Direct answer: A knowing-God Bible study helps you receive what God has revealed about Himself, trust Him through Jesus Christ, and respond with worship, love, obedience, and prayer. The goal is not to invent an image of God or collect facts without response; it is to know the true God as He makes Himself known in Scripture.
What Does It Mean to Know God?
In the Bible, knowing God includes true knowledge and real relationship. God is not discovered by speculation. He reveals His character, purposes, and saving work. People come to know Him through His Word and ultimately through Jesus Christ.
Knowing God is therefore more than having religious feelings. It involves:
- Understanding what God has revealed about Himself
- Trusting His promises and His character
- Receiving reconciliation through Christ
- Responding in worship, love, repentance, and obedience
- Living as part of His people
Eight Studies for Knowing God
| Study | Focus | Suggested passages | Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | God reveals Himself | Exodus 34:5–7; Psalm 19 | Write what God says about His own character. |
| 2 | God is holy and gracious | Isaiah 6:1–8; Psalm 103 | Respond with reverence, confession, and gratitude. |
| 3 | God is known through Christ | John 1:1–18; Colossians 1:15–20 | List what Jesus reveals about God. |
| 4 | God reconciles sinners | Romans 3:21–26; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 | Explain how the gospel brings relationship with God. |
| 5 | God speaks through Scripture | 2 Timothy 3:14–17; Hebrews 4:12–13 | Establish a consistent plan to receive His Word. |
| 6 | God invites prayer | Matthew 6:5–13; Hebrews 4:14–16 | Pray with confidence grounded in Christ. |
| 7 | Knowing God produces obedience | John 14:15–24; 1 John 2:3–6 | Identify one command you need to practice. |
| 8 | Knowing God shapes mission | Jeremiah 9:23–24; Matthew 28:18–20 | Share one truth about God with another person. |
Knowing About God and Knowing God Personally
The difference is not that facts are unimportant. False ideas about God damage faith and worship. Accurate biblical truth is necessary. The difference is whether knowledge remains detached or leads to trust and relationship.
Detached knowledge
Collects information while resisting repentance, worship, and obedience.
Relational knowledge
Receives biblical truth and responds to God through Christ.
Mature knowledge
Continues learning while becoming more humble, loving, and faithful.
Questions to Ask in Every Study
- What does this passage reveal about who God is?
- What does it reveal about what God has done?
- How does Jesus make this truth clearer?
- What false belief about God does the passage correct?
- What promise should I trust?
- How should this truth change my worship, relationships, or choices?
Common Mistakes in a Knowing-God Study
- Creating God in our image: beginning with personal preference rather than revelation.
- Studying attributes without the gospel: discussing God abstractly while neglecting Christ’s saving work.
- Separating knowledge from obedience: assuming information alone equals maturity.
- Chasing novelty: preferring unusual claims over the clear teaching of Scripture.
- Studying alone indefinitely: avoiding the correction, encouragement, and worship of the church.
A Weekly Knowing-God Practice
- Read one passage about God’s character or work.
- Write one sentence beginning, “God is…” or “God has…”
- Connect the truth to Christ and the gospel.
- Pray the truth back to God.
- Choose one action that reflects trust.
- Share the truth with another believer.
How The Pursuit of God Relates
Tozer’s book emphasizes that Christians should not be satisfied with secondhand knowledge. That concern can serve this study well, as long as the pursuit remains grounded in the God who has revealed Himself in Scripture and in Jesus Christ.
The goal is not an undefined spiritual experience. It is deeper knowledge of the Father through the Son, by the Spirit, producing worship, holiness, love, and mission.
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
What does it mean to know God?
To know God is to receive His self-revelation in Scripture, trust Him through Christ, live in covenant relationship with Him, and respond with love and obedience.
Can someone know facts about God without knowing Him personally?
Yes. Biblical knowledge is essential, but facts should lead to faith, worship, repentance, love, and obedience through Christ.
Which Bible passages are helpful for knowing God?
Helpful passages include Exodus 34:5–7, Psalm 103, Jeremiah 9:23–24, John 1, John 17, Colossians 1, and Philippians 3.
How does Jesus help us know God?
Jesus reveals the Father, accomplishes reconciliation through His death and resurrection, and brings believers into relationship with God.