Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5854 experience, of God

5854 experience, of God

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5852 experience » 5854 experience, of God

Scripture stresses the importance and also the possibility of a true experience of the living God. This is contrasted with the more academic knowledge about him. Experiential knowledge of God comes through personal encounter, through the witness of the Holy Spirit, through reflection on his past goodness and through the shared experiences of others.

Personal experience of God

Contrasted with academic knowledge

Experience of God's blessing

Experiencing God through Scripture

Matthew 22:29; John 5:39-40; Acts 17:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Knowing God through the Spirit

Romans 8:15-16 See also John 14:16-17,26; John 16:14-15; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Isaiah 64:4

Examples of personal encounter with God

Deuteronomy 11:2-7 See also Deuteronomy 5:3-4; Genesis 32:30 Jacob; Exodus 3:3-4 Moses; Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah; Acts 9:3-6 Saul of Tarsus; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 Paul; Revelation 1:17 John

Sharing experience of God

Experience of God through his people

Zechariah 8:23 See also Isaiah 45:14; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25

Leaders with experience of God

Joshua 24:31 See also Numbers 12:8; Judges 6:22; Acts 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; 2 Peter 1:16-18

Speaking to future generations

Deuteronomy 4:9-10 See also Exodus 10:2; Deuteronomy 6:20-21; Job 8:8-9; Psalm 71:18

Speaking from personal experience: OT

Deuteronomy 7:18-19 See also 1 Samuel 17:34-37 David's experience teaches him to trust God.

The exiles' confidence is based upon God's deliverance in the past:

Isaiah 43:14-17; Isaiah 51:9-11 Jeremiah 16:14-15

Speaking from personal experience: NT

Confidence based on past experience

Matthew 16:9-10 pp Mark 8:18-20 The disciples' experience of Jesus Christ's provision should have taught them not to worry about food; 2 Timothy 4:17-18