Who is God?

Theology (Proper)

Happy Fathers' Day!  Today's lesson is on God the Father!

Question:  Who is God the Father?

Resources:

• Evidence of God's Existence - 
• https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/01-26-14PT3.mp3
• Nature of God 
• https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/02-02-14PT4.mp3
• Attributes of God Part 1
• https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/02-09-14PT5.mp3
• Attributes of God Part 2
• https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/02-16-14PT6.mp3
• Attributes of God Part 3
• https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/02-23-14PT7.mp3
• Attributes of God Part 4
• https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/03-02-14PT8.mp3
• Sovereign Rule of God or Why Bad Things Happen to Good People
• https://tbcgr.org/sermons/mp3/foundational-teachings/03-30-14PT10.mp3

Families, for resources to talk with your children about who God is, go to tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/2023/06/may-18.html

Short Statement  (TBC doctrinal statement): 

We believe in the one God, eternally existing in three persons:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 

In this week's study, we must remember the guidelines presented during the first week and on the tables each week.

This study is Biblical AND Practical.
This study is Introductory, not exhaustive.  Very Important this week.
This study is to Honor God, not impress others.
This study is for the adoration of God, not just information for man.
This study is for edification and encouragement.

Think about the many different ways a class about God could go.

The nature of God
The attributes of God
The works of God.
The hard-to-understand aspects of God.

Erwin Lutzer wrote a book entitled "10 Lies About God:  And the Truths That Shatter Deception.".

The first three chapters of Genesis could be a full 12 weeks or more study of who God is

How long would a class be to fully cover who God is?  1 class?  12 classes?  52 classes?

No number of classes could cover everything there is to know about God.  At the heart of this week's lesson, and every week's lesson, is to scratch the surface of a topic to get each of us a fundamental understanding of who God is and grow in each of us a desire to know and love him more.

Check out Knowing the Living God by Paul Washer for an in-depth Bible study on Theology Proper.  Forty-seven different chapters.  Chapter 2, "Knowing the Living God," carefully considers what Psalm 105:4-5 says.  Washer writes, "We are not to be casual or apathetic in our pursuit of the person and the will of God, but determined and active - even ambitious."  

Here are eight summary truths the book contains about the Trinity

1. God is one.
2. God is three.
3. The Scriptures clearly affirm both of these essential truths.
4. The three Persons of the Trinity are natural and distinct.
5. The three Persons of the Trinity are perfectly equal.
6. The three Persons of the Trinity may manifest Themselves differently and carry out different functions.
7. The mystery of the Trinity is not grounds for its denial.
8. Most illustrations used to explain the Trinity need to be revised.

As we continue this study of theology, let's find contentment and rest in who we know God is and a passion and desire to know Him more and more.

Some additional articles:

• An Attribute of God That Isn't Discussed Enough
• 10 Things You Should Know About the Trinity

 Key References

• I Timothy 2:5; John 14:26; Genesis 1;
• Incommunicable Attributes:  Exodus 3:14; I Kings 8:27; Psalm 90:1-4; 102:25-27; 139:7-12; Malachi 3:1; John 4:24; 5:26; Acts 17:24-25; Romans 1:18-25; Ephesians 1:11; I Timothy 1:17; 6:15-16; James 1:17
• Communicable Attributes:  Exodus 34:6-7; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; I Kings 8:22-30; I Chronicles 16:8-36; Psalm 89:1-8; 103:6-14; 139:1-6; Romans 11:33-36; Ephesians 1:11; I Timothy 1:17

Chapters of Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer connected to this doctrine: 

God Created the World Because He Was Lonely (Ch.9)