Relate with God
God has created us for a relationship with him. So, how does this relationship with God play out in a person’s life?
What does the Bible say about of relating with God -
- Relationship in action - Psalm 116v1-9
- Experiencing God - Ephesians 3v16-19
- Eternal life-knowing God - John 17v1-3
- Fruitful relationship John 15v5-8
Relationship in action
Psalms 116:1-9
I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “Please, LORD, save me!”
How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the LORD’s presence as I live here on earth!
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How does the writer relate with God, and God with the writer?
- What attitude do you see in the Lord as he relates with the writer?
- How is the writer affected in life by a relationship with God?
Thoughts to consider
As little children have confidence in their parents, so those who relate with God have confidence in him. That relationship develops, as the Lord senses a growing confidence, he allows in greater tests and greater blessings, yet there is always the same faithful love.
Experiencing God
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What results from a relationship with God?
- How does the interaction with God develop you?
- Why is a relationship so important to grasp how much someone loves?
Thoughts to consider
It is through a healthy relationship with God that we become the people that we were intended to be. Through living life together with God we experience God.
Eternal life - knowing God
John 17:1-3
After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- Jesus’ relationship with his Father and the disciples is much more than just relating. What aspects to the relationships do you see here?
- What does Jesus mean when he says that eternal life is to know God?
Thoughts to consider
A relationship with Jesus brings in a spiritual dynamic that is much greater than the emotional dynamic of a human relationship. There is something transformational about it.
Fruitful relationship
John 15:5-8
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What are the consequences of relating or not relating with Jesus?
- Why does relating with Jesus lead to a fruitful life?
- How have you seen the love of Jesus expressed through people who know him?
Thoughts to consider
At the core of my relationships is love and love comes from God. As I relate with Jesus, then his love overflows into the lives of others. This love produces the fruit of love in them.
Overview question for reflection or discussion
- How does a relationship with God impact a life?
- Relationships are built on trust, honesty, and openness. How are you developing your relationship with God in these terms?
Thoughts to consider
Life is the proving ground for our relationship with God. It provides opportunities of need where we cling more tightly to God and our roots go deeper into him. It provides opportunities to show love, and so express the opportunity of love.
