Direct answer: The strongest Pursuit of God study lessons combine Tozer’s spiritual challenges with Scripture, prayer, honest self-examination, and one specific act of obedience. The ten lessons below can be used as a personal course, a ten-week small-group study, or a discipleship plan.
Why Turn The Pursuit of God Into Study Lessons?
A. W. Tozer wrote to awaken Christians who had become satisfied with religious routine. His themes invite readers to consider whether they truly desire God, trust Him, surrender to His authority, worship Him, and live with an awareness of His presence.
A lesson plan helps readers slow down and test these themes against Scripture. It also prevents the study from ending with inspiration alone. Each lesson should move through four stages: understand the theme, examine the Bible, respond personally, and practice obedience.
Keep Scripture First
Tozer is a helpful Christian writer, but he is not the final authority. Read his chapter as a conversation partner and let Scripture define the truth, correct misunderstandings, and shape the application.
Ten Pursuit of God Study Lessons
| Lesson | Central theme | Suggested Scripture | Practical response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Awakening spiritual hunger | Psalm 42:1–2; Psalm 63:1; Matthew 5:6 | Identify what competes with your desire for God. |
| 2 | God as the greatest treasure | Psalm 73:25–26; Matthew 13:44; Philippians 3:7–10 | Name one lesser treasure that has gained too much influence. |
| 3 | Surrender and the lordship of Christ | Luke 9:23–24; Romans 12:1–2 | Place one plan, fear, possession, or ambition under Christ’s authority. |
| 4 | Faith that trusts God | Proverbs 3:5–6; Hebrews 11:1–6 | Take one faithful step without demanding control of the outcome. |
| 5 | Living before the presence of God | Psalm 139:1–12; Acts 17:24–28 | Pause three times each day to acknowledge God and pray. |
| 6 | Worship in spirit and truth | John 4:23–24; Romans 12:1 | Connect Sunday worship with one weekday act of obedience. |
| 7 | The gaze of faith | 2 Corinthians 4:16–18; Colossians 3:1–4 | Replace anxious fixation with meditation on a promise of God. |
| 8 | Removing spiritual barriers | Hebrews 12:1–2; James 4:7–10 | Confess a sin or remove a distraction that repeatedly hinders growth. |
| 9 | Abiding and bearing fruit | John 15:1–11; Galatians 5:22–25 | Choose one daily habit that keeps you attentive to Christ’s Word. |
| 10 | From pursuit to disciple-making | Matthew 28:18–20; 2 Timothy 2:2 | Share one lesson with someone you are encouraging or discipling. |
A Repeatable Lesson Format
- Read the assigned chapter. Mark the central claim, one challenging statement, and one idea that needs biblical examination.
- Read the Scripture in context. Notice who is speaking, the setting, the argument, and the response the passage requires.
- Identify the declarative truth. Write what the passage reveals about God, Christ, the gospel, or the Christian life.
- Identify the imperative. Ask whether the passage contains a command, warning, invitation, or pattern to follow.
- Choose one application. Make it specific enough that you can review it at the next lesson.
- Pray and share. Turn the lesson into prayer and tell a trusted believer what you intend to practice.
Discussion Questions for Every Lesson
- What does this lesson reveal about God?
- Where does Tozer’s theme connect clearly with Scripture?
- What part of the lesson challenges your present habits or priorities?
- What would obedience look like before the next meeting?
- Who could benefit from what you are learning?
How to Use the Lessons in Ten Weeks
Assign one lesson each week. A 60-to-75-minute meeting can include ten minutes of welcome and accountability, fifteen minutes of chapter discussion, twenty minutes of Scripture study, fifteen minutes of personal application, and ten minutes of prayer.
For a five-week course, combine lessons 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, and 9–10. For personal study, complete one lesson every three or four days and use the extra time to practice the application.
What These Lessons Should Produce
- Greater hunger for God rather than fascination with a book alone
- Deeper confidence in Scripture as the final authority
- More honest surrender and repentance
- Faith expressed through specific obedience
- Growing dependence on Christ
- A willingness to help someone else follow Jesus
The goal is not to complete ten lessons perfectly. The goal is to become a more attentive, obedient, and fruitful disciple of Jesus.
A Related Resource for Pursuing God
The Pursuit of God (Annotated): A Modern Study Guide to A. W. Tozer’s Classic on Abiding in Christ and Making Disciples preserves Tozer’s original text while adding chapter summaries, study resources, word searches, and practical connections to abiding, obedience, spiritual growth, and disciple-making.
View the Book on Amazon← Return to The Pursuit of God Knowledge Catalogue
Frequently Asked Questions
How many study lessons are included in this guide?
The guide presents ten lessons that can be used weekly, combined into a shorter course, or adapted for personal study.
Should I read the Bible or Tozer first?
Read both, but treat Scripture as the final authority. Tozer’s chapter can introduce a theme, while the Bible defines and evaluates that theme.
Can these lessons be used in a small group?
Yes. Each lesson can include a chapter summary, Scripture reading, discussion, prayer, one application, and accountability at the next meeting.
Are the lessons appropriate for new believers?
They can be adapted for beginners by using shorter readings, explaining unfamiliar terms, and keeping applications simple and specific.