This message will explore the unity of God as Trinity, which is at the heart of our faith and any understanding of unity. Subthemes will include the distinctive persons of the Trinity, how this fits within the overall oneness of God, how God’s three-in-one existence is found in Scripture, and what this means for any discussion of unity.
SERMON OUTLINE
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
God is One (Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
- The One God who exists
- The One God who has no peers
- The One God who is relational
The One God is Triune (Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19)
- The Father is God; the Son is God; the Holy Spirit is God
- God is three-in-one (the Trinity)
Humanity Made Alive in the Triune God
- Enter into relationship with the Triune God.
- Recognize the unity and distinctness of the three persons of the Triune God.
- Live in the dance of the Triune God.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you felt most unified with others? What was going on?
- This week we begin a new series “One: The Being of God in the Life of the Church.” Throughout this series we will explore the nature of unity and how we live that out in divisive times. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word?
- Read through the following passages, asking what each passage tells you about God’s essential unity or oneness: • Exodus 20:2-3 • Isaiah 45:22 • Ephesians 4:4, 5 • Deuteronomy 6:4 • 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6
- Now study through the following passages reflecting on the divinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
- Father: Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9; 27:46; Ephesians 4:4, 5
- Son: John 10:29-30; 5:18; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:2-4
- Holy Spirit: John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 12:4-11
- Next look at four passages that speak to the Triune nature of God: • Matthew 3:13-17 • John 15:26 • 2 Corinthians 13:14 • 1 Peter 1:2
- What do you find most significant about God as Trinity for us as Christians?
- How do you think the nature of God as Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – impacts our discussion of unity?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of the unity of God? If you are on your own, write that down. If you are in a small group, discuss your answers with one another. Close in prayer. Choose one person in your life with whom you will share some- thing you learned through this study.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Deuteronomy 6:4-5 this week
- Read the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed, which are three historic statements of our Christian faith
- Read a book that helps you understand this more, such as Delighting in the Trinity by Tim Chester or Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves