Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard

Today we look at chapter 7 of the book which is titled “Redemption through the word of God”.

We are the intercessors, connected with God and with the world. How do we get there?
An additional birth by the word of God
Birth through the spirit and the word of God

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23 NIV11)

Washed in the word of God. The amazing extent of the dirt! We often don’t notice how much we need that cleansing.

Union with Christ

“… In the progress of God’s redemptive work communication advances into communion and communion into union.” From ‘yours’ to ‘yours and mine’ to ‘ours’.

“Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” (John 6:53–55 NIV11)

Christ’s faith as my faith. Our goal is not to have faith in Christ, but to have the kind of faith in God that Christ had. It is the abiding which makes this possible, John 15

“Praying” the Scriptures

  • Desire that God’s revealed word shall be true for us
  • Begin with part of scripture with which we have some familiarity
  • Do not try to read too much at once
  • Come to your chosen passage as to a place where you will have a holy meeting with God

No rush. Lectio Divina.

Next week we will go on to look at chapter 8 of the book which is titled “Recognising the voice of God”

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm