Lesson 4. Practical Exercise. Developing the Word of Knowledge. The “How to Hear God” School was held at Father’s Blessing Church. Author – John Paul Jackson. Teacher – Dmitriy Leo
Lesson 4. Practical Exercise. Developing the Word of Knowledge
The word of knowledge manifests in many ways, but in this exercise we will explore only one method – analyzing what we see with our natural eyes.
Students form groups of 10, arranged so that everyone can see one another (for example, in a circle). Each person should have a blank sheet of paper and a pen.
At the top of the sheet, each person writes their first and last name.
Then, one by one, moving clockwise, each student says their first and last name aloud. Everyone else writes it down. Thus, each student has the same list of everyone present in the group, numbered from 1 to 10. Each person is listed under their number. Leave two blank lines between the numbers; we will record the results there later. For example:
- 1. Jack Johnson
- 2. Patricia Taylor
- –
- –
- 10. Donald Smith
Next, we will develop the analysis of what we see with our natural eyes. We must not listen with our hearts, ask questions, or think; we must not bring our knowledge of this person into the process. The purpose of the exercise is to analyze what we see with our physical eyes, and nothing more.
How to do this. Look at a person and write down what you see in them. For example: joy, peace, anxiety, meekness, teaching, integrity, pain, strength, openness, sorrow, and so on. Do not spend a long time analyzing what comes to mind; simply write it down. It should not be many words. The description usually consists of two or three words. Then look at another person and write down what you see, and so on. At the end, you should have a description of every person on the list.
On this list, everyone will come to themselves—that is, to their own first and last name. You need to write down what you think people see in you when they look at you. This is difficult, but it must be done.
Advice. To avoid embarrassing one another, do not look each other in the eyes. Choose someone who is currently examining others or looking in another direction. If you see that someone you wanted to analyze is looking at you, choose another candidate for now and return to that person later.
Those who have finished their analysis should place the paper and pen beside them or on the floor and sit quietly without looking at others, so as not to disturb those who are still conducting their analysis.
When everyone has finished, the assignments are submitted to the instructor.
Without naming the writers, the instructor reads each person's portrait aloud. For example: number one—Jack Johnson is kind, strong in spirit, a little embarrassed, thoughtful, concerned, and so on, from all ten sheets. Then number two, Patricia Taylor, and so on until everyone has heard what was written about them.
What is the purpose of this exercise?
Sometimes a person's appearance reveals a great deal, while at other times it can be deceptive. Therefore, it is important for us to learn how to create a portrait based on a person's appearance: in one case, to know who they are; in another, to recognize their secrecy and duplicity. Sometimes God will give us a portrait of a person based solely on outward signs, while at other times this will serve as one facet of a deeper study of the person's character.
Practice shows that what is in a person's heart is very often expressed on their face. Joy in the Lord is always visible in a person's eyes, just as pain and bitterness are. These things are difficult to hide, although it is possible.
Homework
Extracurricular Activity.
1. Continue practicing listening to God by doing the exercises from the first, second, and third weeks.
2. Observe four people. What did you feel or think as soon as you saw them (pain, joy, worry, tiredness, confusion, loneliness)?
Reading Assignment.
After reading the entire Book of Daniel, answer the following questions.
1. How many of Daniel’s dreams are recorded?
2. How many of Daniel’s visions are recorded?
3. Under how many kings did Daniel serve?
4. To how many people besides Daniel did God speak through dreams or visions?
5. Does God speak to the unsaved? Do they hear His voice? How can we, like Daniel, help them understand or interpret what God wants to say?
6. What do you think was the most difficult thing Daniel had to do?
End of lesson.
Father’s Blessing Church
Author – John Paul Jackson
Teacher – Dmitriy Leo
