Discussion Questions: What is Your Response?
To further the conversation started by the weekend message, use these discussion questions in a group study or for personal reflection. Audio and video of the topic may be found here.
“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” James 2:19
1. It’s interesting that the verse says demons not only believe, but they shudder. They believe that He is powerful, and they know enough that they shudder and fear Him, but that is the extent of their knowledge. Believing in God is different than personally knowing God. In your relationship with God do you only believe enough to shudder?
2. What is the outcome to just believing?
3. If we accept what has been told to us about God instead of finding out for ourselves, we will never really know Him, rather only know what we have been told about Him. This is stopping short of truly knowing God and leaves us with only the option of believing in Him. When you just believe it causes you to live by your own rules. How does life look when you live by your own rules?
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:34
4. What truth is 1 John 2:34 talking about and how do you acquire this truth?
5. What does knowing Him have to do with obeying Him?
6. Why is a right heart required over only right actions when it comes to obeying God’s commands?
7. When believing in God is as far as you go, you follow a religion. When you begin to know God, you start to live in right relationship with Him. What moves you from a religion to a relationship?
8. Describe what your relationship with God currently looks like.
9. What are your expectations of God? To keep you out of hell, shower you with blessings, or to be your God?
10. What does God want to change so that you can have an intimacy with Him, making Him your God just as David did?
11. What does the process of moving from believing to knowing look like for you?
Group Leaders can find discussion questions for additional topics here.
