Knowing God today

Study Guide

The following may help you reflect further on the message
(the points could also be used as a discussion guide at fellowship groups)

1. How critical is the aftermath of 9/11 for us and the world? How does the legacy live on, and what is happening now? How should Christians be involved in this? How did Sunday’s message help in this regard?
2. Discuss the idea in the two words in Jeremiah 9:24: “Let them understand and know me.” (The first is a theoretical knowledge of God (objective insight) while the second is more of a subjective experience. How balanced are we with our knowledge and experience of God?
3. In the post 9/11 era how has human wisdom, military strength, and material wealth become a little less certain? How does this relate to church work?
4. Discuss the following: “The deeper our knowledge of God, the greater will be our love for him, the greater our motivation in living the Christian life, the greater our service in the world, the greater our passion in speaking about him, and the greater our desire to be with him in glory.”
5. How do you understand the idea of God’s steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in Jeremiah 9:24? How can we apply this in our own lives? See also Micah 6:6-8.
6. How do you view the multi-faith services that are sometimes held in our communities? How does this square with Jeremiah 9:24?
7. Discuss the following: “Some people know God academically but this can lead to intellectual pride. Some know God through formal religion only to live in fear. Others have a legalistic view of God that drains them of spiritual life and vitality. On the other hand, Jeremiah 9:23-24 encourages us to know a friendly God who exercises steadfast love, justice, and righteousness.” How does this compare with the love between earthly fathers and their children?
8. How then can we know God so that we can move forward in today’s world? Talk about some of the practical steps to be taken?