When God’s voice echoed from the cloud on the mountain, it carried both clarity and tenderness: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.” (Mark 9:7)

Those words still reach us today. They remind us that discipleship begins not with action, but with attention—with learning to recognize Jesus’ voice in the midst of ordinary life. Before we build, plan, or speak, there’s an invitation to pause and listen.

In Mark 9, that mountain moment shows us something deeper—it reveals who Jesus truly is. Peter, caught up in the wonder of it all, starts talking about building shelters, trying to capture what’s happening. But before his plans can go anywhere, a voice interrupts with a simple direction: “Listen to Him.”

That’s the way of a disciple—to listen first.

A Relationship, Not a System

Discipleship grows through everyday life—with Jesus shaping our work, our family, our choices, and the way we see the world. It’s learning to recognize His voice in the middle of what feels ordinary.

As John Fenn once wrote, the gospel began as a relationship in Israel when God came to man. Over time, it became philosophy, religion, tradition, and enterprise. But Jesus is bringing it back to its roots—a relationship. He’s returning us to a faith expressed through real connection and family.

Being a follower of Jesus means walking with Him through ordinary life—hearing His voice in conversations, in silence, in prayer, in laughter around the table. It’s in those spaces that we grow to look and live more like Him.

The Wheel of Discipleship

Think of discipleship as a wheel. Jesus is the center—the hub that everything connects to. Each spoke reaching outward represents part of our life: prayer, community, worship, generosity, service, rest, study, and more.

When Jesus is at the centre. Every spoke finds its strength and balance. Without Him, the wheel falls apart.

Sometimes the spoke that’s touching the ground—the one God is working on in us right now—might be unexpected. Maybe it’s forgiveness. Maybe it’s slowing down. Maybe it’s learning to serve again. As one part of the wheel touches the ground, another part is lifted and strengthened. God works in all of it, connecting what we can’t always see.

Learning to Listen

So how do we learn to hear Him? Scripture gives us anchors to help us recognize His voice.

• The Word: God never speaks in a way that contradicts His Word. Scripture remains the foundation through which all other voices are tested.
• The Holy Spirit: He stirs conviction, comfort, and clarity. Sometimes it’s a nudge that keeps showing up—a pattern we can’t ignore.
• The Church: God speaks through community—wise friends, mentors, and spiritual family who help confirm what He’s saying.
• Common Sense: Faith is bold but not reckless. God’s wisdom aligns with truth and reason.
• Circumstances: Doors open, paths align, or unexpected opportunities appear. He often works through the rhythm of life itself.
• Communion: In the simple act of bread and cup, we’re reminded of His voice calling us near.
• Solitude: Sometimes, when everything goes quiet, that’s when we finally hear Him best.

The Invitation

When God said, “Listen to Him,” He wasn’t silencing Peter; He was inviting him into something richer—a way of life shaped by presence.

That same invitation is for us today. To stop trying to fix everything, to stop talking long enough to hear what Jesus is already saying.

What is He highlighting in your life right now? What “spoke” is touching the ground in this season? Where is His Spirit inviting you to grow, to forgive, to rest, to serve, or to trust again?

Discipleship is a journey of hearing and responding, of keeping Jesus at the centre as the wheel keeps turning. It’s learning to recognize His voice and letting that voice shape everything.

So maybe the question isn’t, “What should I be doing for God?”

Maybe it’s simply, “What is Jesus saying right now?”

Listen to Him. He’s still speaking.