Message Notes for November 27, 2022
Series: From the Heart
Title: Seeking God

Key Verses: Jeremiah 29:13, Deuteronomy 4:29

Why might you decide to seek God? – Romans 7:18-24

To decide is to ‘cut off or kill the other options. When you truly decide to seek God, it will
replace every other thing that feels important ‘now’ and allow you to focus on what is important
forever.
Human beings are the only creatures who know and even want to do what is right but choose
not to. We call this sin, and it separates us from God.

What does it look like to seek God (or anything) with your whole heart? – Matthew
13:44

We can know and understand what it takes to seek wholeheartedly. People choose to do it
every day in all areas of their lives.

God is not hiding!
How far away is God? How hard is He to find?

Matthew 18:12 – God is actively looking for YOU!
Revelation 3:20 – Jesus is at the door right now knocking.
Luke 15: 20 – God is eagerly ready to embrace you when you turn to him. STOP RUNNING
from God and turn to Him, and He will eagerly run to meet you while you are on the path.

How close is God when we seek wholeheartedly?

Romans 10:8-10 – When we seek God like the priceless treasure it is to know him, he is as
close as your own head and heart.

Family/Study Group Notes for Week of November 27, 2022
Series: From the Heart
Title: Seeking God

•  Read Romans 7:18-24. Do you feel the confusion, misery, and frustration that the writer
  feels from not being able to follow what he knows should be his true self? Who do know
  who is living this way? How would they benefit from having God in the center of their lives?
  What could you do to encourage them?
• Read Matthew 13:44-46. Think about your own experience or inspiring stories of those
  pursuing life goals or purposes wholeheartedly. Sports? Education? Career? Supporting a
  sports team? Passion for helping others? Talk about how wholeheartedness can be applied
  to seeking, loving, and trusting God with your whole heart. Are you doing that now? Why or
  why not? What could you change?
• Read Matthew 18:12 & Revelation 3:20. How can this great news help you encourage
  yourself and others as you seek God?
• Consider the story of ‘The Prodigal Son’ (Luke 15:11-32). What if we renamed the story ‘The
  Good Father’? What does this tell you about the heart of God towards us when we or those
  around us are lost? Think about how much the father loved the son and how far he went to
  love him even in the midst of rebellion and wrongdoing. Discuss how excited, thrilled and
  gentle was his ‘Welcome back!’ to the lost son.
• Read Romans 10:8-10. Take heart in how close and immediate God is to all who are lost.