Digital Learning Labs
Understanding God
Who is God?
Read 1 John 4:9:
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
Notice the word “through.” As Christians, we live through Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of the Father. As you explore the New Testament, notice the places where you see the language of the Trinity—especially when Jesus teaches and prays (like in Matthew 6).
Now read Exodus 34:5–6:
Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness...”
This passage describes a specific moment in history when God revealed his character to Moses and the people of Israel. However, God’s nature has not changed. These qualities would be displayed throughout the future that we see in Scripture, as well as in his activity today in our own lives. These attributes help us answer the question, “Who is God?”
Question 1: Which of these qualities is hardest for you to believe about God based on your life experience? Which is easiest? (compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness)
Question 2: What qualities do you admire about Jesus? How closely do you associate God’s character to that of Jesus? How can seeing God in this way change your perception or false views of who he is?
Question 3: The Holy Spirit is called our “advocate and helper.” How have you seen the Holy Spirit active in your life in this way? What about in the lives of Christians you know?
Start a note on your phone or in a journal titled, “God Is...” List as many names and qualities of God that you can think of.
Digging Deeper
For further study, watch videos about the attributes of God. Check out The Bible Project for additional videos on the character and nature of God.
