Student Lesson 1 – Who is God?

Watch this short video then read this section and answer the questions on the Student Response sheet. 

Responses can either be e-mailed to Pastor Kip or pick up a paper copy of these
questions in his office.

Image is everything.  It has been said that our perception is our reality.  This is so true when it comes to faith in God.  What we hear about, or more hazardously, see done in the name of God shapes our definitions and directly influences whether or not we will believe in or pursue a relationship with this God.

Q1: What are some of the images that come to mind when you think of God?

People talk about how they do not believe in God, then you ask them to describe this God and you may find that you, too, do not believe in the one they described.  Here are some examples of images people have of “God”:

Q2: What about these images of God seems odd?  How do these images compare to the picture(s) you have of God in your mind?

The Bible uses all kinds of metaphors to describe God.  A metaphor is a way of describing something or someone by using characteristics of something else.  Metaphors can be helpful, but they can also be dangerous.  What comes to mind if it is said that God is like…

• a rock

• a spirit

• a lion

• the Jonas Brothers

• Harry Potter

• a king

• a father

Metaphors are helpful in that they can give us a description of something that may not be easily defined or literally seen.  However, metaphors can sometimes be difficult for us as each of us may view a metaphor differently, depending on our experience with the rock (solid and strong or painful when thrown at your head?) or the lion (powerful vs. dangerous – how would a deer feel about a lion?), with a king (caretaker of the land or oppressive force?) or even with a parental figure (supportive and strong vs. absent and too busy). 

Q3. How is God described in the following passages (there may be more than one description in each passage)?  What do you think of when that image or metaphor is used?

• Genesis 1:1-2:4

• Exodus 3:1-12

• Psalm 68:4-6

• Psalm 86:1-7

• Isaiah 66:12-13

• Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus uses the word father throughout the Gospels to describe God.  This image is very delicate; for some it is helpful and crystal clear as that person may have a strong relationship with his or her father.  For others, this may bring up painful images of neglect, fear, selfishness and disloyalty; someone who never seems to care about or have time for you.  Jesus’ use of father, then, could become something that distances you from God instead of pulling you near; it causes you to become a skeptic rather than a disciple.  God as father may be one of the hardest metaphors for you to relate to as metaphors can vary in meaning depending on your experiences.

So, what does Jesus mean when he begins his prayer with “Our Father in Heaven”?  Does it seem strange that Jesus would use an image that can so easily be tainted by the closest example we may have?

Re-read Matthew 6:7-15

The image of God as Father for the ones Jesus originally spoke to would have brought to mind the God who brought into existence the world, the human race and all things for that matter.  It was a helpful metaphor.  Particularly, this image of Father would bring to mind the relationship God had with Israel.  With this in mind, God as Father would speak of a God who not only provides and cares for His people, but also who has left an inheritance to be passed on from generation to generation.  Father would speak of one of the deepest and most meaningful relationships.

We also think of God as Father in reference to Jesus.  The Bible talks of Jesus as the firstborn over all creation – all relationships and all the world hinge upon Jesus.  God as Father speaks not only of His identity, but also ours - children of our Heavenly Father; children and fellow heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17) who, because of God’s love, was sent into this world to extend a new kind of family into all the world.  As God’s children, we have been called to imitate who God is.

Q4. What are some of the characteristics of God that we are called to imitate?  (Micah 6:8; Romans 15:13; Colossians 3;12-15; I John 4:16-21 may be helpful).

God as Father, our Heavenly Father, reminds us that we are a part of a larger community and are to invite others to join this pursuit of living what God called us to be.  He is not just my God, but our Father.  In the Father, we have a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves; we are not alone.  God as Father reminds us that despite, or because of, God’s position as Creator of all things, He longs to be in close relationship with people – even you and me.

Q5. Reflect on your own relationship with God.  How does God as Father help or hinder your own faith?  Which of the metaphors in Q3 is most helpful for you?  Spend some time in prayer, reflecting on the character of God.

Click here for the Student Response Sheet for Lesson 1 - Who Is God?

Material adapted from Erin Hayes and the Imago Dei Ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Dilworthtown Community Church, 2008.