God the Father

Before earth’s creation the Father formed a story built around His plan and promise to show forth Himself to humanity. We know and learn that there is something behind all that we are doing…not just something, but someone.

SERMON OUTLINE

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth….and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light.’” (Genesis 1:1-3)

Beginning with a Vision of God

  • To seek and know God
  • God is mysterious but not irrational
  • God is knowable but not comprehensible

God as Three in One

  • The oneness of God
  • Deity of the three persons
  • The three-in-oneness of God

What This Does Not Mean

  • Not three Gods (Tritheism)
  • Not one God appearing differently (Modalism)
  • Not unequal persons (Arianism)

Living Our Triune Faith

  • To seek God
  • To know God

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. This weekend we begin a series exploring our understanding of God as a Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We will look at many different portions of Scripture. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His word, and then begin the study.
  2. Read through the following passages on the oneness of God, asking what each passage tells you about God: Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:22; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Ephesians 4:4, 5
  3. Now study through the following passages reflecting on the divinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
    1. Father: Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9; 27:46; Ephesians 4:4, 5
    2. Son: John 10:29-30; 5:18; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:2-4
    3. Holy Spirit: John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 12:4-11
  4. 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.
  5. What do you find most difficult to understand about God as Trinity? Who could you talk to about this?
  6. What does God as Trinity mean for us as Christians? Also, how might this shape your life to follow God daily?

DIG DEEPER

  • 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
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God the Son