Here's Something to Chew On

"Some people have felt that if people can know God, it would have to be by a fundamentally different kind of knowing from the ordinary, workaday, know-your-mechanic kind of knowing. The ultimate things of life, including something so superior as God, simply can't be captured in words and by reason. To try and talk about God, to express him in propositions, is not to know him. He simply surpasses words. We cannot exhaust his reality in a neatly deduced human system."

Longing to Know, p.41

What would you say to a person like this if you met them on the street? How would you interact with their philosophy of knowing God (epistemology/theology)? Are they right? What are the ramifications of your choice here?

This paragraph is from a book that I am reading right now. It is a philosophy book written by Mrs. Paris' aunt Esther! It has repercussions on evangelism, discipleship, and youth group.

checking to see if you are still thinkinabout anything,
Pastor Mike

Manipulation of God

One of the points of the lesson was:

"You cannot change God"

Here are some more discussion questions for you to interact with:

1. Do you believe that this is a true statement? Why or why not?


2. Do you believe that this point can be made from this text/narrative?


3. What "theology proper", or understanding of God's character and interaction with men, does this statement summarize? Why is this theology so important to your life?


4. When you read this statement, can you think about any other persons in Scripture that tried to manipulate God? How did that work for them?


5. How does this theological statement influence the way that you pray to God? Doesn't "prayer change things"? Doesn't the Bible promise "ask whatever you will in my name and it will be done unto you"?


6. When we have a "serious head-on collision" with God and He doesn't change, what must be the outcome of such an encounter? What is the result of the "gravy meeting the road"?


7. How is the faith of each of the characters affected as a result of this narrative? How do they come out of this encounter with God? Where is God, by the way, in this whole exchange? Why doesn't He step in and make a statement of truth and exposure/censure?

This is a great story. It reveals some real tendencies of our hearts. We could just as easily been in the place of any of these characters. God has not changed since this story really happened or since it was recorded for us. What can we learn from this careful study of Scripture?

It would be easier for me just to preach at you for 45 minutes and I would get it and you might even understand my two main points. But by digging into the story yourself and thinking hard about what is REALLY going on here (below the surface facts) you will know this story. I am also convinced that as you place your hard work into understanding this portion of God's Word that he will give you an opportunity to see the principle in your life or in the life of someone around you. This passage will give you an opportuity to minister, to someone, the words of life.

Thanks for thinking outside of the Sunday School answers,
Pastor Mike