Have you ever wondered: "Does God still speak to people?" Or perhaps you've asked yourself, "How do I know when I should follow a nudge from God and take a risk to talk with someone about Jesus?" These questions can be puzzling, but let me assure you, you are not alone! The great news is that God still speaks today through the Holy Spirit. He desires to guide and direct us in reaching out to others and making a difference in their lives.

PRAY FOR GUIDANCE

As we learn how to be people who bless others, we must first start with prayer. Prayer is our way of communicating with God and seeking His guidance. Through prayer, we ask God for directions and listen attentively to His voice. In the Bible, Proverbs 3:6 says, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." This means that when we acknowledge God and seek His direction, He will guide and show us the way.

When we pray and seek God's guidance, we should expect Him to give us nudges, whispers, or promptings to engage with people far from Jesus. These promptings may come as a gentle nudge in our hearts or a subtle feeling that we should take action. For example, if you feel the nudge to sit next to that lonely girl in your summer class, don't ignore it. Take that step of faith and reach out to her. If you feel prompted to introduce yourself to the new family across the street or invite your coworker over for dinner, go ahead and do it!

TAKE TIME TO LISTEN

You may be surprised that people are more ready to learn about Jesus than you realize. Many individuals are searching for meaning, hope, and love. By reaching out to them, you have the opportunity to be a vessel of God's love and share the good news of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, Matthew 9:37-38 says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." This verse reminds us that many people are waiting to hear the message of salvation, and we have a vital role in sharing it with them.

However, praying and expecting God to do all the work is not enough. We must be willing to listen and take action. Effective listening is vital; one way to engage with others is by asking excellent questions. Instead of jumping straight into providing solutions, take the time to listen attentively and show genuine interest in the person's thoughts and feelings. Most people don't necessarily want someone to fix their problems; they want someone to support them and make them feel heard, known, and loved.

BE LED BY GOD

By asking thoughtful questions, you create space for meaningful conversations to unfold. You demonstrate that you genuinely care about the person and their journey. Through these conversations, you can share your faith and the hope you have found in Jesus. In the Bible, James 1:19 encourages us to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." This verse reminds us of the importance of listening well and engaging in respectful and loving dialogue with others.

God still speaks today and desires to guide us as we reach out to others. We can discern the nudges and promptings He gives us by starting with prayer and listening attentively to His voice. Remember, people are more open to hearing about Jesus than you may realize, so step out in faith and engage with those around you. Ask excellent questions, listen well, and be a source of support and love to those who need it. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For more encouragement, support, and tools to equip you, we encourage you to check out these additional resources:

• MESSAGE: To watch Liquid Church's entire message on "How To Listen To The Holy Spirit” from Part Two of our Series, “Through You,” Click here.
• ARTICLE: If you call yourself a Christian, guess what? Everyone is keeping an eye on you. Yup, not just the whole world, but your family, friends, neighbors, and even the people you work with. You're like a mirror reflecting your beliefs, think about what you really stand for. Click here to read,“What Are We For?” 
• MESSAGE: The Holy Spirit is like the mystery member of the Trinity. Many people don't get what the Holy Spirit is all about, and that's why some Christians feel they're missing out on something important. When we think of the Holy Spirit, we imagine a kind of invisible power, but that's not quite right. So, let's make things clear and find out who the Holy Spirit is. Click here to watch, “Who Is The Holy Spirit?”