Anatomy of the Kingdom: Nose
“The nose can’t lead where the heart hasn’t been”
Key thoughts: Our noses, are helpful tools to the mind, and reminders, that allow us to discern. They either pull us toward something, or pull us away from something. For example, we are drawn toward fresh baked cookies pulled out of the oven, but steered clear of a stinky diaper. Thank goodness!
Without our whole bodies working in step with the heartbeat of God, our noses can lead us astray. Be careful!
Word
Read these passages together:
- Genesis 27: 1-40, Philippians 1:9-11
- What do these passages say about human discernment versus Spirit discernment?
- How was Isaac’s discernment clouded by broken and blinded senses?
World
- What are our culture’s discernment tools? In what ways is this different or similar to godly discernment?
- What “stinky things” does the world put perfume on to entice us to consume? How can our senses be blinded to the heartbeat of God?
- What “stinky things” does the church put perfume on to entice us to consume? How can our senses be blinded to the heartbeat of God?
Us
- When have you been misguided by your nose? Share examples.
- When have you put perfume on “stinky things” to trick yourself or others to get what you want or make things seem different than they actually are?
- How can we lean on our whole body senses to learn the heartbeat of God?
The heart leads the mind, and the nose guides the mind. As the heart and the mind are transformed, our nose begins to sniff out the path to the Kingdom