Bible Study: Divine Attraction - The Drawing Power of God

Introduction:

The concept of "divine attraction" speaks to the irresistible pull of God's love and grace, drawing individuals into a relationship with Him. This study will explore the biblical references to this divine attraction, examining its nature and its effects on those who experience it.

I. General References to Divine Attraction:

• Song of Solomon 1:4:

◦ "Draw me after you; let us run! The king has brought me into his chambers."

◦ This verse expresses a deep desire for intimate communion with God, acknowledging His drawing power.

• Jeremiah 31:3:

◦ "The Lord appeared to him from far away. ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.’"

◦ This passage highlights God's enduring love as the source of His drawing power, emphasizing His initiative in seeking relationship.

• Hosea 11:4:

◦ "I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them."

◦ This verse portrays God's gentle and loving approach in drawing His people, using "cords of human kindness" and "ties of love."

• John 6:44:

◦ "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day."

◦ This passage emphasizes the Father's active role in drawing individuals to Christ, highlighting the divine initiative in salvation.

• John 12:32:

◦ "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

◦ This verse reveals Jesus' sacrificial love on the cross as the ultimate expression of divine attraction, drawing all people to Himself.

• Hosea 2:14:

◦ "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her."

◦ This displays God's desire to restore his people through allurement.

II. Examples of People Seeking Christ:

• Mark 1:37:

◦ "And when they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’"

◦ This verse illustrates the widespread desire to encounter Jesus, driven by His miraculous works and compelling teachings.

• Luke 4:42:

◦ "At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them."

◦ This passage shows the people's persistent pursuit of Jesus, seeking His presence and healing.

• Luke 19:3:

◦ "And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature."

◦ This verse describes Zacchaeus's intense desire to see Jesus, overcoming obstacles to encounter Him.

• John 6:24:

◦ "So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus."

◦ This passage demonstrates the people's determination to find Jesus, crossing the sea to seek Him.

• John 12:21:

◦ "They came to Philip and asked him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’"

◦ This verse highlights the desire of Gentiles to see Jesus, indicating the universal appeal of His presence.

III. Key Themes:

• Divine Initiative: God actively draws individuals to Himself, demonstrating His love and desire for relationship.

• Irresistible Love: God's love is a powerful force, attracting people to Him with cords of kindness and ties of love.

• Sacrificial Love: Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate expression of divine attraction, drawing all people to Himself.

• Human Response: People respond to God's drawing power with a desire to seek and encounter Him.

• Universal Appeal: The desire to seek Jesus transcends cultural and social barriers, demonstrating the universal appeal of His presence.

IV. Application and Discussion:

• How have you experienced God's drawing power in your life?

• What are the "cords of human kindness" and "ties of love" that God uses to draw people to Himself?

• How does Jesus's sacrifice on the cross demonstrate the depth of God's love and His desire for relationship with us?

• How should we respond to God's drawing power in our lives?

• How can we participate in God's work of drawing others to Himself?

• What does the fact that people from all backgrounds seek Jesus reveal about His nature?

Bible Study: Divine Attraction - The Drawing Power of God

Conclusion:

Divine attraction is a powerful and transformative force, drawing individuals into a loving relationship with God. God's initiative, love, and sacrifice on the cross are the source of this attraction, prompting a human response of seeking and desiring His presence. Understanding this concept deepens our appreciation for God's grace and our role in His redemptive plan.

Bible Study: Divine Attraction - The Drawing Power of God