Fast Food Fast Guide

1. Has Jesus shown himself to you in a way that you've actually been aware of his presence?
2. Read a few promises from Jesus himself. Jn. 14:18-21."I will come to you." "You will see me." "Because I live, you also will live." "I am in you." "I will love and show myself to (those who love me.)"
3. How does having God's commands and obeying them open the door to experiencing his presence?
4. Do your actions show that you want to please him through understanding his will and doing it?

1. What are some of the dynamics in human interaction that deepen relationships?
2. What tends to drain them?
3. What in your current lifestyle gets in the way of knowing God better?
4. What would it take for you to change that pattern?
5. Describe what that change in your lifestyle would look like and share it with someone you trust.

1. What does a relationship based on people's "performance" feel like?
2. Compare that with a relationship where unconditional love and acceptance is the foundation.
3. Are there "conditions" or demands you are placing on your love for God? What are they? What do you need to do to let them go?
   
4. Take some time to remember God's promises of loving kindness and faithfulness toward you. Write them down.

1. Describe the difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing them personally.
   
2. How are your attitudes about God shaped by what others say and think about Him?
3. What are some of the false presuppositions you have held about God?
4. What changed your perspective?

Intimacy with God is the focus for the first 4 months of the fast. Our relationship with God is what separates Christianity from simple religion. I don't know about you, but I'd like to get this part right.

Here's the focal scripture that over-arches our fast from November through February.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30

I thought we'd take each part of that verse and look at one aspect per month.

November: Knowing God
December: Loving God
January: Pursuing God
February: Pleasing God

Scripture Focus: John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Quote: A little knowledge of God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge about him. (Knowing God, J.I. Packer)

Prayer: I want to know you, not just know about you. I want to know you, not just what you do. To learn to trust your goodness whatever we go through. There's nothing I want more than knowing you. (From the song "Knowing You", Durand Robinson)

For further study:
Knowing God, by J.I. Packer (©1975 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, USA) was written in three sections: to help us understand how to know God and why, to help us recognize His attributes and finally to make us aware of the benefits we share as his children. A true classic to read and re-read.