CHAPTER 1
Who Is God?
Part 1: Understanding God's Nature
Let's break down the idea of understanding God's nature. Think of it like trying to get to know someone who's super complex and has a lot of layers. God is described as all-powerful (can do anything), all-knowing (knows everything that's happened and what's going to happen), and everywhere at once. But it's not just about these big, mind-blowing traits. It's also about how God is loving, forgiving, and just. Understanding God's nature is like assembling a massive puzzle. The cool part is, as you piece it together, it starts to shape how you see the world, how you treat others, and how you think about big questions in life. So, understanding God is a journey that really changes how you view pretty much everything.
1. God is the Creator:
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
- This verse establishes God as the originator of everything that exists.
2. God is Eternal:
Psalm 90:2:
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."
- God’s existence is without beginning or end.
3. God is Omniscient (All-Knowing):
Psalm 139:1-4:
O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar... Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether."
- God knows everything, including our thoughts and future.
4. God is Omnipresent (Present Everywhere):
Jeremiah 23:24:
Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD."
- God’s presence is everywhere in the universe.
5. God is Omnipotent (All-Powerful):
Job 42:2:
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
- God has unlimited power and can do anything that is in harmony with His character.
Discussion Questions:
1. Creation and God’s Role:
- How does recognizing God as the Creator of everything influence your perspective on the environment and our responsibility towards it?
2. Eternal Nature of God:
- In what ways does understanding God as eternal impact your thoughts about life, purpose, and the afterlife?
3. God’s Omniscience:
- How does knowing that God is all-knowing affect your feelings about privacy, honesty, and openness in your personal life?
4. God’s Omnipresence:
- Discuss a situation where knowing that God is present everywhere could provide comfort or guidance.
5. God’s Omnipotence:
- Share an example from your life or history where God’s power is evident. How does this influence your trust in Him?
Part 2: God’s Relationship with Humanity
Let’s dive into something really interesting – the relationship between God and people. This isn't just about learning a bunch of facts; it's about getting into the deep stuff. It's like exploring a friendship that shapes who we are and why we're here. Think of it as figuring out how this big, cosmic connection plays a role in our everyday lives and our big questions about life, the universe, and everything in it. We're going to look at how this relationship isn't just a part of history or stories, but something that can be super relevant and meaningful to us right now.
1. God is Love:
1 John 4:8:
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
- God’s nature is fundamentally love, and this love is shown supremely in Jesus Christ.
2. God is Just:
Psalm 9:7-8: "But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.
- God’s justice ensures that righteousness is upheld.
3. God is Merciful and Forgiving:
Psalm 103:8-10:
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love... He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
- Despite our failings, God offers mercy and forgiveness.
Discussion Questions:
1. God as Love:
- How can understanding God as fundamentally loving change the way we interact with others?
2. God as Just:
- Discuss how God's justice can be comforting in a world where unfairness is often experienced.
3. God’s Mercy and Forgiveness:
- Share a personal experience where you felt God's mercy and forgiveness. How did it affect your relationship with Him and others?
Part 3: Responding to God
As we continue our journey in understanding our relationship with God, we now turn to a crucial aspect of this journey - how we respond to God in our daily lives. Understanding who God is and His relationship with humanity naturally leads us to the question: "How should we respond to such a magnificent and loving God?"
1. Worship and Reverence:
Psalm 95:6-7:
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
- Recognizing God's majesty and love calls us to worship Him.
2. Trust and Obedience:
Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
- Trusting God involves relying on His wisdom and guidance.
3. Living in God’s Love:
- Ephesians 5:1-2: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
- We are called to reflect God’s love in our actions and relationships.
Discussion Questions:
1. Worship and Reverence:
- What are some ways we can show worship and reverence to God in our daily lives beyond attending church services?
2. Trust and Obedience:
- Can you think of a time when trusting God and following His guidance led to a positive outcome in your life?
3. Living in God’s Love:
- What are practical ways we can imitate God’s love in our interactions at school, home, and in our communities?
Part 4: A Deeper Dive into the Names of God
Let's talk about the names of God. God isn't just called "God" – He has many different names, each showing a different side of His personality or role. It's like how a person can be a brother, a friend, a student, all at the same time. Some cool names for God include "Yahweh," which is super special and means something like "I Am," showing that He's always been around and always will be. Then there's "Elohim," used in the Bible, which highlights God's power as the creator of everything. You've probably heard "Jehovah Jireh," which means "The Lord Will Provide," showing that God's got your back. These names aren't just labels; they're like windows into understanding more about who God is and how He interacts with the world and people. So, next time you come across these names, think about the deeper meaning behind them – it's like getting to know someone through their different roles and stories.
1. Elohim - The Creator:
- Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth."
- This name emphasizes God's power and role as the Creator.
2. Yahweh - The LORD:
- Exodus 3:14: "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.''"
- Yahweh, often translated as "LORD" in all capital letters, signifies God's self-existence and eternal nature.
3. El Shaddai - God Almighty:
- Genesis 17:1: "When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.'"
- This name highlights God’s supreme power.
4. Adonai - Lord/Master:
- Psalm 8:1: "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens."
- Adonai reflects God’s authority and lordship over all.
5. Jehovah-Jireh - The LORD Will Provide:
- Genesis 22:14: "So Abraham called the name of that place, 'The LORD will provide'; as it is said to this day, 'On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.'"
- This name is a reminder of God’s provision for our needs.
Discussion Questions:
1. Understanding God Through His Names:
- Choose one of the names of God discussed. How does this name deepen your understanding of who God is?
2. Personal Reflection on God’s Names:
- Is there a particular name of God that resonates with you personally? Share why.
Part 5: A Deeper Dive into the Attributes of God
Imagine God's characteristics as different sides of a shiny diamond. Each side shows us something special and different about Him. We're going to check out these different sides, like His power, kindness, and wisdom, and get why He's so awesome and important. Get ready to have your mind blown as we get a bigger, clearer picture of who God is!
1. God is Omniscient (All-Knowing):
- Psalm 147:5: "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure."
- God's knowledge encompasses all things, seen and unseen.
2. God is Omnipresent (Everywhere Present):
- Psalm 139:7-10: "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?..."
- There is no place in the universe where God is not present.
3. God is Omnipotent (All-Powerful):
- Jeremiah 32:17: "Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."
- God's power is unlimited and unmatched.
4. God is Immutable (Unchanging):
- Malachi 3:6: "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."
- God’s character and purposes remain consistent through time.
5. God is Holy:
- Isaiah 6:3: "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"
- God is absolutely pure and set apart from all sin.
6. God is Just:
- Deuteronomy 32:4: "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he."
- God is fair and righteous in all His judgments.
7. God is Love:
- 1 John 4:16: "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
- God's nature is characterized by love, which is demonstrated supremely in Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions:
1. God’s Omniscience and Personal Life:
- How does God being all-knowing influence your choices and actions?
2. God’s Omnipresence in Daily Life:
- Discuss how the omnipresence of God provides comfort or challenge in your daily life.
3. God’s Attributes and Personal Faith:
- Which attribute of God do you find most awe-inspiring, and how does it affect your faith?