Following Jesus · Study Guide
Week Seven
How Do I Know and Follow God's Will?
God's will is not meant to become a spiritual guessing game. We learn to walk faithfully one step at a time.
Many believers sincerely want to follow God but struggle when they face important decisions.
What does God want me to do? How do I know whether a decision is from Him? What if I choose the wrong path? How do Scripture, prayer, wisdom, circumstances, counsel, and the Holy Spirit work together?
This week will help us understand that discerning God's will is not about decoding hidden signs. It is about becoming the kind of disciple who can make faithful decisions and trust God even when the entire path is not visible.
We discern and follow God's will by grounding ourselves in Scripture, seeking Him in prayer, depending on the Holy Spirit, growing in wisdom and Christlike character, receiving godly counsel, paying attention to circumstances, and trusting God with what we cannot know.
Read Before You Begin
When you need to make an important decision, what do you usually rely on first?
Teaching Summary
Much of God's Will Is Already Revealed
We often ask God to reveal His will while overlooking what He has already made clear.
Scripture tells us to love God, love others, forgive, speak truth, pursue holiness, serve, give thanks, care for people in need, and make disciples.
Am I willing to do what God has already revealed?
God's Revealed Will Comes First
Personal guidance will never contradict Scripture.
If an opportunity requires dishonesty, Scripture has already answered.
If a decision requires sin or compromise, God's will does not require us to disobey Him.
God will not lead us contrary to what He has already revealed.
Scripture Is Our Primary Guide
— Psalm 119:105
A lamp often gives enough light for the next few steps, not the entire journey.
Scripture shapes our values, priorities, character, understanding of God, relationships, work, money, mission, and wisdom.
Prayer Helps Us Seek God, Not Just Answers
Prayer may begin with: “God, tell me what to do.”
But mature prayer also asks:
Shape my heart.
Expose selfish motives.
Give me wisdom.
Help me want what You want.
Give me courage to obey.
— Luke 22:42
Ask God for Wisdom
— James 1:5
Wisdom is more than information.
It is the ability to apply truth faithfully in real circumstances.
God may not always give certainty. He often gives wisdom.
The Holy Spirit Leads God's People
The Spirit teaches, convicts, reminds us of truth, produces spiritual fruit, and empowers obedience.
But the Spirit's leading should never be separated from Scripture.
Strong feelings are not automatically the voice of God.
The Spirit of God does not contradict the Word of God.
Learn to Distinguish Conviction from Impulse
Conviction normally agrees with Scripture, draws us toward truth, produces repentance, and calls us toward Christlike character.
An impulse may simply reflect fear, desire, pride, loneliness, anger, or ambition.
Examine Your Motives
Our motives influence our decisions more than we sometimes realize.
We may say, “I am seeking God's will,” while secretly hoping He will approve what we already decided.
— Psalm 139:23
Why do I really want this?
Godly Counsel Matters
Mature believers can sometimes see what we cannot.
They may notice a blind spot, unhealthy motive, overlooked risk, hidden strength, or biblical principle we have forgotten.
Choose people who know Scripture, know you, demonstrate mature character, and are willing to tell you the truth.
Character Matters More Than Signs
Christians can sometimes become preoccupied with signs and coincidences.
But Scripture emphasizes wisdom, character, truth, prayer, and obedience far more than decoding mysterious signals.
Which choice best reflects the character and priorities of Christ?
Circumstances Can Matter
Doors open. Doors close. Opportunities appear. Timing changes. Obstacles emerge.
God can work through circumstances.
But an open door is not automatically God's approval, and difficulty is not automatically evidence that we are on the wrong path.
Peace Can Help—but Be Careful
Christians sometimes say: “I have peace about it.”
Peace can matter, but emotional comfort is not the only test.
Sometimes obedience feels difficult. Sometimes the faithful decision makes us nervous.
Biblical peace is confidence that we can trust God while walking faithfully.
Ordinary Wisdom Often Matters
Some decisions are not between right and wrong.
They are between two good options.
Two jobs. Two places to live. Two ministries. Two responsible financial choices.
In these situations, God may give us freedom to choose wisely.
You Do Not Need Perfect Certainty
Fear of making the wrong decision can paralyze us.
We may wait for complete certainty that never comes.
After prayer, Scripture, wisdom, counsel, and careful thought, sometimes we simply need to decide.
Faithfulness does not require omniscience.
God Is Bigger Than Your Mistakes
One imperfect decision does not destroy God's ability to work in our lives.
Choices have consequences, but God can correct, redirect, teach, redeem, and restore.
God's providence is greater than our ability to make perfect decisions.
God May Redirect Us
Acts 16 describes Paul and his companions making plans and then being redirected.
They were moving, and God changed their direction.
Sometimes guidance becomes clearer while we are faithfully moving rather than while we remain frozen.
Waiting Can Be Part of God's Will
Sometimes the faithful decision is:
Wait.
Waiting does not necessarily mean inactivity.
We can keep praying, serving, learning, preparing, and obeying what is already clear.
God Is Forming Your Character
We often focus on location, employment, relationships, opportunities, or assignments.
God is deeply concerned with the kind of person we are becoming.
Loving. Faithful. Humble. Wise. Holy. Generous. Patient. Truthful. Christlike.
Who am I becoming wherever God places me?
Take Time to Reflect
- When facing decisions, do I tend to rely more on fear, feelings, logic, Scripture, or prayer?
- Is there an area where God's will is already clear but I have delayed obedience?
- Do I tend to seek signs more than wisdom?
- Who are the mature believers I trust enough to ask for honest counsel?
- Is there a current decision where my motives need to be examined?
- Am I willing for God to say no to something I strongly want?
- Do I become paralyzed when I cannot achieve complete certainty?
- What would trusting God look like in a decision I am currently facing?
Talk About It Together
- Why do Christians sometimes make discerning God's will more mysterious than Scripture does?
- What is the difference between asking for certainty and asking for wisdom?
- Why should Scripture take priority over personal impressions?
- How can we distinguish godly counsel from simply asking people who agree with us?
- Why is an open door not always proof of God's will?
- Can a difficult decision still be the right decision? Why?
- How does understanding God's sovereignty reduce fear about making decisions?
- Which principle from this week's study do you most need to practice?
Romans 12:1–2
Read Romans 12:1–2 slowly.
Notice the order in Paul's words.
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice.” My life belongs to God.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” God reshapes the way I think.
A renewed mind becomes increasingly capable of recognizing what reflects God's will.
Surrender → Transformation → Discernment
Father, thank You that I do not have to navigate life alone. Give me wisdom where I am uncertain, humility where I may be wrong, courage where obedience is difficult, and patience where I need to wait. Renew my mind through Your Word. Help me recognize selfish motives and listen to wise counsel. Teach me to follow the leading of Your Spirit without being controlled by fear or emotion. When the path is unclear, help me take the next faithful step and trust You with what I cannot see. Amen.
Five Days in Scripture
What does trusting God look like?
How are surrender, transformation, and discernment connected?
What should we do when we lack wisdom?
How did God redirect Paul and his companions?
What kind of character and truth should shape our decisions?
For each reading, ask:
What does this reveal about God's guidance?
What responsibility belongs to me?
What must I ultimately entrust to God?
Take the Next Faithful Step
God's will is not a spiritual guessing game.
Begin with what He has already revealed. Ground yourself in Scripture. Pray honestly. Ask for wisdom. Listen to mature counsel. Examine your motives. Pay attention to circumstances. Choose what reflects Christlike character.
You may not always have certainty.
But God is faithful even when you cannot see the entire path.
Trust Him and take the next faithful step.