The Gift of Paying Attention | Draw Near With Pastor Amy Groeschel

Draw Near: Living in Constant Awareness of God’s Presence

Scripture References

• Psalm 73
• Psalm 27

Overview

God is already present; the issue is whether we actually turn our attention toward Him. In this session Craig and Amy introduce the “Draw Near” study, showing why an intentional, moment-by-moment nearness to God is better than merely being in His general vicinity. Using Psalm 73, Psalm 27, and real-life examples, they unpack how beholding, abiding, and attentive living open our hearts to the goodness of God and shape the next generation’s faith.

Context

• Craig interviews Amy, who spent months writing the “Draw Near” Bible study for the women of their church and beyond.
• The conversation assumes a fast-paced, phone-distracted culture where even spouses can sit in the same room yet remain disconnected. Drawing near to God confronts that same drift.

Main Points

1. Why Nearness Matters

• Our world—and hearts—are chronically distracted; nearness must be chosen.
• Psalm 73 declares, > “But as for me, it’s good to be near God.”
  • “Good” (Hebrew tove) means pleasant, beautiful, better than anything else pulling at us.
• Nearness is relational, not just locational; sitting beside someone while scrolling a phone is proximity without connection.
• Life is richer when we give God the kind of focused attention we’d give a loved one.

2. What Drawing Near Looks Like

• Spiritual practices become relational when done in God’s presence, not as checklist items.
  • Reading Scripture while acknowledging the Author is present.
  • Turning chores, commutes, and nature moments into whispered conversations with Him.
  • Illustration: Looking up at the sky, pausing, and silently beholding God’s glory.
• It is essentially “abiding” (remaining), carrying an awareness that He dwells within and walks with us through every task.

3. Behold: The Posture of Attention

• The biblical word “behold” means to look, notice, perceive—above all, to pay attention.
  • Amy: When Scripture says “Behold,” it’s like God saying, “Wake up, stop freaking out, I’m here.”

• “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”

  • John the Baptist halted everything to spotlight Jesus; beholding arrests our distractions and fixes our gaze on Him.
• Beholding uses the “eyes of the soul” to recognize God’s work in and around us.

4. David’s Single-Minded Desire

• Psalm 27 models a heart addicted to God’s presence:

  “One thing I’ve asked…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord…to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and inquire of Him.”

• David knew God yet “couldn’t get enough”; his example invites us to make nearness our one non-negotiable pursuit.

5. Generational Impact & Invitation

• Craig’s adult children said the most formative influence was watching their mom daily pray and read the Word—visible nearness shapes future faith.
• Promise repeated: “If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.”
• Group discussion starter: “What does nearness to God look like in your life?”—with encouragement to drop facades and speak honestly.
• The coming weeks will explore additional biblical characters to help participants practice stillness and intimacy with God.

Key Truths

• Nearness to God is inherently good and better than every competing distraction.
• Drawing near is less about physical location and more about deliberate, undivided attention.
• “Behold” is a summons to wake up and focus on God’s activity in the present moment.
• Daily, observable habits of nearness can shape the spiritual trajectory of others.
• God guarantees His responsive closeness when we take the first step toward Him.

Response

• Pause today and consciously acknowledge God’s presence in one ordinary task.
• Replace a scroll break with a moment of beholding—look up, notice creation, whisper thanks.
• Turn your next Bible reading into a conversation: ask God questions, listen, linger.
• Share honestly with a trusted friend or group how near or far you currently feel from God.
• Commit to a daily practice (journal, walk, silent minute) that helps you abide.

Closing

Drawing near is not a mystical achievement but a daily choice. As you quiet the noise, lift your eyes, and give God your undivided attention, He gladly moves close. The weeks ahead will provide concrete models, but the invitation starts now:

“As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you.”

Resources

• “Draw Near: Getting to Know Our Personal, Purposeful, and Praiseworthy God” Bible study by Amy Groeschel