Knowing God to Reflect Him

 Sabbath School

Growing in a Relationship with God 

Lesson 2 - Friday Further Thought 

Knowing God to Reflect Him

Scripture Focus: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39

God does not simply call His people to believe in Him—He calls them to represent Him. That’s a serious responsibility. You can’t reflect a character you don’t truly know. And too often, we rely on secondhand knowledge—what others say about God—while neglecting the one place He has clearly revealed Himself: His Word. The Bible is not just information; it is revelation. It corrects our distorted views, challenges our assumptions, and steadily reshapes how we see God.

The truth is, our human perspective is flawed. Sin clouds our understanding. Left to ourselves, we misunderstand His justice, question His love, and sometimes even doubt His intentions. But when you open Scripture with humility, something changes. You begin to see God as He truly is—holy, just, patient, and overwhelmingly loving. Not a distant force, but a deeply personal Father.

Ellen G. White powerfully describes this love as something beyond human comprehension. Every expression of love we’ve ever known—every act of kindness, every moment of compassion—is only a faint reflection of the vast, infinite love of God. Think about that. The greatest love you’ve ever experienced is still just a drop compared to His ocean. And yet, many people barely explore it.

Here’s the hard truth: if you’re not consistently in the Word, you are settling for a shallow understanding of God. That affects everything—your worship, your trust, your obedience, your witness. But if you commit to searching the Scriptures—not casually, but intentionally—you will begin to grasp more of His heart. And as you do, you won’t just learn about Him—you’ll start to reflect Him.

The life of Jesus is the clearest picture of God’s character. His compassion, His humility, His sacrifice—this is what God is like. As you study Christ and the plan of redemption, your understanding deepens. You won’t fully comprehend it—not in this lifetime—but you will grow. And that growth is what transforms you.

So don’t approach the Bible as a routine task. Approach it as a pursuit. Dig into it. Wrestle with it. Let it correct you. Let it reveal God to you. Because the more clearly you see Him, the more accurately you will represent Him.

Challenge:
Stop relying on surface-level knowledge of God. Set aside intentional, daily time to search His Word—not just to read, but to understand who He is. Ask yourself: Do I truly know the God I claim to represent?

---

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I come before You knowing that my understanding of You is often limited and flawed. Forgive me for the times I’ve neglected Your Word and settled for a shallow view of who You are. Open my eyes as I search the Scriptures. Reveal Your true character to me—Your love, Your justice, Your holiness. Shape my heart so that I may reflect You rightly in my thoughts, my words, and my actions. Teach me to know You deeply, not just intellectually, but personally. And as I grow in that knowledge, transform me into Your likeness.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

To Know God

 

Known by God

Scripture Focus: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 17:7–8; Song of Songs 2:16; Galatians 4:9

---

We often think of “knowing God” as gaining information—learning facts, doctrines, or truths about Him. But in the Bible, knowing God means something far deeper.

In Genesis, we read that “Adam knew Eve his wife,” and that knowledge resulted in life. This kind of knowing is intimate, personal, and relational—not distant or intellectual. It reflects closeness, trust, and connection. In the same way, to know God is to enter into a deep, covenant relationship with Him.

God speaks this covenant language again in Genesis 17, promising to be the God of His people. This is not a casual association—it is a committed, faithful bond. The love described in Song of Solomon echoes this truth: “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” Knowing God is about belonging to Him and embracing His love.

Yet the New Testament adds a powerful twist. In Galatians, Paul reminds us that our relationship with God is not based on how well we know Him, but on the deeper reality that we are known by Him. God sees you fully—your strengths, your failures, your struggles—and still chooses you.

That changes everything.

You don’t have to strive to earn His attention or prove your worth. The foundation of your relationship with God is not your effort, but His faithful love. You are already known. The question is: will you respond to Him in return?

---

Reflection:
Are you treating your relationship with God as information to learn, or as a relationship to live? What would it look like to draw closer to Him today?

---

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for knowing me completely and still loving me deeply. Teach me to know You not just in my mind, but in my heart and life. Draw me into a closer relationship with You, rooted in trust, love, and commitment. Amen.

God’s Desire to Be Understood

 

Scripture Readings:

• Matthew 24:15 – “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand.”

• Revelation 1:3 – “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

• Matthew 11:29 – “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

• Jeremiah 9:23-24 – “This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.”

One of the greatest truths of Scripture is that God desires to be known and understood by His people. He is not a distant or hidden deity, but a God who reveals Himself through His Word, His works, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. The passages we have read today emphasize God’s intention for us to understand Him—not just intellectually, but in a way that transforms our lives.

God Calls Us to Seek Understanding (Matthew 24:15, Revelation 1:3)

In Matthew 24:15, Jesus speaks of a prophecy from Daniel and urges His followers: “Let the reader understand.” Similarly, in Revelation 1:3, there is a blessing for those who read, hear, and take to heart God’s message. These verses remind us that God does not want His truth to remain a mystery; He provides His Word so that we may comprehend His plans and be prepared.

Jesus Invites Us to Learn from Him (Matthew 11:29)

Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:29 are both an invitation and a reassurance: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” He does not burden us with knowledge that is beyond our grasp; instead, He teaches with gentleness, guiding us toward spiritual rest and wisdom. His heart’s desire is that we walk closely with Him, learning from His example and drawing from His strength.

True Understanding Comes from Knowing God (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

In Jeremiah 9:23-24, the Lord declares that the greatest knowledge is not human wisdom, strength, or riches, but the understanding of who He is—His kindness, justice, and righteousness. God’s revelation is not reserved for the elite; it is given to those who seek Him with humility. The most important knowledge we can attain is the knowledge of God Himself.

We can Know Jesus

God has made Himself known through prophecy, through His Son, and through His Word. He desires that we understand Him, not just to gain knowledge, but to grow in relationship with Him. If we seek Him earnestly, He will open our hearts and minds, leading us into the fullness of His truth.

Let us, therefore, commit ourselves to studying His Word, listening to His Spirit, and walking in His ways, that we may truly know the Lord and delight in His presence.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 1 Some Principles of Prophecy

What does it Mean to Know Truly Know God? John 17:3

 

John 17:3 states:  

"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (NIV)

This verse is part of Jesus' prayer to the Father, often called the "High Priestly Prayer." In this context, Jesus is defining eternal life not just as an unending existence but as a profound, relational experience with God.

 Understanding the Verse

Eternal Life as Relationship  

   Eternal life is not merely living forever but is described as "knowing" God and Jesus Christ. The term "know" here implies an intimate, personal, and experiential relationship rather than mere intellectual knowledge. 

 The Only True God  

   Jesus emphasizes that eternal life is rooted in knowing the one true God, distinguishing Him from false gods or idols. This acknowledgment is crucial in understanding the exclusivity and authenticity of the Christian faith.

 Jesus Christ, Whom God Sent  

   The verse ties eternal life to knowing Jesus as the one sent by God. This underscores Jesus' unique role in salvation and reveals that knowing Him is inseparable from knowing the Father (John 14:6-7).

 What Does It Mean to "Know" God?

In the biblical sense, "knowing" God includes several dimensions.

 Personal Relationship  

   To know God is to have a deep, ongoing relationship with Him. This involves prayer, worship, and communion with God through the Holy Spirit.

 Obedience and Love  

   Knowing God is shown in how one lives—obeying His commandments and reflecting His love (1 John 2:3-6). It's a transformative process that changes a person from the inside out.

 Revelation Through Jesus  

   Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1-3). To know God, one must know Jesus because He reveals the character, will, and purposes of the Father.

 Experiential Knowledge  

   It involves experiencing God's presence, grace, and power in daily life. This is not limited to intellectual understanding but includes a heart-level awareness and trust in God's nature and promises.

 Ongoing Growth  

   Knowing God is not a one-time event but a continual journey. As believers grow in faith, they deepen their understanding and relationship with Him (Philippians 3:10).

 Implications for Believers

 Focus on Relationship - Eternal life is about being in close communion with God and Jesus, not merely adhering to rituals or doctrines.  

 Authenticity in Faith - Knowing God means living out one's faith in a way that reflects His love and truth.  

 Centrality of Jesus - A personal relationship with Jesus is essential to knowing God and experiencing eternal life.