1. Who is this God?

The following studies have been written by Val Goold Acting General Secretary TSCF 2012. Please feel free to adapt and use them. Feedback would be great.

There is one God, who is three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

(Statement 1 from BOB—Basis of Belief)

Getting started: (5 mins)

What are some things in life that you find hard to explain?

Can you think of any movies that deal with the Trinity or Creation?

Beginning in the bible: (10 mins)Psalm 19, Colossians 1:3-8;15-23
(Read through the Scriptures slowly and let people comment on anything that stands out to them about the Trinity or Creation)

Help with understanding (optional)

The very first doctrinal statement is more of a stop signal to wonder and worship than an invitation to instant comprehension. The Christian confession of faith in the Triune God is unique because not three gods are worshipped but one ‘God in Three Persons’, the only true God. Humanity does not define what ‘person’ means, but because God is Person we can also speak of humanity as a person. The Old and New Testament confess one God. The NT names Jesus and the Holy Spirit together with God the Father without attempting a systematic teaching or explanation. The incarnation of God in Jesus reveals the mystery of the Triune God. God becomes visible in a human face, tangible in a human body. The sovereignty of God in creation implies that nothing obliges Him to create, nor does the created universe limit, determine, enlarge, or bind Him. The loving God desires an intimate relationship with all that He creates. ‘In Him we live and move and have our being. He is not far from every one of us.’

Questions to get to know BOB better: (10 mins)

• In a world where many believe that humanity is an accident, what does this first statement in BOB and all these verses say to us?
  
• Creation tells us about the creator. What are some things that the Bible, humanity, and all the created world teach us about God?
  
• What does God the Father do? What does the Son do? What does the Holy Spirit do? - Why do you think that it is important that they are all one person?

Relating BOB to life: (15 mins)

What does Romans 11:33-12:2 teach us about how we should respond to the Trinity and God as creator.
What does one of your non-Christian friends believe about “God” and “Creation”? Does what you believe about the Trinity and Creation impact any area of your studies?

Where to from here? (5mins)
• As you walk around campus this week try thinking about the world like the Psalmist?
• Pray for an opportunity to talk to a non-Christian friend about Creation or God this week?
Memorise the initial statement from BOB—and maybe consider memorising some of the verses you looked at this week?