God the Father - Bible Class Study Guide

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Study Guide

Bible Class is the teaching ministry of Salisbury Christian Church 56 Henson Rd Salisbury QLD 4107 AUSTRALIA contact@salisburychristianchurch.com.au www.bibleclass.com.au Page 1

God the Father Scriptures 1 Corinthians 8:6 ...for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Ephesians 4:6 ...one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

John 20:17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’" The First Person of the Trinity 1. The ultimate originator of all things • God as Father is the first great cause of all.

• All things proceed out of Him. • Jesus carefully ascribed all things back to Him as their origin.

He is sent of the Father (John 5:23; John 10:36; 1 John 4:14) He came in the name of the Father (John 5:43; John 10:25) His works were those which the Father gave Him to do (John 5:36; John 10:32; John 14:10) His words were those which the Father gave Him to speak (John 14:10) His work of redemption was the cup which the Father gave Him to drink (John 18:11) 2. Full supremacy • God the Father is not subservient to any creature or any person within the Godhead.

• In the relationship of the Godhead (the economic Trinity), the Father is supreme, though intrinsically equal to the Son and Spirit.

Jesus declared that the Father is greater than He (John 14:28) 3. The planner & initiator in the work of redemption

I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

(Psalm 2:7-8) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us... having chosen us... having predestinated us... having made us accepted in the beloved... abounding toward us in all wisdom and prudence... Having made known unto us the mystery of His will according to His

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good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself.

(Ephesians 1 selections) • The family of the redeemed belong to Him For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory (Ephesians 3:14-15) 4. He is responsible for the establishment, calling and care of Israel • Deuteronomy 32:6 • Isaiah 64:8 • Malachi 2:10 5. He is revealed in Christ in true fulness • To see the Lord Jesus is to see the Father (John 14:9).

• Although He becomes our Heavenly Father (see below) His relationship with the Lord Jesus is unique and special in intimacy because there is sameness, likeness and equality in the Godhead.

The Father Revealed Personally in Christ 1. "My Father and your Father" (John 20:17) • By Christ’s work of redemption, God is declaring the possibility of personal relationship with Him as Heavenly Father.

• Christ revealed it and made it possible.

• The Holy Spirit confirms to us that it is true.

• As part of the family, we are partakers of the divine nature, adopted sons through Christ and on our way to our Father’s house in eternity.

2. Known generally, known personally • For the Christian, God is no longer a distant stranger but, through Christ, is a personal Father.

My Father 1. Relationship • In my relationship with God, there is a sense of His "Father heart" in that the depths of affection in my relationship with Him can be expressed in terms of a family relation.

2. Prayer • We address Him as "Our Father who art in Heaven" • His concern is our blessing; my needs are on His heart

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Review Questions 1. The relationship of the Trinity for the purposes of redemption means that...

A. Although the Son did the will of the Father and the Spirit came at their request, there is no intrinsic inequality between them, because they are God. B. The Father is God, from whom the Spirit and the Son proceeded as created beings.

C. Whilst each member of the Godhead performs their work of redemption, they lay aside their divine natures.

D. There is absolutely no difference of place taken between the persons of the Godhead at any time.

2. What is the key difference between Israel’s knowledge of God as Father and our own knowledge of God as Father in Christ?

A. There is no difference of understanding.

B. Israel knew Him in a more personal way, as the Father of the nation.

C. Israel did not know Him as Father in any sense.

D. He has become a personal Father to us in a way that was not understood before Christ.

3. Which of the following did Jesus NOT declare had proceded from the Father?

A. His words.

B. His works.

C. His mission.

D. None of the above.

4. Which of the following statements is false?

A. Jesus revealed the Father.

B. The work of Christ enables personal knowledge of God as my own Heavenly Father.

C. Ultimately, everything is said to proceed from the Spirit of God. D. The family of the redeemed is depicted as belonging to the Father.

5. God as Father has significant implications for which of the following?

A. My prayer life.

B. My needs and anxieties.

C. My worship.

D. All of the above.

6. Jesus declared that the Father is greater than He A. TRUE B. FALSE 7. The relationship of God the Father to God the Son...

A. Is the same as our relationship to God the Father.

B. Has qualities which render it totally unique.

C. Will be the same as our relationship to God the Father when we are glorified.

D. None of the above.

Answers | 1A | 2D | 3D | 4C | 5D | 6A | 7B bibleclass.com.au

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