Bible study, research, and fieldwork merge in this book of practical principles for decision making by spiritual discernment. The step-by-step approach can be used to help any size group learn a new way to make decisions--a way that is interactive, spiritual, and rooted in faith practices and community. Small groups, committees, church boards, church leaders at all levels, and seminary professors will find this book valuable. This is a revised and updated version of the book, originally published in 1997. This new version inclused revised and updated material, as well as a new introduction by Charles Olsen.

A desire to know the will of God is, as it should be, the top priority of any serious Christian. But how are you to find out what God's will is? Who hasn't agonized, questioned, and then doubted and questioned again? But here is Danny Morris to the rescue with an eight-week workbook on knowing God's will. Each weeks' exercise begins with an account of a personal experience of the author from which he brings forth biblical, theological, and historical principles to help you in your search. As you respond, God's will is certain to become clearer. During the first five weeks, you will learn about the nature of spiritual discernment, discernment for the individual, spiritual intuition, ways in which God communicates with believers, and discernment as a spiritual gift. In the second part, the author shifts his focus to corporate discernment; that is, discernment within and for the church, the body of Christ. At issue here is consensus: how consensus is possible, why it is difficult, and how it works in church boards and committees. Danny Morris insists that consensus is not only biblical but practical, despite skepticism on the part of those whose experience would lead them to believe that disagreement is a way of life in church. Some maintain that consensus would never work in their congregation. But the author points the way to diminish and eventually eliminate such conflict. The third part of the workbook details a workable plan for church retreat, a time away from phones and schedules, where your group will learn how to make decisions by consensus, by group discernment of the will of God for the congregation. What better way to help move forward the work of God?