God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

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G O D T H E F A T H E R

Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your own tough questions about the Trinity and the divine attributes of the Father’s greatness. Undoubtedly you have some questions that have come to mind as you have listened, studied, prayed, and reflected on these great topics of the Word of God. Take a moment to gather up your own particular questions on these and related subjects, and share them with your fellow learners. Interact together on the issues and concerns that have now surfaced in your study of the materials. Perhaps questions below might point you in some different directions. * Can a person be a Christian and deny the doctrine of the Trinity ? Is it as important as the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, or can a person have a different view of God than the Trinity and still be considered “orthodox?” * Since the word “Trinity” is not itself in the Bible, how can theology make it out to be an “essential doctrine” of the faith? * Can one believe something about God like what the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe (God the Father alone is God; Jesus is the second greatest being made by God and the Spirit is God’s power for service) and still be considered biblical? Why or why not? * How can you so understand the greatness of God that it affects all that you do: your worship, your conduct and character, and your ministry? How do you translate this high truth into a radical lifestyle for God? * So many look at God as one who wants to meet their needs, and not as the triune and sovereign God of the universe. How do you make the switch from seeing God as one who lives for me to the God for which all things exist ? * What are practical ways to help growing believers desire and learn the “deeper truths” of the Word of God regarding God’s attributes, character, and name? * The attributes of God’s greatness (i.e., his spirituality, life, person, infinitude, and constancy) speak of a being far beyond our comprehension. How does our faith in Jesus Christ make the Father more accessible to us (cf. John 1.18; John 14.7-9)?

Student Application and Implications

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