MODULE 5: GUIDANCE

OUTCOME: The disciple recognises God’s presence and purpose in their life story and values the guidance of spiritual friends.

While we are meant to have union with God personally, we are also meant to be in communion with other people. God designed us for community because it is our spiritual friends—brothers and sisters in Christ—who often serve as the voice of God for our own lives. More often than not, our growth in Christ happens through the guidance of others who make sense of what’s going on in our life, see how it fits within God’s story, and challenge us with next steps. Put simply, we need each other.

In this module, the disciple will learn how a spiritual friend can see God at work in his or her life that the disciple may have never noticed before. The disciple will plot out the main events of his or her life in a timeline, and with the discipler, discern God’s presence and purpose through it all—the good and the bad. Finally, the disciple will learn about the importance of finding community within the body of Christ as another way for guidance.

Seeing God’s Hand in Your Story

Most of us live our lives one event at a time. A move, a loss, a new job, a friendship, a failure — each feels separate, and some seem pointless. Module 5 invites the disciple to step back and ask a bigger question: What has God been doing all along? With the help of a discipler, the disciple plots the major turns of their life on a Timeline, looks for patterns of God’s grace, and names a Life Theme that points toward their purpose and calling.

Guidance in this module is not a formula for making decisions. It is the slow, relational work of discerning God’s voice through Scripture, prayer, our own story and the wisdom of trusted friends. As Proverbs 15:22 puts it, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

The Timeline Exercise

Inspired by Donald Miller’s Storyline, the Creating Your Timeline resource helps the disciple identify eight to ten pivotal events — positive and negative "life turns" — and plot them like a screenwriter plotting a story. Then comes the most important step: looking at each turn through a redemptive lens. Where was God present, even when it did not feel like it? How has he used painful seasons to shape compassion, courage or dependence on him? Set aside about two hours to complete the exercise, and do not rush it.

Discerning a Life Theme

After studying the Timeline with God, the disciple looks for threads that tie the story together: recurring gifts, passions, wounds and victories. Someone who walked through addiction may find God redeeming that story to help others find freedom. Someone who has grieved deeply may be uniquely gifted to comfort the grieving. A Life Theme is a short, clear sentence that captures how God has woven your life together and what you want to live toward.

The Four Meetings of Module 5

Meeting 1: Your Life Timeline — the discipler shares their own Timeline and Life Theme, and the disciple begins the Creating Your Timeline exercise.
Meeting 2: Discerning Your Story — the disciple shares their Timeline while the discipler listens and helps discern God’s work in the highs and lows.
Meeting 3: Your Life Theme — discuss the disciple’s Life Theme and how gifts, passions and experiences point to a God-given calling.
Meeting 4: Spiritual Friendship — explore why spiritual friends matter and take steps to build lasting Christian community.

Why We Need Spiritual Friends

God designed us for community. Our spiritual friends — brothers and sisters in Christ — often become the voice of God in our lives, helping us make sense of what is happening, seeing how it fits into God’s story and challenging us with next steps. A discipler is one such friend, but no one should rely on a single relationship. This module encourages the disciple to find community within the wider body of Christ: a small group, a serving team, a few friends who pray together. Put simply, we need each other.

Tips for Disciplers

Sharing a Timeline can surface past hurts, habits and hang-ups. That is okay. Listen intently, resist the urge to explain every painful event, and love the disciple where they are. If deeper issues come up, Module 6 offers an Addiction Inventory, and there is no shame in recommending pastoral care or professional counselling. Before asking the disciple to share, complete your own Timeline and Life Theme — your honesty will set the tone.

Key Scriptures on Guidance

Proverbs 3:5–6 — trust in the Lord and he will make your paths straight.
Romans 8:28 — God works in all things for the good of those who love him.
Genesis 50:20 — Joseph sees God’s purpose in the evil done to him.
Psalm 139 — God knows us completely and has been present in every season.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 — two are better than one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if parts of my story are too painful to share?

Share only what you are ready to share. You can name an event without describing every detail. Your discipler’s role is to listen, not to press.

Does a Life Theme lock me into one calling?

No. It is a lens, not a cage. Many people refine their Life Theme over the years as God continues writing their story.

The note about Modules 2 and 5 — what does it mean?

An earlier version of the Pathway had Confession and Guidance in the opposite order. If you used the older version, complete Module 2: Confession before continuing to Module 6: Generosity.

In this module: Meeting 1: Your Life Timeline · Meeting 2: Discerning Your Story · Meeting 3: Your Life Theme · Meeting 4: Spiritual Friendship. All worksheets and videos: Module 5 resources. Previous module: Module 4: Scripture. Next module: Module 6: Generosity. See all 11 modules.