Knowing God Study - Lesson 4 Ý
Copyright 2004 by William Meisheid

Chapter 3: Knowing and Being Known

Today’s theme:  The purpose of our existence is revealed

Scriptural background: 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."

Quote for the week

"We call that person who has lost his father, an orphan; and a widower that man who has lost his wife. But that man who has known the immense unhappiness of losing a friend, by what name do we call him?" Joseph Roux

"Conversion for me was not a Damascus Road experience. I slowly moved into an intellectual acceptance of what my intuition had always known." Madeleine L’Engle. Anglican Digest, Pentecost 83.

"Is it sufficient that you have learned to drive the car, or shall we look and see what is under the hood? Most people go through life without ever knowing." Dr June Singer. Boundaries of the Soul, Doubleday 72.

Concern: There are no secrets from God

"For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known." Luke 12:2

Knowing God and being known by Him is a two-way street; He reveals himself to us and we expose our innermost fears, desires, thoughts, and feelings to Him. We often act as if we could really hide something from God, but in the end that is just not possible. Part of the journey of discipleship is coming to terms with our inherent nakedness before God and learning to be willing to give Him ready access to what He already knows. This is important for us, for our growth, not for God.

1  Why do we try to hide something from God?

2  What do you think God would do if you had a change of heart and openly shared with Him what you are hiding?

Interacting with the text

Goal: To come to terms with what it means to be a creation of God. He created us for a purpose. Are we willing to embrace that purpose with every fiber of our being? Are we willing to be as much a proper human being as an oak tree is willing to be a proper oak tree?

1  What is the main business of the Christian life? What thing, though true, is a staggering revelation to those who learn it?

2  What does Packer say exposes whether a person is unregenerate (unsaved)? Do you agree?

3  From what ills infecting the world today should the Christian be immune? What should this immunity mean when dealing with the problems of daily living, the briars and brambles of the human condition?

4  How does the Bible "flesh out" the picture of God for us? Is this enough to really know Him like we know other people in our lives? Why or why not?

5  What is the significance of a covenant partner? Why does this matter to our journey of coming to know God?

6  How is knowing God intertwined with knowing Jesus Christ? Why is this important?

7  What special insight does Packer give us about the resurrection of Jesus (think about the original disciples)?

8  What three things compose the knowing of God?

9  What separates those who relate to God directly (know Him) from those who have correct notions about him?

10  What are the three aspects of relationship that enter into knowing God? Which one has been least accepted throughout the history of the Church?

11  What is unique about our relationship with God and how does grace figure into it?

12  What is the most important thing happening here, which brings utter humility to all who confront it?

What To Do Next

Continue Section One by reading Chapter Four: The Only True God. Meditate on what it means that there is only one true God. Consider the relevance of the second commandment to knowing God.

Goal: Never forgetting that God first loved us.

Remember, you did not first seek out God, He sought out you and the fact that you are graven on His palms should ever be part of your understanding of who you are and who He is.