God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

/ 5 3

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

5. Eph. 3.20-21

Conclusion

1 Tim. 1.17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

» God the Father Almighty possesses supreme authority and providence over all creation and history. » God’s “providence” refers to the truth that God works out his sovereign will in the universe whereby all events are disposed by him to fulfill his purposes for himself and his creation for good. » The Father Almighty is the sovereign Lord over all, the life-giving source of all, and the all powerful Sustainer of all through his Son, Jesus Christ.

2

Please take some time now to answer these and other questions that the video teaching produced in your mind. This segment specifically asserts the “Godhood” of God, that is, the idea that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus is the sovereign Lord of all things, creating, sustaining, and supplying for the needs of all things under creation. Such a lofty truth is bound to generate some curiosities, or raise questions for clarification. As usual, be clear and concise in your answers, and where possible, support with Scripture! 1. How does God’s ownership of the world and the universe as their Maker make it easy for us to understand him as sovereign over all things? 2. If creation belongs to God, and if he made all the heavens and the earth, then why doesn’t everything happen just as God desires all the time? 3. What does it mean that God interacts with creation for his own purposes? Does that mean that God purposes the earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes that take the lives of hundreds of people each year? 4. With all the war and destruction in human history, how can we say that God is working all things according to his will in the earth? 5. What does the term “providence” mean? How does this concept make plain God’s relationship with his created universe?

Segue 1

Student Questions and Response

page 275 5