Disciplemaking At The Ridge Section 2: Who God Is

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1 Disciplemaking At The Ridge Section 2: Who God Is Overview In The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer writes, What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. At Austin Ridge we believe that Tozer s quote is spot on. If we are honest with one another, our view of God is much smaller than we would like it to be. The Who God Is section of the Disciplemaking curriculum is designed to engage God in the Word, allowing Him to give us an ever-expanding view of Who He is. According to Jesus the first and greatest commandment, as written in Matthew 22:37, is You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. If we keep this commandment, we are keeping all the others. One foundational part we often forget, however, is that He never calls His children to do something He does not do infinitely better. The reason He calls us to love Him is because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19. God s love for us is without limits. There is never a time when we are out of His thoughts; when He wavers in His passion for us; when He no longer wants to give us His best. This is not something we hope to be true. We believe it because His Word says it is true. It s a concept that is often hard to grasp. Our world has shown us that there is not one person who is even remotely as invested in us as individuals as God is. In our human relationships we have been hurt, let down, abandoned, deceived. As a result, our ability to truly trust is handicapped. But God is not like any person we know. His unfailing love and His faithfulness are the very thing that can restore our ability to trust without wavering. Who is God? Let s begin by exploring who He really is. The next several weeks will focus on this foundational question. Follow along with each Daily Guide to prepare you for your weekly Disciplemaking Group meeting.

2 Scripture Memorization Section 2: Who God Is Who God Is o Acts 17:24-25 (ESV) 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. o Isaiah 40:28 (ESV) 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. o Psalm 145:8-9 (ESV) 8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. o Romans 11:33-36 (ESV) 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. o 1 John 1:5 (ESV) 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

3 Daily Guide Who God Is Topic 1: Seeing God Clearly God desires that we would see Him more clearly. So what stops us from doing so? Our old tendencies, the world, and the evil one are the main culprits. All of these voices tell us such lies as God is controlling, weak, or unloving ultimately, a God who is not worth following. As children of God, we now have the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to demolish any lie that comes into our mind. We simply must call out to Him to see these lies, and then we confidently rest in the truth of His Word. This is an active ongoing submission to and trust in Him. Replacing lies with His truth is a foundational step in growing closer to Him, and it is our main exercise in this topic. DAY 1 II. Meeting Prep Hebrews 11:1-11 Faith is a confident expectation that if God says it, it is true. An active faith trusts His supernatural Word over our feelings and emotions. How does this understanding of the word faith help you in reading today s verses? DAY 2 II. MEETING PREP Read the lie; Read the truth listed in Scripture; Respond to the questions Lie: God is distant, passive and uncaring Truth: God is with you, and He is infinitely caring (Example verses: Isaiah 41:10, 1 st Peter 5:7) What other Bible verses do you find helpful in countering this lie? Write out the truth in your own words: How would your life be different if you remembered this truth throughout your day today?

4 DAY 3 II. Meeting Prep Read the lie; Read the truth listed in Scripture; Respond to the questions Lie: God is not worth following Truth: He is the one person who is completely trustworthy and always worth following (Example verses: John 8:12; Numbers 23:19) What other Bible verses do you find helpful in countering this lie? Write out the truth in your own words: Why do you think many Christians struggle with trusting God and believing He is always worth following? DAY 4 II. Meeting Prep Read the lie; Read the truth listed in Scripture; Respond to the questions Lie: He is a wise and good God, but He is just a few steps set apart from a really smart mentor or friend. Bible verses that counter this lie: Isaiah 6:1-5 What other Bible verses do you find helpful in countering this lie? Write out the truth in your own words: Holy is defined as completely distinct; set apart in every way. How would your life be different if you found yourself continually in awe of God, knowing He is completely unlike any person you could ever imagine: the only One worthy of worship?

5 DAY 5 II. Meeting Prep Read the lie; Read the truth listed in Scripture; Respond to the questions Lie: Salvation is all His work, but now, spiritual growth is up to me. Truth: Both Salvation and spiritual growth happen only through God s work in us (Example verses: Philippians 2:12-13) What other Bible verses do you find helpful in countering this lie? Write out the truth in your own words: Our natural tendency is to earn, payback, and/or do things in our own strength. We are given the power of the Holy Spirit to allow us to walk in His supernatural strength instead of in our weak flesh. How would your day change if you trusted the Spirit to lead you throughout your day today? DAY 6 II. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Which of the lies mentioned above do you most struggle with? III. Apply What step will you commit to this week that will allow you to remember and apply this topic?

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7 Meeting Guide Who God Is Topic 1 Seeing God Clearly Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review of Daily Guide This first topic in Who God Is focused us on replacing lies with God s Truth. Even though we are children of His, we will continue to struggle with our flesh. We will continually turn our backs on God, believing lies and being self-led. God pursues us and wants us to lead a life that is led by Him. He is a God of fresh starts. He wants us to repent, to stop believing the lies, and to turn our faces back to Him continually throughout our days. Discussion Questions 1. What are one or two takeaways from your Personal Time in God s Word this week? 2. Share your notes from your time of reflection from Day 6 of the Daily Guide. 3. Take a moment to re-read the Overview at the beginning of the Who God Is Section (it begins with a quote from A. W. Tozer). What one or two takeaways do you want to remember from this Overview? 4. How do you believe seeing God more clearly will change the way we follow and enjoy Him as we go about this disciplemaking journey? Application/Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer Read Psalm 63:1-5. As you close your time, pray some of the themes revealed throughout this Psalm.

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9 Daily Guide Who God Is Topic 2: Perfect Father Each of us grows up with a common longing and a deep-seated need for a father's blessing. That is...a father's love, support, acceptance, security, and presence in our lives. Sadly, for many this need is not met, or only partially fulfilled by an earthly dad. Still others not only lack a father's blessing, they have suffered the pain and mistrust of a relationship gone wrong. As a result, some unknowingly transfer negative perceptions of fathers into their relationships with God. Yet, God longs to be known as a Perfect Father. Through Jesus Christ this relationship - and the promise of a Perfect Father's Blessing - is available to everyone. Through spiritual birth, we all can see, know, and enjoy God as a Perfect Father. -Louie Giglio DAY 1 I. Personal Time In God s Word Take minutes in your personal Bible reading and write down a few things God II. Meeting Prep Genesis 1:1-27; Acts 17:24-27; 1 Corinthians 8:6 A father creates life. As creator of all things, God chose to create the world and us not out of necessity, but out of love. In creation we see His perfect and deliberate goodness, power, and provision. What do these verses say about us as God's creation? Genesis 1:1-27 Acts 17: Corinthians 8:6 How does this aspect of God help shape your thoughts about Him? How does thinking of Him as Father affect you?

10 DAY 2 I. Personal Time In God s Word Take minutes in your personal Bible reading and write down a few things God II. Meeting Prep Psalm 68:3-6; Isaiah 64:5-8; Romans 8:14-18 God the Father is not an impersonal creator who, once He was finished, sat back and left us alone. He loves His creation and desires to relate to us personally; He demonstrates this through the redemptive work of His Son and Holy Spirit. From these passages what examples do we see of God engaging directly with His creation? Psalm 68:3-6 Isaiah 64:5-8 Romans 8:14-18 What other ways can you think of that show how God relates to us to you personally? DAY 3 I. Personal Time In God s Word Take minutes in your personal Bible reading and write down a few things God II. Meeting Prep Matthew 7:7-11; 1 Timothy 6:17-21; James 1:14-18 Scripture clearly teaches that every good thing is a gift from God. What good things are in your life right now? Have you stopped to thank God for them? Why do you think we struggle to see God as a giver of good gifts? Take time to thank Your Heavenly Father for the amazing blessings He lays out for His children every day.

11 DAY 4 I. Personal Time In God s Word Take minutes in your personal Bible reading and write down a few things God II. Meeting Prep Matthew 6:25-33 Worry, fear, and anxiety can easily dominate our lives. But when we focus our understanding of God as a Perfect Father who deliberately provides our needs, there is no cause for fear. How does this view of God resonate with you? What area(s) of your life are causing you to worry? Spend some time asking your Father to richly provide for you in those areas and to give you His peace. DAY 5 I. Personal Time In God s Word Take minutes in your personal Bible reading and write down a few things God II. Meeting Prep Deuteronomy 8:1-6; Proverbs 3:11-13; Hebrews 12:5-10 For some of us, thinking of God as a disciplinarian dredges up memories we d rather forget. We have to remember that God is a perfect Father. While our earthly fathers may fail us, God never will; everything He does is infinitely perfect, loving, and just. What do these verses teach about the reasons for Godly discipline? What do they affirm about us if we are disciplined by God?

12 DAY 6 I. Personal Time In God s Word Take minutes in your personal Bible reading and write down a few things God II. Meeting Prep- Luke 15:11-32 Though this story is often read in view of the 2 sons, what we also see is a father who desperately loves, waits for, and embraces and forgives his estranged son. He then lovingly affirms his relationship with the elder brother. What are some other elements of the father that stand out to you in this story? III. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Think about how you would explain the idea that God is a perfect father to someone who is struggling with this idea. Write down two to three main ideas you would convey to them. IV. Apply What step will you commit to this week that will allow you to remember and apply this topic?

13 Meeting Guide Who God Is Topic 2 Perfect Father Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review of Daily Guide Our finite minds can never fully grasp Who God Is. This being said, the New Testament alone uses the word Father almost 200 times to explain how He wants us to view our relationship as a result of Christ s sacrifice. The perfected image of a father and His child is perhaps one of the most revelatory illustrations of God's heart for us. Discussion Questions 1. What are one or two takeaways from your Personal Time in God s Word this week? 2. Share your notes from your time of reflection from Day 6 of the Daily Guide. 3. Take a moment to read and discuss Author/Pastor/Writer Louie Giglio s quote at the beginning of this week's Daily Guide. 4. How does your relationship with your earthly father affect your view of God as a Perfect Father? 5. Read together and talk about Luke 15: Discuss what you saw in the father in the story. In what way(s) has your view of God been challenged, affirmed, or reshaped this week? Application/Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer End your time together by praying the Lord s prayer together: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13 (NASB)

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15 Daily Guide Who God Is Topic 3: The Trinity The Trinity is an extremely complex, yet beautiful theological truth, and it is essential that we discuss it as we look at Who God Is. Due to the depth of this topic we have included a supplemental document at the end of the Daily Guide. Please read and reflect on this Supplement during your week. There is one God, yet He eternally exists in a loving relationship of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Larry Crabb explains that their perfect unity in relationship is demonstrated by an absence of competitiveness and by perfect submission for God s glorification through their diversity of roles 1. We are relational because God is relational. He created us with a deep-seated need that could only be completed through a relationship with Him. Day 1 II. Meeting Prep Genesis 1:1-2, 1 Corinthians 8:6 And Colossians 1:15-20 Evidence that there is one God who exists as three persons is found throughout Scripture. While complex, it is foundational to understanding who God is. List any observations about God and the specific persons of God in these verses. How do these verses impact your view of God? Day 2 II. Meeting Prep Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17 And John 14:25-26 What conclusions can you draw about the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit from these verses? What are some of the reasons you believe this visible relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit matters to your faith? 1 Larry Crabb, Connecting- A Radical New Vision, (Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, Inc., 1997), 57.

16 DAY 3 II. Meeting Prep Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2:23-24 What can you observe about the Trinity and being made in the image of God in these verses? Spend time reflecting and writing down what it means that we are made in God s image. DAY 4 II. Meeting Prep Read Philippians 2:1-11 How would you characterize the togetherness and complete commitment demonstrated between the Father and Jesus in these verses? According to this passage, how are our relationships impacted by knowing who God is and what He has done for us? DAY 5 II. Meeting Prep Revelation 21:3 And John 17:1-5 Jesus definition of eternal life, delivered in a prayer that demonstrates unity with the Father, is described in John s prophesied view of eternal life in Revelation. How would you describe eternal life according to these verses? We are relational beings made in the image of God. God exists as three distinct persons, each fully God, in a perfect relationship; there is one God. Reflect on the importance of the doctrine of the Trinity in relation to these verses about eternal life.

17 DAY 6 II. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Think about how you would explain the Trinity to someone who has never heard this reality. Write down two to three main ideas you would convey to them. III. Apply What step will you commit to this week that will allow you to remember and apply this topic?

18 Daily Guide Who God Is Supplement to The Trinity The doctrine of The Trinity, while hard to understand and even harder to adequately explain, is a key distinguishing doctrine of the Christian faith. In his book, Delighting in the Trinity, Michael Reeves states, [What] makes Christianity absolutely distinct is the identity of our God. Which God we worship: that is the article of faith that stands before all others. The bedrock of our faith is nothing less than God himself, and every aspect of the gospel creation, revelation, salvation is only Christian insofar as it is the creation, revelation and salvation of this God, the triune God. [Because] the Christian God is triune, the Trinity is the governing center of all Christian belief. 2 Provided below is a sample doctrinal statement that briefly outlines the members, functions, and distinctions within the Trinity. Also included is a list of scriptures that help further establish the biblical basis for this doctrine. The Three Persons of The Trinity We believe in God the Father Almighty, the first person in the Trinity, who is the Maker of heaven and earth. He can be known through His Son Jesus, through the Word, and through the Holy Spirit. He is our perfect Father; He delights in us. He is all loving, sovereign, judge, restorer, and everyone will ultimately be subject to God s rule in the end. The Father begat (revealed Himself through) Jesus by sending the Holy Spirit. We believe in God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. He has eternally existed equal to and indivisible from God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, and yet He is distinct in His personhood. The Son of God is both fully human and fully God. Born in human flesh, sent to reveal the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary, He came to earth in order to restore His creation to the Father. He suffered and died on the cross to pay the only penalty which could redeem mankind from the brokenness of sin. He physically rose from the dead on the third day, fulfilling prophecy and providing the way of salvation for all who believe in Him. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, eternally existing as one substance with the Father and the Son. Although the same substance, He, the Father, and the Son differ in role and personhood amongst themselves. The Holy Spirit convicts our soul of our brokenness and separation from God. He makes our souls new in Christ. He authored all Scripture and spoke through the prophets. He is the comforter and counselor to all believers. As believers, when we walk in Him, we are able to operate in God s holiness and righteousness as opposed to our own brokenness. He ultimately glorifies the Father and the Son. 2 Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity, (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2012), 16.

19 Scriptural Basis The Father, fully God Loving Reconciler: The Father loves the world (John 3:16), established the plan of redemption (Eph 1:3-14), calls one to salvation (Rom 8:28-30; 1 Cor 1:9), forgives sinners (1 John 1:7-9), and adopts the newborn believer (Gal 4:6-7), for example. Lord Chief Justice: Gen 18:25; John 3:36. Holy, Holy, Holy (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8). Yet Jesus is given the right to judge all (John 5:22, 2 Tim 4:1). Sovereign Ruler: Deut 10:14,17; 2 Kings 19:15; Dan 4:34-35; 7:10; Matt 11:25; Eph 1:3-5. Him to Whom All Things Return: 1 Cor 15: God the Father is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev 1:8; cf. 21:6). When the New Earth is inaugurated, the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb (Rev 21:22) share the divine throne (22:1,3). Jesus, fully God and fully man (theological term: Hypostatic Union) Jesus as God Exact representation of the divine being ; all God s angels worship him. (Heb 1:2-13) Image of the invisible God ; He is Creator of everything created; in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. (Col 1:15-19; 2:9) God the One and Only (Only Begotten God) who is at the Father s Side. (John 1:14,18) I and the Father are one. (John 10:30) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:19-20) Jesus as Man He was called man. (1 Tim 2:5; John 19:5; Mark 15:39) He was called the Son of Man. (John 9:35-37) He grew in wisdom. (Luke 2:52) He died. (Rom 5:8) The Holy Spirit, fully God The Spirit Together with the Father and the Son The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are found together about 120 different times in the New Testament, without any particular order in the text, but with fairly distinct roles. (Matt 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 10:21-22; John 3:34-36; Acts 7:55-56; Rom 15:30; 1 Cor 12:3-6; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 1:17; 4:4-6; Heb 2:3-4; 1 John 4:2; Jude 19-21; Rev 21:9-11, to name a few) The Holy Spirit as a Distinct Person He helps us as the Other Counselor. (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; Rom 8:26; note 1 John 2:1) He manifests His own will. (Acts 8:29; 9:31; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6-7; 1 Cor 12:8, 11) He can be blasphemed. (Matt 12:31-32) The Spirit shows emotions. (Eph 4:30; Heb 10:29; Isa 63:10) Other roles of the Spirit Convicts the world of guilt regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 16:7-11) Guides us into all truth. (John 16:13) Takes up permanent residence in the hearts of believers. (Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 12:13). The deliverer of God s word. (2 Peter 1:21)

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21 Meeting Guide Who God Is Topic 3 The Trinity Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review of Daily Guide There is mystery surrounding the Trinity, but there are also discernable truths foundational to our understanding of God and us. His relationship with us is a vehicle for His love, justice, righteousness, faithfulness, grace, and mercy to be known, expressed, and experienced. God s unique creation of man and woman is significant because we are made in His image. The fact that we are relational beings is sourced in God (three distinct persons, each fully God, who are completely One). We are relational because He is. We are created to find completion only in relationship with Him, which ultimately brings Him glory. Discussion Questions 1. What are one or two takeaways from your Personal Time in God s Word this week? 2. Share your notes from your time of reflection from Day 6 of the Daily Guide. 3. In what ways was the Supplement on the Trinity document helpful? 4. How does understanding the Trinity impact your view of God, yourself, and others? 5. Read John 17: Describe what Jesus desires most for us in this prayer. How does this relate to the Trinity? Application/Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer Read John 17:24-26 out loud together. Close the time by thanking God for his Word that reveals the depth of who He is and of His love for us. Pray for a renewed commitment to live as one with Him through daily dependence on His Word and prayer. Pray for a resolve to protect unity in our relationships with each other.

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23 Daily Guide Who God Is Topic 4: Infinitely Sovereign God s sovereignty is a direct consequence of what theologians call His omnipotence, meaning all power, authority and rule. Charles Ryrie says that the doctrine of sovereignty tells us of God s position, power, and how He exercises that power. 1 His sovereignty (His Greatness) should point us to trusting in His leadership. DAY 1 II. Meeting Prep Job 42:1-2, Jeremiah 32:26-27 What do these verses teach about the extent of God s sovereignty? In light of your answer, do you feel your current beliefs and actions reflect what Scripture teaches? When was a time that you have doubted God s sovereignty? DAY 2 II. Meeting Prep Numbers 23:19, 2 Timothy 2:13, James 1:13 Even though God is sovereign, what do these verses teach us about what God can t do? How does believing that God cannot lie, cannot break a promise, and cannot tempt us, help us in trusting Him? 1 Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth. (Moody Publishers, 1999),

24 DAY 3 II. Meeting Prep 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, Acts 17:22-25 Luke says in Acts that God made the world and everything in it. When was the last time you stopped and marveled at the world God has made? Take time today to go for a walk, look around, and see all that God is sovereign over. DAY 4 II. Meeting Prep Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:34-35 What do these verses teach about God s role in kings and kingdoms of this world? While these verses don t tell that God is the puppeteer and we are his puppets, they do show this: regardless of who appears to be in charge in the world, ultimately all are under God s sovereign rule.

25 DAY 5 II. Meeting Prep Psalm 139:16, Proverbs 16:9, Philippians 4:19-20 The same God who limitlessly rules over all His creation and over kings and kingdoms cares about the details of our lives. How can a right view of God s sovereignty in our lives affect how we view our struggles? Our victories? Our questions and doubts? DAY 6 II. Meeting Prep John 16:33, Colossians 2:13-15 Sin, evil, and trouble are a reality in this life, but these verses tell us that God is sovereign over those things as well. Ultimately, through Jesus, God has defeated them! Spend some time in prayer right now thanking and praising God for this. Ask Him to continue to help you combat temptation and sin in your own life. Be specific! III. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Think about how you would explain the idea that God is infinitely sovereign to someone who is struggling with this idea. Write down two to three main ideas you would convey to them. IV. Apply What step will you commit to this week that will allow you to remember and apply this topic?

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27 Meeting Guide Who God Is Topic 4 Infinitely Sovereign Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review of Daily Guide Every follower of Christ will struggle at times with His sovereignty. What we cannot understand we MUST learn to trust Him for. Never forget that God hates pain, death, disease, injustice, man s inhumanity to man, death, and all the results of man s sin. Soon He will destroy all evil and remove all His children from its horrifying effects. Discussion Questions 1. What stood out to you the most from your time with God in the Daily Guide this week? 2. Share your notes from your time of reflection from Day 6 of the Daily Guide. 3. What aspects of God s sovereignty were surprises to you? Was there anything you struggle to agree with? 4. Read Psalm 115:1-5. What are some of the ways this verse brings you peace? Is there anything about this verse that causes you to struggle? Application/Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer Read Psalm 103 out loud together. Close the time in prayer, using this Psalm as a way to specifically thank God for His rule and reign.

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29 Daily Guide Who God Is Topic 5: Infinitely Good It is impossible to trust God until we understand that He is truly completely good. He is not just good by definition ; rather, our Creator is the very source of all that is good. As fallen creatures we want to define good according to our own eyes, but our vision is distorted by our transient cultural lens. In truth God is the definition of good, and His nature never changes. All His actions reflect His perfect goodness. This week we will focus our time on scriptures that will help us expand our view of His amazing goodness. DAY 1 II. Meeting Prep Exodus 34:6, 1 John 1:5, Psalm 145:8-13 One of the foundational attributes of God is the absolute truth that He is good. As you read these verses, what did you learn today about what it means that God is good? DAY 2 II. Meeting Prep Psalm 23, Titus 3:4-7 After reading these verses, in what ways do you see God s goodness being revealed to us? List them below.

30 DAY 3 II. Meeting Prep Genesis 50:15-21, 2 Samuel 7:18-29 Joseph was handed over by his brothers to Ishmaelites. He was eventually sold to Egyptians. While a slave he experienced much hardship, but ultimately he was appointed to the second-highest position in Egypt. Joseph saw God s design in his circumstances. As a result, he was able to forgive his brothers and see the bigger picture as revealed in Genesis 50: King David started as a simple shepherd boy. He was hunted by King Saul for many years out of jealousy, but later he became the beloved king. In 2 Samuel 7:18-29, David humbly reflects on the goodness of God that brought him to reign as king. Many times we may struggle to understand God s goodness in the trials of life. What can you glean from the outcomes of Joseph s and David s lives about how God s purposes and His goodness work together? How do you think the circumstances in their lives expressed the goodness of God? DAY 4 II. Meeting Prep Jeremiah 29:10-14, Romans 8:28 God s goodness toward us also means that He is faithful to keep His promises, to work all things together for good, and that He is for us. In this passage in Jeremiah, the Lord encourages the Israelites while they are in exile in Babylon. He tells them that when the 70 years of captivity end, His promises to His people will be fulfilled. How have you seen the trials of your life work together for good? What comfort do you get as you read about God s words of assurance in Jeremiah? Did you ever have to reconcile God s goodness with what you thought was good? Explain.

31 DAY 5 II. Meeting Prep Romans 12:9-21, Galatians 5:22-23 The goodness of God also leads us to draw closer to Him. As we draw closer, we are able to share with others the goodness He has poured into our lives. We bear the fruit of His goodness toward us. As you read these verses, how has the goodness of God personally transformed you so that you have been good toward others? What are the current situations or relationships in which you still struggle to bear the supernatural fruit of goodness? Pray for God to continue to change your heart as it relates to these situations or relationships. DAY 6 II. Meeting Prep Ephesians 1:3-14 Here Paul describes the spiritual blessings our good God gives us. Take time today to think about specific ways God has been good to you and to others; write them down. Spend time thanking Him for His goodness. III. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Think about how you would explain the idea that God is infinitely good to someone who is struggling with this idea. Write down two to three main ideas you would convey to them. IV. Apply What step will you commit to this week that will allow you to remember and apply this topic?

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33 Meeting Guide Who God Is Topic 5 Infinitely Good Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review of Daily Guide God s goodness is seen in His will, His ways, and His works. We experience His goodness all the time by His love, mercy, justice, and grace. Everything He does is good. It is who He is. Yet, many of us define goodness by our own standards. Trials and sufferings in life can t be part of God s goodness, or so we assume. Good becomes a subjective statement determined by our limited wisdom. The objective truth, however, is that God is infinitely good. Reframing our understanding of God to this truth enables us to trust Him for every aspect of our lives. Trusting His goodness, regardless of our circumstances, will dramatically expand our view of Who God Is. Discussion Questions 1. What are one or two takeaways from your Personal Time in God s Word this week? 2. Share your notes from your time of reflection from Day 6 of the Daily Guide. 3. How has your understanding that God is good been expanded based on your readings and reflection? 4. If you saw God as being infinitely good all the time, how would this change the way you trust and depend on Him during your day? 5. Discuss the ways you have experienced the goodness of God this week. Application/Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer End your time together by praying that the group would experience God s goodness in new ways, and that it would lead to a greater peace, joy, and trust in God. Pray also that His goodness would be felt so deeply that it would spur greater love and graciousness toward others. Close your time by thanking Him for His goodness to us.

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35 Daily Guide Who God Is Topic 6: Infinitely Wise Before we move to our next topic, it is important to remember one important truth: all of God s attributes are woven together in such a way that He cannot put one attribute on hold to engage another attribute (in other words, He is completely wise, good, and sovereign at all times). He is not like us; He never comes up short and is never surprised or thrown off His plan. Fortunately, God is perfect and His motives are always pure, holy, and just. It is with this backdrop that we transition to the Topic of God being Infinitely Wise. DAY 1 II. Meeting Prep Romans 11:33-36 What is Paul telling us about God s wisdom and knowledge? In what ways is God s wisdom different than our own wisdom? DAY 2 II. Meeting Prep Read and Respond to the Below Quote AW Tozer once said, (God s) Wisdom, among other things, is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve those ends by the most perfect means. It sees the end from the beginning, so there can be no need to guess or conjecture. Wisdom sees everything in focus, each in proper relation to all, and is thus able to work toward predestined goals with flawless precision. Reflect on this quote. Take a moment to re-write Tozer s quote in your own words:

36 DAY 3 II. Meeting Prep Daniel 2:19-23 What do we learn about God s wisdom from these verses? What is Daniel s response when God gives him supernatural wisdom? DAY 4 II. Meeting Prep James 3:13-17 Throughout Scripture we see man pulled to the desire of being his own god, trusting in his wisdom alone. What are some indicators of man-made wisdom, as mentioned in James? What are the marks of the supernatural wisdom found only in God?

37 DAY 5 II. Meeting Prep Matthew 7:24-27 What do we see Jesus telling us occurs when we trust in God s promises? What occurs when we trust in our own thoughts/emotions/desires? Spend time praying that we would be men and women who build their houses on the Rock. DAY 6 II. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Think about how you would explain the idea that God is infinitely wise to someone who is struggling with this idea. Write down two to three main ideas you would convey to them. III. Apply What step will you commit to this week that will allow you to remember and apply this topic?

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39 Meeting Guide Who God Is Topic 6 Infinitely Wise Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review of Daily Guide God s wisdom is completely unlike man s wisdom. God knows everything (theologians call this attribute omniscience ). He knows what men are thinking. He knows everything that is going to happen. God cannot devise a bad plan or fail to bring His promises to their inevitable proper conclusion. Is this hard to grasp? Absolutely. Because it is hard to grasp, is it NOT true? Absolutely not! God s infinite wisdom is taught and seen all throughout Scripture, and it must be a core building block upon Seeing God Clearly. Discussion Questions 1. What are one or two takeaways from your Personal Time in God s Word this week? 2. Share your notes from your time of reflection from Day 6 of the Daily Guide. 3. When we say God is Infinitely Wise, we are saying that God knows what is best and He never makes a mistake. When we sit in judgment of God s wisdom, we suffer a distant relationship with Jesus, suffering numerous self-inflicted wounds (stress, emptiness, anger, fear, to name just a few). How have you seen this happen in your own life? 4. The last several topics have been Infinitely Sovereign (all power, in complete control), Infinitely Good, and Infinitely Wise. Why do we struggle to believe these attributes? How would our lives change if we lived confident these attributes were true? Application/Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer Read James 1:5-8. Ask God for His wisdom alone. Ask Him to take away doubt and to allow you to more confidently stand on His Word.

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41 Daily Guide Who God Is Topic 7: Holy The Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy. Not that He is merely holy, or even holy, holy. He is holy, holy, holy. The Bible never says that God is love, love, love, or mercy, mercy, mercy, or wrath, wrath, wrath, or justice, justice, justice. It does say that He is holy, holy, holy, the whole earth is full of His glory. -RC Sproul The Hebrew word that we see translated as holy is Kadosh, which means something uncommon, or set apart from everything else. The word itself is pregnant with a sense of sanctity and consecration. Yet twice in scripture, in describing God, it is repeated three times over, a common Hebraic method for emphasizing something, to denote how extraordinarily special and sacred God is by His very nature. The word is even used to describe the presence of God when Moses thought of a word to use in describing the most important place in the Tabernacle, where God dwelled, he called is the Holy of Holies. The concept of God s holiness can be described in modern terms today as His other-ness. God s holiness is what separates Him from all other beings; it puts Him above and beyond everything else. It is God s natural holiness that separates His divinity from our humanity. DAY 1 II. Meeting Prep Isaiah 6:1-4, Revelation 4 In these verses, we see two different cases in which men were shown visions of God s holiness and glory on display. God s holiness is impossible to aptly describe. What is your initial reaction to reading each of these accounts of God s holiness? DAY 2 II. Meeting Prep Isaiah 6:5, Exodus 34:5-8 God s holiness and His glory are almost always referenced together in biblical accounts; the two are inextricably linked. God s holiness and separation from everything else is a major facet of His glory, and His absolute glory means, in turn, that He is utterly and completely set apart from the common. In Isaiah 6 we see Isaiah being given a tiny glimpse of this. In the Exodus account we see Moses glimpsing this truth as well. How are their reactions similar? Think of one time in your life that you were face to face with the realization of how exceptional and indescribable God is. Take a few minutes to write down the reaction you had to this and how it has affected you.

42 DAY 3 II. Meeting Prep Exodus 33:11; Numbers 20:1-13, 27:12-14 Today s verses tell us why Moses, who the LORD would speak to face to face, as one speaks to a friend, was not allowed to enter into the promised land. He faithfully led a continually rebellious and ungrateful people, who were constantly forgetful of God s mighty works for them. But in this instance, Moses himself paid insufficient heed to God s holiness a lapse in judgement with costly consequences. In what ways might you be guilty of treating the extraordinary holiness and faithfulness of God as mundane? How does the realization that God really is holy, holy, holy grow your faith in times of great need? DAY 4 II. Meeting Prep 1 Peter 2:22, Hebrews 7:26, Hebrews 4:15 Jesus is holy! Completely devoid of sin during His life on earth, Jesus is holy in nature, exactly as God the Father is holy in nature. Take a moment to reflect on these three verses. What are one or two elements that stand out to you the most? Hebrews tells us that we have a representative who knows all of our troubles and trials, and yet has remained holy and set apart. Consider the comfort afforded by Hebrews 4:15. How will it change your own relationship with God to know that He has experienced the exact same pain and trouble you experience?

43 DAY 5 II. Meeting Prep 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 5:21 Because we have been given the righteousness of God in Christ, we are now called to live holy and separate from the common things of the world. Consider your life. What has become mundane, common, or simply sinful that shouldn t be? God has gifted you holiness and a special calling as His child to live higher, beyond the ways of this world. Be prepared to talk about this holy calling in your group. DAY 6 II. Meeting Prep 1 Samuel 2:2, Psalm 77:13 Scripture is full of the constant affirmations of God s holy, pure, glorious nature. Spend some time today simply reflecting on this, and thanking God for being bigger and better than anything that exists. III. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Write down a few takeaways you want to remember as you move forward in your walk with Him. IV. Apply What step will you commit to this week that will allow you to remember and apply this topic?

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45 Meeting Guide Who God Is Topic 7 Holy Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review Of Daily Guide God s holy nature is part of what makes God so difficult for man to fully comprehend. Any of God s ways that at times seem mysterious to us almost always originate from His holy nature. Yet, in the face of what seemed impossible, God authored the greatest act of love and glory - the death of Jesus on the cross, to bring man into communion with that holy nature. This means that we are now to live differently than everyone else. We should reflect that holy, special nature in everything we do, every day! Discussion Questions 1. What are one or two takeaways from your Personal Time in God s Word this week? 2. In your own words, what does it mean that God is holy? 3. Have the group share some of their responses to the Day 5 question. 4. Why does it matter whether or not God is holy? Application and Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer End your time together by praising God for His holy nature. As you pray, be encouraged by the special nature of God which sets him apart from anything else in existence, and ask God to help each person in your group to become just a little bit more holy like He is every day.

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47 Daily Guide Who God Is Topic 8: Trusting God in Tough Times Every follower of Christ will struggle at some point in his or her life with God s plan. When things happen that we cannot understand, we MUST trust Him with what we know: His character, His sovereignty, His unconditional love for each of us, and His redemptive ability to work all things together for good for those who love Him. Although we do not always find intellectual satisfaction during difficult times, we CAN find peace in Him and hold on to His character traits we know to be true. I m convinced that there are a good many things in this life that we can t really do anything about, but that God wants us to do something with. The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering. Out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things that I know about God. Elisabeth Elliot DAY 1 II. Meeting Prep Psalm 91:1-16 List out the promises that God makes in these verses through the Psalmist. Write out 1 sentence from these verses to pray today. DAY 2 II. Meeting Prep Lamentations 3:1-25 In verse 21 Jeremiah remembers something that gives him hope. What does he call to mind? What is a circumstance in your life where you need to be intentional in remembering these promises this week? How will you be intentional in remembering? Write out 1 sentence from these verses to pray today.

48 DAY 3 II. Meeting Prep Romans 8:28-39 What is hard about verse 28? In what areas of your life do you have trouble believing that you are more than a conqueror? Spend some time talking with God about these and asking Him to help you believe. Write out 1 sentence from these verses to pray today. DAY 4 II. Meeting Prep 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 What are some things that stand out to you in these verses? According to these verses, what are some benefits that come from our present sufferings? Write out 1 sentence from these verses to pray today.

49 DAY 5 II. Meeting Prep Isaiah 43:1-3 and Psalm 121 God often speaks to us through His word, through His Holy Spirit, through circumstances, and through other people. Remember back to a hard time in your life. What are some tangible ways that God reminded you of His presence and His promises? In Psalm 121, which verse is most encouraging to you? Why? DAY 6 II. Meeting Prep Matthew 14:22-34 This passage teaches us the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus as we walk through tough times. When did Peter start to sink? What was Christ s response? In what ways are you similar to Peter? What are the times when you find it is easiest to cry out, Lord, save me!? III. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Think about how you would explain the idea of trusting God in tough times to someone who is struggling with this idea. Write down two to three main ideas you would convey to them. IV. Apply What step will you commit to this week that will allow you to remember and apply this topic.

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51 Meeting Guide Who God Is Topic 8 Trusting God In Tough Times Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review of Daily Guide We know through scripture that we as followers of Jesus will have many trials in this life here on earth. Peter writes, My friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. (I Peter 4:12-13) Our natural human tendency when we are in the midst of trials is to wonder why and be surprised. Don t be, Peter says. He tells us it s nothing out of the ordinary. And in fact, he tells us to be glad and rejoice in these sufferings because we have the privilege of sharing in the sufferings of Christ. During these hard times, we must hold on to what we know to be true, His promises and His character, and we must trust that He has an eternal purpose in all of our trials. What holds me in tough times are not the things I don t know, but the things I do know. Brad Thomas Discussion Questions 1. What are one or two takeaways from your Personal Time in God s Word this week? 2. Share your notes from your time on reflection from Day 6 of the Daily Guide this week. 3. Share a time in your life that you have questioned why or been surprised by difficult experiences. How do Peter s words in I Peter 4:12-13 offer any perspective? What does it look like tangibly for you to rejoice in your suffering? 4. Take a moment to read and discuss Matthew 14:22-34 (from Day 6). Share a time in your life when you can relate to Peter in this story and Christ rescuing you. 5. Do you think it s possible to love Jesus and to follow Him without going through suffering? Why or why not? 6. Discuss the way(s) your view of God has been challenged, affirmed, or reshaped this week. Application/Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer End your time together by praying together the sentences you wrote out each day.