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Session #1 / How to start the New Year right?

— As we leave the old year behind us, we may be left struggling with this uncertain, broken world…
A better understanding of who our God is, will help us set things right.

 

*I am using an article by Megan Allen Ministries to help us start our search for that better understanding of who our God is. …I trust my acknowledgement of her authorship/contributions will be acceptable when I post these studies online. …(KRK)

The title of her article: 15 Names of God in the Bible and Their Meanings

[ from article… What is God’s true name? We have one God, yet He has many names. The different names of God are important because His names represent His nature. They reveal the attributes of God.  As we study the Hebrew names of God in the Bible and their meanings we grow in our knowledge of Him, and grow in our personal relationship with Him.

— This is our goal! We want to know our God! I want my knowledge of Him to move beyond the theoretical and into the experiential. I want to experience His hand, grace, and power in and through my life. The more I learn about the different names of God, the better equipped I am to recognize the ways they manifest in my life.” …end of quote.]

 

(KRK) – Before moving on to study these Bible names of God, let’s examine why we should seek a better knowledge of our Creator God.

— Of course, this can only apply to those who truly believe in a Creator.

If you are of a mindset that earthly science is unquestionable, this will stop you from comprehending any of this study, because we will be claiming for ourselves each promise given by our loving Creator God. These promises from a God who works in both the physical and spiritual realms, are contained in the very names that He has given to us to call Him by.

— As Paul stated clearly in Romans 8:7 “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God”…

 

Do you also want your knowledge of God to “move beyond the theoretical and into the experiential”?

Q1. What does that mean to you?       (Discuss.)

 

As an introduction to the idea of claiming our Creator God’s promises,
we will start with His Word recorded for us in…

Romans 8:31-39 (ESV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  (32)  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?  (33)  Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  (34)  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  (35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  (36)  As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  (37)  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  (38)  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  (39)  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

— I love to receive the confirmation of God’s Holy Spirit for decisions made on these pages. As this direction was confirmed when our youth pastor presented these same verses when opening last Sunday’s sermon, and this is just the latest confirmation I’ve received of the need for these studies. Thank you, Lord Our God, for your gudance and blessings for all who read these pages. …KRK

It is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul taught by asking questions…

See how Romans 8:31… Begins with a question:

(Vs.31a) What then shall we say to these things? – (Things written in Romans chapters 1-8.)

Here are some scriptures that highlight ‘these things’ that Paul is referring to:

— The Righteous Shall Live by Faith… Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 

— God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness… Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 

— God’s Judgment and the Law… Romans 2:12-13 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. (13) For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 

— The Righteousness of God Through Faith… Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it (22) the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

— The Promise Realized Through Faith… Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 

— Peace with God Through Faith… Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

— Slaves to Righteousness… Romans 6:15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 

— The Law and Sin… Romans 7:24-25 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (25) Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

— Life in the Spirit… Romans 8:7-9 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.  (8)  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  (9)  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

 

Please remember Paul’s words for us from (Romans 8:9) “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.”

 

Q2. In Romans chapters 1-8 Paul asks: What is more powerful of these three?

(To answer see Romans 8:1-2)

O – The fact of our Sin.     O – Our Judgement under the Law.    O – Faith in Jesus as our Savior.

 

Q3. Does a ‘perfect FAITH’ leave room for doubting God? (*Note and discuss.)

(See underlined in Romans 8:9. What to do when, not if, we struggle with flesh vs. spiritual matters?) ________________________________________________________________________________

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Q4. If we have questions and doubts as we try to follow God, what can we expect from Him? (*Note and discuss.) – How will God, (does God) answer us?

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Q5. Therefore according to this FAITH, (Vs.31b asks,) If God is for us, who can be against us?

(a) — When Paul is asking this question, what does he mean by “who can be against us”?

O – Who can fight against us.     O – Who can stand against us.    O – Who can dispute with us.

 

(b) — What answer to, “who can stand against us,” does God require of our faith?

O – The government.     O – The Bogeyman.     O – No one.     O – Foreign armies.  …can stand.

 

Q6. Do you also want to experience God’s power in and through your life?

— And what do you understand “God’s power in your life” to mean? (*Note and discuss.)

Q7. How does a better knowledge of who God is, help us in our daily walk and struggles?

To help answer Q7…

— We move on to our study of the various names scripture gives to our Creator God.

Name of God #1 of 15 – [Quote from Megan Allen Ministries – Jehovah Elohim Meaning – Creator

The Hebrew meaning of God’s name, Jehovah Elohim is God is Creator.

— The God who created the heavens and the earth is the same God who fearfully and wonderfully made you and me. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1 NASB

— For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen

– Romans 11:36 …end of quote.]

(KRK) – Q3. How does the idea of this name of our “CREATOR God” affect your thoughts and behaviors? (*Note and discuss.)

As we discuss the power this name of our Creator God brings about, let’s make note of requests that we have to present to Him in our prayer time. …(Needs of others as well as those of our own.)

I hope this stirs a desire in us all to know more about the promise God gives us through His wonderfully descriptive names.  …Lord willing, we will continue this study in next week’s session …KRK.

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I’ve added some study notes (scriptures) which may help in answering some of these questions…

Notes on sessions about…  (Intro page) How to start the New Year right?

Scripture notes on Session #1 / How important is your FAITH?

Romans 5:1-5 (ERV) We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (2)  Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory.  (3)  And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient.  (4)  And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope.  (5)  And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us.

 

Session #1 / Q2. In Romans chapters 1-8 Paul asks: What is more powerful of these three?

(To answer see Romans 8:1-2)

Romans 8:1-2  So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty.  (2)  That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death.

 

Session #1 / Q3. Does a ‘perfect FAITH’ leave room for questioning God? (*Note and discuss.)

— SEE… 1Kings 18:43-46 (ERV) Then Elijah said to his servant, “Go up higher and look toward the sea.” The servant went and looked. He came back and said, “I saw nothing.” Elijah told him to go look again. This happened seven times.  (44)  The seventh time, the servant came back and said, “I saw a small cloud the size of a man’s fist that was coming in from the sea.” Elijah told the servant, “Go tell King Ahab to get his chariot ready and go home now. If he does not leave now, the rain will stop him.”  (45)  After a short time the sky was covered with dark clouds. The wind began to blow, and a heavy rain began to fall. Ahab got in his chariot and started back to Jezreel.  (46)  The power of the LORD came to Elijah. He used his belt to hold up the bottom of his robe away from his feet. Then he ran ahead of King Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

John 20:24-29 (ERV) Thomas (called Didymus) was one of the twelve, but he was not with the other followers when Jesus came.  (25)  They told him, “We saw the Lord.” Thomas said, “That’s hard to believe. I will have to see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side. Only then will I believe it.”  (26)  A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!”  (27)  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  (28)  Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”  (29)  Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!”