Bible Study

Intimacy With the Father

Do you know who God is? Do you know something specific about His nature that goes beyond what you have learned while sitting in church or having conversations with friends? Many believers know about the Lord, but they do not have an personal relationship with Him. We were created to have intimate fellowship with our heavenly Father. And yet this amazing blessing can also prove to be our greatest challenge: knowing and loving God above all else—putting away sin and being single-minded in our devotion to Him.

A. We can have an intimate relationship with the Lord because He loves us even when we sin.

Nothing you do surprises or disappoints God—He knows all things. Although He does not approve of wrongdoing, He loves us despite our sin.

• How does Deuteronomy 4:31 describe the Lord?

   

• Does this correspond with your perception of the Father? Why or why not?

   

• As believers, why can we approach the throne of God confidently, despite our shortcomings (Heb. 4:12-16; Rom. 5:1)?

There is a void within our hearts that only the Lord can fill. One of the primary reasons people sin is that they have a longing for God but attempt to satisfy it apart from Him. When we fail to surrender our lives to Him, we’re especially vulnerable to fearful thoughts, feelings of discontentment, selfish desires, pride, and lust.

B. Prayer is essential to developing intimacy with the Lord.

A step-by-step walk with God must begin with prayer. One of the Father’s greatest desires is that you and I would not just give Him “lip service” on Sundays but would truly long to know Him and His ways.

• What promise do we have if we draw near to God (James 4:8)?

The private, intimate moments we share with the Savior—such as times of personal devotion—provide the best opportunity for God to reveal Himself to us.

• How did the Lord speak with Moses, according to Exodus 33:9-11?

   

• Is this something you want for yourself? Why or why not?

The closer we get to God, the more we will trust Him. This is true in any relationship. As we spend time with a friend and learn more about him or her, the more likely we are to rely on that person. As trust increases, we find ourselves opening up and talking about our feelings and struggles. Trust and intimacy are tightly interwoven. And when we have confidence in the Lord, we will obey Him.

C. We must grow in knowledge of God if we are to have a close relationship with Him.

• Why do you think the Lord waited for Moses to draw near to the burning bush before calling out to him (Ex. 3:2-4)?

If Moses had not turned aside to see God’s presence, he would have missed a wonderful opportunity: this was the point where his personal relationship with the Father began. The time Moses spent in the Lord’s presence signaled the beginning of his journey into deeper wisdom and more profound knowledge of God and His ways.

• Is there a point in your life where God began calling you to a deeper, more personal walk with Him? If so, describe it.

David was another biblical figure who learned the ways of God. He had first drawn near to the Lord while tending his father’s sheep. Later, David could place his confidence in God, despite the difficulties he faced on the run from King Saul.

• What military references did David use to illustrate the trustworthiness of the Lord (Psalm 18:2-3)?

   

• What did he believe God would do in response to his call?

David learned that God’s love never changes, and He is completely trustworthy. If you are a believer in Christ, you can be confident that nothing happens in your life without the knowledge, permission, and purpose of our loving Savior.

• Read Psalm 25:1-5. If you feel it expresses your heart’s desire, make it a prayer it to the Lord.

Conclusion: When we have an intimate relationship with the Lord, we can quickly discern how to stand firm in our faith even though the winds of adversity blow. We can also spot Satan’s lies, which are words always framed in fear and personal ruin. By drawing near to God, we’ll have all we need to stand firm in our faith at every turn in life.

Prayer: Father, too often my relationship with You consists of attending church on Sunday and some hurried times of prayer during the week. Draw me closer. I long to have the type of relationship with you that Moses had, where he spoke with You as one speaks with a friend. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Adapted from In Step with God: Understanding His Ways and Plans for Your Life (2008).