It Starts Small

⁸ Listen! My love is approaching.
Look! Here he comes,
leaping over the mountains,
bounding over the hills.

Songs 2:8

The final day of this study erupts with the exhilarating wonder of expectancy. The bride catches the enchanting whispers of her beloved before she even lays eyes on Him – and that voice transforms everything! His approach is vibrant, resolute, and utterly unstoppable. He leaps over every hurdle to reach her, embodying the unwavering posture of Christ toward His church. He does not linger, waiting for us to seek Him; instead, He bursts forth with an urgency and joy that ignites the heart. He speaks, and we are stirred to respond – not out of obligation, but from a profound recognition of His love. His voice breathes life into our souls, awakening a fierce love and unyielding courage within us.

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

To know Christ is to fervently recognize His presence, His guiding hand, and His tender heart. The more we attune our ears to His voice, the more distinctly we hear His whispers of love. Theologically, this illuminates the profoundly personal nature of our divine relationship. We are not merely called to adhere to a set of rules – we are passionately invited to follow a Person who loves us beyond measure. The Groom speaks intimately; the bride responds wholeheartedly. This is true worship. This is unbridled intimacy.

Psychologically, recognizing and responding to a safe voice is foundational to our deepest connections of attachment. When we hear the voice of someone we truly love, we are enveloped in a profound sense of safety, motivation, and grounding. Neuroscience reveals that our brains are intricately designed to resonate with voices that feel intimately familiar. The sound of a cherished loved one can shatter anxiety and lift our spirits to new heights. In much the same way, when Jesus speaks truth into our hearts, He imparts an unparalleled peace and joy that no other voice can ever replicate.

Jesus is calling. Not with condemnation, but with deep affection and unwavering love. He is leaping over every obstacle, crossing the chasms of our doubts and fears, to draw near to us in our moments of struggle and joy alike. His voice, gentle yet powerful, beckons us to abandon our burdens and to embrace the comfort of His presence. Will you tune your heart to His voice, allowing it to resonate within you, guiding your steps and illuminating your path through the uncertainties of life? As you listen, you may discover a profound sense of peace and a renewed strength that empowers you to face each day with hope and purpose.

Journal Prompt:

• How do you most clearly recognize God’s voice in your heart?
• WHat helps to discern it from all the other voices?

Practical Steps and Application:

1. Spend time today in a quiet posture of listening – ask Jesus to speak, and journal what comes to the heart.
2. Reflect on moments when you have clearly heard God’s voice. WHat did it sound like? How did it make you feel?
3. create a space each day to pause and say “Speak, Lord, I am listening.”

Deeper Introspection:

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

The relationship of hearing, knowing, and following.

• Reflect on the analogy of the shepherd. What does it mean for Jesus to be your Shepherd and for you to be one of His sheep? Think about the trust, care, and guidance a shepherd provides. How do you experience that in your life?
  • Example: Just as a real shepherd leads his sheep to green pastures, recall a time Jesus, through his Word or circumstances, led you to a place of peace and rest. Write about that experience.
• Examine your listening habits. With all the noise in the world, what voices are loudest in your life right now? Write about the steps you can take to intentionally make more space to listen for God’s “still small voice” and filter out the distractions.
• Analyze the link between knowing and hearing. Jesus says, “I know them” and “they follow me” as a direct result of the sheep hearing his voice. Journal about your relationship with Jesus. How has spending time getting to know him (through his Word, prayer, and worship) made it easier to recognize his voice?.
  • Example: Consider a past decision. Did you know it was God’s will because it aligned with what you know of his character from Scripture? Write about that and how it contrasts with a time you followed your own desires or the world’s opinion.
• Address the challenge of following. Following can be difficult, especially when God’s voice calls you to do something outside your comfort zone. Write about a situation where you are being called to take a step of faith. What would it look like to obediently follow your Shepherd in that area, even if the path is uncertain?.
• Pray a prayer of intentional listening. Write out a prayer asking for a deeper hunger and an increased sensitivity to hear God’s voice in all aspects of your life. Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit to recognize his speaking.

Extra scripture references for deeper reflection

• John 10:3–5: This passage adds context, explaining that Jesus’ sheep will not follow a stranger, “but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers”. This reinforces the importance of knowing God’s voice intimately.
• Psalm 23:1–3: A classic shepherd psalm, these verses expand on the care and provision of the Good Shepherd: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul”. Journal about the provision and restoration God has offered you.
• John 14:26: Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as a Helper who will “teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you”. Write about how the Holy Spirit has helped you recall Scripture or prompted you in a situation, helping you to recognize God’s voice.
• Revelation 3:20: This verse speaks to the intimate and inviting nature of Christ: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me”. Reflect on what it means to open the door of your heart to the knocking of Jesus’ voice.
• Hebrews 3:7: “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts’”. Consider the resistance you may have to God’s voice and what “hardening your heart” could look like. Write about a time you chose to listen and obey instead.

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© Kimberlee Smith 2026 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.