In this session we will attempt to

¨ explore what the Bible teaches about God himself;

¨ understand better the concept of the Trinity;

¨ discuss the different ways that God reveals Himself to us and relates to us.

I. THE ESSENCE OF GOD

“God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24)

1. God is spirit

¨ without physical form

¨ like the wind – invisible, gentle, powerful

¨ awesome in holiness (Isaiah 6:1-5)

Spirit - a rational or intelligent being without a material body (Concise Oxford Dictionary)

pneuma - wind, breath, spirit

2. God can manifest Himself in different ways

¨ as a man (Genesis 18:1-33)

¨ as an angel (Genesis 16:7-14)

¨ as a fire (Exodus 3:2-6)

3. God is one

¨ the Lord is one (Deuteronomy 6:4)

¨ none other like Him (Isaiah 44:6-8)

¨ not lone but a compound unity (Genesis 1:27; 2:24)

¨ plural name and plural pronoun (Genesis 1:26,27)

Part of the very essence of God is relationship in unity: marriage depicts this; the Church reveals this (John 17:10,11,22,23)

II. THE PERSONS OF GOD

“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

1. The Father

¨ lavishes love (1 John 3:1)

¨ defends and protects (Psalm 68:5)

¨ holds us and moulds us (Isaiah 64:8)

¨ gives and provides (Matthew 6:32,33; 7:9-11)

¨ source and purpose (John 4:34; 5:19; 6:38)

2. The Son

¨ radiates light and glory (John 1:4-9,14; Hebrews 1:3)

¨ makes God known to us (John 1,2,14,18; 14:9.10)

¨ bestows grace (John 1:14-17)

¨ creates and sustains (Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2,3)

¨ carries out God’s will (Hebrews 10:7; Colossians 1:19,20)

3. The Spirit

¨ brings life (Psalm 104:30; John 6:63; Romans 8:11)

¨ makes God real (Romans 5:5; John 14:16,17)

¨ teaches and encourages (John 14:26; 16:13)

¨ equips with power (Luke 4:14; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16)

¨ shows us God’s will (John 16:13-14; Acts 8:39; 13:2)

III KNOWING GOD

“This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God” John 17:3)

Over To You

Consider ways that we can have a relationship with God as Father, as Son and as Holy Spirit. What are some of the special features of the relationship in each case?

1. God the Father

2. God the Son

3. God the Holy Spirit