Vision casting is all the rage within churches these days. The question: is vision casting even Biblical? If it is, what kind of vision casting is Biblical? Is vision casting just for groups like churches, or can it be for families and even individuals?

These questions could become a doctoral dissertation. I’m just going to give some basic thoughts on casting vision for individuals. Should you do it, how can you help others and glorify God in the process? This is part of a four-part series on vision casting.

CASTING VISION ALMOST ALWAYS POINTS BACK TO GOD

The first thing that we need to grasp when it comes to vision casting is that it is almost always pointing back to God, not the future. How do I come to that conclusion? By studying the ultimate vision casters in Scripture, the prophets.

When most people think of prophecy they think of foretelling, predicting things to come. The reality is that the majority of Old Testament prophecies are not foretelling, but forth-telling. Forth-telling is simply telling the truth. The prophets did this by calling out sin, and calling people back to what God had already spoken. 

If we plan Biblical vision casting for individuals, we should almost always point them back to what God already said. Ironically this is a lot of what Proverbs 29:18 is about. Most people know the first part of this verse, which says, “where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint.” The second part of this verse is important to understand the first part. “But blessed is he who keeps the law.” The vision here is to point people back to God’s law.

BE CAREFUL OF BEING TOO SPECIFIC

We also need to be careful of being too specific. For example, imagine we have a guy who is an able-bodied worker, but not providing for his family. I may be able to take him to I Timothy 5:8 and let him know that he is called to provide for his family. I can cast this vision for him of what things would be like for him, his wife, and children if he worked and provided. 

What I can’t do is tell him exactly what job God has called him to do. I can’t say, “I believe God wants you to be a roofer, mechanic, engineer …” I don’t know what job God specifically has for him, just that God wants him to work and provide for his family.

Do I think that God could give specific vision to an individual of where they are supposed to work, who they are supposed to marry, or where they are supposed to live? Absolutely. Do I believe God could give that vision to a pastor, or another spiritual leader to help another person? Sure. I just think we need to be very careful of saying, “God told me you need to specifically do this” when we don’t have a clear word from Scripture about those things. 

CONCLUSION

Do you have people in your life who need God’s vision? Or do you need vision? Are you focused on specifics of the future, or pointing back to what God has already said? Are you thinking too specifically, or focusing on the basics of what God has called us to?

Thanks for taking time to read this Maddening Theology post. If you enjoyed this content you can find Pastor Tim’s sermons at www.cornerstoneforestcity.org. You can also join us at 520 Marion St. Browndale, PA 18421 on Sundays at 10 AM. To make following the blog easier you can also register. You can also join us on Facebook at Cornerstone Forest City. Also, don’t forget to download our APP on iTunes  or Googleplay.