Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 4
Joy listed “the will of God” passages (give thanks in everything, submit to authorities while doing good, sanctification/abstaining from sexual immorality, doing justice/loving mercy/walking humbly) and concluded God’s will is “clearly laid out”; how would early Christians—who were often persecuted and had fewer choices—have heard “this is the will of God,” and what modern assumptions make that clarity feel uncomfortable or insufficient?
Another way to ask: If early Christians (who faced persecution and had fewer choices) heard “this is God’s will,” how do you think they would understand it? What modern ideas make God’s will sounding so clear feel uncomfortable or not enough?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on Joy’s emphasis, early Christians likely would have heard “the will of God” as concrete obedience and character—gratitude, doing good under authority, sanctification, humility—rather than a personalized life map. The discomfort today comes from assuming God’s will should answer “Which option?” questions (career, location, marriage) with specificity, instead of calling us to obey commands.
- Joy defines “will” (thelema) and connects it to “your kingdom come, your will be done.”
- She cites will-of-God texts: “In everything give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:18); submit to authorities “for this is the will of God” (1 Pet. 2:13ff); “your sanctification… abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thess. 4:3); “do justly… love mercy… walk humbly” (Mic. 6:8).
- She concludes: “God’s will for your life has been clearly laid out.”
- She says Scripture doesn’t tell us to “pray that God would show us his exact will for us as an individual” or “wait to do anything.”
- She contrasts this with young-adult paralysis over big options and global needs seen “in the palm of our hands” through phones.