Lesson 1

Aim: How do we learn things about God?

What is one way we learn about God? Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. nature

What is one thing we learn about God from nature? Acts 14:17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” nature kind

What are three more things we learn about God from nature? Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. nature kind eternal powerful divine

What is a fifth thing we learn about God from nature? Psalm 104:24 How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. nature kind eternal powerful divine wise

Key Point #1 From nature we learn that God is kind, eternal, powerful, divine, and wise.

What is a second way that we learn about God? Romans 2:14-15 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. conscience

What do we learn about God from our consciences? Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. conscience punishes

Key Point #2 Our consciences tell us that we deserve God’s punishment of eternal death.

nature conscience Natural Knowledge

What can’t we learn from nature or our consciences? Acts 16:25-30 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

What is the third way that we learn about God and what does it tell us? 2 Timothy 3:15 …and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Bible saves

Only the Bible tells us that God saves us. Key Point #3 Only the Bible tells us that God saves us.

Bible Revealed Knowledge

What do the following tell you about God? A spring garden in bloom. Our bodies’ ability to develop immunity to disease.

Evaluate… An unbelieving friend tells you it’s wrong to do mission work in India because the people there are already very religious.

There really is no such thing as an atheist. Agree or Disagree… There really is no such thing as an atheist.

What is the Bible about? Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, Old

What is the Bible about? Acts 3:18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. “He’s coming!” Old

בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ׃ What is the Bible about? O-L-D (3) T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T (9) 3 & 9 - 39 Genesis 1:1 בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ׃ “He’s coming!” Old 39 Hebrew

What is the Bible about? 2 Peter 3:2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. New

What is the Bible about? John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. “He’ has come!” New

What is the Bible about? N-E-W (3) T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T (9) 3 x 9 = 27 John 3:16 οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ̓ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. “He has come!” New 27 Greek

The Bible is mainly about Jesus. Key Point #4 The Bible is mainly about Jesus.

What is the Bible about?

The Bible is the light of salvation for everyone who reads it. Agree or Disagree… The Bible is the light of salvation for everyone who reads it.

Evaluate… Since the Bible is written in Hebrew and Greek, we really have no way of telling what it has to say to us.

Lesson 1 I learn about God in three ways: from nature, from my conscience, and especially from the Bible.

Voice inside of us that tells us when we do right or wrong Vocabulary… “Conscience” Voice inside of us that tells us when we do right or wrong

Someone who speaks God’s Word to others Vocabulary… “Prophet” Someone who speaks God’s Word to others

Someone who is “sent out” on a certain mission Vocabulary… “Apostle” Someone who is “sent out” on a certain mission

Part of the Bible that was written before Jesus was born Vocabulary… “Old Testament” Part of the Bible that was written before Jesus was born

Part of the Bible that was written after Jesus had come Vocabulary… “New Testament” Part of the Bible that was written after Jesus had come