In my personal experience through studying the bible and building a relationship with God through prayer and study, I have experienced confusion transformed into clarity, and I’ve seen the same in other people. This publication draws directly from the bible to show you how to know God personally – no shortcuts, just truth and examples from different personalities in the bible.
Have you ever sensed a pull toward something greater, a quiet ache for connection that daily noise drowns out? I felt that deeply in my twenties, chasing success that left me empty. That’s when I discovered knowing God personally isn’t about rituals or feelings. It’s a path laid out in the scripture through discovering your purpose.
The Bible says eternal life means knowing God intimately and Jesus Christ, whom He sent (John 17:3). God created us for relationship, not distance. Think of it like a father calling his child home. But business, doubt, even religion can cloud that call. Over years of studying the bible, I’ve learned this truth reshapes everything.
This post follows a proven framework inspired by principles in the bible: God’s plan, sin as a hindrance, Jesus as the way, faith’s response, and growth habits. These echo the Four Spiritual Laws I’ve learnt in various Christian programs, workshops, gatherings, and services – simple truths from verses like John 3:16 and Romans 3:23. If you’re ready to build a relationship with God, keep reading. You’ll find steps, verses, and practices that worked for me and others.
In my experience, starting small leads to profound change. One man I mentored read John 14:6 daily as his way of building a relationship with God; within weeks, he experienced peace like “a weight lifted.” That’s the biblical way to know God – through Jesus. We’ll cover God’s love for you, how sin separates us from God, Jesus as the way, steps to accept Christ personally, daily practices for a daily walk with God, and overcoming obstacles.
By the end, you’ll have tools to experience God personally. Let’s begin your journey to know God intimately.
God’s Wonderful Plan For Mankind: His Love for You
God designed us to have a close relationship with Him. Genesis 1:27 tells us He made humanity in His image – capable of love, creativity, and relationship. I remember hiking alone, struck by Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
His love for you runs deeper. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” Not a distant force, but a personal Father. In my early studies, Ephesians 1:4-5 hit hard: He chose us before creation to adopt us. That’s intentional love.
Yet many miss this. Culture pushes, but God wants you to know Him intimately. Jeremiah 29:11 shows us the plan of God for us, hope, and a future. I’ve counseled people who felt worthless; reciting these verses shifted their view.
Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden.” God’s wonderful plan offers rest. To build a relationship with God, recognize this invitation. Pray Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
In practice, write down a verse daily on God’s personalities. I did this for a year; it built my trust in Him. Attributes like faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9), compassionate (Psalm 103:8) are evidence I have seen. This foundation prepares you to know God personally.
Obstacles like pride block it, but humility opens the door. As you grasp God’s love for you, sin’s reality sharpens. Next, we address that barrier. These truths aren’t theory – they’ve sustained me through loss and joy. Start here: Read John 3:16 aloud today and allow it to sink in.
How Sin Separates Us from God
Sin creates a barrier. Romans 3:23 states plainly: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No exceptions – me included. Early in faith, I ignored this, thinking good deeds sufficed. But I was Wrong!
Sin isn’t just bad acts; it’s rebellion against God. Here is how I define sin (Simple Instructions Neglected!) Isaiah 59:2 explains: “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.” Like static on a phone line, it muffles His voice. Romans 6:23 warns: “For the wages of sin is death.” Spiritual death – aloneness.
Picture a perfect bridge destroyed. That’s our state post-Eden (Genesis 3). The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) mirrors it: wayward son, empty life, father’s wait. I saw this in a friend who was always after addictions to sin; the huge void he felt in his life led him back.
Sin affects thoughts, choices. James 4:17 adds: Knowing good but not doing it is sin. Culture softens it as “mistakes,” but the Bible calls it separation.
Consequences? Emptiness, guilt, no peace. Psalm 32:3-4 describes: “My bones wasted away… my strength was dried up.” I’ve felt echoes in compromise.
Yet hope glimmers. God provided a way. Recognizing sin prepares you to overcome sin to know God. Confess genuinely (Psalm 51).
This barrier explains why efforts fail. Religion patches; God rebuilds. As you ponder Romans 3:23, ask: Where has sin separated me? Honesty builds a relationship with God. Next, meet the Bridge. (Word count: 501)
Jesus Christ As The Only Link to Know God
Jesus is the ONLY way across the gap sin creates. He says it straight in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” That’s direct. God chose this path out of love.
He sent Jesus as the one go-between. 1 Timothy 2:5 puts it simply: “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus lived without sin, died on the cross, and rose again. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 lists it: Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to witnesses. Romans 5:8 shows why: God loved us enough to let Christ die for us while we opposed Him.
I saw this truth hit hard when I was thrown out of the house. I felt deep fear in me, with nowhere to lay my head at night and no one to go to for shelter. Life felt pointless. John 1:12 is one of the scriptures that helped me – “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” I received Jesus in one night. Fear and doubts gradually left, and I started experiencing real change in my life. Today, you are able to read this post because of my walk with God, and my duty is also to show you how to know God personally.
Here’s what shifts:
| Aspect | Without Jesus | With Jesus |
| Access to God | Blocked by sin | Open through Jesus |
| Peace | Constant striving | True rest (Matthew 11:28) |
| Identity | Searching | God’s child (John 1:12) |
Jesus taught with authority, healed the sick, and then gave His life as payment. Isaiah 53:5 says He was pierced for our transgressions. His rising broke death’s hold – Romans 6:4. Over 500 saw Him alive.
To know God personally, take hold of Jesus. Acts 4:12 says salvation comes through no other name. I’ve watched it play out: Addicts break free, broken homes mend.
Some push back on “only Jesus,” but think it through. One perfect payment fits all sins. Faith turns it real for you.
I turn to Philippians 2:5-11 in hard times – Jesus’ full obedience. It keeps me steady. He opens the door to real closeness with God.
Step onto knowing this bridge (Jesus). Receive Jesus today. That’s how you build a relationship with God.
How To Receive Christ and Know God Intimately
Faith is how you receive Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 says it clear: “By grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works.” No earning it. Just trust Him with your whole self.
Here are the steps to know God personally:
- Admit your sin: Face it head-on. 1 John 1:9 promises: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Get specific. I grabbed paper one night and wrote mine down – greed, anger, lies. Burned the list after praying. Weight lifted right then.
- Believe Jesus died and rose for you: Acts 16:31 cuts straight: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” More than facts in your head. Let it hit your heart. John 3:16 grounds it: God gave His Son so believers get eternal life. I pictured my sin nailed to that cross.
- Receive Him by prayer: Talk to Jesus now. Try this: “Lord Jesus, I admit I’m a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose again. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for eternal life. Amen.” Say it out loud. Mean it. That’s it.
John 1:12 backs you up: “To all who did receive him… he gave the right to become children of God.” No maybe. You’re in.
When doubts hit, Romans 10:9-10 seals it: Confess Jesus as Lord, believe God raised Him, and you’re saved. 1 John 5:13 adds: “These things have been written… so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I know a woman in my group who prayed this. Tears turned to joy on the spot.
Don’t fall into good deeds. Titus 3:5 says salvation isn’t from good deeds. It’s God’s gift through Jesus.
After? Thank Him each morning. Start a journal – note changes, answered prayers. Mine’s 20 years thick now, proof of growth.
Love shows in action. John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Begin small, like forgiving someone today.
This starts your personal relationship with God. Faith in Jesus isn’t a leap in the dark. It’s standing on His Word.
Daily Practices to Experience God
Daily intentional growth keeps it real. Colossians 2:6-7 encourages us to stay rooted in Christ and build up from there. I learned this the hard way – early faith faded without daily fuel.
Start with the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 calls it living and active. Begin with John; it’s short and shows Jesus clearly. I use SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan): Write the Scripture, note what stands out, plan one action, then pray it. Psalm 119:105 says God’s Word lights your path – it does. Read one chapter a day. That’s how you know God through the Bible.
Pray every day. Philippians 4:6 tells you to present requests with thanks, then listen to God for an answer. Mine’s simple: Morning gratitude list, evening rundown of the day. Ask, wait in quiet. No script needed. This builds your daily walk with God, steady and close.
Obey what you read. James 1:22 warns against just hearing – be doers. Link up with other believers; Hebrews 10:25 says don’t skip meeting together. Share your story too, like Matthew 28:19 commands. I find a solid church group keeps me sharp.
Add worship and serving. Psalm 100 calls for loud thanks; Galatians 5:13 says serve one another in love. Don’t go solo – isolation stalls growth.
Struggle with sticking to it? Begin with 10 minutes. Phone apps work for starters, but paper journal hits deeper. I review weekly: What worked? Adjust.
Want to hear God’s voice? John 10:27 says His sheep know it. Drown in the Word first; it tunes your ear. Subtle nudges come – a verse that fits, peace in a choice.
Do these, and you experience God personally. Intimacy with God from the Bible builds over time. Mine’s grown through decades of mornings like this. Yours will too.
How To Overcome Obstacles on Your Journey To Knowing God
I know the road to knowing God personally gets bumpy. I’ve hit doubt, burnout, and old wounds myself. Over the years, following up with folks, I’ve seen these same walls block their walk with God. They’re real, but the bible gives straight fixes that work. Let’s tackle each one simply.
Doubt: Life hits hard, prayers seem ignored, and you wonder, “God, where are you?” Job did too, and God showed up not with easy words but His bigness (Job 38:1-4). After my friend died suddenly, I questioned everything.
What to do: 2 Corinthians 10:5 – grab every doubt, thought, and make it obey Christ. Write it: “God forgot me.” Hit back with Romans 8:28 – all works for good. Say it loud each day. Keep a list of times God came through; mine’s pages long now. Say it out with a friend, brother, or sister in the faith.
Business: Work, kids, phone – God gets remembered last. I used to hit my mailbox or phone first before devotions. My spiritual life went down so fast.
Matthew 6:33: Seek God first, and the rest follows. Set alarm 15 minutes early, Bible right there. I lock 4 AM for prayer, phone off. Tell family it’s non-negotiable. Business kills quiet time (Mark 4:19), but this habit pushes back for real closeness with God.
Past Hurts: Betrayal, loss, abuse – trust breaks. “God can’t love this mess,” you think. Psalm 34:18: He is close to the broken. After the loss of my mum in 2015, I felt deep pain and anger.
Ephesians 4:32: Forgive like He forgives you. List the hurts, pray for those who did it. I wrote unsent letters, let go. Get counsel for deep stuff (Proverbs 15:22).
Conclusion: Draw Near and Stay Connected To God
You’ve now seen the full path to know God personally. It starts with recognizing God’s love for you, laid out in John 3:16 and Genesis 1:27. Sin separates us, as Romans 3:23 and Isaiah 59:2 make clear, but Jesus Christ bridges that gap completely (John 14:6). Through simple faith – admitting sin, believing in His death and resurrection, and receiving Him by prayer (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12) – you enter a personal relationship with God. From there, daily habits like Bible reading, prayer, and obedience grow it (Hebrews 4:12, John 15:7). Even obstacles like doubt, busyness, or dry seasons have solutions in Scripture, from taking thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) to drawing near (James 4:8).
Draw Near and Stay Connected To God
James 4:8 nails it: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Every obstacle bows to this. Community matters – find a church or group (Hebrews 10:24-25). I’ve led Bible studies where shared struggles birthed breakthroughs. These steps help you overcome sin to know God fully because they align with His Word. Sin’s pull weakens as you apply it. In my experience, consistency turns obstacles into stepping stones. Start with one today: Which hits home? Act on it.
No complicated steps. Just trust God’s Word. If doubt lingers, read John 17:3 again: Eternal life is knowing Him. Start today. Pray this prayer now if you would like to receive Jesus into your life: “Jesus, I receive You as Savior. Thank You for forgiving my sin and making me Your child.” Then open your Bible to John. One chapter daily builds the daily walk with God.
Freedom awaits on the other side of faith in Jesus Christ. You’ve got the tools – use them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does it actually mean to know God personally, not just know about Him?
It means direct communion, like a child with a father. John 17:3 calls this eternal life: knowing God and Jesus Christ. In practice, I shift from facts (God is love) to experience (sensing His peace in chaos). Start by reading John 1:1-18 daily; it reveals Jesus as God with us. Over time, obedience to His words (John 14:23) deepens it. I’ve seen this turn distant belief into daily dialogue.
If I’ve prayed before but feel nothing changed, did it work?
Feelings follow faith, not lead it. Romans 10:9-10 says confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him – that’s the trigger. Test it: 1 John 5:13 assures you can know you have eternal life. I felt nothing at first too; then John 1:12 clicked – rights as God’s child. Check fruit: Do you hate sin more? Crave Scripture? If yes, it worked. Reaffirm daily: “Jesus, I trust Your promise.”
Why does God seem silent when I try Bible study or prayer?
Silence tests trust. Psalm 13 captures David’s cry: “How long, O Lord?” Press on – Jeremiah 33:3 promises revelation when you call. Practical fixes: Read slower (one Psalm daily), journal questions, then silence for His whisper (1 Kings 19:12). Distractions kill it; I unplug devices. God speaks through conscience, circumstances, counsel too. Persist six weeks; patterns emerge.
How do I confess sin specifically without shame overwhelming me?
Name it plainly to God alone – no details to others unless accountability needed. 1 John 1:9: He forgives and cleanses. Example: “God, I coveted my neighbor’s success; forgive me.” Write sins, burn the list post-prayer. Shame loses power as Psalm 103:12 sinks in: Sins removed as east from west. I do this weekly; freedom compounds. Pair with thanks for Jesus’ blood (Hebrews 9:14).
Can busyness or doubt really block a relationship with God long-term?
Yes, they erode it slowly. Mark 4:19 shows worries choking the Word. Counter doubt with evidence: List 10 past God-moves (answered prayer, provision). For busyness, audit time – cut 30 minutes scrolling for Bible/prayer. Matthew 6:33: Seek Him first. In mentoring, those who log daily quiet time report a breakthrough. Doubt shrinks when you stack proofs.
What’s one habit that guarantees progress toward intimacy with God?
Obedience. John 14:21: Keep commands, get revelation. Start small: Forgive one person today (Matthew 6:14-15). Track obedience in a notebook. I began with tithing; trust exploded. Jesus said if you abide in His Word, you’re free (John 8:31-32). No shortcuts – do it, see Him unveil more.
How does suffering fit into knowing God better?
It refines. Romans 5:3-5: Suffering produces endurance, character, hope. Job emerged deeper (Job 42:5: “Now my eye sees you”). In my grief, pain stripped props, exposing God. Lean in: Read Psalms of Lament. Ask, “What are you teaching?” Community shares load (Galatians 6:2). Gold emerges purified.
