Our Quest to Know God

Our Quest to Know God

2006009

Topic # 0025 (bible classes)

Introduction:

A. It is tragic when Christians place little emphasis on dining on the spiritual feast that is the word of God!

B. We must be in tune with God!

1. Psa. 1:1-2; 63:6-8; 77:11-13; 143:5-6; 119:9-16

2. These scriptures speak of a person who hungers for God

C. In NT we have words of Jesus – Mt. 5:6

1. Righteous people have an appetite for righteousness.

2. Psa. 143:6b – like a person starving; a person parched.

3. We can cultivate an appetite for righteousness!

a) God will not force feed us.

b) Decision to eat/not eat lies with us.

D. We must develop the willingness for Him to feed us.

E. Everything that God wants to happen in our lives begins by learning!

1. to learn & grow in faith means there must be teaching!

2. We can succeed in our bible Study!

I. Knowing God.

A. Phil. 3:7-8, 10 – Paul’s extreme desire to know God. It was his passion.

1. Do we find it exciting to feast on spiritual things? Phil. 4:8-9?

B. Nothing more important than knowing God in a deep, personal way.

1. Knowing God offers life abundant.

2. Knowing God is the source of wisdom and strength to endure hard times.

3. Knowing God is the purpose for which we were created!

a) Its life greatest privilege & our most urgent need!

C. Do we have a relationship w/the savior? If so, how deep is it? How personal? Does our spiritual life border on the superficial?

1. In Jesus, God opened up & revealed his innermost heart. God held nothing back.

a) nothing left out – John 14:9

b) Out of unreserved love He offered the dearest & nearest to Him.

D. Our knowledge of and relationship with God begins and never ends with Jesus. (John 14:6)

II. Do we regularly take advantage a wonderful opportunity to know God?

A. One avenue to better know God comes through attending and participating in bible classes.

1. bible classes offered by congregation on Sunday/Wednesday.

2. bible classes held by individuals in their homes.

3. wealth of knowledge here. Thousands of years of combined bible knowledge in our congregation. Shows in our classes.

4. guard against taking for granted what we have in our congregation.

B. How much of an emphasis do we place on knowing God through bible study?

1. Our attitude about bible class can be a good indicator of the amount of our desire to know more about God.

2. What does it say about our desire when we come into class late? Show up sporadically or not at all? Parents…What does that say to our children?

3. What does it say when we come to class unprepared and w/o a bible – ready to study?

III. God has provided us with some great tools – let’s use them!

A. There is an incredible way to make a difference! We can help each other know God!

B. Let’s continue to upgrade bible classes to best quality of teaching!

1. If we’re in a spiritual slump, let’s renew our commitment to know the great love of God & reverence toward His word!

2. We must work together to build enthusiastic; high energy; high quality bible classes!

3. Think…how far ahead we are right now w/bible class program here – especially when compared to other congregations.

4. In other places BC almost an afterthought – conducted w/casual ease.

5. Message that comes across is – we don’t care enough about bringing up our young folks. Our study time together is not too important.

C. But…let’s improve on what we have! Take it to next level. How?

1. Attend these classes! Hard to have good class if poorly attended.

2. Be prepared & ready to answer/contribute.

a) Don’t just sit there…communicate!

b) Do your bible class lesson!

3. Begin building enthusiasm…

a) Build it to point EVERYONE talking about them – telling friends & neighbors.

b) Good bible classes are critical to growth. They are a tool to convert the lost!

c) List of classes here during 2^nd QTR…

d) <think of who you can invite to these classes>

4. Exhibit dependability.

a) Many congregations have large %’s of undependable members.

b) Effectiveness of bible classes compromised from teaching and attendance standpoint when this occurs.

c) Why many programs suffer.

d) To have a thoroughly effective edification program – we need members who presence & work can be depended upon!

e) Teachers…be prepared!

f) Parents…you be prepared! Involved! Ready for study! Show your kids by your actions as to how important this is!

Conclusion:

A. Look at the high priestly prayer (John 17)

1. 17:3 – look at Jesus’ relationship with the Father.

2. Consider our responsibility to live in obedience to the revealed word.

3. Consider 17:7-8, 16-17

4. God wants an intimate & deep personal relationship w/us & this is done by placing His word in our heart.

5. We have been called to integrity & to live in obedience to biblical truth.

6. We’ve been called to respond w/our heart out of sincere love/appreciation for God.

B. How are you doing? How is your relationship with God?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Our Quest to Know God 2006009 Topic # 0025 (bible classes) Introduction: A. It is tragic when Christians place little emphasis on dining on the spiritual feast that is the word of God! B. We must be in tune with God! 1. Psa. 1:1-2; 63:6-8; 77:11-13; 143:5-6; 119:9-16 2. These scriptures speak of a person who hungers for God C. In NT we have words of Jesus – Mt. 5:6 1. Righteous people have an appetite for righteousness. 2. Psa. 143:6b – like a person starving; a person parched. 3. We can cultivate an appetite for righteousness! a) God will not force feed us. b) Decision to eat/not eat lies with us. D. We must develop the willingness for Him to feed us. E. Everything that God wants to happen in our lives begins by learning! 1. to learn & grow in faith means there must be teaching! 2. We can succeed in our bible Study! I. Knowing God. A. Phil. 3:7-8, 10 – Paul’s extreme desire to know God. It was his passion. 1. Do we find it exciting to feast on spiritual things? Phil. 4:8-9? B. Nothing more important than knowing God in a deep, personal way. 1. Knowing God offers life abundant. 2. Knowing God is the source of wisdom and strength to endure hard times. 3. Knowing God is the purpose for which we were created! a) Its life greatest privilege & our most urgent need! C. Do we have a relationship w/the savior? If so, how deep is it? How personal? Does our spiritual life border on the superficial? 1. In Jesus, God opened up & revealed his innermost heart. God held nothing back. a) nothing left out – John 14:9 b) Out of unreserved love He offered the dearest & nearest to Him. D. Our knowledge of and relationship with God begins and never ends with Jesus. (John 14:6) II. Do we regularly take advantage a wonderful opportunity to know God? A. One avenue to better know God comes through attending and participating in bible classes. 1. bible classes offered by congregation on Sunday/Wednesday. 2. bible classes held by individuals in their homes. 3. wealth of knowledge here. Thousands of years of combined bible knowledge in our congregation. Shows in our classes. 4. guard against taking for granted what we have in our congregation. B. How much of an emphasis do we place on knowing God through bible study? 1. Our attitude about bible class can be a good indicator of the amount of our desire to know more about God. 2. What does it say about our desire when we come into class late? Show up sporadically or not at all? Parents…What does that say to our children? 3. What does it say when we come to class unprepared and w/o a bible – ready to study? III. God has provided us with some great tools – let’s use them! A. There is an incredible way to make a difference! We can help each other know God! B. Let’s continue to upgrade bible classes to best quality of teaching! 1. If we’re in a spiritual slump, let’s renew our commitment to know the great love of God & reverence toward His word! 2. We must work together to build enthusiastic; high energy; high quality bible classes! 3. Think…how far ahead we are right now w/bible class program here – especially when compared to other congregations. 4. In other places BC almost an afterthought – conducted w/casual ease. 5. Message that comes across is – we don’t care enough about bringing up our young folks. Our study time together is not too important. C. But…let’s improve on what we have! Take it to next level. How? 1. Attend these classes! Hard to have good class if poorly attended. 2. Be prepared & ready to answer/contribute. a) Don’t just sit there…communicate! b) Do your bible class lesson! 3. Begin building enthusiasm… a) Build it to point EVERYONE talking about them – telling friends & neighbors. b) Good bible classes are critical to growth. They are a tool to convert the lost! c) List of classes here during 2^nd QTR… d) <think of who you can invite to these classes> 4. Exhibit dependability. a) Many congregations have large %’s of undependable members. b) Effectiveness of bible classes compromised from teaching and attendance standpoint when this occurs. c) Why many programs suffer. d) To have a thoroughly effective edification program – we need members who presence & work can be depended upon! e) Teachers…be prepared! f) Parents…you be prepared! Involved! Ready for study! Show your kids by your actions as to how important this is! Conclusion: A. Look at the high priestly prayer (John 17) 1. 17:3 – look at Jesus’ relationship with the Father. 2. Consider our responsibility to live in obedience to the revealed word. 3. Consider 17:7-8, 16-17 4. God wants an intimate & deep personal relationship w/us & this is done by placing His word in our heart. 5. We have been called to integrity & to live in obedience to biblical truth. 6. We’ve been called to respond w/our heart out of sincere love/appreciation for God. B. How are you doing? How is your relationship with God? C. I N V I T A T I O N