Week 1 God is Different than Us Isaiah 46:3-11 MAIN IDEA: The incommunicable attributes of God are perhaps the most easily misunderstood, probably because they represent aspects of God s character that are least familiar to our experience. 1 a. Illustration: How well can you describe famous fictional and non-fictional figures such as Aslan or Abraham Lincoln? What about God? b. Current Event: Did you see Batman: The Dark Knight Rises? Why is the world obsessed with movies? What experience are they looking for in these movies? a. Background: The important reality to remember is God is different than us. He is greater than us. Everything that is created (included humans) is an overflow of God s love and power. He is knowable, but only in that He has chosen to make Himself known. b. Exegesis of Isaiah 46:3-11: Isaiah makes it explicit to his listeners that God is not like them, nor is He like anything that they or the surrounding culture has imaged Him to be. He is eternal. He is the director of history. His plans and purposes will come to pass because He is all-powerful, all-knowing, present everywhere all the time. He is completely above His creation, anything His creation can come up with to describe Him or attempt to replace Him. c. Cross References: Job 38:1-42:6 and Acts 17:24-25 a. Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? One of the most powerful ways the enemy tempts, deceives and kills faith is to water down God. On the other hand, in God (and only in Him) there is faith and life. b. How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? The doctrine of a transcendent (different than us) God causes us to worship His beauty and mystery, trust everincreasingly His good and holy will and recognize He is Lord of all and came for all. 1 Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994), 160.
Week 2 God is Similar to Us Exodus 34:1-10 MAIN IDEA: as people created for God s glory (Isa. 43:7), we can bring him glory as we imitate him by exhibiting likeness to his attributes. 2 a. Illustration: How can we see an unseen God? Does He reveal Himself through nature? What attributes do we share with Him? b. Current Event: How people in the world unconsciously try to connect with the supernatural? Should Christians believe in fate or destiny? Do you find yourself hoping things go well or trusting God? a. Background: God is similar to us. Many of the characteristics of God such as knowledge, mercy, and justice can been seen through His image bearers (that s us!). Typically, these more observable attributes of God are referred to as communicable. This simply means that they are shared characteristics with humanity. The communicable attributes of God are meant to be reflected, copied, and repeated in the lives of believers. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to be imitators of God, as beloved children. b. Exegesis of Exodus 34:1-10: God s character (His attributes) is the reason that Abraham is able to plead for God s presence to remain amongst His people. c. Cross References: Galatians 5:22-23 and Colossians 3:9-10 d. Additional Helps: Wayne Grudem, New American Commentary and Dr. Akin a. Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? If we look around, drinking in all that He has made, we may get a deeper sense of His presence and His love for us. God is a mystery, yes, but He has not hidden Himself from His children in whom He delights. He is here, He is near - we are not alone. b. How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? As we walk with Him daily, we serve the glorious purposes of His Kingdom - restoring beauty, order, peace, wisdom, justice and goodness to the world as His ambassadors and ministers of reconciliation. 2 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), 21.
Week 3 God is Father Matthew 6:8-13 MAIN IDEA: the Father is the Grand Architect, the Wise Designer of all that occurred in the created order. From initial creation through ultimate consummation and everything that happens in between, it is God the Father who plans and implements what he has chosen to do. 3 a. Current Discussion: How dependent should we be on God? What circumstances lead us towards or away from being dependent on Him? b. Current Event: What level of impact do fathers leave on their children? Is it even necessary for men to lead their kids? What will happen if they do or don t? a. Background: God is Father. He is the first person of the Trinity. He is the head of the divine community. The reality of God as Father is a unique way in which our personal God has chosen to make Himself known. While it is no less true that God is holy, sovereign, King, and ruler, He desires to be known as and prayed to as Father. b. Exegesis of Matthew 6:8-13: Jesus teaches the disciples to pray to God the Father as one who desires to know them, provide for them, protect them, and is patient with them. Each petition demonstrates the character of God as Father. c. Cross References: Jeremiah 31:9 and Colossians 1:12 a. Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? Consider His fatherly actions: discipline (Prov. 3:12), love (1 John 3:1), protection (Psalm 146:9), provision (Matt. 7:7 11), wisdom and instruction (Prov. 4:1 2), exhortation and encouragement (1 Thess. 2:10 12), gentleness and compassion (Ps. 103:13). b. How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? Your life should reflect Him, like a son reflects his father: generous, pursuing love helping to bring all things under His Lordship, into His Kingdom, His family. Having received a radical love, we are now called to love radically. 3 Ware, Bruce. Father, Son, & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, & Relevance (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005). 51.
Week 4 God Speaks 2 Timothy 3:12-4:5 MAIN IDEA: since the Bible affirms that it is the very words of God, we are to seek to understand those words, for in doing so, we are seeking to understand God himself. We are to seek to trust the words of Scripture, for in doing so, we are seeking to trust God himself. And we are to seek to obey the words of Scripture, for in doing so, we are seeking to obey God himself. 4 a. Class Discussion: How would your class describe existence before creation? What would the beginning have looked like? What existed before then? b. Current Event: Are you a Christian who enjoys or dislikes fantasy movies? Has any fiction helped you understand your faith better? Why or why not? a. Background: God Speaks! He reveals Himself to humanity! He is not distant and silent, but present and active. b. Exegesis of 2 Timothy 3:12-4:5: God Speaks through His word, the Bible. All of the Bible, OT & NT are meant to reveal God s character, nature, and will to His people. Therefore, it is through Scripture that we are able to know God and live abundantly in His Kingdom. His word defines our reality. c. Cross References: Psalm 19:7-11 a. Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? Your direct interaction with the Word is monumental in understanding God s will for your life and being prepared for the trials ahead. Do not simply seek to spend X amount of time in the Word but live the Word out in daily life. b. How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? Our God is relational, and has left for us signs, symbols, and statements pointing ever to Himself. We must now, with a refreshed mind and heart, engage in His Word in a desire to increasingly know Him. 4 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), 16.
Week 5 God Makes Psalm 19:1-14 MAIN IDEA: The Bible is clear: God created the earth and all that is in and on it from nothing All creation was made to give glory to God. 5 a. Class Discussion: Do you think the President is the greatest authority on the earth? Can he do whatever he wants? What limits does he have? b. Current Event: Do you think science and faith can co-exist? How have you seen science back up faith? Does science help your faith or hurt it? a. Background: God Makes. He creates all that we hear, all that we see, all that we feel, all that we taste, all that we smell, and all that we know. Nothing exists except that He spoke it into existence. As Creator, He sets the purpose for His creation. b. Exegesis of Psalm 19:1-14: God Makes means that He not only creates but that He also gives purpose to His creation. The original purpose of His creation was to bring glory to Him through enjoying Him and each part (birds, fish, water, culture, humanity) performing its particular duties under God s order and rule. c. Cross References: Genesis 1:1-2:3 and Revelation 4:9-11 d. Additional Helps: Wayne Grudem and Dr. Akin a. Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? There might be a future approaching where man fails to stewards God s creation. What movies have addressed this issue and show you the reality we might be facing? How is this rebellion against our roles of stewards of God s creation? b. How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? As we work as agents of restoration and discovery in His creation, we help reveal more and more the great Artist -pointing others to Him and His work of salvation (2 Cor. 5:14-21). The work of our hands to order, discover, teach, paint, cook, etc... fills the crannies of this world with His marvelous light! Let this thought inspire the work of your hands as you seek to faithfully live and act in this world God Made. 5 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), 44-45.
Week 6 God Loves 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 MAIN IDEA: As creatures made in God s image, we are made to be like him. Therefore the more we understand about God, the more we understand ourselves. And the more we understand about ourselves the more we understand about God. 6 a. Class Discussion: What key characters do you remember from the Prodigal Son parable? Who did you relate to most? b. Current Event: Do you know anyone who has ever adopted? How did you react when Russia stopped all American adoptions? How will this impact the people you know? a. Background: Ultimately, this is how the love of God is demonstrated, that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8) in order that we might be reconciled to the Father (2 Cor. 5:18-20). b. Exegesis of 2 Corinthians 3:7-18: Beholding God is the key. To behold him is to reflect him, to know Him, to be in His presence. We behold Him most clearly through Christ (Heb. 1:3). God s love sent Christ. c. Cross References: Genesis 1:27 and John 3:16 d. Additional Helps: Wayne Grudem and Dr. Akin a. Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? The story of the Prodigal Son might have more impact than you ever thought. By taking a look at customs of Jesus day you will see this father is an unapologetic, unashamed man who loves his son and serves as the perfect picture of God s love for you. b. How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? Whose job is it to go after someone who is wayward? Do you find yourself running after those who have shamed you or cutting them off? What types of sin in our culture receive a similar kind of treatment - isolation, ostracism, rejection - described in the illustration today? How will you change the way these people are treated? 6 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), 59.
Week 7 God Judges Romans 1:18-32 MAIN IDEA: Sin disrupts everything. We don t live the lives we were originally designed to live, and we do not live in the world we were originally designed to live in The story of the human race is the story of God fixing broken people living in a broken world. It is a story of God s victory over the many results of sin in the world. 7 a. Illustration: Have you ever heard of New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia? In this illustration we take a look at his commitment to justice in his city and its people. b. Current Event: 2012 was a rough year for Dallas fans. Every professional sports team wrestled with specific failures and missed opportunities. One team found themselves having to make compromises in order to simply play their game. a. Background: Sin enters God s very good world through the choice of Adam and Eve to not trust God s love and authority. In submission to His command (Gen. 2:16-17), humanity could live in full enjoyment of relationship with God. b. Exegesis of Romans 1:18-32: God hates sin. He is perfect in His character and ways (Deut. 32:4). Sin is complete contradiction to God 8. God rightly judges and pours out His wrath on sin and sinners as Romans 1:18-21 reveals. c. Cross References: Genesis 3:4-5 a. Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? How many Christians do you think live on planet earth? With 7 billion people total how many have a destiny of experiencing God s wrath? How does this impact your view of evangelism? b. How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? Share the gospel with those you know who stand on the wrath side of God s judgment. Overcome your insecurities about coming off unprepared, ignorant or noisy. Your witnessing is far more beneficial to their eternal security than your tolerance. 7 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), 62. 8 Ibid., 63.
Week 8 Jesus Comes John 1:1-18 MAIN IDEA: In Jesus God and man became one person unlike anyone else the world has ever seen or will ever see. Jesus Christ was, and forever will be, fully God and fully man in one person. And that one person changed the course of history forever. 9 a. Class Discussion: In 2009, the movie Avatar became a smash hit in the box offices but also angered many churches. Some viewed it as promoting nature as supreme while others saw it as a view of the incarnation. What did you think? b. Current Event: CBS released a 60 Minutes episode about two nature enthusiasts who have lived the past 30 years with wild lions. They have become experts in their field and show us an example of how Christ chooses to minister to us. a. Background: Jesus Comes. God pursues. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He sent His Son. Christ, knowing the suffering set before Him on the cross, joyfully carried out God s plan by entering into our story. God pursues His children and He does so through His Son. b. Exegesis of John 1:1-18: God has written Himself into the story of humanity. The story that He has been writing since the beginning. Through Christ, God now dwells amongst the world. Jesus is fully God and fully human. c. Cross References: Matthew 5:17, Hebrews 4:15 and John 5:8-10 a. Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? God plays by His own rules. Did God create a universe that He knew was going to fall? Yep; and then He jumped right in with both feet, and both hands, and His side, and His brow; and He became a victim of the world He created. b. How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? Be present and available for those God has placed nearest to you. Be involved in your community s life so that you might have a chance to redeem it. 9 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), 67.