Master Copy - Systematic Theology

FALL TEEN CALENDAR

Fall Student Events Thursday, September 24, 2009 Lesson: The How & Why of Bible Study Schedule 9/24/09 7:15 AM to 08:30 AM

Saturday, September 26, 2009 Cabbagetown Service Schedule 9/26/09 4:00 PM to 09PM Sunday, September 27, 2009 Lesson: The Words of God Schedule 9/27/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM

FALL 2009

Monday, October 12, 2009 Psalms 46-50 Schedule 10/12/09 to 10/16/09 Take the Roof Off - Soccer Outreach Schedule 10/12/09 1:00 PM to 05:00 PM Thursday, October 15, 2009 Lesson: The Existence & Knowability of God Schedule 10/15/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM

Monday, September 28, 2009 Psalms 36-40 Schedule 9/28/09 to 10/2/09

Friday, October 16, 2009 Youth Explosion Schedule 10/16/09 7:00 PM to 10/17/09 8:00 AM

Thursday, October 1, 2009 Lesson: The Canon of Scripture Schedule 10/1/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM

Sunday, October 18, 2009 Lesson: The Character of God Schedule 10/18/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM

October

Monday, October 19, 2009 Psalms 51-55 Schedule 10/19/09 to 10/23/09

Sunday, October 4, 2009 Lesson: The Inerrancy of Scripture Schedule 10/4/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Braves game Schedule 10/4/09 12:00 PM to 07:00 PM Monday, October 5, 2009 Psalms 41-45 Schedule 10/5/09 to 10/9/09 Thursday, October 8, 2009 Lesson: 4 Characteristics of Scripture Schedule 10/8/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM Saturday, October 10, 2009 Frog Town Run Schedule 10/10/09 8:00 AM to 09:00 AM Sunday, October 11, 2009 WEC Meeting Schedule 10/11/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Afternoon at the Cornwell Schedule 10/11/09 12:00 PM until 7 pm



Thursday, October 22, 2009 Lesson: God in 3 persons / Trinity Schedule 10/22/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM Sunday, October 25, 2009 Lesson: Creation Schedule 10/25/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, October 26, 2009 Psalms 56-60 Schedule 10/26/09 to 10/30/09 Thursday, October 29, 2009 Lesson: Angels & Demons Schedule 10/29/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM

Saturday, October 31, 2009 Progressive Mystery Dinner Schedule 10/31/09 5:00 PM to 9 PM

FALL TEEN CALENDAR

November Sunday, November 1, 2009 Lesson: Sin Schedule 11/1/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, November 2, 2009 Psalms 61-65 Schedule 11/2/09 to 11/6/09 Thursday, November 5, 2009 Lesson: Miracles Schedule 11/5/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM Sunday, November 8, 2009 WEC Meeting Schedule 11/8/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, November 9, 2009 Psalms 66-70 Schedule 11/9/09 to 11/13/09

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 V3 - Vision Visits Victory Schedule 11/11/09 5:00 PM to 9 PM Thursday, November 12, 2009 Lesson: Prayer Schedule 11/12/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM Sunday, November 15, 2009 Lesson: Sanctification Schedule 11/15/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, November 16, 2009 Psalms 71-75 Schedule 11/16/09 to 11/20/09 Thursday, November 19, 2009 Lesson: Essential Nature of Man Schedule 11/19/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM

Saturday, November 21, 2009 1st Annual Turkey Bowl Schedule 11/21/09 1:00 PM to 3 PM Sunday, November 22, 2009 Lesson: Our we truly thankful? Schedule 11/22/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, November 23, 2009 Psalms 76-80 Schedule 11/23/09 to 11/27/09



FALL 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 Thanksgiving Service Schedule 11/24/09 7:00 PM to 9 PM Sunday, November 29, 2009 Lesson: Work of the Holy Spirit Schedule 11/29/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, November 30, 2009 Psalms 81-85 Schedule 11/30/09 to 12/4/09

December Thursday, December 3, 2009 Lesson: Covenants between God and man Schedule 12/3/09 7:15 AM to 08:30 AM

Friday, December 4, 2009 Laser tag and Donuts Schedule 12/4/09 11:00 PM to 12/5/09 1:00 AM Sunday, December 6, 2009 Lesson: The Church Schedule 12/6/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, December 7, 2009 Psalms 86-90 Schedule 12/7/09 to 12/11/09 Thursday, December 10, 2009 Lesson: Doctrine of the Future Schedule 12/10/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM Monday, December 14, 2009 Psalms 91-95 Schedule 12/14/09 to 12/18/09

Saturday, December 19, 2009 Teen Christmas Party Schedule 12/19/09 5:00 PM to 08 PM Monday, December 21, 2009 Psalms 96-100 Schedule 12/21/09 to 12/25/09 Monday, December 28, 2009 Psalms 101-105 Schedule 12/28/09 to 1/1/10

Thursday, December 31, 2009 The Summit Schedule 12/31/09 to 1/2/10

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

I n t ro d uction DEFINITION SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

Any study that answers the question, about any given topic. 1. Emphases

a. whole Bible

b. to us

c. today 2. Meaning of “systematic” 3. Meaning of “doctrine” 4. Every Christian does “Systematic theology”

Initial Assumptions of Course A. The Bible is

true

B. God exists and

is who the Bible

says He is. Relationship between doctrine and life A. Sound doctrine is a necessary part of Christian maturity (Eph. 4:12-14; Titus1:9, 2:1-6,10; Col. 1:9-10) B. False doctrine harms the church, turns people away form the faith (Titus 1:11, Rom. 1:18, 21, 25; 1 Tim. 1:5-6, 10, 4:1, 6:20-21; Acts 20:27) Christian” churches INTRODUCTION

What does the whole Bible say to us today.

Introduction to Systematic Theology How should Christians study systematic theology? (= how should we study Scripture?)

A. With prayer (Ps. 119:18; 1 Cor. 2:14;1:17)

B. With humility (1 Pet. 5:5; Jas. 1:19-20, 1 Cor. 8:1)

C. With reason

1. “We are free to use our reasoning abilities to

draw deductions from any passage of

Scripture as long as those deductions do not

contradict the clear teaching of some other

passage of Scripture” (Isa. 55:8-9; Ps. 139:6;

Rom. 11:33-34)

2. Paradox is acceptable in systematic theology

(“a seemingly contradictory statement that may

nevertheless be true”); (inevitable with

finite understanding)

3. Contradiction is not acceptable (Ps. 119:160)

D. With help from others (1 Cor. 12:28)

E. With rejoicing and praise (Deut. 6:5-6; Ps. 139:17;

Rom. 11:33-36) Causes of theological error

A. Not: obscurity of Scripture

B. But: usually personal sins

1. Pride (1 Tim. 6:4; 2 Pet. 2:18)

2. Greed (1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Pet. 2:3, 14-15)

3. Cowardice (in face of cultural trends (Gal.

2:12, 5:11; Luke 6:22-23)

4. Laziness, negligence in studying Scripture

(then following personal leaders instead) (Ps.

1:2; Gal. 2:13; 2 Pet. 2:2)

5. Other personal sins (2 Pet. 2:13-14, 18-19; 1

Tim. 1:9-10, 19-20) More important / less important doctrines

A. Does it affect other doctrines?

B. Does it affect peopleʼs faith, Christian life?

C. P.S. Note that people can take any minor doctrine

and make it “major” (split churches)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A Introduction Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. Why is Systematic Theology?

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

2. Every Christian does “Systematic Theology? TRUE / FALSE 3. In two words what is the basic reason for systematic theology?

2. _________________________________ 3.__________________________________

4. What is one of the ways we should study systematic theology?

4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: The Existence & Knowability of God Who does the Bible refer to as “The Word of God”? Would you pay more attention if God spoke to you with a voice from heaven or through a living prophet as in the Old Testament? Do you believe God is speaking to us today?

INTRODUCTION

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

T h e Wo rd s o f G o d FOCUS OF OUR STUDY THE WRITTEN WORDS OF GOD

The Focus of Our Study In the study of systematic theology the focus is on Godʼs Word in written form, the Bible. Josh. 1:8, Ps. 1:1-2, 2 Tim. 3:16 Questions for personal application Would you pay more attention if God spoke to you with a voice from heaven or through a living prophet as in the Old Testament? What does the fact that God spoke to people in different ways tell us about the nature of God and what he delights in ?

THE WORDS OF GOD

What are the different forms of the Word of God?

The Words of God

“The Word of God” as a Person: Jesus Christ

1. The Bible sometimes refers to the Son of God as

“the Word of God.” John 1:1, 14; Rev. 19:13 “The Word of God” as Speech by God: Various forms

1. God Decrees

i. A decree of God is a word of God that causes

something to happen or even causes things to

come into being. Gen 1:3, 24; Ps. 33:6

ii. The decrees of God also assure the

continuing existence of all things. Heb. 1:3

2. Godʼs Words of Personal Address

i) God speaking directly with people. Gen.

2:16-17; 3:16-17; Ex. 20:1-3; Matt 3:17

ii) These instances of personal address are

always seen in Scripture as the actual words of

God. The words of “personal address” are also

human words spoken in intelligible human

language.

iii)People are wrong to object that if God speaks

in human language it must contain errors and

mistakes

3. Godʼs Words as Speech Through Human Lips

i) God often raised up prophets through whom

he spoke.

ii) These are prophets are ordinary humans

speaking with ordinary human language, but

these facts do not diminish the authority of

the words. Deut. 18:18-20; Jer 1:7, 9

iii) Anyone who falsely claimed to be speaking

for the Lord was severely punished. Deut.

18:20-22; Ezek 13:1-7

4. Godʼs Words in Written Form (the Bible)

i) There are numerous instances where Godʼs

words were put in written form: Ex. 31:18;32:16;

Deut 31:9-13

ii) Further additions were made to the collection

of Godʼs written words: Josh. 24:26; Isa 30:8;

Jer 30:2; John 14:26; 1 Cor 14:37

iii) Several benefits from the writing down of

Godʼs words

(1) More accurate preservation of Godʼs words

(2) Opportunity for repeated inspection

(3) Accessibility

Still considered to be Godʼs words: just as true;

just as authoritative; people have just as much

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A Introduction Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. Why is a decree?

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

2. The Bible says in Joshua 1:8 success is memorizing the Bible? TRUE / FALSE 3. Give an example when a God speaks directly to a man.

2. _________________________________ 3.__________________________________

4. What are some of the benefits from us having the written Word of God?

4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: The Canon of Scripture Who does the word canon mean, when referring to the Bible? What are some of the names of other books you have heard ofthat people think should be in the Bible? Where in the Bible does it say we should not add to or take away from the Bible?

THE WORDS OF GOD

T h e C a n o n o f S cript ure DEFINITIONS CANON

The canon of Scripture is the list of all the books that belong in the Bible.

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER BOOKS? (1) they often do not claim for themselves the same authority (2) they were not regarded as canonical by the Jews; (3) they were not considered Scripture by Jesus and the apostles (4) they contain teachings inconsistent with the rest of the Bible. The Gospel according to Thomas, 114 (110 AD): Simon Peter said to them: Let Mary go away from us, for women are not worthy of life. Jesus said: Lo, I shall lead her, so that I may make her a male, that she too may become a living spirit, resembling you males. For every woman who makes herself a male will enter the kingdom of heaven.

THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE

What belongs in the Bible and what does not?

The Canon of Scripture The canon of Scripture is the list of all the books that belong in the Bible. We must not underestimate the importance of determining which books belong in the Bible because: (1) The words of Scripture are the words by which we nourish our spiritual lives. Deut. 32:47 (2) To add to or subtract from Godʼs words would be to prevent Godʼs people from obeying him fully. Deut. 4:2 A) The Old Testament Canon The Bible itself testifies to the historical development of the canon.

1) The earliest collection of written words was the Ten

Commandments, which God himself wrote on two

stone tablets. Ex. 32:16

2) The collection of authoritative words from God grew

in size throughout the time of Israelʼs history.

B) The New Testament Canon

1) The New Testament canon begins with the writings

of the apostles, who were given the ability from the

Holy Spirit to recall and interpret accurately the words

and deeds of Jesus. John 14:26, John 16:13-14

2) Some of the New Testament writings are placed

alongside the Old Testament canon as part of

Scripture. 2 Peter 3:16, 1 Tim 5:17-18

3) If we accept the arguments for the traditional views

of authorship of the New Testament writings, then we

have most of the New Testament in the canon

because of direct authorship by the apostles.

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. How would adding or subtracting from the

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Word of God keep you from following it fully? 2. The content of the Old Testament canon continued to grow until approximately 435 BC with the completion of ______________.

2. _________________________________

3. What was the earliest collection of written words from God?

3.__________________________________

4. What is the definition for the canon of scripture?

4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: The Inerrancy of Scripture What is the meaning of “The Inerrancy of Scripture”? Do you think that there are any errors in the Bible? Why or why not? Where in the Bible does it say that we should not change the Bible?

THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE

T h e In er ra n c y o f S cript ure

DEFINITION INERRANCY

The inerrancy or Scripture means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm any thing that is contrary to fact.Ps. 12:6, Prov. 30:5, Num. 23:19

Problems with Denying Inerrancy 1) If we deny inerrancy, a serious moral problem confronts us: May we imitate God and intentionally lie in small matters also? 2) If inerrancy is denied, we begin to wonder if we can really trust God in anything he says. 3) If we deny inerrancy, we essentially make our own human minds a higher standard of truth than Godʼs word itself. 4) If we deny inerrancy, then we must also say that the Bible is wrong not only in minor details but in some of its doctrines as well.

THE INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE

Are there any errors in the Bible?

The Inerrancy of Scripture A) The Meaning of Inerrancy

1) The inerrancy or Scripture means that

Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm

any thing that is contrary to fact. Ps. 12:6, Prov. 30:5,

2) The Bible can be inerrant and still speak in the

ordinary language of everyday speech.

3) The Bible can be inerrant and still include loose or

free quotations. B) Some Current Challenges to Inerrancy

1) The Bible is only authoritative for “faith and

practice.”

a) The purpose of Scripture is to teach us in

areas that concern “faith and practice” only, so it

is possible that the Scripture makes false

statements in other areas, such as historical or

scientific facts.

b) Often referred to as a belief in the infallibility

of Scripture.

c) Response to this objection:

The Bible itself does not make any restriction on

the kinds of subjects to which it speaks

truthfully. 1 Tim. 3:16, Ps. 12:6, Ps 119:96

2) The term inerrancy is a poor term.

3) The biblical writers “accommodated” their massages

in minor details to the false ideas current in their day,

and affirmed or taught those ideas in an incidental

way.

4) Inerrancy overemphasizes the divine aspect of

Scripture and neglects the human aspect.

5) There are some clear errors in the Bible. Where?



SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A The Inerrancy of Scripture Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. How would adding or subtracting from the

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Word of God keep you from following it fully? 2. The content of the Old Testament canon continued to grow until approximately 435 BC with the completion of ______________.

2. _________________________________

3. What was the earliest collection of written words from God?

3.__________________________________

4. What is the definition for the canon of scripture?

4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: The 4 Characteristics of Scripture 1. Why is the Bible necessary? 2. Only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly? TRUE / FALSE 3. Should we expect to be able to understand the Bible?

THE INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE

T he Fou r Characterist ics of S cript ure

DEFINITION CHARACTERISTICS

Being a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing; distinctive.

We are expected to be able to understand the Bible. 1) In the OT, the people were expected to be able to understand the words of Scripture. Deut. 6:6-7, Ps. 1:1-2, Ps. 19:7, Ps. 119:130 2) In the NT, both Jesus and the apostles have the same expectation. a) Jesus never blames peopleʼs confusion on the obscurity of Scripture. Matt. 12:3, Matt. 21:42, Matt. 22:29 b) Most of the NT epistles are written to entire congregations. 1 Cor. 1:2, Gal. 1:2, Phil. 1:1, Col. 4:16

c) NT authors expect that their Gentile audience would familiarize

themselves with a THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF SCRIPTURE

Four truths we should know about our Bible.

The Four Characteristics of Scripture #1 Authority How do we know that the Bible is Godʼs Word? Explanation and Scriptural Basis The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are Godʼs words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God. “Thus says the LORD.” Deut. 18:18-20, Jer. 1:9 # 2 Clarity Can only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly? In the OT, the people were expected to be able to understand the words of Scripture. Deut. 6:6-7, Ps. 1:1-2, Ps. 19:7 Explanation and Scriptural Basis The Old Testament and New Testament frequently affirm that Scripture is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by ordinary believers. #3 Necessity For what purposes is the Bible necessary? How much can people know about God without the Bible? The Bible is necessary for knowledge of the gospel. Rom.10:13-17 Summary: The necessity of Scripture means that the Bible is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for knowing Godʼs will, but it is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about Godʼs character and moral laws. #4 Sufficiency Is the Bible enough for knowing what God wants us to think or do? Definition of the Sufficiency of Scripture The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly. Salvation 2 Timothy 3:15-16, 1 Peter 1:23 Living the Christian Life 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalms 119:2

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A The Four Characteristics of Scripture Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. Why is the Bible necessary?

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

2. Only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly? TRUE / FALSE 3. Should we expect to be able to understand the Bible?

2. _________________________________ 3.__________________________________

4. What does it mean the Bible is sufficient?

4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: The Existence & Knowability of God How is God like us in his being, and in mental and moral attributes? What does “invisibility” mean? What does “omniscience” mean?

THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF SCRIPTURE

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

The Existence & Knowability of God

We know that God exists in two ways: 1. All people have an inner sense of God 2. We believe that the evidence that is found in Scripture and in nature. Humanityʼs Inner Sense of God 1) All persons have a deep, inner sense that God exists, they are his creatures, and he is their creator (Rom 1:21) 2) Sinful unbelievers actively or willfully reject some truth about Godʼs existence that they knew. (Rom 1:19, Rom 1:25) 3) Sin leads people to think irrationally and to deny Godʼs existence, and someone thinking irrationally or who has been deceived will say, “There is no God.” (Psa 14:1, Psa 53:1,Psa 10:3-4) 4) In the life of a Christian this inner awareness of God becomes stronger and more distinct. (Rom 8:15, Eph 3:17, Joh 14:23, 1Pe 1:8)

THE EXISTENCE & KNOWABILITY OF GOD

How do we know God exists?

The Existence & Knowability of God Believing the Evidence in Scripture and Nature

1) The Bible everywhere assumes that God exists.

(Gen 1:1)

2) Every created thing gives evidence of Godʼs

existence. (Rom 1:20, Act

14:17, Ps. 19:1-2)

3) Man, in the image of God, most abundantly shows

the existence of God. (Gen. 1:27)

4) The beauty of a snowflake, the majestic power of a

thunderstorm, the skill of a honeybee, the

refreshing taste of cold water, the incredible

abilities of the human hand—all these and thousands

of other aspects of creation simply could not have

come into existence apart from an all-powerful and

all-wise creator. Everything in Scripture and

everything in nature proves clearly that God exists!

5) We are basing our belief not on blind hope apart

from evidence but on an overwhelming amount of

reliable evidence from Godʼs words and

works. obligation to believe and obey. The Necessity for God to Reveal Himself to Us (149)

1) Even general revelation depends on Godʼs choice

to reveal himselfthrough the created order. (Rom.

1:19)

2) If we are to know God personally in salvation, it is

clearly necessary for God to reveal himself to us.

(M att. 11:27; 1 Cor. 1:21; John 1:18)

a) All human beings have a tendency to

misinterpret the revelation

about

God found in nature. (Rom. 1:18, 21, 25)

3) We need the Bible to properly understand any

revelation from God or about him (in nature, history,

our consciences). We can know God truly. (151-152)

1) Although we cannot know God exhaustively, we can

know God truly because all that Scripture tells us

about God is true. (1 John 1:5, 4:8; John 4:24; Rom.

3:26)

2) Moreover, we know God himself, not just facts

about him. (Jer. 9:23-24; John 17:3; 1 John 2:13, 5:20)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A Introduction Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. What does in cause people people do

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

when it comes to thinking about God? 2. Every created thing God created gives evidence that God exists? TRUE / FALSE 3. What is a type of argument for God?

2. _________________________________ 3.__________________________________

4. What is one of the two ways we know God exists?

4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: The Character of God In what way are we made in His image? What do you think it will be like to see God face to face? What is the spiritual benefit to our lives from thinking about God's knowledge?

THE EXISTENCE & KNOWABILITY OF GOD

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

The Character of God How is God like us in his being, and in mental and moral attributes?

Our God is Big Psalms. 33:6 Do you think this is an inferior kind of existence? less real? less desirable? God's being as spirit is so powerful that he created the universe out of nothing: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (out of nothing!) The sun = size of 1,000,000 earths Interior: 29,000,000 degrees (F) All the energy produced on earth in history = energy produced by sun in 1 sec. The sun is 1 star. Our Milky Way Galaxy: = 400,000,000,000 stars Our Milky Way Galaxy: 400,000,000,000 + stars How many galaxies? current estimate 125,000,000,000 galaxies!

THE CHARACTER OF GOD

The Character of God A) Attributes Describing Godʼs Being

1) Spirituality

a) Godʼs spirituality means that God exists as a

being that is not made of any matter, has no

parts or dimensions, is unable to be perceived

by our bodily senses, and is more excellent

than any other kind of existence. John 4:24

2) Invisibility

a) Godʼs invisibility means that Godʼs total

essence, all of his spiritual being, will

never be able to be seen by us, yet God still

shows himself to us through visible,

created things. (John 1:18, 6:46; 1Tim. 1:17,

6:16) B) Mental Attributes

1) Knowledge (Omniscience)

God fully knows himself and all things actual

and possible in one simple and eternal act. (Job

37:16; 1Jo. 3:20; 1Cor. 2:10-11)

2) Wisdom

Definition: Godʼs wisdom means that God

always chooses the best goals and the

best means to those goals. (Romans 16:27, Job

12:13)

3) Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)

a) Definition: Godʼs truthfulness means that he

is the true God, and that all his knowledge and

words are both true and the final standard of

truth. He is the true God. (Jer. 10:10-11; John

17:3)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A The Character of God Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. How should we think of God when we

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

pray? 2. Does God have a physical body? TRUE / FALSE 3. Does God know all possible things?

2. _________________________________ 3.__________________________________

4. Why does God not have to take time to ponder or think?

4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: God in 3 Persons: The Trinity How can God be 3 and 1? Is Jesus really God? Can we understand the doctrine of the Trinity?

THE CHARACTER OF GOD

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

God in Three Person: The Trinity How can God be three persons, yet one God?

Our God is Big Psalms. 33:6 Do you think this is an inferior kind of existence? less real? less desirable? God's being as spirit is so powerful that he created the universe out of nothing: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (out of nothing!) The sun = size of 1,000,000 earths Interior: 29,000,000 degrees (F) All the energy produced on earth in history = energy produced by sun in 1 sec. The sun is 1 star. Our Milky Way Galaxy: = 400,000,000,000 stars Our Milky Way Galaxy: 400,000,000,000 + stars How many galaxies? current estimate 125,000,000,000 galaxies!

GOD IN THREE PERSONS

God in Three Persons: The Trinity Three statements summarize the biblical teaching.

1) God is three persons.

a) The fact that God is three persons means that each

person of the Trinity is distinct from the other two

persons. (John 1:1-2, 17:24; 1 John 2:1; Heb. 7:25;

John 14:26; Rom. 8:27; Matt. 28:19; John 16:7; 1 Cor.

12:4-6)

i) The Holy Spirit is a distinct person not just the

power of God. (Eph. 4:4-6; John, 14:26, 15:26;

Rom. 8:26-27; 1 Cor. 2:10; Acts 16:6-7; Acts

8:29; Eph. 4:30)

(a) Passages that would not make sense

if the Holy Spirit is just the “power of

God.” (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38)

(b) What about 2 Cor. 3:17?

2) Each person is fully God.

a) God the Father is clearly God.

b) The Son is fully God. (John 1:1-4,

20:28, 30-31; Titus 2:13; Rom.

9:5; Isa. 9:6; Col. 2:9)

c) The Holy Spirit is also fully God. (Matt.

28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2

Cor. 13:14; Acts 5:3-4; 1Cor. 3:16)

3) There is one God. (Deut. 6:4-5; 1 Kings 8:60;

Isa. 45:5-6, 21-22; 1 Tim. 2:5, Rom.

3:30; 1 Cor. 8:6; James 2:19)

4) Simplistic solutions must all deny one strand

of biblical teaching.

5) All analogies have shortcomings. Ultimately

no analogy adequately teaches about the

Trinity, and all are misleading in significant

ways.

6) God eternally and necessarily exists as the

Trinity. (John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; Gen. 1:2;

pJohn 17:5, 24)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A God in 3 persons: Trinity Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. How should we think of God when we

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

pray? 2. Does God have a physical body? TRUE / FALSE 3. Does God know all possible things?

2. _________________________________ 3.__________________________________

4. Why does God not have to take time to ponder or think?

4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: Creation How, why, and when did God create the universe? What did God use to create the universe? What is something we learn when we look at Godʼs creation?

GOD IN THREE PERSONS

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Creation How, why, and when did God create the universe?

What God created is good. 1) If God created the universe to show his glory, we would expect that the universe would fulfill its purpose. 2) At the end of each stage of creation, God saw that what he had done was “good” (Gen 1:4, Gen. 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25.) 3) At the end of the six days of creation, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen. 1:31). 4) Even though sin is now in the world, the material creation is still good in Godʼs sight and should be seen as “good” by us as well. (1Ti 4:4-5) 5) This frees us from false asceticism that sees the use and enjoyment of the material creation as wrong. (1Ti 4:1-3) 6) Though the material creation can be misused, we must not let the danger of abusing Godʼs creation keep us from positive,thankful, joyful use of it. (1 Timothy 6:9-10, 6:17-18) CREATION

Creation God created the universe out of nothing

1) Biblical evidence for creation out of nothing

a) Before God began to create the universe,

nothing else existed except God Himself (He

created the universe ex nihilo). (Gen 1:1, Psa

33:6, Psa 33:9, Joh 1:3, Col 1:16, Rev 4:11,

Heb 11:3)

b) Because God created the entire universe out

of nothing there is no matter in the

universe that is eternal. (Psa 90:2)

c) The fact that God created the universe out of

nothing means that it has meaning and

purpose.

2) The creation of the spiritual universe (264)

a) The creation of the entire universe includes

the creation of an unseen, spiritual realm of

existence. (Rev 10:6, Neh 9:6)

b) The New Testament explicitly affirms the

creation of the spiritual realm. (Col 1:16) Creation is distinct from God yet always dependent upon God.

1) God is transcendent, far “above” creation in the

sense that he is greater than creation and

independent of it. (Eph 4:6)

2) God immanent, very much involved in creation, for it

is continually dependent upon him for its existence

and functioning. (Job 12:10, Act 17:25, Heb 1:3)

3) This is distinct from materialism, which would say

that the material universe is all there is.

4) The Scriptural account of Godʼs relation to his

creation is also different from pantheism, which

says that the whole universe is God or is part of God.

a) God has no distinct personality.

b) God changes with the universe.

c) God is no longer holy because of evil in the

universe.

d) The importance of individual human

personalities is lost in the goal of blending with

the universe.

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A Creation Questions for you answer. 1. What does “transcendent” mean? 2.God created the world out of nothing? TRUE / FALSE 3. Time existed before God? TRUE / FALSE 4. What is dualism?

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 2. _________________________________ 3.__________________________________ 4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Answers:

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: Angels & Demons What are angels? What are demons? Why did God create them?

CREATION

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Angels & Demons What are angels & demons and why did God create them?

When and Why Were Angels Created? 1) Before the seventh day of Creation (Gen 2:1, Exo 20:11) 2) First day? (Job 38:6-7) 3) God has not given much information 4) Angels rebelled before the Fall (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6, Gen 1:31) 1) Show greatness of Godʼs love and plan

a) We are more like







God than angels (never said “made in the image of God”) (Gen 1:26) b) We will have authority over angels (1Co 6:3) c) Angels cannot bear children (Mat 22:30) d) Godʼs love for mankind: no angels were saved (2 Pe 2:4, Heb 2:16}

2) Remind us unseen world is real (Act 23:8, 2Kings 6:17, Heb 12:22) 3) Examples for us (Mat 6:10, Rev 5:11-12) 4) They carry out some of Godʼs plans: Messages (Act 8:26), Judgment (2 Ch 32:21, Mat 16:27)

a) Patrol Earth: Zec 1:10-11

b) War ANGELS & DEMONS

Angels & Demons What are Angels?























1. Created Spiritual Beings (Neh 9:6, Col 1:16)

a. Exercise Moral Judgment (2Pe 2:4)

b. High Intelligence (Mat 28:5, Rev 4:11)

c. Spirits without physical bodies (Heb 1:14, Luk

24:39)

d. They do not have physical bodies; therefore,

we cannot see them

unless God gives us the ability (Num 22:31, 2Ki

6:17, Luk 2:13).

Sometimes they temporarily take on bodily form

(Heb 13:2) 2. Other Names for Angels

a. Sons of God (Job 1:6)

b. Holy Ones (Psa 89:5, Psa 89:7)

c. Spirits (Heb 1:14)

d. Watchers (Dan 4:13)

e. Thrones, dominions, principalities, and

authorities (Col 1:16) 3. Other kinds of heavenly beings in Scripture

a. Cherubim (Gen 3:24, Psa 18:10, Exo 25:22)

b. Seraphim (Isa 6:2-7)

c. Living creatures (Eze 1:5-14, Rev 4:6-8) 4. Rank and Order (Jud 1:9, Rev 12:7-8, 1Th 4:16) 5. Names of specific angels. 2 mentioned:

a) Michael (Jude 1:9, Rev 12:7-8)

b) Gabriel (Dan 8:16, Luk 1:18-19) 6. Only one place at a time (Luk 1:26, Dan 10:12-14) 7. How many angels? (Deu 33:2, Psa 68:17, Heb 12:22, Rev 5:11) 8. Individual guardian angels? (Psa 91:11-12) 9. Angels do not marry (Mat 22:30, Psa 103:20, Eph 1:21, 2Pe 2:11, Heb 2:7, 1Co 6:3) 10. Power of angels (Ps 103:20; Eph. 1:21; 2 Pet 2:11; Heb 2:7; 1 Cor 6:3)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A Angels & Demons Questions for you answer.

Answers:

1. When where angles created?

1.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

2.Angels have always been here? TRUE / FALSE 3. What is a demon? 4. What are some other names for angles?

2. _________________________________ 3.__________________________________ 4.__________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Questions you want to ask. 1.__________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Study for Next Week: Sin What is sin? Where did it come from? Do we inherit a sinful nature from Adam?

ANGELS & DEMONS