Known by Jesus

"I want you to know me."

"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord... did we not do many mighty works in your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me.'" — Matthew 7:22-23

A lifetime of service isn't the same as being known. This ten-part study walks from Eden, where knowing first broke, through the long story of a people who struggled to be known, to the rest that remains for those who are known by Jesus. It's an invitation into relationship — with Jesus first, and from there, with the family and community around you.

What's Inside

10 Parts
Self-Paced
Free
Reflection & Assessment

Who it's for

For anyone who has done the work, kept the rules, and still quietly wondered whether Jesus actually knows them.

It's free and self-paced — work through the ten parts on your own schedule, with optional email reminders and downloadable PDFs if you'd rather study offline. No cohort or facilitator required.

What We'll Walk Through

Ten Parts, One Arc

The ten parts move in a single arc: back to Eden, where knowing first broke; through Israel's own struggle to be known; and into the verse this whole study is built on — "I never knew you." From there, it turns from diagnosis to invitation, counting what it costs to be fully known, and closing with the rest that's waiting on the other side.

1

The Tree Where Knowing Broke

See exactly where knowing first broke, so you can name what's actually broken instead of just managing symptoms.

2

A People Who Struggled to Be Known

Recognize your own struggle in Israel's honest story — you're not the first to wrestle with this, and you're not alone in it now.

3

The Test Behind the Test

Learn to spot the deeper question hiding under every trial and temptation you face.

4

"I Never Knew You": Matthew 7:21-23

Sit with the verse this whole study is built on: proof that service is no substitute for being known.

5

The Price of Being Known

Count the real cost of letting God see all of you — and why it's worth paying.

6

Before You Serve, Have You Sat?

Find out whether your service flows out of being known by Him, or has quietly replaced it.

7

Knowing as Word and Deed

See what changes, in both belief and daily life, when being known stops being just an idea.

8

Known by One Another

Discover why being known by God was always meant to lead to being known by others too.

9

The Company of the Known

See what it looks like to walk this out with others instead of carrying it alone.

10

The Rest That Remains

Arrive at the rest that's waiting for those who are finally, fully known.

An Invitation, Not Just a Question

You've read the words. This is the invitation to respond to them — not just agree with them. Take the first step and start Part One today.

ABOUT THIS STUDY

Ancient Path Biblical Coaching

This study was written by John Sherrod, co-founder of Ancient Path Biblical Coaching alongside Jason Posey. It grew out of sitting with Matthew 7:21-23 — the sobering reminder that a lifetime of ministry means nothing without being known by Jesus. It's an invitation to relationship first, so everything that follows — family, community, service — grows out of actually being known.