Knowing God

J I Packer

Class notes #4 – October 5, 2005

1. Review from last week
   
   

2. Note the continued emphasis of knowing of God vs knowing about God (pp 26). What does this mean? How does it impact our lives to know “about” without knowing “of”?
   
   
   
3. What is our purpose in life (read the 1^st five paragraphs on pp 33)?
1. Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
   A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
    - Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
    - 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
    - Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice
   
   Our primary purpose and reason for existence is to Know God!

2. What about the end of pp 33/beginning of pp 34 – what does this mean and say about our spiritual life? Is our heart warmed? Is this a test? Is it a fair test? Why or why not?
   
   
4. What is Knowing God?
1. How well can we know Him? (pp 34-35)
2. Do we agree with the different types of knowledge Packer describes on pp 35?

                                                               i.      Understanding Animate vs inanimate objects

3. On what basis can we know someone?

                                                               i.      How do our secrets and hidden thoughts keep us from knowing one another.

                                                             ii.      Can we keep secrets from God?

4.  How does this apply to knowing God? (pp 35)

                                                               i.      What – if anything – do we think God keeps “hidden” from us about Himself?

5. What are the four things involved in knowing God? (pp 37)
   -           Listening to God’s Word & receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it
   -           Noting God’s nature & character as His Word and works reveal it
   -           accepting His invitations and obeying His commands
   -           Recognizing & rejoicing in the love that He has shown
   
   
1. Do we agree with these?
2. Given the limitations we have previously discussed in our ability to comprehend God, are these reasonable goals and can they help us in adequately apprehending God?
   
   
6. Packer discusses the Personal nature of Knowing God:
1. Personal dealing

                                                               i.      Doing & being vs. studying and watching

2. Personal involvement

                                                               i.      “Taste and see that the Lord is good*blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8 NIV).

                                                             ii.      See quote pp 40 2^nd paragraph. When is this a problem for us?

                                                            iii.      And yet we must never forget, to know God is to experience God – we DO have an experiential religion.

3. Personal Grace (pp 40)

                                                               i.      The initiative is all with God.

                                                             ii.      What does this concept of sovereign grace mean for us?

1.      Packer’s answer (pp 41): Our “salvation [is] now and forever”.

7. Being Known (pp 41)
1. What does “being known” mean? What does it mean for us?
   
   
8. Next time – October 19 – Chapter 4
1. What do you think about visual images in worship?