God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

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

As you explore the meanings of the second segment, make sure that you help the students wrestle with the way in which a biblical understanding of the providence of God provides insight into how we may engage and refute the many alternatives to the simple Bible declaration that the Father Almighty oversees his universe.

All of these case studies seek to unearth some of the objections to the biblical doctrine of the providence of God. In an age of mass violence, run amok science, and brash sensualism, it is hard to assert sometimes that “our God reigns.” The natural result of making this assumption in the face of such naked aggression and terrible cruelty is to ask precisely how does God reign . To discuss these ideas is critical, for without having at least a context in which to discuss them, there can be no way of answering the objections. Students today must learn to obey 1 Peter 3.15 and be ready always to give an answer to those who ask them about the hope that they have within themselves. Again, the goal for your students is the ability to grapple with the truth of God and to make clear how the objections and rebuttals of those who reject the biblical worldview can be answered. The desire here is not to argue down our enemies but rather to make the truth so plain that the naysayer must at least acknowledge the validity of the truth of Scripture . Frankly, conversion is God’s responsibility, articulating the truth so others can understand its claims clearly is ours: Ps. 119.46 - I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame. Col. 4.6 - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 2 Tim. 2.25 - . . . correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

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