Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene - IL

June 28, 2026

KNOW GOD

Pastor Jenna Luoto

Pastor Jenna shares how a season of burnout and sabbatical led God to fundamentally recalibrate her understanding of the Christian life. Rather than striving to become more like Jesus through greater effort or spiritual performance, she discovered that the primary goal of the Christian life is to know God intimately and learn to live at rest in His presence. Because Jesus came to restore our relationship with the Father, true transformation flows not from striving but from abiding—“we behold, then we become.” The invitation of the gospel is not simply forgiveness or self-improvement, but a lifelong relationship with God that transforms us from the inside out.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Pastor Jenna asked, “What is the goal of the Christian life?” How would you have answered that question before hearing this sermon? Has your understanding changed? Why or why not?
Have you ever experienced the feeling that “something is missing” in your walk with God despite faithfully serving, praying, reading Scripture, or attending church? What has that experience been like for you?
One of the sermon’s central ideas is that transformation happens by learning to rest in God’s presence rather than focusing on taking a Next Step to get a new result. What is the difference between those two approaches, and which one more closely describes your current spiritual life? How easy or difficult is it for you to simply be still in God’s presence?
Pastor Jenna described discovering a “backward piece” in the foundation of her faith. Looking honestly at your own story, are there beliefs, motivations, or assumptions about following Jesus that God may need to recalibrate in order to see relationship as the goal?
Read John 17:3, Psalm 131:2, and 2 Corinthians 3:18 together. What do these passages teach about knowing God, finding rest in His presence, and experiencing transformation?
This week, what is one practical way you can pursue relationship with God rather than simply completing spiritual tasks? What might it look like to intentionally create space to be with Him without an agenda?

Discussion questions PDF

Step FOUR: LIVE IT OUT

ROOM 109 | 12:15PM | LUNCH & CHILDCARE PROVIDED

No matter where you are at on your journey, Lifetrack is the first step that we encourage you to participate in here at Kankakee First Church. This is where you will learn about WHO we are as a church, WHAT we believe, and HOW we are structured to help you along your spiritual journey. Lifetrack is a four-step process that helps you discover your redemptive purpose and live the life God created for you. You will learn more about who we are as a church and who God has created you to be.j
Lifetrack is also our onboarding for serving on our DreamTeam.