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From Confusion to Clarity: How Pastor Raymond Woodward Learned to Hear God's Voice

  • Mar 26
  • 7 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

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What does it really mean to hear the voice of God? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Rev. Raymond Woodward to explore John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Together, they walk through a practical and biblically grounded framework built around three movements: Hear, Know, and Follow.


This is not a conversation about chasing spiritual experiences. It is about discernment, relationship, obedience, and leadership maturity. If you have ever wrestled with uncertainty in decision-making, questioned your impressions, or wanted greater clarity in how God leads, this episode will help anchor your thinking and strengthen your confidence in a thoughtful, theological conversation for leaders who want to follow God well.




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Transcript


You don't get to call the shots when your leadership is surrendered to God. Ultimately, He calls the shots. And if I read Jesus correctly, after all these years, He's going to put other people in your life and He's going to prick you in your spirit and say you need to listen to what they're saying.


Welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast. I'm your host, Ryan Franklin, and I've been in pastoral leadership at the Pentecostals of Alexandria for over 20 years. I'm a pastor and an executive coach, helping Christian leaders grow with clarity, confidence, and balance.


If you're leading in ministry or a business, then you likely know just how easy it is to get scattered, lose your focus, and start feeling ineffective. I've definitely been there myself, and that's why I created the Christian Leader Self Assessment. It's free, and in just 10 minutes, it'll show you exactly how to gain clarity and confidence as a leader. Go to ryanfranklin.org or click the link in the description to take the assessment today.


And now let's dive into today's episode.


Welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple Show. My name is Ryan Franklin, and today we're talking about something that every pastor and Christian leader has wrestled with at some point: discerning the voice of God. Not in a sensational way, not in a mystical, experience-driven way, but in a biblically grounded way.


Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice and know me, and they follow me." But what does that actually mean for leaders making very weighty decisions under pressure on a regular basis?


On the show today, we have Raymond Woodward, who was lead pastor of Capitol Community Church for two decades and now serves as bishop and teaching pastor for the past few years. He's the executive Presbyter for Canada and the UPCI and Chancellor of Northeast Christian College. With more than 40 years of pastoral ministry, Bishop Woodward has given his life to teaching, mentoring, and leading around the globe with deep theological depth and clarity.


So, Brother Woodward, I'm honored to have you on the show today. Welcome.


Thank you, Ryan. The honor is entirely mine. And thank you for those kind words. It's a joy to sit down and talk with you. It's always a joy; we always have good chats when we talk—whether it's on air or just in person or on the phone—I always love talking with you. So I'm excited about our conversation today.


We were preparing for this interview and were sort of kicking around what we wanted to talk about. We discussed a three-part framework on hearing the voice of God. I love what you came up with here. Can you give us a brief rundown of that three-part framework? Hear, know, follow? Then we'll jump into each part.


Absolutely. Talking about knowing God's voice—we all have to do that—it’s like preaching about prayer: I always try to give a disclaimer that I'm not an expert but a learner sharing what I've learned.


The scripture you read is powerful: Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice." The Greek word “akouo” means to give audience—to consider, understand, perceive, comprehend—so it's deeper than just hearing something. Sometimes people say “I heard God's voice” dramatically; I’m very careful with that because it might give the impression of an audible voice from God.


So hearing here means perceiving and comprehending what God wants us to do.


Then He says “and I know them,” which is “ginosko” in Greek—a very intimate word indicating relationship; it's even used as an idiom for intimacy between married couples in Hebrew culture.


So knowing God's voice is really about relationship—knowing God—not just hearing His voice.


Then comes “follow” —the Greek “akoloutheo”—meaning to be a disciple or companion who walks in union with Him. So following God's voice is an ongoing journey.


Jesus said: "My sheep hear my voice; I know them; they follow me." It’s a process—not a one-time directive—but ongoing development.


I love that: hear, know, follow. Let’s dive into each part starting with hearing—understanding and perception.


When Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27), what is He primarily teaching? Is it mystical or fundamentally relational?


I’d say first let’s clarify what it’s not because many people make it mystical or dramatic.


Serving God can be exciting with dramatic moments but relying constantly on dramatic emotional experiences isn’t healthy leadership.


To hear God's voice requires living close to Him—distance from worldliness, carnality, ego—and submitting our will so we can discern His divine will.


Importantly: God doesn't need to speak directly about what’s already written in Scripture; His Word is already His directive.


For example: I was given responsibility teaching youth at an early age—felt one-time call—and have followed that call since without needing repeated confirmation from God for that same responsibility.


God expects us also to use common sense—He gave us brains! Not every decision demands fasting six weeks; some decisions are practical administrative things where prayerful trust suffices (like choosing color schemes).


So hearing God's voice isn’t drama or trauma—it’s attuning ourselves spiritually; perceiving more than just hearing physically—with heart sensitivity primarily through Scripture (God speaking through His Word) and prayer (our conversation with God).


Another way God speaks often is through trusted men and women of God whose lives demonstrate connection with Him.


Sometimes God speaks personally—through prayer impressions or gifts of the Spirit; some receive dreams or visions but always submitting those impressions under Scripture's authority.


For me personally—and many leaders—it’s usually an inner impression that lodges firmly until acted upon; it won’t let go easily.


That’s hearing: being sensitive enough for that still small voice prompting us inwardly toward God’s direction—not necessarily dramatic auditory experiences but practical personal nudges grounded firmly in Scripture.


Digging deeper into “akouo,” it carries understanding beyond mere hearing—it includes considering context carefully too.


Two guardrails help discern this hearing:


One side: experience gained over time through trial/error learning helps clarify perception of God's will progressively;


The other side: consistency—long obedience in same direction—as Eugene Peterson described it—is paying steady attention over time while confirming impressions against trusted voices around us (leaders we respect).


This guards against lone impressions that may mislead due to ego or error.


Regarding false impressions from others—for example when someone uses "God told me" as justification—that can come from insecure motives or self-benefit disguised as divine direction (“destination disease”).


I’ve seen many young leaders misled by such voices urging them away from their current calling toward someone else’s area conveniently aligned with their own interests.


Therefore:


Trust voices consistent with Scripture;


Trust voices you've known long-term who have led rightly before;


Get multiple confirmations if possible;


Don't isolate yourself by shutting out other counsel;


Anyone insisting they’re your only source of guidance raises red flags;


Always test spirits (1 John 4);


Get second opinions like medical advice!


On foundational principles:


Never abandon biblical guidelines based on new impressions without comparing carefully;


Remember submission—the willingness to yield even when challenged—is crucial;


Submission is not popular culturally but essential spiritually;


It reduces resistance when relationship is close because intimacy builds trust even amid difficult prompts from God;


Being submitted means walking behind Christ—not ahead like Peter sometimes did who Jesus told “get thee behind me” meaning repositioning rather than rejection;


Relationship forms relational equity so hard truths are received well without rebellion;


Following God means walking aligned under His mission rather than pushing personal agendas hoping for blessing afterward (“God bless what I’m doing” vs. “Let me discern where You’re going”).


Following produces Christlikeness instead of spiritual ego by keeping us humble servants among God's people rather than lording over them;


Leadership is service modeled by example not prominence seeking;


Comparing new impressions with established teachings guards against error from novelty pressures—the past teachings often hold tested wisdom worth preserving (2 Timothy 3);


Mistakes happen—we miss God's voice sometimes—but repentance turns errors into learning experiences making us better followers moving forward;


Forgiveness extends both inwardly toward self and outwardly toward others who misled unintentionally releasing burdens so growth continues unhindered;


Finally:


For struggling leaders seeking steps today:


Compare current impressions with past lessons learned plus trusted counsel around you;


Use collective human experience as library including others’ journeys through challenges similar to yours;


Don’t isolate but welcome correction even when uncomfortable;


Be practical not mystical—listen for persistent inner promptings grounded in Scripture & relationships;


Repent promptly if wrong decisions made then move forward freed by forgiveness;


Build deep relationship intimacy enabling submission even when hard commands come from God or others speaking His truth through them;


Keep following steadily—long obedience in same direction—trusting God leads faithfully step by step rather than sudden leaps—


and remember leadership surrendered fully means ultimately trusting God calls every shot through His Spirit working among His flock.


Brother Woodward, this has been so rich—I appreciate your time deeply sharing these insights from decades of ministry globally.


Thank you so much for having me; it’s been my privilege discussing these vital truths together!


This concludes our show today. My name is Ryan Franklin. Thank you so much for joining us on the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast.


Copyright © 2026 Ryan Franklin. All rights reserved.

 
 
 

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