Known By God

We spend more time trying to get to know God that we forget he KNOWS us.

Mode G: Scripture-by-Scripture Teaching Walkthrough (Logos Ready)

Julius: Taking lead! Here is the complete research synthesized into a clean, scannable, sequential teaching guide formatted for your live session and ready to paste cleanly into Logos software.

TEACHING GUIDE: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE KNOWN BY GOD?

Lesson Overview

This study explores the critical distinction between God’s general omniscience (knowing facts about us) and His covenantal recognition (knowing us intimately through grace). By examining Psalm 139, Galatians 4, 1 Corinthians 13, and Matthew 7, this lesson shifts the student's focus away from human spiritual performance to the security, freedom, and eschatological hope of being fully searched, chosen, and claimed by God [BAKER-ILL, TEACH-COMM].

Scripture Block Breakdown

Block 1: Psalm 139:1–4 — The All-Penetrating Gaze of Yahweh

Psalm 139:1–4 NIV

1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether." (NKJV)

Key Words & Phrases (Amanda):

"Searched me" (Ḥāqar - חָקַר): A judicial and forensic Hebrew verb describing a rigorous, exhaustive investigation—like a miner searching a subterranean cavern for hidden gold or a magistrate examining evidence [BAKER-ILL]. God's knowledge of the believer is not superficial; it is an exhaustive divine excavation.

"Known me" (Yādaʻ - יָדַע): Used in the perfect tense, denoting a completed, permanent state of intimate covenant fellowship and personal affection [BAKER-ILL].

"Comprehend" (Zārāh - זָRָה): God "comprehends" or "sifts" our path. The word literally means "to winnow"—separating wheat from chaff. Nothing in your motives is hidden or disguised.

Historical & Cultural Context (Dr. C / Carl / Keith):

In the Ancient Near East, pagan deities were localized, regional, and easily deceived by secret rituals or hidden worship [IVP-BG].

David’s psalm presents a radical theological shift: Yahweh is omnipresent and omniscient. He does not inspect outward animal sacrifices from a distance; He searches the human heart directly [BAKER-ILL].

Fully Exposed, Yet Fully Embraced:

Crucial Truth: Human anxiety comes from the fear of being exposed and then rejected. Psalm 139 proves God has already seen the deepest, worst corners of our hearts—and yet remains in unshakeable covenant love with us.

💡 Illustration — The Identity Mask vs. The Father’s Arms:

Think about how much energy we waste curating online personas or wearing corporate "masks" so people don't see our flaws. Contrast that with a toddler running into their parent's arms covered in mud. The parent sees the dirt and ruined clothes, but recognizes the child as theirs.

Takeaway: Being known by God means the mask can finally come off. You don't clean yourself up to get recognized; He saw the mud before He called your name.

Teaching Angle & Illustration (Mr. Charles):

Illustration (The Identity Mask vs. The Muddy Child): Humans spend immense energy building masks, curating online personas, and managing reputations out of fear that full exposure leads to abandonment. Contrast this with a small child running into their parents' arms covered in mud. The parent sees every smudge, stain, and ruined piece of clothing, but recognizes the child as theirs.

Teaching Point: You don't have to clean yourself up before coming to God. He performed the exhaustive forensic search (ḥāqar) before calling you—He saw your deepest flaws and still chose covenant relationship with you [BAKER-ILL].

Block 2: Galatians 4:8–11 — The Priority of Sovereign Grace

Galatians 4:8–11 NIV

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

"But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." (NKJV)

Key Words & Phrases (Amanda):

"Known God, or rather are known by God": Paul uses the Greek verb ginōskō (experiential, personal knowledge). Notice his intentional self-correction from active voice ("after you have known God") to passive voice ("or rather are known by God") [TEACH-COMM, DR-C-Paul-From Sinner to Saint.txt].

Greek Insight: Paul intentionally catches himself and shifts from the active voice (us knowing God) to the passive voice (us being known by God).

Why this matters: Salvation is not an autonomous human achievement; it is a response to divine initiative.

Cultural Context — The Roman Client-Patron Ledger:

In the 1st century, a low-status person had zero legal standing unless they were claimed by a wealthy Patron.

To be "known by the Patron" meant your name was written on his personal ledger, granting you household access and legal protection.

The Application: Paul tells the Galatians that going back to legalistic rituals after being enrolled on God's ledger is complete spiritual absurdity!

The Galatian Crisis: Gentile converts were being pressured by false teachers (Judaizers) to adopt ceremonial calendars (days, months, seasons) to secure their standing [IVP-BG]. Paul warns that returning to legalistic rules after being recognized by the Supreme Divine Patron is spiritual regression [IVP-BG, HENRY-CON].

Teaching Angle & Illustration (Mr. Charles):

Illustration (The Adopted Heir & The Transactional Lease): Imagine a child who was legally adopted into a loving family, but constantly tries to pay rent, do chores for an allowance to stay in the home, and asks if they will be evicted if they make a mistake.

Teaching Point: Spiritual performance (trying to earn God's recognition) treats adoption like a commercial transaction. Your salvation is anchored not in the strength of your hold on God, but in the unshakeable strength of His hold on you [DR-C-John.txt].

Block 3: 1 Corinthians 13:12 — The Horizon of Perfect Clarity

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Key Words & Phrases (Amanda):

"Dimly" (En ainigmati - ἐν αἰνίγματι): The Greek root of our word "enigma" or "riddle." Describes dark, indirect, or obscure reflection [IVP-BG].

"I also am known" (Epegnōsthēn - ἐπεγνώσθην): An aorist passive form of epiginōskō (intensified with the prefix epi-), meaning "to know thoroughly, fully, and exhaustively." God currently knows the believer epegnōsthēn right now [Commentary First John - Revelations_Jamieson.docx].

Historical & Cultural Context (Dr. C / Carl / Keith):

The Mirrors of Corinth: Corinth was internationally famous for producing high-grade polished bronze mirrors [IVP-BG]. However, even the best ancient bronze mirror provided a warped, dark, and distorted image compared to modern glass mirrors [IVP-BG].

Paul uses local Corinthian industry to remind his readers that even our best earthly theology remains partial and fragmentary compared to future heavenly sight [TEACH-COMM].

Teaching Angle & Illustration (Mr. Charles):

Illustration (The Ultrasonic Scan vs. Meeting Face-to-Face): Expectant parents look at an ultrasound scan—a dark, grainy, black-and-white outline. They recognize the baby, but the sight is partial. When the baby is born, the dark scan is replaced by holding the child face-to-face.

Teaching Point: God already sees you with full, face-to-face clarity. In eternity, the dark bronze mirror will shatter, and your understanding of Him will finally match His current, flawless understanding of you [Commentary First John - Revelations_Jamieson.docx].

Block 4: Matthew 7:21–23 — The Warning Against Pseudo-Relational Performance

Matthew 7:21–23 NIV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (NKJV)

Key Words & Phrases (Amanda):

"I never knew you" (Oudepote egnōn hymas - οὐδέποτε ἔγνων ὑμᾶς): Jesus uses ginōskō in the aorist tense. His rejection is not based on a drop in religious productivity, but on the fact that an intimate, covenant relationship never existed [HENRY-CON, Commentary First John - Revelations_Jamieson.docx].

"Lawlessness" (Anomia - ἀνομία): Doing spiritual work according to one's own agenda rather than in relational submission to the Father [HENRY-CON].

Historical & Cultural Context (Dr. C / Carl / Keith):

In the 1st-century Jewish world, religious credentials (prophesying, performing exorcisms, public deeds) carried massive social prestige [IVP-BG]. Jesus exposes that high-profile religious activity can easily disguise a heart that has never submitted to the Lordship of Messiah [IVP-BG, HENRY-CON].

Teaching Angle & Illustration (Mr. Charles):

Illustration (The Mansion Squatter): Imagine someone moving into an empty luxury mansion, painting the walls, manicuring the lawn, and hosting grand dinner parties in the owner's honor—yet they never met the owner, signed a lease, or were adopted into the family. On moving day, the owner calls the authorities. The squatter says, "Look at all I did in your name!" The owner replies, "I don't care what you did. I don't know who you are."

Teaching Point: Outward performance without internal covenant relationship is spiritual squatting. God measures relational union with Christ, not impressive activity lists [HENRY-CON].

Group Discussion Catalysts (Julius)

On Galatians 4:9: "Why is it so difficult for believers to move from saying 'I know God' to resting in the fact that 'I am known by God'? How does changing that phrase transform your daily prayer life?"

On Psalm 139:1–4: "David writes that God has forensically searched (ḥāqar) every hidden motive and word before it is spoken. Does knowing that God sees your worst flaws bring you anxiety or profound peace? Why?"

On Matthew 7:21–23: "In Matthew 7, the people pointed to their religious resume and spiritual accomplishments. In what subtle ways do modern churchgoers substitute busy religious activity for actual relational intimacy with Jesus?"

On 1 Corinthians 13:12: "Paul describes our current spiritual understanding as looking into a dark bronze mirror. How does knowing that God currently sees you with 100% clarity help you navigate seasons of doubt or partial understanding?"