1 John 1:3 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Omnipotent, All-Powerful God is … Omnipotent, All-Powerful Psalms 115:3 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. Jeremiah 32:17 17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Matthew 19:26 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” See also Mark 14:36; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 1:3

Omnipresent, All-Present God is … Omnipresent, All-Present Jeremiah 23:23-24 23 “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? 24 Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. Psalms 139:7 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? See also 1 Kings 8:27; Job 11:7-9; Psalms 90:1-2; Acts 17:24-28

Omniscient, All-Knowing God is … Omniscient, All-Knowing Psalms 147:5 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Ezekiel 11:5 5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came on me, and he told me to say: “This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind. Romans 2:16 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. See also Romans 11:33; Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20

Self-Sufficient & Self-Existent God is … Self-Sufficient & Self-Existent Psalms 90:2 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Colossians 1:15-17 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. See also Exodus 3:14; John 1:1-5, 5:26

God is … Holy & Transcendent 1 Samuel 2:2 2 “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” Isaiah 55:8-9 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. John 8:23 23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. See also Exodus 3:5-6; Psalms 99:2-3, 113:5-6; Isaiah 6:3, 57:15; Revelation 4:8

Good & the Source of All Good God is … Good & the Source of All Good Psalms 25:8 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. John 10:10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 1 Corinthians 2:9 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him ... See also Exodus 34:6-7a; James 1:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19

Graceful & Approachable God is … Graceful & Approachable Psalm 145:17 (NASB) 17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. Hebrews 4:16 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Romans 1:5a, 3:24, 5:15, 20; Ephesians 4:7

Consistent & Always Dependable God is … Consistent & Always Dependable 1 Samuel 15:29 29 "He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.” James 1:17 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. See also Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8

Righteous, Just & Completely Fair God is … Righteous, Just & Completely Fair Genesis 18:25 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Jeremiah 9:24 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. See also Exodus 34:6-7; Psalms 19:7-9, 99:4, 145:17; Nehemiah 9:32-33; Romans 1:32; 1 Peter 1:17

How does God feel about you? Romans 8:35, 37-38 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How does God feel about you? Romans 5:8 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 2:4 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

How do I love God? 1) Learn about Him. Luke 2:46-47, 52 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. See also Ephesians 5:10

How do I love God? 2) Spend time with Him. Luke 5:16 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Mark 1:35 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Luke 23:39a 39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives …

How do I love God? 3) Obey Him. John 14:15, 21, 23-24 15 “If you love me, keep my commands." 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 1 John 2:3-6 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. See also John 14:23-24, 15:10; 1 John 3:10, 5:3a

Discussion Questions What did I learn today that changes my perspective? Do I feel like I love God well? Why or why not? What am I willing to commit to changing, and what can this group do to help after this weekend?