If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
Blog Site
Derek’s Blog which comes out weekly to fortnightly is at -
Go to the new more user friendly version - beingrecreated.org
Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
God in heaven - unseen and mystery. God is, after all, the creator. God understands our desire to know Him. He has revealed Himself to us through Jesus, His Word -the Bible, and His Spirit. Though God is a mystery, He does not deny us the opportunity to find out about Him. He encourages us to seek Him, but we need to embark on this journey with humility. Our Father is mysterious because full understanding comes through full observation and controlled circumstances so It is an arrogant creation that presumes it can gain a complete understanding of its creator.
Bible Zone
This zone looks at three passages.
- God of mystery - Who can know God’s thoughts?
- Jesus Reveals God -Jesus the image of God reveals God to us.
- God appears to Moses - God describes Himself - compassionate, merciful, loving,
Romans 11:33-36 expresses the mystery of God.
- How is God described here?
- To what extent is it possible to know God?
- This passage quotes some writers who knew God well compared to most of their generation. What is their testimony about God?
Romans 11v33-36 33 Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?*
35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
Don’t give up if you think it is hopeless trying to understand God. This is the beginning of a life long challenge. It is part of the essence of what life is about!
The Bible tells us Jesus made this task easier. Look at Hebrews 1
- How has God spoken at different times?
- How does Jesus the Son change our understanding of God?
- What position does Jesus have before God and people?
Hebrews 1:1-4 1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.3 The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
God revealed Himself to Moses in Exodus 34. This was a challenging time for Moses. Exposure to God’s face means death! - Such is the Holiness of God.
- How did the Lord describe Himself to Moses?
- Notice the great sense of mercy and kindness. How does the Lord emphasis this?
- How does the Lord challenge the guilty?
Exodus 34:6-7 6 The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out,
"Yahweh!* The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;
the entire family is affected— even children in the third and fourth generations."
GOD OF MYSTERY
