One of the greatest treasures we undervalue is the presence of God.

We have a standing invitation from God to come near.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. —Hebrews 4:14-16

• God pursues us and invites us to pursue him in return.

How do you get in God’s presence?

After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. ³ Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain… —Exodus 19:2-3

• You climb. To confidently approach God and be in his presence requires effort.

Jesus is our true high priest who saves us from the things that keep us from His presence.

• Jesus is like us.

• Jesus is not like us.

Discipleship Guide

Let’s Connect

• If you could meet anyone alive today, who would it be?

Let’s Talk About It
God’s grace is what transforms our daily devotional life from a daily religious obligation into an invitation to come into God’s presence. We are coming into God’s presence through a perfect high priest that is utterly like us and not like us. He is personal and approachable and at the same time offers us a way to live powerfully over sin and grow into His likeness.

Hebrews 4:14-16; Exodus 19:2-3; Hebrews 7:15-19; Hebrews 10:19-25

• Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?

• Why do we often undervalue the presence of God in our lives? Can you identify with the ‘cycle’ pastor Gregg described—We get comfortable, wander away, get scared, and then come back? How do you identify?

• Read Hebrews 4:14-16. How does knowing that Jesus is ‘like you’ but also ‘not like you’ give you the confidence to approach God? What are some beliefs you struggle with that keep you from accepting Christ’s invitation to come near? How can you replace those thoughts with God’s truth?

• Read Exodus 19:2-3. Do you have a daily time with God? If so, what does that time look like? How could making the effort to spend time with God every day make a big difference in your life?

• Pastor Gregg shared how our confidence in approaching God calls us out from apathy and timidity. How have you seen this in your own life? What would it look like for you to approach God with greater confidence?

Take a Step
* What step can you take to receive and respond to God’s gracious invitation to approach His presence with confidence?

SOAP reading:
* Day 1: 2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 112, John 18
* Day 2: Jeremiah 23, 25, John 19
* Day 3: Jeremiah 26, 35, 36, John 20
* Day 4: Jeremiah 45-47, Psalm 105, John 21
* Day 5: Jeremiah 48-49, Psalm 67, 1 John 1
* Day 6: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27, Psalm 118, 1 John 2
* Day 7: Jeremiah 28-30, 1 John 3

Here’s My Prayer
Lord, thank you for inviting me to be in your presence. Your grace has made a way for me to have a relationship with You. Help me to hear Your voice and confidently draw near to You, in the darkest times and in my joyful moments.