Experiencing God: Week 2
REVIEW
- God’s Work
- Jesus said my father is always at work and so am I
- He is working all around us and we can look and see where he is working and join him there
- Ask the wrong questions, get the wrong answers. Instead of asking, “What is God’s will for my life?” ask “What is God’s will?”
- Relationship
GOD WANTS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU & HE MADE A WAY
1 John 4:9-10 – God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
- We have all fallen short of the glory of God
- Even while we were sinners and enemies (Romans 5:7-11)
- He clothes us in Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- He has declared us righteous (Romans 5:1-2)
- We can’t take credit for this, it’s a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-10)
- This all should bring us to awe and amazement
Spending Time: Abiding
- John 15:5-12
- We start to learn His voice, seek His direction (John 10:25-30)
- What we abide in, we will produce (We all abide in something)
It’s not religious –
John 5:39-40 – You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. • “Never become satisfied with religious activity rather than a personal, vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.” -Experiencing God pg 36
You must accept
1 John 4:16-17– We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
WHEN LIFE GETS HARD
- We can believe lies about God that get in the way of our relationship
- We can turn to distractions that don’t satisfy
- The christian life isn’t always easy
- The bible gives us a model
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Psalms 77:1-11– I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now. Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
CLOSING
- Do you see God wants relationship with you and He made a way?
- What we abide in is what we will produce, what are you abiding in?
- What does it look like to take a step into not just reading information but sitting with God in His word?
- Do you see you need His presence, His people, and His word?
- Have you accepted Christ?
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider:
John 5:39-40, 17:13; John 15:13-15; 1 John 4:16, 5:14-15
- How did some of your best childhood relationships start? How did some of your best adult relationships start?
- How does a relationship with God differ from a relationship with another person?
- What distracts your attention from a growing relationship with God?
- When do you have the hardest time accepting the fact that God loves you?
- Why is it hard to feel loved by God? When is it easiest to believe that He loves you?
- If we know that God is pursuing a continuous relationship with you that is both real and personal, how do you pursue God in response?
- How would you like to experience God this week?
For Resources for this series go to: http://bit.ly/ExperiencingGodresources