Explanation
This is how well you understand what the Bible says about God. Who is God? What is his nature, essence, character and will? Do you understand the qualities of God? How are these qualities expressed towards his creation and people? Do you understand how God exists as Trinity? Do you understand the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit? Do you understand the roles of each person in the Godhead?
KEY SCRIPTURES
Key Scriptures are designed to give a biblical overview of the topic in question. They are extremely valuable for gaining an immediate general understanding of what the Bible teaches on a given subject. Key Scriptures are the first place you should explore when starting a new subject. They can be discussed individually, in part, or in whole. Generic inductive Bible study questions are provided to assist you in your discussion. Key Scriptures are also good for memorizing and reference.
God is Creator
Genesis 1:1-2 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. NIV
1 Corinthians 8:6 – There is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. NIV
God is one and only God
Deuteronomy 4:35-You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. NIV
2 Samuel 7:22-How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. NIV
See also Psalm 83:18
The Father is God
Matthew 6:9-10 – Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. NIV
Romans 8:15-For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” NIV
The Son is God
Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. NIV
Matthew 1:23 – “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-which means, “God with us.” NIV
John 10:30 – I and the Father are one.” NIV
The Spirit is God
1 Corinthians 6:11 – But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. NIV
God is unchanging
Psalm 102:27 – But you remain the same, and your years will never end. NIV
Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. NIV
See also Malachi 3:6
God is pre-existent and eternal
Exodus 3:14 – God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” NIV
Romans 11:36 – For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. NIV
God is sovereign and omnipotent
Isaiah 55:9 – As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. NIV
Matthew 19:26 – “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” NIV
Daniel 7:27 – Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ NIV
God is omniscient
Psalm 147:5 – Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. NIV
God is holy
1 Samuel 2:2 – “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. NIV
God is righteous
Psalm 116:5 – The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. NIV
Deuteronomy 32:4 – He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. NIV
God is love
1 John 4:8 – Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. NIV
God is judge
Psalm 96:13 – He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth. NIV
2 Timothy 4:1 – In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead. NIV
Inductive Bible Study Questions
to be used with individual Key Scriptures
- What is the primary point of this passage?
- How does this passage challenge us?
- How does this passage comfort or encourage us?
- What does this passage teach us about God?
- What spiritual insights are found in this passage?
- What are the personal & spiritual implications of this text?
- What does this passage ask or require of us?
Key Scriptures Bible Study
to be used when studying all Key Scriptures together
- Did any of the scriptures given surprise you? Explain
- Did any of the scriptures given confuse you? Explain
- Did any of the scriptures given comfort or excite you?
- How would you sum up these scriptures to another?
- What implications do these scriptures have for our lives?
- Which of these scriptures would you find it valuable to memorize?
DISCUSSION GUIDES
GROWING EXERCISES
- Make a list of the attributes of God. Check multiple sources such as study Bibles; Bible reference helps such as topical Bibles, Bible handbooks and guides; your pastor, trusted web resources, etc…
- Research the Bible attributes that remain a mystery to you. Do a word study on concepts such as holiness, immutability, Trinity. Which attributes of God intrigue you? Find out more about them. Present and discuss your findings with your coach.
- Prepare a 5 week Bible Study on your 5 favorite attributes of God.
- List 5 ways the God of the Bible differs from the God of each of the following religions:
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Mormanism
- Jehovah Witnesses
- Scientology
- Although agreeing on the fundamental attributes of God, different schools within Christendom promote ideas that reveal subtle differences in the way they view God. For example: some may focus more on God’s love and grace while another may focus more on God’s sovereignty. Study and explain the nuances between various faith traditions and theologies. For example, how do Catholics and Protestants view God differently? What about Calvinism, or Arminianism, or Dispensationalism, or Pentecostalism, or Fundamentalism, or Open Theism? Which aspects of God do these various traditions emphasize or minimalize? Which attributes of God do they differ with other traditions? This exercise can also be done with different Christian denominations.
- Research and read various proofs and arguments both for and against the resurrection of Jesus. ‘Evidence that Demands a Verdict’ is a great place to start. Don’t allow secular, intellectual elitism to cast doubt. Search out for yourself. I think you will find that the resurrection can honestly stand up to inquiry. Discuss your findings with your Christian Friend.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Christian Doctrine by Shirley Guthrie Jr.
- Knowing God by J.I. Packer
- The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin
- The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey
- The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
- Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
- The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
- Desiring God by John Piper
- The Names of God by Ken Hemphill
- Calling God Names by Norman Hubbard
- Willmington’s Guide to the Bible by H.L. Willmington