Week 5 Reading
Anatomy of the Soul (Pages XIII-48)
Thompson says this on page 16, “We tend to place a great deal of emphasis on the ways and the degree to which we know God (or know things about God) rather than to the degree we are being known by God.” He then goes on to quote 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, “Knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.”
We think that the concept of being truly known by God is often overlooked in the global Church. Most people think that because God knows everything, He already knows them… however, this is talking about a much deeper and more personal knowing. Why do you think this is often overlooked? How do you personally feel about this?
What is your experience of being known by God? What fruit in your life reveals that you are known by God? Are you still hiding parts of yourself from God?
On page 18, Thompson says, “ We delude ourselves into thinking that we know God, but God as we believe him to be-in control and invulnerable-not God as scripture describes him to be: risk-taking and able to be hurt badly.” On page 23 he goes on to say, “At this point some of you might begin to worry that I am saying that God needs us in the way the we need Him. I am not. But I am saying that you and I affect God as significantly as He affects us. Not in terms of ultimate power, but rather in terms of the emotional valence, or level of intensity with which He feels. I believe He allows Himself to be deeply affected by our attitude toward Him, though often we don’t grasp this aspect of His character.” What is one example that you see in scripture of God being vulnerable and able to be badly hurt? On most days, do you see Him this way? How does/would having this perspective shift your daily walk with Him?
Did you struggle with anything you read about? (If no, you don’t need to write more)
Is there anything else you want to share?