Who Is God?

What does Genesis say about God?
Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
God is the creator. He created everything.
What does John say about God?
John 1:1-5 (ESV)
There is absolutely nothing that was created apart from God. Also, He gives people life and light - wisdom to see His creation.

Trinity

Matthew tells us to go and share the gospel but what does this tell us about God?
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
God exists as three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Are these three persons unique individuals?
John 14:9 (ESV)
We cannot know Jesus without knowing The Father. God may exist as three persons but they are all part of one God.

Lesson 3 will have more to say about Jesus, the Son of God, and lesson 4 will have more to say about the Holy Spirit. The rest of this lesson will talk about God the Father.

Heavenly Father

God's Love for Us

How much does God love us?
When did He begin to love us?
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-
God loves us greatly.
He began to love us while we were still in in rebellion against Him.
Because of His love for us, He made a way for us to come to Him In Jesus.
What is the result of God's love for us, both in His eyes and the eyes of the world?
1 John 3:1 (ESV)
God now sees us as His children but the rest of the world does not understand who we are beacuse they do not know the God we now know.

If you do not know the story of the prodigal son, read Luke 15:11-24 for further insight into God's love for us.

God's Protection

What does Paul say about God's protection here?
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV)
God will protect us. Paul says this to people whom he assumes are following his instructions. We cannot assume full protection if we are going our own way.
There are a number of key ideas in the following verse. What are they?
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
  • There are lots of temptations, wrong desires, wrong paths and so forth, but there are many before us who have suffered the same temptations. Our situation is not unique.
  • God will allow temptations to come but He will not allow temptations that are too strong for us.
  • If we trust in Him up front, He will provide a way out.
  • While He will provide a way out, we need to do our part - endure it.

God's Provision

How much does God want to do for us?
Matthew 6:31-32 (ESV)
Why would God give us what we need?
Romans 8:32 (ESV)
After sending Jesus to die for us, He is not going to let us be taken out by trivialities when He has things for us to do.

God's Discipline

Whom does God discipline?
Hebrews 12:6 (ESV)
He disciplines those whom He loves.
How does discipline happen in this verse?
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)
People discipline each other - by challenge and encouragement.
How does discipline happen in this verse?
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
God's Word, The Bible, corrects us.
How does discipline happen in this verse?
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
God sends or allows difficult situations to occur.