Lesson 1

Aim: How do we learn things about God?

What is one way we learn about God? Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. nature

What is one thing we learn about God from nature? Acts 14:17 “Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” nature kind

What are three more things we learn about God from nature? Romans 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So [people] are without excuse. nature kind powerful divine eternal

What is a fifth thing we learn about God from nature? Psalm 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. nature kind powerful divine eternal wise

Key Point #1 From nature we learn that God is kind, eternal, powerful, divine, and wise.

What is a second way that we learn about God? Romans 2:14-15 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. conscience

What do we learn about God from our consciences? Romans 1:32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. conscience punishes

Key Point #2 Our consciences tell us that we deserve God’s punishment of eternal death.

Natural Knowledge consciencenature

What can’t we learn from nature or our consciences? Acts 16: About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

What is the third way that we learn about God and what does it tell us? 2 Timothy 3:15 …and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Bible Jesus saves

Key Point #3 Only the Bible tells us that God saves us.

Revealed Knowledge Bible

What do the following tell you about God? a)A spring garden in bloom. b)Our bodies’ ability to develop immunity to disease.

Evaluate… An unbelieving friend tells you it’s wrong to do mission work in India because the people there are already very religious.

Agree or Disagree… There really is no such thing as an atheist.

What is the Bible about? Hebrews 1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, Old

What is the Bible about? Acts 3:18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Old “He’s coming!”

What is the Bible about? O-L-D (3) T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T (9) 3 & Genesis 1:1 בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ׃ Old “He’s coming!” 39Hebrew

What is the Bible about? 2 Peter 3:2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, New

What is the Bible about? John 20:31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. New “He’ has come!”

What is the Bible about? N-E-W (3) T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T (9) 3 x 9 = 27 John 3:16 ο ὕ τως γ ὰ ρ ἠ γάπησεν ὁ θε ὸ ς τ ὸ ν κόσμον, ὥ στε τ ὸ ν υ ἱὸ ν τ ὸ ν μονογεν ῆ ἔ δωκεν, ἵ να π ᾶ ς ὁ πιστεύων ε ἰ ς α ὐ τ ὸ ν μ ὴ ἀ πόληται ἀ λλ ̓ ἔ χ ῃ ζω ὴ ν α ἰ ώνιον. “He has come!” New 27Greek

Key Point #4 The Bible is mainly about Jesus.

What is the Bible about? “He’ has come!” New 27 Greek Old “He’s coming!” 39Hebrew

Agree or Disagree… The Bible is the light of salvation for everyone who reads it.

Evaluate… Since the Bible is written in Hebrew and Greek, we really have no way of telling what it has to say to us.

Lesson 1 I learn about God in three ways: from nature, from my conscience, and especially from the Bible. I learn about God in three ways: from nature, from my conscience, and especially from the Bible.

Vocabulary… “Conscience” Voice inside of us that tells us when we do right or wrong

Vocabulary… “Prophet” Someone who speaks God’s Word to others

Vocabulary… “Apostle” Someone who is “sent out” on a certain mission

Vocabulary… “Old Testament” Part of the Bible that was written before Jesus was born

Vocabulary… “New Testament” Part of the Bible that was written after Jesus had come

Vocabulary… “Catechism” A simple summary of Bible truths for parents to teach their children

The 6 Chief Parts of the Catechism In 1527 Dr Martin Luther wrote the small catechism, a basic summary of the most important teachings in the Bible. These are divided into six chief parts, and these make up the central teachings of the Lutheran Church. The chief parts are: 1. The Ten Commandments 2. The Apostle's Creed 3. The Lord's Prayer 4. Baptism 5. Confession and Absolution 6. The Lord's Supper