Sons of God!

Are you adding spiritual truths for which you are thankful to your list of 500 things for which you are thankful?  Try to focus on more of these to add there.

Finish reading chapter 19.

Answer:

From the Sermon on the Mount, for what three things does adoption serve as the basis?

How is adoption the key to understanding the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

Adopted by God!

Think Thanksgivingly, prayerfully as you add to your Gifts List.  Have you already thought about the gifts that propitiation accomplishes?  Let's share some of these on Tuesday.

Read in chapter 19, pages 200-209.

Answer the following and be prepared to share your thoughts:  

How does God's revelation of Himself in the Old Testament compare with the New Testament revelation?

How does Packer refute the statement that the fatherhood of God "can mean nothing to those whose human father was inadequate"?

How has God made the meaning of his fatherhood clear? What are essential elements of it?

The Heart of the Gospel, part 1

Read chapter 18 through the first half of page 191.

Provide written answers to these questions:

What is propitiation?

What is the difference between propitiation and expiation?

In the section called "God's Anger," how does Packer characterize the wrath which was propitiated at Calvary?

God's Jealousy

For the completion of this chapter, read the following Scriptural passages:

James 4: 1-10       Joshua 24: 14-28      Titus 2: 11-15                Revelation 3: 14-19

Ezekiel 5: 5-17     Ezekiel 36: 5-38        II Corinthians 7: 9-11     I Kings 19: 10, 14    James 5: 17-18

Happy Thanksgiving!

 I Thessalonians 5:18 ~ "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

 ~ Review and add to your Gifts List, especially this week.  Maybe it would be nice to share the idea and some of your entries on Thanksgiving.  Those who hear of it may want to start their very own List of thanks giving ~ so pass it on!

The Jealous God, part 2

Complete the reading of chapter 17, "The Jealous God."

Answer:

Why is the second kind of jealousy a positive virtue?

What does God demand from those He has loved and redeemed?

What is the goal of God's covenant love?
___________________________________________________________

Meditate upon and memorize I Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  Take time to thoughtfully add to your Gifts List.

The Jealous God, part 1

We will have some concluding discussion from chapter 16 on Tuesday and embark on chapter 17, "The Jealous God".  So, you need only to read pages 167 through point 1 under "The Nature of God's Jealousy" which concludes at the top of page 170.

How is your Gifts List?  Are you thankful for the recently discussed attributes of God?  It's a great month to focus on Thanksgiving ~ have a thank-filled weekend!

Goodness AND Severity

Read chapter 16 in Knowing God.

Answer:

1) Why is the word "and" crucial to Romans 11:22?

2) Why have people become so muddled in their thinking about God?

3) What effect does disassociating God's goodness from His severity have on Christianity? Why? and At what point does this type of thinking about God collapse?

Review Jeremiah 9 : 23-24 and Romans 12: 1-2.  Add to your Gifts List of Thanksgiving!

God's Wrath

Complete reading chapter 15 in Knowing God.

Answer:

What are some important truths a person would never understand if he did not face the truth concerning God's wrath?

According to A. W. Pink, why should we meditate frequently on God's wrath?

Romans 12:1-2

Be prepared to individually recite Romans 12:1-2 to the class on Friday.

Read each of these passages of Scripture and write down  the main point of each passage :

1) Matthew 7: 13-27
2) Matthew 10: 26-33
3) Matthew 12: 36-37
4) Matthew 13: 24-50
5) Matthew 22:1-14
6) Matthew 24: 42 - Matthew 25:46
7) Luke 13:23-30
8) Luke 16: 19-31
9) John 5: 22-30

Begin chapter 15 by reading pages 148 through the first paragraph on page 151.

Don't forget to give thanks, with a grateful heart; give thanks to the Holy One; give thanks because He has given Jesus Christ, His Son!

Continue the Same...

Memorize Romans 12:1-2.  This recitation is due on Friday.

Add to your Gifts List, giving thanks in your hearts always to God!

Review and reflect on chapter 14, being prepared for further discussion and the completion of that chapter.

God the Judge

Re-read the last section "A Proper Response," from chapter 13.  What graces have you received which you can add to your Gifts List?  What daily graces are you experiencing this week which you can add to you Gifts List?

Study to memorize Romans 12:1-2.  Your recitation is due Friday, November 4th.

Read chapter 14, "God the Judge".

Answer:

Why does Packer say that retribution is "the inescapable moral law of creation"?

What is Packer's argument for God's commitment to judge people is the final proof of His moral perfection? (page 143)

12 - 13

Complete the questions at the end of chapter 12 on page 127.

Read chapter 13.

Review Romans 12:1 for memorization.

The Love of God

Are you meditating on and studying for memorization Romans 12:1-2?  Please do :)

Where can you recognize places of God's expressions of grace and love to you this week?  Add them to your Gifts List!

Read chapter 12 in Knowing God.

Check back in a few hours for the questions to answer; it would have been done earlier, but I had water and plumbing issues that made my morning much other than what I had planned, but I am back in action now and will update within an hour or two...thanks for understanding:)

Questions


1) Is it normal for you to experience God's personal love for you: does it occupy your thoughts and characterize your view and relationship with God?

2) Packer said, " 'God is love' is not the complete truth about God so far as the Bible is concerned."  What does he mean by the seemingly contradictory statement that " 'God is love' is the complete truth about God so far as the Christian is concerned."

3) Do you find anything fearful about the love of God?

4) Where in your life has God's love not had its full effect?

5) In your own experience, what does the love of God mean?

Truth

Meditate and reflect on Romans 12:1-2.

Review Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Read chapter 11 of Knowing God.

Answer:

For what 2 reasons does God speak?

What is the result of disobeying God's commands?

According to Samuel Clark, what should be some practical consequences of knowing that God's promises are true?  What specifically can we do to reclaim the benefits of God's promises?

The Wisdom God Offers

Read chapter 10 of Knowing God.


What does this statement mean: "God is at work in Christian believers to repair his ruined image by communicating thee qualities (communicable attributes) to them afresh"?


Write a summary sentence of what wisdom is, according to the book of Ecclesiastes.


What effect did/does this chapter have on you?


Remember to spy gifts from God in your life for which to give thanks!

Experience God

No written homework assignments this weekend!

Contemplate GOD.  Practice His presence.

God Only Wise

This month's memorization focus will be Romans 12:1-2. For uniformity in class practice and recitation, let's use the following version from a New American Standard Version.

1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

(Those of you whom I missed reciting Jeremiah 9:23-24, please meet me at the minute class starts this Friday to recite it to me personally then.)

Read chapter 9 of Knowing God, "God Only Wise." 
Answer: 
~ Why do believers suffer trials?
~ What about God's wisdom can comfort us in distress?

Remember: Develop daily your attitude of gratitude toward God. Record some things thoughtfully in your 500 Gifts List.  You all blessed one another and me today with your discussion and sharing; hey! ~ "thank you" ~ that was a gift!

The Majesty of God

Read chapter 8 of Knowing God.

Answer the following:

What 2 steps must we take to form a right idea of God's greatness?

In Isaiah 40, to what powerful forces is God compared?  What is the nature of these comparisons?  How do these comparisons affect you personally.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 should be well rehearsed now; I will be checking to confirm.

Record your thankful heart thoughts!  Bring some to share.

God Unchanging!!!

Be ready to recite Jeremiah 9:23-24.  Let the meaning of it enrich your soul as you meditate on the words to memorize or from memory.

Remember to offer thanksgivings and write down some items for which you offer to God a true "Thank you, dear Father."

Read chapter 7 of Knowing God.  How are you personally challenged by this chapter?  What about God is impacting you the most right now?  How?

The Mystery of the Trinity

No further reading is required at this point.  Continue to reflect on our class discussion and readings from today, from the book and from John 14.

Write an essay that explains the Trinity in your own words.  This should be between 1-2 pages in length, but may be longer.

Separately, write a paragraph that is a response to this quote: "The Holy Spirit makes a man a Christian, and if he is a Christian through the work of the Holy Spirit, that same Spirit draws him to other Christians in the church.  An individual Christian is not Christian at all."* ~ John Rudolph Brokhoff, Author, seminary professor and pastor.

Answer: Why is a balanced view of the Godhead important? Have you been able to maintain that balance in your own life? How or how not?*

Add thoughtful "thanks givings" in your 500 gifts list.

Polish your recitation of Jeremiah 9:23-24.

* denotes items suggested from a study guide by William Meisheid, Author and teacher.

He Shall Testify

Read chapter 6 of Knowing God.

Answer the following:

What does the Old Testament have to say about God's Word and God's Spirit?

What conclusions does Packer reach regarding the relations in the Trinity?  What is his evidence for them?

How does your awareness of the Spirit's work make a difference in your own life?

What is implied about how we honor the Spirit in our faith? in our life? in our witness?

Read Romans 8:1-30.  Make notes to be ready to discuss the relationship a Christian should have to the Holy Spirit.

Be ready to recite Jeremiah 9:23-24.  Be aware of additions to your 500 Gifts List as you live daily moments. Write them down and pick a few to share.

God Incarnate: The Great Mystery of Creation

Be ready to recite Jeremiah 9 : 23 - 24 on Tuesday.

Read chapter 5, "God Incarnate."

Think about God, the "I AM WHO I AM," becoming flesh as Jesus Christ. Remember as you read to consider that God is not who we think He is, but who He says He is. Let's be open to realizing more of the reality of who He is.  Ask Him with a seeking heart to reveal to you what He wants you to understand or know of Him.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Answer the following in your notebooks:

What 7 things does John tell us in his gospel about the Word who became flesh?

Why should the Incarnation move us to praise God for his humility?

What was the motive for the Incarnation?

What in your own words is "the Christmas spirit?" Do you have any longings or thoughts of what you would like to do to manifest the Christmas spirit - not necessarily at Christmas season?

What effects should being aware of the Incarnation have on us?

Signing In

Even if you have logged onto the blog as a "Follower", you still have to "sign in" first under the follower icons before you can post a comment or send a fellow follower a message.  Try that to see if it works for you :)

Knowing & Being Known by the Only True God

Study to memorize Jeremiah 9: 23-24.

Read I Corinthians 13:12 and Luke 12:2.

Do you try to hide things from God?  Why?

What do you think God would do if you freely shared with Him what you are trying to hide?

Read chapter 3 of Knowing God.  As you come to Packer's analogy in the section "What Knowing God Involves", consider if you like it.  Why or why not?  Also, at the end of this same section, write down the 4 things the activity of knowing God involves.

Remember to respond to God as you receive knowledge about Him and as you experience time in knowing Him.  Remember, we respond to Him through praise of Him and prayer to Him.  Do you have some things to record in your list of 500 things?  Could you share just one on here below as a comment?

Read Chapter 4.

Tests for the True Knowing

James 1:17 ~ "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow."

At the end of this post, comment 1 of your "good things" or "perfect gifts" from the Father.  What gracious thing do you have for which to give thanks.  Add to your 500 Gifts List as you meditate. Consider these verses as you meditate: Psalm 77:11-14.

Complete reading chapter 2 of Knowing God.  Write down your answers to these questions as you read and reflect on chapter 2.

Why are our prayers the best evidence of our view of God?  Think back over your prayers of the past day or week.  What view of God did they imply?

Packer suggests that if we desire to know God we should do 2 things.  What are they?  How do you think we can do them day by day?

Packer says that each of the four characteristics listed on pages 27-31 is a "sign" or "test" of a person's knowledge of God.  Where are you strongest? weakest?

Knowledge vs Knowing

Thoughtfully read chapters 1 and 2 in Knowing God.

Reflect on the definitions of knowledge here.

Underline the 5 sentences in each chapter that have the greatest effect on you personally and consider why they do.  Write down in your notebook the 2 most impacting of these 10 sentences that affected you.  Write out a prayer to God that expresses all of your response to Him through what He has revealed to you in these two chapters.  (You will not be required to show or share this with me or the class; it's for your benefit - a practice to help cultivate true knowledge of Him.)

Do you have some things to add to your 500 things list?  Be sure you do possess thankfulness for the things you write down so it can be a sincere exercise of I Thessalonians 5:18.

If you have the study guide, give attention to the following questions to be prepared for discussion in class. Chapter 1 - 1, 3, 5, 9, & the Summary.  Chapter 2 - 2, 5, 7, 10, & the Summary.
If you do not have the study guide (you were not asked to have it)  - it is no problem; just read the chapters well and be familiar with the main ideas therein.

First Things

Welcome, to each one of you!  We will be taking, what I hope will be, a riveting journey together through J.I. Packer's book, Knowing God, ISBN 978-0830816507.  You will need your own copy and your Bible, of course.  Also, please bring a 4-subject notebook and your pen!  We will be writing down different things, you see, that we see, with our eyes ~ yes, but also with our souls.  And it's this, our souls, that we need to share with one another ~ for our progress is a pilgrim's journey ~ and it's meant to be shared; if we do this well, we will be the richer for it.

I look forward to seeing you next week!  Until then, prepare in this way, putting pen to paper in the first section of your notebook, which will be for homework questions, with the following considerations. (Please organize according to the bullet points, in order.)

• It has been said that no one can avoid "the water in which they swim."  Each of us is affected by the culture of our lives, yet we are still here "for such a time as this!"  In light of our technologically savvy world and the many distractions that are possible at any moment to bombard any space, how will you yourself make the necessary quiet time in order to focus on God for this particular semester of study in this class?  (You may already be doing this well; I hope you are!)

• Read Hebrews 6:1-3.  Consider this: What things might prevent you from "leaving the elementary teachings about Christ" and moving "on to maturity?"  

• If you have the book before class on Tuesday, go ahead and read the Preface.  Answer the following questions:

            1)  How does Packer explain "the spirit of the age?" 

            2) Can you think of an area of your life where "the                       spirit of the age" has affected you? 

            3) How, specifically, has it affected that area of your life?

            4) Do you possess any skepticism regarding God's direct and complete control of this world?

Well that's all for now!  Whew ~ that's enough for now, too, isn't it?  See you Tuesday, Deo volente!

PS ~ Please sign-in and become a "follower" of this blog; I want to see your sweet faces here all together, and sometimes interacting with each other!