Download

Knowing Isn't Enough: A Study Guide

I. Comprehensive Review

This section helps you review the core arguments, historical context, and modern applications presented in the text.

A. Core Thesis and Main Arguments:

  • Central Claim: The primary message is that knowing what is right is insufficient; obedience and faithfulness are paramount. Knowledge without action, especially in matters of faith and ethics, leads to negative consequences.
  • Historical Case Study: The kings of Israel and Judah, despite knowing God's laws, warnings, and history, repeatedly chose evil.
  • Reasons for Disobedience:Prioritizing power over obedience.
  • Engaging in idolatry.
  • Hardened hearts due to repeated sin.
  • Mistaking God's patience for approval.
  • Consequences of Disobedience:Dynasties fell violently.
  • The northern kingdom experienced instability and destruction.
  • The entire nation suffered due to the leaders' choices.
  • Modern Relevance: The challenges faced by ancient kings are mirrored in contemporary society through modern idols and the influence of leadership.
  • Call to Action: The text encourages readers to identify and remove personal idols, choose faithfulness over perfection, and live out what they know to be right.

B. Key Figures and Concepts:

  • Kings of Israel and Judah (General): Represent the historical example of knowing God's ways but choosing to ignore them, leading to destruction.
  • Jeroboam and Ahab: Examples of kings who "did evil in the sight of the Lord," embodying the negative consequences of disobedience and idolatry.
  • King Asa: An example of imperfect faithfulness. Though not flawless, he actively sought the Lord and tore down idols, demonstrating that God honors faithfulness.
  • Prophets (e.g., Jehu, Elijah): Individuals who delivered God's warnings to the kings, highlighting that the kings were not ignorant.
  • Idolatry: The central sin of the kings, manifested in golden calves, Baal worship, and, in modern terms, anything that replaces trust in God (money, comfort, politics, approval).
  • Faithfulness vs. Perfection: God desires faithfulness, which is actively seeking and obeying Him, rather than flawless behavior.
  • Knowledge vs. Obedience: The fundamental tension explored in the text; knowing is not enough, obedience is essential.
  • Consequences of Leadership: The understanding that the choices of leaders (in any capacity) have far-reaching effects on those they influence.

C. Structure and Flow:

  1. Introduction: Establishes the core tension – knowing but not doing – using a relatable analogy.
  2. Historical Context (Kings of Israel and Judah): Introduces the repeated phrase "He did evil in the sight of the Lord" and asserts that knowledge was not the issue.
  3. Reasons for Disobedience: Explains why the kings turned away from God.
  4. Consequences: Details the judgment that fell upon the kingdoms.
  5. Modern Application: Connects ancient idolatry to contemporary "idols" and broadens the concept of "leadership."
  6. Call to Faithfulness: Introduces King Asa as a positive example and distinguishes between faithfulness and perfection.
  7. Closing Challenge and Prayer: Provides specific actions and a reflective prayer.
  8. Takeaway: Summarizes the main lesson concisely.

D. Main Takeaway:

The most crucial lesson is that knowledge without obedience leads to destruction, but faithfulness—even imperfect faithfulness—brings life. The kings' downfall was not due to ignorance, but to their deliberate choice to ignore God.

II. Quiz: Short Answer Questions

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

  1. What is the central tension highlighted in the text regarding the kings of Israel and Judah?
  2. According to the text, why were the kings of Israel and Judah not ignorant of God's ways?
  3. List two specific reasons identified in the text for why the kings turned away from God.
  4. How did the northern kingdom of Israel suffer as a consequence of its leaders' disobedience?
  5. The text identifies several "modern idols." Name two of them.
  6. Explain how the concept of "leadership" is broadened in the modern application section of the text.
  7. What is the key difference between King Asa and kings like Jeroboam and Ahab, according to the text?
  8. What does the text mean by saying God is asking for "faithfulness, not perfection"?
  9. What specific action does the "Closing Challenge" encourage readers to take?
  10. What is the ultimate takeaway message about knowledge, obedience, and faithfulness?

III. Answer Key

  1. The central tension is knowing the right thing to do but choosing to ignore it. This disconnect between knowledge and action was characteristic of the kings and led to negative consequences.
  2. The kings grew up immersed in God's story, including the Exodus and Ten Commandments. They also had prophets like Jehu and Elijah speaking God's warnings directly to them, ensuring they were well aware of God's ways.
  3. The kings turned away from God because they prioritized power over obedience, trusting alliances and armies instead of God. Additionally, they engaged in idolatry, seeking false security in golden calves and Baal worship. (Other acceptable answers: hardened hearts, mistaking patience for approval).
  4. The northern kingdom suffered a revolving door of assassination, conspiracy, and idolatry. Its dynasties ended violently, palaces burned, and a once-great nation crumbled due to the leaders' consistent disobedience.
  5. Two modern idols identified are money, when security in a bank account replaces trust in God, and comfort, when ease matters more than obedience. (Other acceptable answers: politics, approval).
  6. The text broadens leadership beyond just kings to include anyone with influence, such as parents, teachers, and Christians in community. It emphasizes that everyone in a position of influence leads someone and their choices have a ripple effect.
  7. The key difference is that while Jeroboam and Ahab "did evil in the sight of the Lord," King Asa, though not perfect, actively sought the Lord and tore down idols. God honored Asa's faithfulness, demonstrating a path distinct from the destructive choices of others.
  8. This means God does not expect flawless behavior or an absence of mistakes. Instead, He desires a heart committed to consistently turning towards Him, obeying His call, and actively removing things that compete with Him, even if the journey isn't always smooth.
  9. The "Closing Challenge" encourages readers to live out what they know is right by removing one idol from their life that is competing with God and choosing faithfulness instead.
  10. The ultimate takeaway is that kings were evil not because they lacked knowledge of God, but because they ignored Him. Knowledge without obedience leads to destruction, while faithfulness—even if imperfect—is what truly brings life.

IV. Essay Questions

  1. Analyze the reasons for the kings' disobedience as outlined in the text. How do these historical reasons parallel the challenges individuals face in choosing faithfulness over modern idols today?
  2. Discuss the significance of the phrase, "He did evil in the sight of the Lord," in the context of the kings' knowledge of God. How does this phrase underscore the central argument of the text that "knowing isn't enough"?
  3. Compare and contrast the examples of King Asa with kings like Jeroboam and Ahab. What specific lessons about faithfulness, perfection, and the consequences of leadership can be drawn from their differing approaches?
  4. The text argues that "God’s patience had a limit." Explain the implications of this statement for both the ancient kingdoms and for contemporary believers who might "mistake patience for approval."
  5. Examine the concept of "modern idols" presented in the text (money, comfort, politics, approval). Choose two of these and discuss how they can compete with God, providing examples of how choosing faithfulness might look in response to these specific idols.

V. Glossary of Key Terms

  • Idolatry: The worship of idols or false gods; placing anything else (e.g., power, money, comfort, approval) above God in one's life.
  • Obedience: Compliance with an order, request, or law; in the context of the text, acting in accordance with God's commands and will.
  • Faithfulness: The quality of being loyal, reliable, and steadfast; in a spiritual sense, consistently trusting and adhering to God, even amidst imperfections.
  • Knowledge (of God's Ways): Understanding God's laws, history, blessings, and warnings, as conveyed through scripture and prophets.
  • Hardened Hearts: A state of spiritual insensitivity or resistance to God's will and warnings, often developed through repeated sin and neglect.
  • Patience (God's): God's forbearance and delay in delivering judgment, which the kings mistakenly interpreted as approval.
  • Judgment: The divine act of assessing and punishing wrongdoing, often resulting in suffering or destruction for individuals or nations.
  • Dynasty: A succession of rulers from the same family; the text highlights the violent downfall of these royal lines in Israel.
  • Leaders/Leadership (Modern Application): Individuals who exert influence over others, extending beyond ancient kings to include parents, teachers, and community members whose choices have ripple effects.
  • Perfection: The state of being flawless or without defect; the text contrasts this with God's desire for faithfulness.