Lesson 2 - Knowing God
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This document discusses how God desires for people to know Him intimately through transforming their understanding and behavior. It emphasizes allowing God to change one's inward thinking and convictions through studying the Bible, prayer, and maintaining an open attitude. Specific guidance is provided on reading the Bible daily, memorizing verses, meditating on scripture, different aspects of prayer like adoration and intercession, and trusting that God always acts for one's best interest even if His plans aren't fully understood. The overall message is that intimate knowledge of God comes through actively pursuing a relationship with Him and allowing Him to gradually change one's perspective, values, and heart.
Lesson 2 - Knowing God
- 2. God desires for me to grow in my understanding of Him. From birth until I received Christ as my Savior, I formed habits of worldly understanding.
- 3. Now He wants to gradually TRANSFORM MY UNDERSTANDING of Him so that I increasingly view life from HIS perspective. A GODLY PERSPECTIVE PRODUCES GODLY BEHAVIOR. It does not please God if I simply attempt to change my outward behavior without allowing Him to transform my inward thinking.
- 4. If I want my relationship with God to grow, I need to make conscious choices to seek Him wholeheartedly, in much the same way that a marriage relationship needs to be nurtured.To not hinder God’s work in and through me, I need to maintain an open, honest and teachable attitude towards Him. Since He alone really knows me, my role is to willingly allow Him to make the appropriate changes in my understanding. Jesus is the visible picture of God’s character, and the One in whose image God will mold me, as I allow Him. God desires for me to know Him intimately, in a way that goes beyond mere knowledge “about” Him.
- 5. Godly behavior is the natural outcome of His continuing inward transformation of my convictions and values. … for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)
- 6. 1.) MY ATTITUDE a.) God desires for me to grow in my understanding of Him, to know His heart. THE HIGHEST GOAL OF LEARNING IS TO KNOW GOD! b.) In order to grow I need to actively pursue a closer relationship with Him.
- 7. 2.) GOD’S WORD “TRUTH DOES NOT ORIGINATE FROM ME, OR FROM ANY OTHER HUMAN, BUT ONLY FROM GOD HIMSELF. THEREFORE, ALL “PERCEIVED TRUTH” MUST BE COMPARED TO, AND VERIFIED BY, GOD’S WORD – THE BIBLE”.
- 8. a. One way God transforms me is through His Word. His Word is trustworthy. b. God’s Word should become as essential as food in my daily life. 10 1-2 c. Memorization and meditation on His Word will help me to grow. Visible Reminders: Memorize a verse of Scripture as you go to work. Write a verse on a card, and tape it where it is visible. Meditate on that verse during the day.
- 9. d. God's Word is like a light shining into my life, disclosing the secrets of my heart and helping me to see myself as God sees me. e. God alone gives understanding of His Word. Even though some portions may appear difficult to understand, as I am honest and open to Him, He will reveal His Word to me as I have need.
- 10. 3. PRAYER - CONVERSING WITH GOD ..Prayer intimate conversation Creator Masterand a. Conversation with God will be enhanced by a heart preparation, an honest assessment of my priorities, and an awareness of His majesty.
- 11. b. Prayer includes adoration, thanksgiving (gratitude), and praise. c. Prayer includes confession, reconciliation and forgiveness of others. d. Prayer includes supplications, requests for my personal needs.
- 12. e. Prayer—Battle in "The Secret Place" When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly —Matthew 6:6 Suggestion: To minimize distractions when you meet alone with the Lord, have a notepad handy to write down any thoughts that you may need to act upon later.
- 13. f. Prayer includes intercession, requests for the needs of others. g. Prayer is continual, anytime; but should also include special times set apart. It pleases God when we seek His direction for appropriate times and places. Note on 1 Thess. 5:17 “Continual prayer is not prayer that prevails without any interruption, but prayer that continues whenever possible. Paul was speaking of maintaining continuous fellowship with God as much as possible in the midst of daily living in which concentration is frequently broken.”
- 14. 4. Our Daily Bread – (September 19, 2004) “Informing God” The answer God may choose for me. Is sure to be the best, So may I always thankful be, And in His goodness rest. —D. De Haan God knows the end from the beginning, so we can trust Him with everything between.
- 15. 5. CONCLUSION As I trust God, I can always be assured of His love, knowing He will only act toward me in my best interest, even though at times it may appear otherwise. For Him to do otherwise would be contrary to His character. … I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:23-26)