Who is God?

WELCOME

A little girl in kindergarten was drawing a picture when her teacher walked up to her desk to take a look. She asked the child, “What are you drawing?” The bright-eyed girl quickly responded, “God.” The teacher smiled and then said, “Well, honey, no one actually knows what God looks like.” The child looked up from her work and confidently quipped, “Well then, they’re about to!” This little girl had no doubts at all as to whether God exists — rather, she was now going to show the world what He looked like to her. This is exactly where we must begin in examining our belief in God — not with, “Does He exist?” but with, “Who is He?”

WATCH THE VIDEO

VIDEO TEACHING NOTES

Welcome to session one of Think Like Jesus. If this is your first time together as a group, take a moment to introduce yourselves to each other. As you watch the video, use the following outline to record some of the main points.

• Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Why? Because this mindset — or absence of it — will drive all we _________________ and all we ____________________________________ .
• Key Question: Who is ______________________?
• “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are _______________ _______________ ” (Romans 1:20).
• Key Idea: I believe the God of the Bible is the one _________ _______ — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• God is three persons who _______________ a being.
• Key Verse: “May the grace of the Lord ___________ ___________, and the love of ________, and the fellowship of the _____________ __________________ be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
• (Key Application #1): Because God is God… I am __________; He is in __________ and in control; I want to know and follow His ________ for my life.
• (Key Application #2): Because I was created in the image of God and for community… I recognize others’ full ______________ and respect boundaries; I look out for the rights, preferences, and ________ of others; I ______________ and enjoy others.

GETTING STARTED

Begin your discussion by reciting the key verse and key idea together as a group. On your first attempt, use your notes if you need help. On your second attempt, try to state them completely from memory.

KEY VERSE: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

KEY IDEA: I believe the God of the Bible is the one true God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

GROUP DISCUSSION

As a group, discuss your thoughts and feelings about the following declarations. Which statements are easy to declare with certainty? Which are more challenging? Why?

• I believe the God of the Bible is the one true God.
• I believe the God of the Bible is one in essence but distinct in person — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• I believe Jesus is God in flesh — who died and rose bodily from the dead.
• I believe the Holy Spirit is God and dwells in Christians to empower them to live the Christian life.

Based on your group’s dynamics and spiritual maturity, choose the two to three questions that will lead to the best discussion about this week’s key idea.

1. If you only had two minutes to answer the question, “Who is God?” how would you respond?

1. How does your understanding of God impact your day-to-day decisions?
2. What are the most common reasons people struggle to believe that the God of the Bible is the one true God? What helped you get past these obstacles? Or, what obstacles are you still facing?

Read Luke 3:1-22 and choose one to two questions that will lead to the greatest discussion in your group.

1. In what ways is the Trinity a challenging concept for people to comprehend?
2. If God (the Trinity) is a community within Himself, and if you are made in His image, then what does that tell you about yourself?

1. How does today’s culture help or hinder you from experiencing the community for which you were created?
2. What specific actions can this group undertake to create healthy community?

CASE STUDY

Use the following case study as a model for a real-life situation where you might put this week’s key idea into practice.

Mike is one of your favorite coworkers. He is funny, hardworking, and passionate about life. As a new Christian, he comes to you seeking help, because he and his wife are struggling. They are constantly butting heads, arguing, and simply not getting along. Mike thinks it is just easier to walk away but really wants to know what you think.

Using the following key applications from this session, what gentle advice would you give Mike?

KEY APPLICATION #1: Because God is God, I am not. He is in charge and in control. I want to know and follow His will for my life.

KEY APPLICATION #2: Because I was created in the image of God and for community, I recognize others’ full personhood and respect boundaries. I look out for the rights, preferences, and comforts of others. I value and enjoy others.

CLOSING PRAYER

Close your time together with prayer. Share your prayer requests with one another. Ask God to help you put this week’s key idea into practice.

Excerpted with permission from the Think Like Jesus Study Guide: What Do I Believe and Why Does It Matter? by Randy Frazee, copyright Randy Frazee.

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Your Turn

We’d love to hear your thoughts on Think Like Jesus in the comments!