The God We Can Know: Exploring the "I Am" Sayings of Jesus

by Rob Fuquay

The God We Can Know is a 7-week study designed for the entire congregation to explore the "I Am" sayings of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. Perfect for Lent or any time of year, this series will help you find and form an answer to the most essential question in the Christian faith, "Who do you say I am?"

One by one, Jesus' statements grab our imagination, reveal more about his identity and purpose, and connect us to the God of Moses, who spoke the first "I Am." These significant yet ordinary images (bread, light, shepherd, vine, and more) give us insightful ways to experience Jesus and point us to a God who wants to be known.

The DVD, filmed on location in the Holy Land, allows you to travel with Rob Fuquay and actually see the places where Jesus stood when he disclosed his true identity, and in what context he spoke each "I Am." The book, DVD/study guide combo, and online support work together to provide one of the most meaningful, transforming initiatives your church can provide for the entire congregation.

Weekly themes

Introduction to "I Am"—Knowing GodI Am the Bread of Life—Knowing God's SatisfactionI Am the Light of the World—Knowing God's GuidanceI Am the Good Shepherd—Knowing God's CareI Am the True Vine—Knowing God's PowerI Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life—Knowing God's WayI Am the Resurrection and the Life—Knowing God's Possibilities

Genres: Religion, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Faith

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is profound but simple and easy to understand. My Sunday school class had some great discussions, and I found the book to be inspiring on a personal level.

[Anne]

I cannot give this book any stars because there were many things that I did not like about this book. It was very simplistic, and as someone who knows a lot about the Bible, it didn't do much for me to read it. The video that goes with the Bible study didn't add much to it either, neither did the other prople in the Bible study.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my bible study. It was a really good group study. We had a lot of really great discussions based on the writing and the questions included. I'd definitely recommend it for a smallgroup study. 

[Beth Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for adult Sunday School class

[Roger]

Excellent text for group study - great pairing of book and DVD segments on site in the Holy Land, narrated by the author.

[Sonja Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

LiVery thought provoking.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women’s Bible study fall of 2024

[Prof Plum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole experience was wonderful -- book, DVD, leaders guide. My bible study group will definitely do another of his.

[Christa Morse-Haggard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cannot recommend, several good nuggets of reflection, but bad theology

[George Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up this book on a whim when I was with Julie at the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in June. There was also a DVD (sold separately) which could be combined with the book for a congregational study. I picked up the DVD also. Often the DVD's in these studies do the heavy lifting in terms of what actually gets discussed - the book may be good, but the impetus for the study comes from the DVD. Not so here. The DVD is fine - segments of about 7 minutes for each session that set the table, however the bulk of the content is in the chapters of the book. And the chapters are gold. Fuquay offers typically at least three nuggets per chapter where one would have been worth the time. It's a short read, an easy read, and a very helpful read. The book, as the title promises, explores the "I Am" statements of Jesus in John. Fuquay is very good about helping us to engage the "I Am" statements and discover how the statements reveal bits of who God is to us and helps us also to understand how coming to know more of God helps us to know more of ourselves. Highly recommended.

[Jayme Carruthers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that Daniel and I read for church. We were supposed to do a small group study with it but that kind of fell apart.

This book explores the "I am" sayings of Jesus. For example, "I am the good shepherd.", "I am the light.", "I am the way.", "I am the living water.", etc. What does Jesus mean by all of these?

I really liked this book because it made you think about the things that you read in the Bible on a deeper level. Each chapter had questions to go along with it to discuss with your small group (or just your husband!) We always had really good discussions out of these and I think we both learned something every time.

[Carla H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting personal stories help make this text particularly useful for talking about knowing God in an intimate way. I had a different plan for Lent this year, but after reading this, decided this would be a helpful way to integrate our Sunday worship experience and our Wednesday study experience. It is very accessible and written in a way that my membership can feel confident.

[Peggy Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a Bible Study during Lent. I completed it on March 24. We had productive discussions during our meetings. We discussed the variety of labels accorded to our Lord. Distinctions were evaluated, using a video that accompanied the study. I will commit to another study when organized.

[Lori Schwilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book for a Lenten sermon and adult study series. (Study materials also are available for youth and children, but we didn't use those.) My congregation and I both loved it. I highly and enthusiastically recommend it.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. This author presents material in an easy to read and understand manner. I can't wait for him to write another one. Everyone in the class I led loved this book.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and understand with questions and discussions at end of chapters. Great source for this year's lent study

[Jan Mcleod · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some good ideas and points in this book, but I was somewhat disappointed. It was not typical of the inspiring messages Rob preaches.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this in church Group study. It was excellent.

[Marge Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it and i learned some things.