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!

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