The Holy Trinity Today we will: Understand the Christian idea of God as the Holy Trinity. Understand and explain the idea of ‘Incarnation’. I will be successful if I can: Explain the idea of the Holy Trinity Explain what ‘incarnation’ means to Christians

Starter  Three is the magic number!  Consider as many objects/things that come in threes:

Christians are monotheists BUT although they believe in one God they believe that God can be ‘seen’ in three ways

How can God exist in three different ways? Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Let’s look at something else to help us:

Three in one God The creator and ‘Father’ of humanity. The aspect of God that lives in the world today, working through the lives of Christians. God incarnate (in human flesh). God in a physical body.

What does this diagram mean? Christians are monotheists Monotheism means they believe… Although they believe in one God they believe that God can be ‘seen’ in… This sums up a basic view of ….. GOD

God the father God is known as a FATHER because Christians believe that he created US and the WORLD. God the FATHER cares for us as a father would his own children. God will judge us. God sustains and rules everything.

God the Son God came to Earth in the form of his SON – Jesus. Born of the Virgin Mary. Performed miracles. He died and rose to life again on the third day. Jesus is the redeemer, saviour.

God the Holy Spirit Part of God that works within the world. Helper and guider. Invisible power of God which breathes new life into people.

Over to you…..  Look up the following Biblical references and explain what they say about God.  1 John 4:8 / John 4:24 / Genesis 21:33 / Matthew 5:48.

 The Doctrine of the Trinity says that God can be understood in two ways; God the Father and God the Holy Spirit?  False – forgotten God the Son  Jesus mentioned the Trinity to his disciples after he had risen from the dead?  True – Matthew 28:19 ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’  Christians believe in only one God?  True – just different aspects of God.  Christians refer to God as a Father because they believe God created life and bought people into existence, like a human father does to his baby?  True  Christians refer to God as the Father because they believe God is in a position of authority?  True – as well as for other reasons  The Holy Spirit is a new idea that the Christian Churches have developed in the last 500 years?  False – many Christians believe the Holy Spirit was there at creation.  Christians believe the Holy Spirit is the aspect of God that lives in the world today, working through the lives of Christians, giving them strength.  True

 Explain what is meant by the Trinity?  Explain the role of God the Father in the Trinity.  Give an example of a Bible quote that mentions the Trinity.  Explain why Christians refer to God as the ‘Father’? What does this tell us about the qualities of God?  Explain the role of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity.  Give an example of a Bible quote that mentions the Holy Spirit.  What might happen if people misunderstood the Trinity? (Remember that Christians believe in ONE God – Monotheistic) Over to you…..

When God is described as ‘God the Son’, this refers to the Christian belief that God chose to come to earth as a human being. He was born of Mary and was called Jesus. This belief is called the Incarnation Many people get confused with this idea! Remember…Jesus was not separate to God. Jesus WAS God in a different form

What does this diagram mean??  Draw your own diagram showing the Trinity