Lesson 1: The Christian and God
1.
Into our History
Suggested Ice Breakers
· Give an instance in your life when God was real to you.
· What misconceptions of God have you had?
· Why is it important for us to know who and what God is?
2. Into the Bible
[1]
:
a. Statement of
Faith:
1. The Westminster Confession (2:1): There is but one only living and true God,
who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without
body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal,
incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute,
working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most
righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful,
long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity,
transgression, and sin, the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and
withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments; hating all sin, and who will
by no means clear the guilty.
2. Discussion: Given such an exhaustive description of God by the Westminster Confession, why do you think it is important for us to know who and what God is?
a. We are commanded to worship the Lord with all of our minds, as well as heart, soul, and strength (Matthew 22:37).
b. It guards us from misrepresenting God (i.e. from fashioning mental idols). What misconceptions have you had of God? How did it affect your life?
b. God is Great (What is God?):
1. Always existing: Psalms 90:2
2. Never Changing: Hebrews 13:8
3. No limitations: Psalm 147:5; Revelation 19:6
4. Trinity of Persons: Matthew 28:19
5. Sovereign: Psalms 115:3
c. God is Good (What is God like?):
1. Holy: 1 Samuel 2:2
2. Just: Psalms 7:9-11
3. Loving
a. Knowable: Jeremiah 9:23,24
b. Approachable: Psalms 145:18
c. Forgiving: Romans 3:22,25
3. Into our Lives:
a. What should our response be in view of God’s Greatness?
b. What should our response be in view of God’s Goodness?
c. Prayer