1. Lesson #1 Knowing God (1 John 1:3-4) Jan 8th, 2012 Paul J. Bucknell

2. Lesson #1 Knowing God: Experience and Love Him (1) Spiritual journey (2) Teachers (3) Scripture emphasis (4) 16 lessons (5) Practical (6) A Challenge Our knowledge of God greatly shapes our lives.

3. Lesson #1 Knowing God: A Question ✦ Loving What is God like? Write down as many adjectives you can that describe something about God.

4. Lesson #1 Knowing God (1) Can I know God? (2) How do I get to know God? (3) Does knowing God bring a change in my life? “And indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete." (1 John 1:3-4)

5. Lesson #1 (1) Can I know God? Power, force, energy, mystical Nearby, common, or intimate, present Transcenden t The meaning The danger The implication Immanent The meaning The danger The implication God’s is both powerful and personal (knowable) “And indeed our fellowship is with the Father.”

6. Lesson #1 (2) How do I get to know God? Personal relationship? Design – Started off great in the garden I know God I don’t know God reconciliation alienation Historic – Relationship was broken Reality – Man couldn’t fix it. Update – God Himself solved the problem.

7. Lesson #1 (3) Does knowing God bring a change in my life? Knowing God brings change Don’t be superficial and confused by religion Superficial relationship Deep relationship Or No relationship Or “These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete." (1 John 1:3-4)

8. Lesson #1 Summary Questions Do you know God? How do you know for sure? What kinds of beliefs do people around you have? Would you say that the purpose of life has to do with knowing God? Why or why not? Why is sincerely following a religion not the same as knowing and loving God? Does the knowledge of God and works always lead to worship and obedience? Why or why not? What areas of my life should see greater change because I know God? What steps do you practically take in your life to better know God?

9. Lesson #1 Knowing God (1 John 1:3-4) Jan 8th, 2012 Paul J. Bucknell