Jesus says that knowing God is the equivalent to eternal life. (John 17:3) Many people refer to "god" in a general way or have misconceptions about His character. We must build our understanding of God from the way He has revealed Himself in the Bible. Any idea about God contrary to the Bible is just an idol. God eternally exists in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; each equally deserving worship and obedience.
Read Ps: 89:7-8
Discuss: How is God described?
A person can only know the true living God through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 1:3, 1 Tim. 2:5) As the eternal creator, He is the father of all mankind., but He is only spiritual father to followers of Jesus Christ.
Attributes of God
Holiness: God's holiness means that He is separated from sin and devoted to seeking His own honor. (Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 99:9)
Righteousness and justice: God's righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with what is right, and He is the final standard of what is right. (Deut. 32:4, Ex. 34:6-7) God's righteousness makes it necessary for Him to treat people as they deserve, meaning He must punish sin.
Read Ps 89:14.
Discuss: What does it mean that these are the foundation of God’s throne?
Sovereignty: God's sovereignty means that He has supreme power and is free to do all that He wishes. (Isaiah 46:9-10) (Ps.115:3) God's sovereignty is encouraging for the Christian because we can trust that nothing happens outside of God's control, plan, or purpose or outside His righteous and judicious character.
Eternality: God's eternality means that there has never been a time when God did not exist. God has no beginning and will have no end. (Ps. 90:2) (Isaiah 44:6) Since God is eternal, He is not bound by time. He sees the past and the future as clearly as He sees the present.
Discuss: How should this impact how we trust God with all areas of our lives?
Immutability: “Unchangeableness” - God's immutability means that He never changes in His nature or purpose. (Ps.102:25-27) Since God never changes, we can trust that He will be faithful to keep His promises, even when our circumstances change.
Read Malachi 3:6.
Discuss: How does God describe Himself?
Omniscience: God's omniscience means that God knows all things present and future. (Job 34:21) (Ps. 139:1-6) God knew everything about us, including our sin (past, present, and future) when He saved us.
Discuss: How does this encourage the Christian of security in salvation?
Read Matt 10:29-30.
Discuss: What does Jesus say God knows about us?
Omnipresence: God's omnipresence means that He is present everywhere in the universe at once. (Proverbs 15:3) The believer can have confidence that God is always with them in every place and circumstance.
Read Ps. 139:7-12.
Discuss: Where can we go to escape the presence of God?
Omnipotence: God's omnipotence means that He is all-powerful, having the ability and strength to do anything. (Jeremiah 32:17) (Matthew 19:26) God's power is seen in creation, His holding all things together, and acting to accomplish His purposes.
Read Isaiah 41:10.
Discuss: What can we be confident that God can do?
Love: God's love means that He eternally gives of Himself to others. (1 John 4:8) (John 3:16) God is the standard of love. His love is unconditional and is not based on the merit of the object of His love. This gives believers great assurance and motivation to love Him.
Read Romans 5:8.
Discuss: How does God demonstrate His love?
Truth: God's truth means that He is the one true God and that He is the final standard of truthfulness. (Ps. 117:2) Since God is the final standard of truth, believers can trust His word as perfect and able to guide us in godliness.
Read Jeremiah 10:10-11.
Discuss: How is God distinct from other so-called gods?
Mercy: God's mercy means that He expresses compassion to those who have opposed His will. (Ps. 145:8-9) (Ps. 130:3-4) God's mercy means that He doesn't treat us the way we deserve.
Personal application
God’s attributes become very practical to our worship, adoration, and trust of Him. Take a few minutes to reflect on how at least two of His attributes encourage you or motivate the praise of His name.