How do I know that it is God calling me when I awaken in the night or when I am on a long walk, vacuuming the house, or praying? How do I know that it is not an upset stomach or my own strong needs and wishes dictating to me? Listening to God: A Guide to Discernment contains six well-planned, 60-90 minute sessions to assist you in your discernment.

Content
This resource, written by Debra K. Farrington, addresses the following topics.
Session 1: Discernment and the Hearing Heart
Session 2: Paying Attention, Studying, and Discernment
Session 3: Recognizing the Roadblocks to Listening
Session 4: We are Co-creators with God
Session 5: Using Our Gifts in the World
Session 6: Listening to God's Hopes for Us

These six sessions serve two purposes. First, they will introduce each woman in the group to some of the tools she needs as an individual for discerning God's hopes and desires for her life. Second, these same tools will be used to help the group as a whole to discern what their gifts are for ministry within the congregation or in the community.

This resource may be used as a Women of the ELCA unit program, as part of a cluster or conference event, or as part of a synodical women's convention. Use it also with your confirmation class, young adults (especially those entering their first profession), with congregation council members, or congregation committees. The six sessions may be conducted over six weeks or over the course of a weekend, perhaps as a retreat.

The format is flexible depending on the size of your group. For small groups, try shared leadership, giving all participants a copy of the entire resource. For larger groups, assign a facilitator for each session and allow the facilitators to decide how to conduct each session. Time required: 1.5 hours per session. The suggested times may be altered to meet the needs of the group.

You may order Listening to God: A Guide to Discernment on-line from Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, or by calling 800-328-4648 (order no. 6-0001-9376-9, $6.95).