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In John 14/1-14 Philip makes a request of Jesus that we would do well to make ourselves as we begin this series of study notes. “Lord, show us the Father”. Discuss the following statement.
“No matter where we come from or where we live, we should all be able to get on together. After all, we all worship the same God, don’t we?"
It’s the answer to those kind of questions that has prompted the preparation of studies around this theme. Do Christians worship the same God as Muslims…..as Buddhists….as Mormons? Is Allah the same person as Jehovah? In other words do we just call the same “God person” by different names? These studies are written to help us address these questions because they are going to be asked of us more and more in the days ahead
The way we shall do that over the coming weeks is to examine some of the key attributes of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Attributes” = characteristics, qualities of being.
Is it important to have an accurate and true knowledge of the God we worship? The answer is “Yes!” because we become like the god we worship.
Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them
Psalm 115:3-8 (NLT)
[1] WHAT FACTORS MOULD OUR CONCEPT OF GOD?
A. PARENTAL MODELS – especially the role of the father. “Our human experience of an earthly father readily shapes our concept of a heavenly father”. Can you explain that statement?
B. CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY – leaders, teachers and the quality of relationships between Christians is a major factor in moulding our concept of God.
C. LIFE EXPERIENCES – good experiences lead to good thoughts about God whereas bad experiences lead to negative concepts of God.
[2] HOW CAN GOD BE KNOWN BY US?
In a word, we can only know God by REVELATION (Matt. 11/27) – i.e. when God chooses self-disclosure. He does this through….
· Creation – Psalm 19/16_______________________________________________________
· Scripture – 2 Timothy 3/14-17 _________________________________________________
· Jesus Christ – John 14/8,9 Hebrews 1/1-3a _______________________________________
· Christians – we may be imperfect but God lives in our lives. ________________________
· Personal encounter – Luke 24/13; Acts 9/3f. ______________________________
Discussion:
a. When did the word, “God” become more than just a name to you?
b. What do you think is the most misunderstood concept of God in our world today?
c. Among the people in your social networks what would be the most common ideas about God?
