Teaching Note 4

Faith Insight 4: Knowing God Is Relational

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me.’”

— Jeremiah 9:23–24 (ESV)

This Scripture points us toward something deeper: “God wants us to know Him.” 

An important difference exists between knowing about someone and knowing someone personally. We can know many facts about a historical figure whom we have never met. We may know when that person lived, what he accomplished, what he said, and what others said about him. But knowing __________ about a person is not the same as having a _______________ with that person.

Something similar can happen in our spiritual lives.

·      We can know Bible stories.

·      We can know Christian doctrine.

·      We can know the Ten Commandments, the names of the apostles, and the sequence of biblical events.

·      All of that knowledge can be valuable.

But you can know many things about God without deeply knowing God.

Through Jeremiah, God tells His people that wisdom, strength, and riches are not life's greatest treasures. Something far greater is possible: “that he __________ and __________ Me.”

Jesus uses an especially beautiful picture to describe this kind of relationship.

He says: “I am the good shepherd. I __________ my own and my own __________ me.”— John 10:14 (ESV)

A few verses later Jesus says: “My sheep __________ my voice, and I know them, and they __________ me.”— John 10:27 (ESV)

Notice the relationship:

They __________ His voice.

He __________ them.

They __________ Him.

That is much closer to the biblical picture of living faith. Knowing God does not mean that we understand everything about Him. God remains infinitely greater than our ability to comprehend Him. Nor does relationship with God make biblical truth less important. Quite the opposite. Scripture is essential because through it God __________ the truth about who He is.

But biblical knowledge reaches its intended purpose when __________ leads us into deeper trust, worship, obedience, love, and fellowship with the God whom Scripture reveals.

The apostle Paul expressed this longing even after years of following Christ:

“That I may __________ him and the power of his resurrection, and may __________ his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”— Philippians 3:10 (ESV)

·      We study Scripture because we want to know the God who speaks through it.

·      We pray because we depend upon Him.

·      We obey because we trust the One who leads us.

·      We worship because we have come to recognize His goodness and glory.

·      And we continue walking because Christianity is not merely adherence to a set of beliefs. It is life with God.

FOR REFLECTION

If someone examined my spiritual life, would that person primarily see that I know a great deal about God—or that I am learning to know, trust, and walk with God Himself?  Make notes as to your knowing specific things about Who God is:

1.

2.

A PRACTICAL RESPONSE

Set aside a few quiet minutes this week and read John 10:1–18.

Pay particular attention to the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep.

Then ask yourself: “What does Jesus reveal about Himself as my Shepherd?

What would it mean for me to hear His voice and follow Him more faithfully in my ordinary life? "Choose one specific area in which you know what Christ has taught and consciously entrust that area to Him.

A SIMPLE PRAYER

Father, I am grateful for everything You have revealed about Yourself in Scripture. But do not let my knowledge remain merely information. Draw me into deeper fellowship with You. Teach me to recognize Christ's voice, trust Him as my Shepherd, and follow wherever He leads. May I not merely know about You, but increasingly know You and walk with You. In Jesus' name, amen.