5 Assumptions About God And Why They Are Wrong

This E4 study is about understanding God and how we can have a trusting and loving relationship with our heavenly father. It looks at 5 common assumptions about God, that keep us from understanding his wise mind and his loving heart. It then challenges the reader to put aside their preconceived ideas about God and listen to Jesus’s own words from the Bible. When you know God, you will find a new vision for life.

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION

This Session will introduce some foundational concepts used throughout this E4 Study. We will discuss the nature of assumptions—that they range from being good things all the way to dangerous things—and issue a challenge to begin seeing God in different ways as the Study progresses.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 1 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

HOMEWORK

Purchase “5 Assumptions About God and Why They Are Wrong” by Jeff Bogue, Broadstreet Publications Group.

READ: The Preface and Introduction from “5 Assumptions About God and Why They Are Wrong”

INTERACT: “Connect With Others” in Head Space

MEMORIZE: Isaiah 30:18

SESSION 2: I NEED TO WORK HARDER TO MAKE GOD HAPPY

We will work through the common assumption that people must work harder to earn God’s approval and offer some biblically-based suggestions on how that paradigm might be shifted. Misunderstanding God will have an adverse effect on the way we approach life and interact with people.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 2 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

HOMEWORK

READ: Chapter 1

INTERACT: “Connect With God” in Head Space

MEMORIZE: Ephesians 4:32

SESSION 3: ALL GOD WANTS ME TO DO IS GO TO CHURCH

This Session will help debunk the myth that the goal of living as a follower of Jesus is to attend church.  It will not only offer a critique of this misconception but will look to carve out a better and more thoroughly biblical vision of God’s desires for us.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 3 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

HOMEWORK

READ: Chapter 2

INTERACT: “Connect With Others” in Head Space

MEMORIZE: Hebrews 10:23-24

SESSION 4: GOD WILL NEVER BE HAPPY WITH ME

How does God really see me and what does he think about what he sees?  Session 4 will explore this very question and show that, because of Jesus’ work on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, God’s greatest desire is to rejoice in us, His children.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 4 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

HOMEWORK

READ: Chapter 3

INTERACT: “Connect With God” in Head Space

MEMORIZE: Matthew 11:28-30

SESSION 5: GOD IS WAITING FOR ME TO MESS UP

This Session will address the common assumption that God is not for us, but rather appears to be against us, since he is always looking for ways to rebuke us for messing up. Bad things happen in life because God sees us as worthless rebels.  In seeking to form a biblical worldview, we will examine John 3:17—the follow up to one of the best known verses in the Bible—as a means to discover God’s altogether different way of seeing us.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 5 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

HOMEWORK

READ: Chapter 4

INTERACT: “Connect With Others” in Head Space

MEMORIZE: James 1:5

SESSION 6: JESUS IS FOR KIDS

The assumption that the Jesus story is a moralistic myth or a childish bedtime fairytale  is widespread.  This Session will survey what the Bible itself has to say regarding the character and person of Jesus, offering a different and more powerful vision of his role in God’s plan for rescuing and redeeming humanity.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 6 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

HOMEWORK

READ: Chapter 5

INTERACT: “How Might I Change” in Head Space

MEMORIZE: Matthew 27:34

SESSION 7: FINAL THOUGHTS

We can learn the true character of God, and even see how many of our assumptions of God have been unfounded.  But unless we are willing to let go of our false assumptions and  embrace our loving creator and Heavenly Father, trusting him with our life and future, we will never experience the gift of Eternal Life.  In this session we ask you to place your faith in God, to love him with all your heart, to experience his wisdom and peace.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 6 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

HOMEWORK

READ: Final Thoughts: Ah-Ha Moments

INTERACT: “Connect With God” in Head Space

MEMORIZE: Matthew 27:34