Permission to photocopy this Bible study from CoreTruth™ granted for local church use.Copyright © 2007 Group Publishing, Inc. Loveland, CO. www.group.com/CoreTruth

TeenagerstodayfeeloverwhelmedattheprospectoftryingtounderstandthenatureofGod.Afterall,whocanbegintocomprehendabeingsoinfinitelywiseandpowerful?

ButthetruthisthateverythingyourkidsdoeverydayisgovernedbytheirpersonalperspectiveofwhatGodisreallylike.Tocomprehendthistruth,considerhowpeoplewouldliveeachdayiftheybelievedthat…

• Godlovesonlypeoplewithblondhair.• Godkillspeoplewhodon’tpraythreehourseachday.• Godlovesonlythosewhoarethebestateverything.• Godlovespeoplebutisreallybusyrunningtheuniverse.WhatkidstrulythinkaboutthenatureofGod,shapesalmost

everythingaboutthem.Thismonth,wewillexaminethenatureofGod,byfocusingonGod’sTri-unity,Mercy,Righteousness,andAwesomeness.

What’s the Big Deal!GodisLove(1John4:16);it’sinGod’snature.Therefore,

Godwantstoknoweveryoneintimately…eventeenagers.ThisCoreTruthwillhelpteenagerscometoknowGodinanintimateway.

After examining this CoreTruth—somewhere, someplace, a teenager might say:

•“NowthatIunderstandthatGodisarelationalGod,IfeelmorecomfortablerelatingtoGodandtoothers.”

•“NowthatIunderstandthatGodismerciful,I’mnotover-whelmedwithfeelingsofguiltandshame.”

•“NowthatIunderstandthatGodlovesmeunconditionally,Inolongerfeeldriventoperformforapproval.”

•“NowthatIhavebeenbroughttomykneesinaweofGod,IwilltryhardertolivemylifeinawaythatwillpleaseGod.”

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The Nature of God

Permission to photocopy this Bible study from CoreTruth™ granted for local church use.Copyright © 2007 Group Publishing, Inc. Loveland, CO. www.group.com/CoreTruth

Notes:Beforethestudy,createaposterthatreads:“TheTrinity—Godisonebeinginthreepersons:Father,Son,andHolySpirit.”Cueupavideo(orDVD)ofHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to1:02:00[with0:00:00setasthestudiologoappearsatthebeginningofthefilm],chapter16ontheDVD.You’llalsoneedthreeormorephotocopiedpicturesofteenagersinyourgroupthatarezoomedinextremelyclosesothat,forexample,thepictureisnowjustagiganticnostril.

Begin by showing a clip from HarryPotterandtheSorcerer’sStone starting at 1:02:00, chapter 16 on the DVD, when Hermione opens the locked door, and ending at 1:02:55 when the door is locked again. Tell teenagers that there’s something in the scene that represents a truth about God. After the clip, see if kids can guess what it is.

Explain that you’re referring to the three-headed dog. Similarly, God is one being in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Ask: How is this three-headed dog a good explanation of the Trinity? How is it a poor one?

Hang up the poster you prepared in advance, then ask: How might someone who’s not a Christian respond to this state-ment? What are your own reactions to this claim?

Have teenagers form small groups and read together Deuteronomy 6:4; Romans 3:30; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:5-6; and 1 Timothy 2:5. Have kids discuss these questions and take notes on their answers: What do these passages say directly or indirectly about God? Why is this important to the Christian faith? What are the implications of rejecting this belief about God? How does understanding the oneness of God impact our faith?

Next have groups study together Matthew 26:63-64; 28:19; John 8:58; 16:7-8; 17:5, 24; Acts 5:3-4; Philippians 2:5-6; and 1 Peter 1:2, noting how the divinity of each person of the Trinity is affirmed in the various passages. Have them discuss these ques-tions and take notes on their answers: What do these passages

The Nature of God • Lesson 1

The Triune God

Lesson 1 – CoreTruth™

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The Nature of God

Permission to photocopy this Bible study from CoreTruth™ granted for local church use.Copyright © 2007 Group Publishing, Inc. Loveland, CO. www.group.com/CoreTruth

Notes:

say directly or indirectly about God? Why is this important to the Christian faith? What are the implications of rejecting this belief about God? How does understanding the threeness of God impact our faith?

Invite groups to share their findings, then ask: How can God be one being and three persons?

After teenagers share some ideas, explain that there are lots of ways we can try to understand the Trinity (such as the three-headed dog or the way water exists as ice, gas, and liquid), but none of these explanations are adequate.

Play a quick game by showing kids the zoomed-in photos—challenge them to guess who each photo represents. Afterward, show each regular photo next to each zoomed-in copy. Ask: How is this challenge like the challenge we face in seeing God clearly? After kids respond, say something like: Part of our difficulty in understanding the Trinity is our vantage point. In this game it was hard to recognize the faces when we were zoomed in so close. We also can’t comprehend God because we see things from a human perspective and we’re limited in our understanding of God’s divinity. The Trinity isn’t a logical contradiction—it’s just something we can’t totally compre-hend because we’re human and God is…God.

Share with your teenagers this quote from Martin Luther: “I believe in God the Father, who created me; I believe in God the Son, who redeemed me; I believe in the Holy Spirit, who makes me holy.” Ask: How does Luther’s summary of the Trinity help us understand God a little bit better? How does belief in the Trinity help to make sense of our world? How does belief in the Trinity help you make better sense of your Christian faith?

Conclude by leading the group in reciting Luther’s “creed” together. Then direct kids to pray alone, addressing each person of the Trinity during their prayer. Encourage teenagers to thank each person of the Trinity for one specific thing. For example: “Thank you, Father God, for providing for me. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding me as I make choices each day.”

The Nature of God • Lesson 1