Determining The Will of God. (Acts 1:12-26)

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Episode Overview

Imagine a group of spiritually minded individuals huddled together in a room, trying to discern the will of God. How do we determine the will of God? Ephesians 5:17 commands us to “understand the will of the Lord,” indicating its importance. In Acts 1, the apostles seem to use a method akin to flipping a coin, raising questions about their discernment process. In this episode, we explore Acts 1:12-26 to uncover how the apostles discerned God's will and what we can learn from their process.

Key Points Discussed

1. The Gathering in Prayer (Acts 1:12-14):
   • After Jesus' ascension, the apostles return to Jerusalem and gather in an upper room, devoted to prayer.
   • This prayerful gathering includes the apostles, Mary the mother of Jesus, His brothers, and other believers.
2. The Need for Replacement (Acts 1:15-20):
   • Peter addresses the need to replace Judas Iscariot, quoting Psalms to justify this action.
   • Emphasis on choosing someone who was with Jesus from His baptism to His ascension.
3. The Selection Process (Acts 1:21-26):
   • Two candidates are nominated: Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias.
   • After praying for God's guidance, they cast lots, and Matthias is chosen.
4. Lessons on Discerning God's Will:
   • Prayer: The apostles were devoted to prayer, seeking divine direction before making decisions.
   • Scripture: Peter referenced the Psalms, showing the importance of grounding decisions in the Word of God.
   • Community: The decision involved the entire community of believers, emphasizing the value of collective discernment.
   • Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Casting lots was an expression of trust in God's control over the outcome.
5. Application for Today:
   • Pray Earnestly: Seek God’s guidance in all decisions.
   • Consult Scripture: Let the Bible inform and direct your choices.
   • Involve the Community: Seek counsel from spiritually mature believers.
   • Trust God: Place confidence in His sovereignty over the outcomes.

Reflection Questions

1. How does understanding the apostles' method of discerning God’s will impact your approach to decision-making?
2. In what ways can you incorporate prayer, Scripture, community, and trust in God’s sovereignty into your daily life?
3. How can you create opportunities for group prayer and collective discernment within your community?

Practical Applications

• Pray for Wisdom: Regularly ask God to guide your decisions.
• Study Scripture: Make Bible study a daily habit to understand God’s principles.
• Seek Counsel: Discuss decisions with trusted, mature Christians.
• Trust in God: Have faith that God will guide your steps according to His will.

Conclusion

Determining God's will can be challenging, but by following the principles of prayer, Scripture, community, and trust, we can discern His direction in our lives. The apostles' example in Acts 1 provides a timeless model for seeking God's guidance.

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