Join me in a Bible Cafe™ study group, and you’ll find some interesting conversations. Today we discussed discernment in the Gideon Bible Study. As I listened to one of the participants share her life story, I thought more about her words. And so, we pulled out Bible dictionaries and researched the meaning of discernment in the Bible. It seemed like a good time to practice what we learned. In Bible study, this is called “application” as we seek to apply the Scriptures to our life.
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After agreeing on the meaning of discernment in the Bible, I asked, “When do you plan on writing books?” Because she has a long history of working in the education system, it seems likely she has a heart for children. Her expression on the other side of the Zoom screen was priceless! This has been on her mind since she retired five years ago.
We continued our conversation about her hesitancy to publish books. Like many people, she wondered if she was ‘called” to write, or if this was her own will and desire. We talked about this with our small group and saw how Gideon struggled with discernment too. In the well-known Bible story, Gideon lays out the fleece and asks God for a sign. He is unable to discern God’s will because of his novice spirituality. He was not struggling with unbelief. Discernment is the opportunity to seek God for confirmation.
Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. (Judges 6:36-38 NLT)
As my friend in Bible study shared her testimony, I asked her another question: “Do you want to take your testimony to publication (writing or blogging) or the grave? That’s not hard to answer. She knows her Bible and she knows Jesus. Without hesitation, she quoted the Scriptures about giving testimony.
Do you want to take your testimony to publication or the grave?
As a group, we examined our hearts and answered this same question. Once we realize we are living for today- not the grave- our hesitancies evaporate. We move forward, share our stories, and give glory to God. Our love for Jesus inspires us to give a testimony.
