Lesson 12 — Term 1 Review: He Is No Longer Unknown

"I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." — Philippians 3:8

The core idea

This term moves us from serving an "Unknown God" to knowing, loving, and worshiping the one true God personally.

From religious service to true knowledge

It is possible to spend years centered around church life while the heart is given to religion and service — not to knowing God Himself. Like Israel at Sinai, who told Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die" (Exodus 20:19), we can be satisfied with proximity to His work but not His immediate presence. He remains, in many ways, an UNKNOWN GOD to us (Acts 17:23).

A person can leave physical poverty only to find spiritual poverty; can immerse themselves in signs and wonders and still lack the deep, transformative knowledge of God that leads to true freedom from sin's dominion. For we can only walk blamelessly when we walk before God, consciously in His presence (Genesis 17:1). A soul beholding God, truly seeing Him by faith, is set on fire with love for Him — and sin, like flies on hot, well-cooked meat, finds no place to land or nest.

The fog has lifted

We are no longer approaching an "Unknown God." The fog has lifted. We know how He speaks — through creation and conscience, and supremely through His Son and His Word. We know what He demands — love with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. And we know who He is to us — our Shield and our very great Reward (Genesis 15:1).

The God of the Bible is found not just in individualistic pursuits but in vibrant, authentic community — the church, the body of Christ. From a primary love for God flows genuine love for our neighbor (Matthew 22:37–39); otherwise we risk worshiping a god of our own making. God's nature is holy and transcendent, yet He chooses to dwell with us (Isaiah 57:15) — uncontained by us, yet containing all things (Acts 17:28).

Let us not settle for knowing about Him or mere religious service. Let us pursue Him until He is unknown no longer — but intimately known and deeply loved. "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).

Your charge for the break

Rest and reflect. Do not simply move on. Let these truths sink deep into your spirit. We have laid the foundation; in Term 2 we will begin to gaze upon the specific attributes of this glorious God.

"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3).

A closing prayer

Heavenly Father, let Your Spirit lead us into all truth, enriching Your church with deep, personal revelations of who You are. May this intimate knowledge set the church ablaze with pure love, severing attachments to lesser loves. The greatest hindrance to divine knowledge is not a lack of intellect but the stubbornness of pride — and humility, which was God's way to man in Christ, is man's only way to God. Like Paul, our cry is "I want to know Christ" (Philippians 3:10). Until we see face to face, let our prayer be: "Show me your glory" (Exodus 33:18). And let the cry of our hearts echo David's: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4). Amen.

Talk it through together

What's the difference between religious activity and truly knowing God?
How has your understanding or affection for God changed this term?
What one practical step will you take to pursue a deeper knowledge of God?

This term's end

Reading: Chapter 12 of The Sight of the Throne.

Memory verse: Philippians 3:8.

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