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” ... “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
(Mark 10.49, 51 NLT)

13. Hearing God Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Hearing God
Intimacy takes Submission
God invites you to submit yourself by being willing to surrender all you are — all your plans, opinions, possessions, positions – to God. Like Jesus did...
[Jesus] gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. (Philippians 2.7 NLT)

14. Hearing God Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Hearing God
Why should God speak to me? What am I doing in life that would make speaking to me a reasonable thing for him to do? Are we in business together in life? Or am I in business just for myself, trying to ‘use a little God’ to advance my projects?”
(Dallas Willard)

15. Hearing God Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Hearing God
As we surrender to God,
seek his glory
and the advancement of his kingdom,
God will speak to us.
He will whisper, and like Elijah,
we’ll learn to hear him.

16. And you? Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
And you?
Do you long for an intimate friendship with God?
Are you opening the door to Jesus?
Will you give God time, transparency
and submission?

17. Imagine ROOTS Hearing God Speak: the still, small voice
... the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19.12)
Imagine ROOTS
Full of Christians listening to God
Full of Christians finding God’s dream
Full of Christians expanding
God’s kingdom together