Testimony. Forgiveness. Joy. Visions. Dreams. Lament. Living Legacy.

God is already speaking. The question is—do you know how to recognize His voice?

The Take a Step With Him Companion Guidebook explores 16 different ways God speaks to us and connects with us (plus 2 bonus chapters): through testimony, forgiveness, opposite spirit, blessing, prophetic words and acts, joy, intercession, looking beyond, sound teaching, the Word, visions, dreams, thankfulness, lament, and living legacy.

Each chapter helps you intentionally foster awareness of Him in that area—so you begin to notice when He’s reaching out, recognize what His voice sounds like, and respond to His presence in your everyday life.

But here’s the thing: every person connects with God differently.

Some of us need to move our bodies to process. Some need to create art. Some need to research Scripture. Some need to talk it through with a friend. Some need silence.

That’s why this guidebook offers 8 different ways to engage with EVERY chapter—so you can explore and discover how YOU best foster awareness of God when He speaks.

This isn’t about following a formula. It’s about trying different practices and noticing which ones help you hear Him, sense Him, experience Him. You might be surprised by what resonates.

What you’ll explore:

• How to recognize God’s voice (it’s kinder than you expect)
• Practical ways to foster awareness when you don’t know where to start
• Creative activations for every learning style
• Father’s Heart sections—God’s tender words directly to you
• Personal blessings spoken over your specific situation

His voice is the kindest, most loving, patient, and understanding I’ve ever heard—my hope is that this is what you experience too.

🏆 Part of the multi-award-winning Be Held By Him series — Winner of the International Book Awards, Firebird Book Awards, and Book of the Year Awards. Finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award and Montaigne Medal.

This is a DOING book—designed to help you explore and discover how God wants to adventure with you into fresh beginnings. Where the testimony book is like a quilt to snuggle under, this guidebook is your invitation to actively explore your relationship with the Father who loves you most.

It Helps You Understand God’s Heart So You Recognize His Voice

Here’s the thing about hearing God: His voice sounds like the fruit of the Spirit—loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, gentle, faithful.

His voice can sound like your own. It’s often a calming inner voice—not a loud, booming voice from the skies. A voice that carries His presence with it.

The more you understand His heart and nature, the more you recognize Him when He speaks.

That’s what this guidebook helps you do. Through the Father’s Heart sections, the questions, and the activations, you begin to attune to His heartbeat. You discover what His voice sounds like. You learn to see Him in the everyday moments you might have missed before.

His Voice Is Kinder Than You Expect

One of the most beautiful discoveries in this journey is how kind God’s voice actually is.

His words are ALWAYS life-giving, truthful, kind, gentle, encouraging, and for your good. You have no need to fear when you take the time to listen to God.

He has celebrated with me, delighted in me, and enjoyed the moments where a single word of His opens a world of hope.

His voice is the kindest, most loving, patient, and understanding I’ve ever heard—my hope is that this is what you experience too.

For each of the 16 chapters (plus 2 bonus chapters), you’ll find:

1. Father’s Heart — God’s tender voice speaking directly to you
2. Take Aways — Bite-sized wisdom for when you can’t absorb much
3. Questions to Ponder — Deep reflection prompts for personal time with God
4. Journal Space — Room to write your thoughts, revelations, insights
5. Worship Playlist — Curated songs to soak, worship, and declare
6. 8 Different Activations — Hands-on ways to connect with God (music, art, movement, nature, conversation, research, reflection, writing)
7. Personal Blessing — Receive the blessings you need for this season

The activations mean you’re not limited to just reading and writing. You can go for a walk and listen for God in nature. Create something with your hands. Discuss with a trusted friend. Move your body and pray. Whatever helps you connect.

Personal Blessings in Every Chapter

Each chapter ends with a personal blessing—words of life spoken over you for whatever you’re walking through.

These aren’t generic blessings. They’re specific to each topic:

• Blessings for testimony when you’re learning to see God’s story in yours
• Blessings for forgiveness when you’re ready to fly free
• Blessings for lament when you need to grieve well
• Blessings for fresh beginnings when you’re stepping forward

Receive the blessings you need. Let others remain on the shelf for later, or gift them to someone else.

This Guidebook Is For You If:

✅ You want to hear God’s voice but don’t know how — You’ve longed to hear Him speak to you personally, but you’re not sure what His voice sounds like or how to recognize it.

✅ You want to understand God’s heart so you recognize Him when He speaks — You want to know His nature so when He reaches out, you see and hear it for what it is—Him responding to you.

✅ You’ve always wanted to walk with God but never knew how — You’ve heard “press into God” but no one showed you what that actually looks like practically.

✅ You’re ready for fresh beginnings but unsure how to step forward — You want to move into what’s next but need practical guidance for the journey.

✅ You feel spiritually stuck and need practical next steps — You’re ready to DO something but don’t know where to start.

✅ Traditional devotionals haven’t worked for you — You need more than just reading and journaling. You want practical ways to actually connect.

✅ You’re ready to turn your fresh beginning season into deeper intimacy with God — This threshold can become a doorway to experiencing Him like never before.

✅ You need guidance when devotions feel impossible — On your worst days, you need something flexible that doesn’t require much from you.

✅ You’re living with chronic illness or low energy — This was designed during ongoing illness—it understands limited capacity and offers flexible options.

✅ You’re caring for someone stepping into new seasons — This makes a thoughtful, practical gift that helps them actively connect with God.

Use This Guidebook When:

• You’ve read Take a Step With Him and want to go deeper
• You want to discover how God might want to adventure with you
• You’re ready to explore different ways of experiencing His presence
• You need fresh ways to engage when the old ways feel stale
• You want to try various practices and see what resonates
• You’re in a small group studying Take a Step With Him
• You’re seeking practical spiritual growth tools
• You’re ready to step forward into fresh beginnings

Give This Guidebook When:

• Someone has just read Take a Step With Him and wants to go deeper
• A friend is seeking practical ways to connect with God
• They’re ready for fresh beginnings but need practical guidance
• They say “I want to grow but don’t know how”
• You want to give something active, not just to read
• They’re in a Bible study or small group
• They’re stepping into a new season of life

This is the question so many of us ask. We’re told to step out in faith, to embrace fresh beginnings, to move forward—but what does that actually look like? Especially when you’re ready but unsure how to begin?

“All it takes is one tiny step forward…a step of faith, and an exciting adventure will begin to unfold.” — Julie Jones

This guidebook offers practical, hands-on ways to explore stepping forward:

You’ll discover:

• 8 different activation types for every chapter
• Specific questions to ask God about YOUR next steps
• Worship playlists to help you enter His presence
• Journaling prompts when you don’t know what to write
• Creative ways to experience God beyond reading

“As you immerse yourself in Karen’s treasure chest of suggestions and tried and true ideas, you will be transformed and changed beyond measure.” — Julie Jones

You’re not alone. Many people feel stuck when it comes to journaling. Maybe you don’t know what to write, or writing feels hard, or you’ve just never been a “journal person.”

This guidebook gives you options.

Journaling is just ONE of 8 activation types per chapter. If writing isn’t your thing, you have other ways to connect:

• Soak in worship music (Musical)
• Create art that reflects what God is showing you (Visual)
• Go for a walk and listen for God in nature (Naturalistic)
• Research Scripture and find patterns (Logical)
• Talk it through with a trusted friend (Interpersonal)
• Move your body and pray (Kinesthetic)
• Sit quietly and reflect (Intrapersonal)

Choose what helps you connect. You don’t have to do all of them.

God designed you uniquely. Why would your spiritual growth look the same as everyone else’s?

This guidebook recognizes that people connect with God in different ways—and invites you to explore and discover what works for you:

• Some need to move to process
• Some need to create to understand
• Some need to research to believe
• Some need to talk to internalize
• Some need silence to hear

For each chapter, you get 8 different options to try:

Not sure which style is yours? That’s the adventure! Try them all and see which ones help you connect most deeply with God. You might be surprised by what resonates.

“You can tell Karen poured her heart into these companion books just as much as the main books.” — Sonya Loso

Can I really hear God’s voice?

Yes. And this guidebook shows you how to position yourself to hear Him.

Each chapter includes “Father’s Heart” sections—the actual words God whispered to Karen, taken straight from her personal journals. These show you what God’s voice can sound like.

Then the Questions to Ponder help you listen for His voice in YOUR situation:

• “What is God saying about this?”
• “Ask God to reveal…”
• “What do I sense God is showing me?”

“It will awaken in you, the reader, a desire to tune into the Spirit, to listen for His leading, and to obey.” — Deb Chatley

You’ll discover:

• What God’s voice can sound like
• How to position yourself to hear Him
• Questions to ask that help you listen
• How to recognize His voice from other voices

Low energy? This guidebook was designed for you.

I wrote this during a decade of chronic illness. I know what it’s like to have nothing left—not even energy to think straight.

That’s why this guidebook is designed to be flexible:

• On your hardest days: Just read the Take Aways (2 minutes) or Father’s Heart (3 minutes)
• On better days: Work through a full chapter at whatever pace you can manage
• No deadlines, no pressure: Go through it over months or years—it’s designed for that
• Choose what fits your energy: Some activations require more energy, some require almost none

“Each element can be done in small pieces. On low energy days, just read the Take Aways or Father’s Heart section. Save the activations for better days. This was designed during ongoing illness—it understands limited capacity.”

This guidebook is practical help wrapped in beautiful packaging.

When someone you love is stepping into fresh beginnings and ready to grow spiritually, this guidebook:

✅ Meets them where they are — Multiple ways to engage means they’ll find something that works for them

✅ Doesn’t add pressure — No deadlines, no homework expectations, complete flexibility

✅ Provides real tools — Not just inspiration, but actual practical steps to connect with God

✅ Works for any learning style — Visual, musical, kinesthetic, verbal—something for everyone

✅ Offers real hope — From someone who tested these practices in real suffering and fresh beginnings

When to give it:

• With Take a Step With Him (as a set)
• When they say “I want to grow but don’t know how”
• When they’re seeking fresh ways to connect with God
• For Bible study or small group use
• Any time they need practical spiritual tools
• When they’re ready for fresh beginnings

16 Chapters + 2 Bonus Chapters You Can Work Through in Any Order:

1. Testimony — God’s Story of Your Life
2. Forgiveness — Time to Fly Free
3. Opposite Spirit — No Longer a Victim
4. Blessing — The Power of Your Words
5. Prophetic Words — God’s Encouragement Through Others
6. Prophetic Acts — Tangible Symbolic Actions
7. Joy — Possible in ALL Circumstances
8. Intercession — Praying Like Jesus
9. Looking Beyond — Seeing Others’ Needs
10. Sound Teaching — Lasting Foundations
11. The Word — Building on the Rock
12. Visions — Fireside Inspiration
13. Dreams — Night-time God Adventures
14. Thankfulness — Attitude of Gratitude
15. Lament — Honoring and Grieving Well
16. Living Legacy — God’s Gift to You

BONUS: Adoration of God — Worship Him for Who He Is BONUS: Adoration of Him — Deeper Intimacy Through Adoration

Each Chapter Includes:

Father’s Heart — God’s voice speaking directly to you. The words He whispered to Karen, taken straight from her personal journals, now passed on to you.

Take Aways — Bite-sized wisdom nuggets. Perfect for when you can’t absorb a lot of information or need to get straight to the point. Also great for returning to later as reminders.

Questions to Ponder — Deep reflection prompts for personal time with God. These help you apply what you’ve learned to YOUR situation.

Journal Space — Room to write your thoughts, ideas, revelations, and insights as you process with God.

Worship Playlist — Curated songs to soak, worship, declare, and inspire. Each playlist matches the chapter theme.

8 Different Activations — Practical ways to experience God based on how YOU’RE designed. Musical, Visual, Logical, Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Verbal, Interpersonal, Naturalistic.

Personal Blessing — Receive the blessings you need and want for this season.

Special Features:

📝 Take Aways in Bite-Sized Format — Beautiful, memorable nuggets you can return to again and again. Perfect for low-energy days.

🎵 Curated Worship Playlists — Songs selected to help you connect with God on each specific topic. Ready to add to your music app.

🎨 Creative Activations — Not just reading and writing—art, movement, nature, music, conversation. Something for every design.

📖 Scripture Throughout — Bible verses woven into every section to anchor you in God’s Word.

🔑 Helpful Appendices — Extra resources to deepen your journey.

Intentional and Heart-Centered

“Karen’s guidebook blew me away with her intentionality and superb connection to the Father, bringing His heart directly to each reader. First of all, it is so much more than just a list of questions. The questions included are poignant, truly engaging the reader in processing each chapter thoroughly. The guidebook is also filled with relatable Scripture, prayers, important quotes from the chapter, playlists, and activations to bring the concept to life. I have not seen anything like it. You can tell Karen poured her heart into these companion books just as much as the main books.” — Sonya Loso

Transformational Journey

“The title of Karen’s latest companion workbook really says it all. Take a Step with Him…Adventuring with God into Fresh Beginnings. All it takes is one tiny step forward…a step of faith, and an exciting adventure will begin to unfold. Take that small step and begin the journey of a lifetime. As you immerse yourself in Karen’s treasure chest of suggestions and tried and true ideas, you will be transformed and changed beyond measure. So take a deep breath and step out. You will be so glad you did.”

— Julie Jones

Awakens Desire to Walk With the Spirit

“As I journey with the author on her walk with the Holy Spirit, I feel a longing arise within me to walk step by step with the Spirit, letting Him speak into my everyday situations and interactions. I love how the Holy Spirit reveals insights to the author that allow her to minister to those she comes in contact with. I long to be more aware of the Spirit’s leading as well. Too often, we feel the Spirit leading, and we resist, and over time, we become less attuned to His guidance. Or we have so much noise in our lives that we don’t even hear Him. That is what makes this book so great. It will awaken in you, the reader, a desire to tune into the Spirit, to listen for His leading, and to obey.” — Deb Chatley

Practical and Step-by-Step

“Walking with Jesus is a day-by-day, moment-by-moment experience. He takes us one step at a time teaching us how to live like Him. While it’s different for each of us, when we share these experiences, others can identify with it and take a step in their own life. Take a Step with Karen in her new devotional with a companion workbook and you’ll find yourself a step closer to Jesus.” — Mandy Farmer, Chronic Pain Author & Blogger

Not Your Average Discussion Questions

“I have read a plethora of books with discussion questions that fall flat so I don’t have high expectations for those. However, Karen’s guidebook blew me away… You can tell Karen poured her heart into these companion books just as much as the main books. If you truly want to step into life with Jehovah this series with the guidebooks is the way to do it. Don’t hesitate!” — Sonya Loso

Life-Giving and Hopeful

“My Spirit will guide you to the best teaching for your circumstances, which will help you to step out in My freedom once more. This quote sums up this book for me, as God used the teaching in this book to call me to grow deeper in my relationship with Him.” — Deb Chatley

See for yourself what makes this guidebook different.

Each chapter is beautifully designed with artistic layouts, decorative elements, and plenty of space for your own reflections. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Interior Page Spreads:

Each chapter opens with “Father’s Heart”—God’s voice speaking directly to you. These are the actual words He whispered to Karen, taken from her personal journals.

Bite-sized wisdom nuggets in beautiful, memorable format. Perfect for low-energy days when you need encouragement at a glance.

Deep reflection prompts with plenty of room to write your thoughts, revelations, and conversations with God.

This is what makes this guidebook unique—8 different ways to engage with EVERY chapter. Visual, Musical, Logical, Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Linguistic, Interpersonal, Naturalistic. Try them all and discover which ones help you connect most deeply with God.

Curated songs to help you connect with God on each topic, plus personal blessings spoken over your specific situation.

Sample Activation Types from Chapter 1 (Testimony):

Here’s a taste of the 8 different activation options you’ll find in every chapter:

🎨 VISUAL: Create a visual timeline of God’s faithfulness in your life. What colors represent different seasons?

🎵 MUSICAL: Listen to the testimony playlist. Which song captures your story with God? Worship with it.

🔍 LOGICAL: Research Scripture passages about testimony and witness. How does God use our stories?

🏃 KINESTHETIC: Move your body in ways that worship God. Express thankfulness for what He has done through movement.

🤔 INTRAPERSONAL: Set apart quiet time with God. Ask Him: “What is Your testimony of my life? How do You see my story?”

✍️ LINGUISTIC: Write your story of God’s goodness. What events would make the list? Create a record of His faithfulness.

👥 INTERPERSONAL: Share your testimony with a trusted friend. Reflect together on God’s faithfulness in both your lives.

🌿 NATURALISTIC: Go to a favorite quiet place outdoors. Have a conversation with God about His testimony of your life. Listen for what He says.

Format: Paperback & Kindle eBook

Length: 300+ pages of interactive content

Structure: 16 chapters + 2 bonus chapters (use in any order)

Use: Standalone OR with Take a Step With Him

Best For: Adults seeking practical spiritual growth—fresh beginnings, moving forward after crisis, grief, unforgiveness, life transitions, all learning styles

Part of the multi-award-winning Be Held By Him series — Winner of the International Book Awards, Firebird Book Awards, and Book of the Year Awards. Finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award and Montaigne Medal.

Origin: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

ISBN: 978-1-9229671-9-0 (Paperback)

This isn’t just Karen’s health journey. It’s a practical guide to 47 different ways God speaks to us and meets us in every season of life.

Each book covers a different season—and together, they offer a complete roadmap for hearing God and experiencing His presence through crisis, stabilizing, and fresh beginnings.

Each testimony book (BEING) has a Companion Guidebook (DOING).

Book 1: Be Held By Him + Companion Guidebook

For Crisis & Collapse Seasons 16 ways God connects with us when life knocks us off our feet

Rest • Be Still • Giving and Receiving • Atmosphere • Never Alone • Safe Places and Safe People • Trust • Kindness • God’s Character • Listening • God’s Presence • Prayer • Weakness • Small Things • Practical Survival Tips • Village Life

Book 1: Be Held By Him + Companion Guidebook

For Crisis & Collapse Seasons 16 ways God connects with us when life knocks us off our feet

Rest • Be Still • Giving and Receiving • Atmosphere • Never Alone • Safe Places and Safe People • Trust • Kindness • God’s Character • Listening • God’s Presence • Prayer • Weakness • Small Things • Practical Survival Tips • Village Life

Book 3: Take a Step With Him + Companion Guidebook (You Are Here)

For Fresh Beginnings & Moving Forward 16 ways God connects with us when we’re ready to step into what’s next

Testimony • Forgiveness • Opposite Spirit • Blessing • Prophetic Words • Prophetic Acts • Joy • Intercession • Looking Beyond • Sound Teaching • The Word • Visions • Dreams • Thankfulness • Lament • Living Legacy

Testimony Book: Read to be encouraged by what God did
This Guidebook: Explore and discover how He wants to adventure with you

Which Should You Start With?

Start where you are:

• In crisis? Need to be held? → Start with Be Held By Him series
• Stabilizing but not normal? → Start with Take a Breath With Him series
• Ready for fresh beginnings? → Start with Take a Step With Him (testimony), then this guidebook when ready to engage
• Ready to DO something? → Start with Take a Step With Him Companion Guidebook (this book)

Each book stands alone. Each guidebook can be used alone or with its companion testimony book.

Do I need to read Take a Step With Him first?

No! This guidebook can stand alone. Each chapter includes:

• Father’s Heart sections (God’s voice to you)
• Enough context to work through independently
• Complete reflection and activation sections

However, using both together creates a richer, deeper experience. The testimony book gives you the full story; the guidebook helps you experience it for yourself.

I’m not good at journaling. Can I still use this?

Absolutely! Journaling is just ONE of 8 activation types per chapter.

Choose what fits YOU:

• Draw or create art (Visual)
• Move and dance (Kinesthetic)
• Research Scripture (Logical)
• Worship with music (Musical)
• Process with friends (Interpersonal)
• Reflect quietly (Intrapersonal)
• Experience God outdoors (Naturalistic)
• Write OR just think (Linguistic)

I have low energy. Is this too much?

Not at all. This guidebook was designed during ongoing chronic illness—it understands limited capacity.

On your hardest days:

• Just read the Take Aways (2 minutes)
• Or just the Father’s Heart (3 minutes)
• Skip the activations entirely

On better days:

• Work through questions at your own pace
• Try an activation that fits your energy
• No timeline, no pressure, no guilt

How is this different from other devotional workbooks?

Most devotionals are designed for linguistic learners—people who love to read, write, and journal. If that’s not you, they can feel like a chore.

This guidebook offers 8 different ways to engage EVERY chapter—art, music, movement, nature, research, conversation, reflection, AND writing. So whether you’re a reader or not, you’ll find ways to connect with God that fit how He designed you.

It was also created during ongoing chronic illness—not after recovery—so it understands limited capacity. And the focus is on understanding God’s heart and nature so you recognize His voice, not just learning information about Him.

Can I use this in a small group?

Yes! This guidebook works beautifully for:

• Women’s Bible studies
• Small groups going through Take a Step With Him
• Prayer groups wanting practical tools
• Support groups for life transitions
• Individual study with sharing time

The Questions to Ponder make great discussion starters, and the varied activations mean everyone can engage in their own way.

I’m new to faith. Is this for me?

Yes! This guidebook is perfect for:

• New Christians
• Christians struggling with “God time”
• Christians who want to develop biblical disciplines but don’t know where to start
• Christians seeking fresh, creative ways to engage with Scripture and connect with God
• Christians coming out of legalism who want to rediscover joy in their faith

“All it takes is one tiny step forward…a step of faith, and an exciting adventure will begin to unfold.”

That’s what makes this guidebook different. It doesn’t just tell you to step forward with God—it gives you a variety of ways to explore and discover how He wants to adventure with you today.

Take a Step With Him Companion Guidebook will give you practical, hands-on ways to explore your connection with God—through 8 different learning styles, at whatever pace you can manage, with the flexibility your season requires.

Available in:

• 📖 Paperback
• 📱 Kindle eBook

Special Offer: Order together with Take a Step With Him (testimony book) for the complete experience

Previous Books in the Series: Be Held By Him (Book 1) → Be Held By Him Companion Guidebook →

Take a Breath With Him (Book 2) → Take a Breath With Him Companion Guidebook →

The Main Book for This Guidebook: Take a Step With Him (Testimony Book) → The being book—to be encouraged and held

You Are Here: Take a Step With Him Companion Guidebook The doing book—to explore how God wants to adventure with you

Free Resources:

• 📥 Download the Journey Map printable 
• 💌 Receive Karen’s encouraging emails 
• 👥 Join the Be Held By Him community 
• 🎧 Listen to Karen’s story

Karen Brough — Author

Karen Brough is a multi-award-winning Australian author living in Melbourne, Victoria with her husband Craig and their family. She continues to navigate life with chronic illness while writing, encouraging others, and discovering fresh ways to adventure with God in everyday moments.

Her Be Held By Him series has won the International Book Awards, Firebird Book Awards, and Book of the Year Awards, and been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award and Montaigne Medal.

Website: www.karenbrough.com

Free Resources: www.karenbrough.com/free-resources

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