Sunday, February 12, 2006

CHRISTIAN DECISION MAKING

A. Some preliminary considerations.

1. A practical outworking of the doctrine of the Lordship of Christ. (Matthew 7:21-23)

2. Even more needed in an age of choices.

3. Must take into consideration the bigness of God and the diversity of His people.

B. A six-stage model.
(Based on Bruce Waltke’s approach in Finding God's Will: Is It A Pagan Notion?)

1. Read your Bible. (Consider biblical teaching on the matter.)
(Psalm 1: 1-6)

2. Develop a heart for God and listen to it. (Let God sanctify your desires and then go for it.)
(Psalm 37:4)

3. Seek wise counsel. (The critical place of community in Christian decision-making.)
(Proverbs 12:15; 15:22)

4. Look for God’s providential control of circumstances. (God is guiding through all the details of your life.)
(Ruth; Genesis 45: 1-9)

5. Use sanctified common sense. (Use our minds to think God’s thoughts after Him.)
(Mark 12:29-31;1 Corinthians 2:16)

6. Be open for God’s special leading. (There are times when God leads through special indicators.)
(Acts 16: 6-10)

C. As in all things, live your lives in faith, not in fear.
(Psalm 37: 23-24)

Tan Soo Inn
E Mail: sooinn@graceatwork.org
Web site: www.graceatwork.org

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really like what Soo Inn presented... he didn't pretend to know, as though decision making is always so clear cut and yet, it is not that far off into the "I don't know" til it becomes unhelpful. The session reinforces two things - that for Waltke's model to be helpful presupposes sound biblical teaching/understanding and an accountable and supportive community. Agora has been, and hopefully continue to be, both...

Leon Jackson said...

I agree, Soo Inn's humility and clarity are a good combination.

Dave said...

It was one of the best turnout in an Agora forum ever... :)

Too bad i couldnt stay around for the fellowship after tat..

So many UM folks too... is it bcos Steven is not around then only people come?? hehehe!

Adrian Choo said...

I have been subscribing to Grace@work for a few years now (not too long since I chose to follow Christ 3 years ago) and really wanted to hear the man in the flesh. I had the privilege of listening to Soo-Inn for the first time in person at CDPC on Sunday and at SIBKL on Friday night.

I found Soo-Inn to be an honest guy, humble almost to a fault and someone who knows what he's talking about. I was awestruck at his honesty in SIBKL and also, found confirmation that it's really ok to to make mistakes in my personal journet. And that it's more important that we learn from them and pick ourselves up for Christ in order to press on.

Dr Tan is truly a man of steel and calibre - an example for all of us to follow. Thanks for your sharing and teaching.