Lesson 5
Excerpts from Knowing God: ch. 3, Knowing and Being Known What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the “eternal life” that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent” (Jn 17:3). What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God. “Thus saith the LORD, 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorys glory in this, that he understands and knows Me'” (Jer. 9:23f). What, of all the states God ever sees man in, gives Him most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself. “I desire...the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings,” says God (Hos. 6:6).(p. 29) When we speak of knowing God, we are using a verbal formula, and formulae are like cheques; they are no use unless we know how to cash them. What are we talking about when we use the phrase “knowing God”? A special sort of emotion? Shivers down the back? A dreamy, off-the-ground, floating feeling? Tingling thrills and exhilaration, such as drug-takers seek? Does one hear a voice? See a vision? Find strange trains of thought coursing through one's mind? Or what? These matters need discussing, it is easy to be fooled, and to think you know God when you do not. We pose the question, then: what sort of activity, or event is it that can properly be described as “knowing God”? (p. 30) Holding together the various elements involved in this relationship, as we have sketched it out, we must say that knowing God involves, first, listening to God's word and receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it, in application to oneself; second, noting God's nature and character, as His word and works reveal it; third, accepting His invitations, and doing what He commands; fourth, recognizing and rejoicing in, the love that He has shown in thus approaching one and drawing one into this divine fellowship. (p. 32) The Bible puts flesh on these bare bones of ideas by using pictures and analogies, and telling us that we know God in the manner of a son knowing his father, a wife knowing her husband, a subject knowing his king, and a sheep knowing its shepherd (these are the four main analogies employed). All four analogies point to a relation in which the knower “looks up” to the one known, and the latter takes responsibility of the welfare of the former. This is part of the biblical concept of knowing God, that those who know Him --- that is, those by whom He allows Himself to be known --- are loved and cared for by Him. (p.32,33) Then the Bible adds the further point that we know God in this way only through knowing Jesus Christ, who is Himself God manifest in the flesh. “Hast thou not known Me...? He that has seen Me has seen the Father”; “No man comes to the Father but by Me” (Jn 14:9,6). It is important, therefore, that we should be clear in our minds as to what “knowing” Jesus Christ means. (p.33)
We Must Start with the One Who Made Her February 16, Lesson 5 1. Share your thoughts on Elizabeth Elliot's statement: “In order to learn what it means to be a women, we must start with the One who made her.” 2. List the four items J.I. Packer claims knowing God involves. Do you agree? If you can, support your answer with Scripture.
3. Packer rightly states: the Bible adds the further point that we know God in this way --- only through knowing Jesus Christ. What does it mean to know Jesus Christ?
4. God reveals Himself in Scripture chiefly in four analogies which are listed below. Please cite 2-3 verses where each analogy is given, summarize your findings, then share how knowing God in that manner impacts your daily life. a. A son knowing his father --verses summary impact b. A wife knowing her husband --verses summary impact c. A subject knowing his king --verses summary impact d. A sheep knowing its shepherd --verses summary impact 4. In a previous chapter, Packer claims one can know a great deal about God without much knowledge of Him. Explain what he is referring to and how to avoid this travesty.
6. The author closes his thoughts on Knowing and Being Known with, “What matters supremely, therefore, is not in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it --- the fact that He knows me.” What is the significance of this statement?
We Must Start with the One Who Made Her February 16, Lesson 5 1. Share your thoughts on Elizabeth Elliot's statement: “In order to learn what it means to be a women, we must start with the One who made her.” 2. List the four items J.I. Packer claims knowing God involves. Do you agree? If you can, support your answer with Scripture.
3. Packer rightly states: the Bible adds the further point that we know God in this way --- only through knowing Jesus Christ. What does it mean to know Jesus Christ?
4. God reveals Himself in Scripture chiefly in four analogies which are listed below. Please cite 2-3 verses where each analogy is given, summarize your findings, then share how knowing God in that manner impacts your daily life. a. A son knowing his father --verses summary impact b. A wife knowing her husband --verses summary impact c. A subject knowing his king --verses summary impact d. A sheep knowing its shepherd --verses summary impact 4. In a previous chapter, Packer claims one can know a great deal about God without much knowledge of Him. Explain what he is referring to and how to avoid this travesty.
6. The author closes his thoughts on Knowing and Being Known with, “What matters supremely, therefore, is not in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it --- the fact that He knows me.” What is the significance of this statement?
