A Heart That Wants to See
Month 2: Does God Exist? · Heart Matters
Today's Scripture
Read together: Psalm 14:1
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.
Memory Verse
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”— Psalm 19:1 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Acts 20–22
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Paul says goodbye to friends and bravely heads toward Jerusalem.)The Heart of It
says something surprising: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" Notice where the "no God" lives. Not in his head, but in his heart. The Bible isn't calling people who doubt stupid. Plenty of smart people have walked away from God. And plenty of simple people have walked toward Him. The point is deeper. Sometimes the real reason a person says "there's no God" isn't a problem with their thinking. It's a wish in their wanting. If there's no God, then no one is in charge of me, and I can do whatever I please. So the heart says "no God" because it doesn't want there to be One.
Here's why that matters for us. Believing in God isn't only about collecting good arguments, though we have great ones! It's also about having a heart that is honest and humble. A heart that wants to see the truth and is willing to follow it wherever it leads. Jesus promised, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (). So we get ready to give kind, clear reasons to others. But we also pray for their hearts. And we keep our own hearts soft. Today, don't just ask God to prove Himself to you. Ask Him to give you a heart that loves Him and wants Him.
Around the Table
When we love someone, we want to be near them. Let's ask God to help our hearts love Him and want Him close.
Let's do it: Put a hand on your heart and pray, "God, I want to know You. Help my heart love You."
Sometimes people say "no God" not because they checked the facts, but because they don't want a God in charge. There's a reason a heart might feel that way.
Let's talk: What's something true you didn't want to be true at first, but admitted anyway because it was right?
This verse puts unbelief in the heart, not just the head. Sometimes what we believe is shaped by what we want, not only by what we think ().
Let's go deeper: How can you tell the difference between an honest question and an excuse not to believe? In others, and in yourself?
💬 Conversation Starter
Have you ever wanted so badly NOT to be wrong that you almost argued against something you secretly knew was true? What helped you finally be honest?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some people don't reject God because of the evidence. They reject the evidence because they don't want God. So pair good reasons with a gentle question: "Would you want it to be true that God is real and loves you?" That respects the heart, not just the head ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
One of the most important things you can teach your children is that the will is not neutral. We are not cool computers calmly weighing data. We are worshipers, and our wanting bends our thinking. This is exactly why arguments alone never convert anyone. They remove obstacles, but only the Spirit softens a heart. As an Arminian truth, remember this. God's grace genuinely reaches toward every person, and it can be received or resisted. No one is locked out, and no one is dragged in against their will. So fight for your kids on two fronts at once. Sharpen their minds, and pray for tender hearts, in them and in the friends they will witness to. But examine your own heart first. Are there truths you resist because you'd rather not obey them?
Draws on: Sean McDowell, A New Kind of Apologist.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, give us honest, humble hearts that truly want to know You. Soften any place in us that resists You. And help us love the friends who don't yet believe. In Jesus' name, amen."
Knowing God starts with a heart honest enough to want Him.