Group Resource
Let’s Talk Notes – Week of September 30, 2012
Message: “To the Unknown God”
Scripture: Acts 17:22-23
1) What did you find most challenging, helpful or troubling about the message this week?
2) Have you ever felt that God was distant? What was going on in your life at the time? How did you get through that experience? Have you ever felt that God was near? What was going on in your life at that time?
3) Pastor Joseph mentioned that we often are searching for a lot of things in life including: fulfillment, love, prosperity, achievement, and pleasure. Have you found yourself searching for these things? How does making these things our ultimate motivation leave us wanting something else? How does God bring ultimate meaning to our lives?
4) What is the difference between religion and a relationship with God? Why is it easier to practice religion rather than to build a relationship with God?
5) In Acts 17, the people of Athens worshipped many gods and believed that as long as they acknowledged these gods, then they would be spiritually safe. Some have said, “There are many roads to God. All religions are pretty much the same.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why? How do you think the Apostle Paul would have answered that question?
6) Read John 17:3. Why does Jesus point out that they would know “the only true God?” How can we know that the God that we serve is the only true God?
7) “In reality, I have found that many people will choose to not search for the true God, not because of the work that is involved in searching but because they are afraid of what intimacy with God requires of them. Intimacy brings responsibility, and many people would rather claim ignorance rather than accepting responsibility.” (Pastor Joseph)
a. Are there times where you have avoided a closer relationship with someone or something because of the responsibility involved with the relationship? If so, what were the specific responsibilities that you didn’t want to accept? Have you ever refused to get closer to God because of the responsibility involved in that relationship?
