How to Become Real With God

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in- law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” When the LORD saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. Then the LORD told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey…” EXODUS 3:1-8 NLT

To become real with God, I must acknowledge his supremacy

For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. ISAIAH 46:9 NLT

This is what the LORD says – “I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. ISAIAH 44:6 NLT

To become real with God, I must understand his nature

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. GENESIS 1:26 NLT

God is relational

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:14 NLT

I must appreciate his heart

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 JOHN 4:8 NLT

God creates in love
God rules in love
God acts in love
God judges in love

I must be clear on his desire

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. HOSEA 6:6 NLT
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” LUKE 12:21 NLT

I must accept Jesus as the only way to be right with God

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. ROMANS 5:6-11 NLT

Community Group Discussion Guide

  1. God made himself real to Moses in a burning bush, how has he made himself real to you?
  2. Why do you think God wants you understand that he alone is God?
  3. How does understanding God’s relational nature change the way you view him?
  4. God heard the cries of pain from the Israelites, how does knowing God’s heart and love for you change the way you view your current difficulties?
  5. How does knowing how loving and good God is change your motivation to share Jesus with people who don’t know him?
  6. When is the last time you thanked God for what Jesus has done for you? Take some time in prayer as a group and thank God for your relationship that came because of Jesus.

Personal Reflection Guide

Since the beginning of time, God has created ways for us to relate to him. Find a quite space to be still and alone with God. Talk with God and ponder ways he has specifically shown you his love. Ask him some questions like, “Lord, where have I experienced your love for me? In what ways have you created ways for me to relate to you?” Maybe it’s been through another person. Maybe it’s been in the quiet of your heart. Reflect on these then share them with someone.

My Notes