FALL TEEN CALENDAR

FALL 2009

Fall Student Events Monday, October 12, 2009

Psalms 46-50
Thursday, September 24, 2009 Schedule 10/12/09 to 10/16/09
Lesson: The How & Why of Bible Study
Schedule 9/24/09 7:15 AM to 08:30 AM Take the Roof Off - Soccer
Outreach
Saturday, September 26, 2009 Schedule 10/12/09 1:00 PM to 05:00 PM
Cabbagetown Service Thursday, October 15, 2009
Schedule 9/26/09 4:00 PM to 09PM Lesson: The Existence & Knowability
of God
Sunday, September 27, 2009 Schedule 10/15/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM
Lesson: The Words of God
Schedule 9/27/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Youth Explosion
Psalms 36-40 Schedule 10/16/09 7:00 PM to
Schedule 9/28/09 to 10/2/09 10/17/09 8:00 AM
Thursday, October 1, 2009 Sunday, October 18, 2009
Lesson: The Canon of Scripture Lesson: The Character of God
Schedule 10/1/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM Schedule 10/18/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM

October Monday, October 19, 2009

Psalms 51-55
Schedule 10/19/09 to 10/23/09
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Lesson: The Inerrancy of Scripture Thursday, October 22, 2009
Schedule 10/4/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Lesson: God in 3 persons / Trinity
Braves game
Schedule 10/22/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM
Schedule 10/4/09 12:00 PM to 07:00 PM
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Lesson: Creation
Psalms 41-45
Schedule 10/25/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Schedule 10/5/09 to 10/9/09
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Psalms 56-60
Lesson: 4 Characteristics of Scripture Schedule 10/26/09 to 10/30/09
Schedule 10/8/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009 Lesson: Angels & Demons
Frog Town Run Schedule 10/29/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM
Schedule 10/10/09 8:00 AM to 09:00 AM

Sunday, October 11, 2009 Saturday, October 31, 2009

WEC Meeting Progressive Mystery Dinner
Schedule 10/11/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Schedule 10/31/09 5:00 PM to 9 PM
Afternoon at the Cornwell
Schedule 10/11/09 12:00 PM until 7 pm

 FALL TEEN CALENDAR FALL 2009

November Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 1, 2009 Schedule 11/24/09 7:00 PM to 9 PM
Lesson: Sin
Schedule 11/1/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Sunday, November 29, 2009
Lesson: Work of the Holy Spirit
Monday, November 2, 2009 Schedule 11/29/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Psalms 61-65
Schedule 11/2/09 to 11/6/09 Monday, November 30, 2009
Psalms 81-85
Thursday, November 5, 2009 Schedule 11/30/09 to 12/4/09
Lesson: Miracles
Schedule 11/5/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM
December
Sunday, November 8, 2009
WEC Meeting Thursday, December 3, 2009
Schedule 11/8/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Lesson: Covenants between God and man
Schedule 12/3/09 7:15 AM to 08:30 AM
Monday, November 9, 2009
Psalms 66-70 Friday, December 4, 2009
Schedule 11/9/09 to 11/13/09
Laser tag and Donuts
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Schedule 12/4/09 11:00 PM to
V3 - Vision Visits Victory 12/5/09 1:00 AM
Schedule 11/11/09 5:00 PM to 9 PM Sunday, December 6, 2009
Lesson: The Church
Thursday, November 12, 2009 Schedule 12/6/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Lesson: Prayer
Schedule 11/12/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM Monday, December 7, 2009
Psalms 86-90
Sunday, November 15, 2009 Schedule 12/7/09 to 12/11/09
Lesson: Sanctification
Schedule 11/15/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Thursday, December 10, 2009
Lesson: Doctrine of the Future
Monday, November 16, 2009 Schedule 12/10/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM
Psalms 71-75
Schedule 11/16/09 to 11/20/09 Monday, December 14, 2009
Psalms 91-95
Thursday, November 19, 2009 Schedule 12/14/09 to 12/18/09
Lesson: Essential Nature of Man
Schedule 11/19/09 7:15 PM to 08:30 PM
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Teen Christmas Party
Saturday, November 21, 2009 Schedule 12/19/09 5:00 PM to 08 PM
1st Annual Turkey Bowl
Schedule 11/21/09 1:00 PM to 3 PM Monday, December 21, 2009
Psalms 96-100
Sunday, November 22, 2009 Schedule 12/21/09 to 12/25/09
Lesson: Our we truly thankful?
Schedule 11/22/09 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, December 28, 2009
Psalms 101-105
Monday, November 23, 2009 Schedule 12/28/09 to 1/1/10
Psalms 76-80
Schedule 11/23/09 to 11/27/09 Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Summit
Schedule 12/31/09 to 1/2/10

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

I n t ro d uction
What does the whole Bible say to us today.
DEFINITION Introduction to Systematic Theology
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

Any study that answers How should Christians study systematic theology? (= how
the question, about any should we study Scripture?)
given topic. A. With prayer (Ps. 119:18; 1 Cor. 2:14;1:17)
B. With humility (1 Pet. 5:5; Jas. 1:19-20, 1 Cor. 8:1)
1. Emphases C. With reason
a. whole Bible 1. “We are free to use our reasoning abilities to
b. to us draw deductions from any passage of
c. today Scripture as long as those deductions do not
2. Meaning of contradict the clear teaching of some other
“systematic” passage of Scripture” (Isa. 55:8-9; Ps. 139:6;
3. Meaning of “doctrine” Rom. 11:33-34)
4. Every Christian does 2. Paradox is acceptable in systematic theology
“Systematic theology” (“a seemingly contradictory statement that may
nevertheless be true”); (inevitable with
Initial Assumptions of finite understanding)
Course 3. Contradiction is not acceptable (Ps. 119:160)
A. The Bible is D. With help from others (1 Cor. 12:28)
true E. With rejoicing and praise (Deut. 6:5-6; Ps. 139:17;
B. God exists and Rom. 11:33-36)
is who the Bible
says He is. Causes of theological error
A. Not: obscurity of Scripture
Relationship between B. But: usually personal sins
doctrine and life 1. Pride (1 Tim. 6:4; 2 Pet. 2:18)
A. Sound doctrine is a 2. Greed (1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Pet. 2:3, 14-15)
necessary part of 3. Cowardice (in face of cultural trends (Gal.
Christian maturity (Eph. 2:12, 5:11; Luke 6:22-23)
4:12-14; Titus1:9, 4. Laziness, negligence in studying Scripture
2:1-6,10; Col. 1:9-10) (then following personal leaders instead) (Ps.
1:2; Gal. 2:13; 2 Pet. 2:2)
B. False doctrine harms 5. Other personal sins (2 Pet. 2:13-14, 18-19; 1
the church, turns people Tim. 1:9-10, 19-20)
away form the faith (Titus
1:11, Rom. 1:18, 21, 25; More important / less important doctrines
1 Tim. 1:5-6, 10, 4:1, A. Does it affect other doctrines?
6:20-21; Acts 20:27) B. Does it affect peopleʼs faith, Christian life?
Christian” churches C. P.S. Note that people can take any minor doctrine
and make it “major” (split churches)

INTRODUCTION
 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
Introduction

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. Why is Systematic Theology? 1.__________________________________

___________________________________
2. Every Christian does “Systematic ___________________________________
Theology? TRUE / FALSE ___________________________________
___________________________________
3. In two words what is the basic reason for
2. _________________________________
systematic theology?
3.__________________________________
4. What is one of the ways we should study 4.__________________________________
systematic theology? ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: The Existence & Knowability of God

Who does the Bible refer to as “The Word of God”?

Would you pay more attention if God spoke to you with a voice from heaven or through a living
prophet as in the Old Testament?

Do you believe God is speaking to us today?

INTRODUCTION
 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

T h e Wo rd s o f G o d

What are the different forms of the Word of God?

FOCUS OF OUR STUDY
THE WRITTEN WORDS OF GOD
The Words of God
“The Word of God” as a Person: Jesus Christ
The Focus of Our Study 1. The Bible sometimes refers to the Son of God as
In the study of systematic “the Word of God.” John 1:1, 14; Rev. 19:13
theology the focus is on
Godʼs Word in written “The Word of God” as Speech by God: Various forms
form, the Bible. Josh. 1:8, 1. God Decrees
Ps. 1:1-2, 2 Tim. 3:16 i. A decree of God is a word of God that causes
something to happen or even causes things to
Questions for personal come into being. Gen 1:3, 24; Ps. 33:6
application ii. The decrees of God also assure the
continuing existence of all things. Heb. 1:3
Would you pay more 2. Godʼs Words of Personal Address
attention if God spoke to i) God speaking directly with people. Gen.
you with a voice from 2:16-17; 3:16-17; Ex. 20:1-3; Matt 3:17
heaven or through a ii) These instances of personal address are
living prophet as in the always seen in Scripture as the actual words of
Old Testament? God. The words of “personal address” are also
human words spoken in intelligible human
What does the fact that language.
God spoke to people in iii)People are wrong to object that if God speaks
different ways tell us in human language it must contain errors and
about the nature of God mistakes
and what he delights in ? 3. Godʼs Words as Speech Through Human Lips
i) God often raised up prophets through whom
he spoke.
ii) These are prophets are ordinary humans
speaking with ordinary human language, but
these facts do not diminish the authority of
the words. Deut. 18:18-20; Jer 1:7, 9
iii) Anyone who falsely claimed to be speaking
for the Lord was severely punished. Deut.
18:20-22; Ezek 13:1-7
4. Godʼs Words in Written Form (the Bible)
i) There are numerous instances where Godʼs
words were put in written form: Ex. 31:18;32:16;
Deut 31:9-13
ii) Further additions were made to the collection
of Godʼs written words: Josh. 24:26; Isa 30:8;
Jer 30:2; John 14:26; 1 Cor 14:37
iii) Several benefits from the writing down of
Godʼs words
(1) More accurate preservation of Godʼs words
(2) Opportunity for repeated inspection
(3) Accessibility
THE WORDS OF GOD Still considered to be Godʼs words: just as true;
just as authoritative; people have just as much
 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
Introduction

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. Why is a decree? 1.__________________________________

___________________________________
2. The Bible says in Joshua 1:8 success is ___________________________________
memorizing the Bible? TRUE / FALSE ___________________________________
___________________________________
3. Give an example when a God speaks
2. _________________________________
directly to a man.
3.__________________________________
4. What are some of the benefits from us 4.__________________________________
having the written Word of God? ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: The Canon of Scripture

Who does the word canon mean, when referring to the Bible?

What are some of the names of other books you have heard ofthat people think should be in
the Bible?

Where in the Bible does it say we should not add to or take away from the Bible?

THE WORDS OF GOD

 T h e C a n o n o f S cript ure

What belongs in the Bible and what does not?

DEFINITIONS
CANON The Canon of Scripture
The canon of Scripture is The canon of Scripture is the list of all the books that belong
the list of all the books in the Bible. We must not underestimate the importance of
that belong in the Bible. determining which books belong in the Bible
because:
WHAT ABOUT
THE OTHER (1) The words of Scripture are the words by which we nourish
our spiritual lives. Deut. 32:47
BOOKS?
(2) To add to or subtract from Godʼs words would be to
(1) they often do not prevent Godʼs people from obeying him fully. Deut. 4:2
claim for themselves the
same authority A) The Old Testament Canon
(2) they were not The Bible itself testifies to the historical development of the
regarded as canonical by canon.
the Jews; 1) The earliest collection of written words was the Ten
(3) they were not Commandments, which God himself wrote on two
considered Scripture by stone tablets. Ex. 32:16
Jesus and the apostles
(4) they contain 2) The collection of authoritative words from God grew
teachings inconsistent in size throughout the time of Israelʼs history.
with the rest of the Bible.
B) The New Testament Canon
The Gospel according 1) The New Testament canon begins with the writings
to Thomas, 114 (110 of the apostles, who were given the ability from the
AD): Holy Spirit to recall and interpret accurately the words
and deeds of Jesus. John 14:26, John 16:13-14
Simon Peter said to them: Let

Mary go away from us, for
women are not worthy of life. 2) Some of the New Testament writings are placed
Jesus said: Lo, I shall lead her, alongside the Old Testament canon as part of
so that I may make her a Scripture. 2 Peter 3:16, 1 Tim 5:17-18
male, that she too may
become a living spirit, 3) If we accept the arguments for the traditional views
resembling you males. For
of authorship of the New Testament writings, then we
every woman who makes
herself a male will enter the have most of the New Testament in the canon
kingdom of heaven. because of direct authorship by the apostles.

THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. How would adding or subtracting from the 1.__________________________________

Word of God keep you from following it fully? ___________________________________
___________________________________
2. The content of the Old Testament canon ___________________________________
___________________________________
continued to grow until approximately 435
BC with the completion of ______________. 2. _________________________________

3. What was the earliest collection of written 3.__________________________________

words from God? 4.__________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
4. What is the definition for the canon of
___________________________________
scripture?

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: The Inerrancy of Scripture

What is the meaning of “The Inerrancy of Scripture”?

Do you think that there are any errors in the Bible? Why or why not?
Where in the Bible does it say that we should not change the Bible?

THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE

T h e In er ra n c y o f S cript ure

Are there any errors in the Bible?

DEFINITION
INERRANCY The Inerrancy of Scripture
The inerrancy or A) The Meaning of Inerrancy
Scripture means that 1) The inerrancy or Scripture means that
Scripture in the original Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm
manuscripts does not any thing that is contrary to fact. Ps. 12:6, Prov. 30:5,
affirm any thing that is 2) The Bible can be inerrant and still speak in the
contrary to fact.Ps. 12:6, ordinary language of everyday speech.
Prov. 30:5, Num. 23:19 3) The Bible can be inerrant and still include loose or
free quotations.
Problems with
B) Some Current Challenges to Inerrancy
Denying Inerrancy 1) The Bible is only authoritative for “faith and
practice.”
1) If we deny inerrancy, a a) The purpose of Scripture is to teach us in
serious moral problem areas that concern “faith and practice” only, so it
confronts us: May we is possible that the Scripture makes false
imitate God and statements in other areas, such as historical or
intentionally lie in small scientific facts.
matters also? b) Often referred to as a belief in the infallibility
of Scripture.
2) If inerrancy is denied, c) Response to this objection:
we begin to wonder if we The Bible itself does not make any restriction on
can really trust God in the kinds of subjects to which it speaks
anything he says. truthfully. 1 Tim. 3:16, Ps. 12:6, Ps 119:96
2) The term inerrancy is a poor term.
3) If we deny inerrancy, 3) The biblical writers “accommodated” their massages
we essentially make our in minor details to the false ideas current in their day,
own human minds a and affirmed or taught those ideas in an incidental
higher standard of truth way.
than Godʼs word itself. 4) Inerrancy overemphasizes the divine aspect of
Scripture and neglects the human aspect.
4) If we deny inerrancy, 5) There are some clear errors in the Bible. Where?
then we must also say
that the Bible is wrong
not only in minor details
but in some of its
doctrines as well.

THE INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
The Inerrancy of Scripture

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. How would adding or subtracting from the 1.__________________________________

Word of God keep you from following it fully? ___________________________________
___________________________________
2. The content of the Old Testament canon ___________________________________
___________________________________
continued to grow until approximately 435
BC with the completion of ______________. 2. _________________________________

3. What was the earliest collection of written 3.__________________________________

words from God? 4.__________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
4. What is the definition for the canon of
___________________________________
scripture?

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: The 4 Characteristics of Scripture

1. Why is the Bible necessary?

2. Only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly? TRUE / FALSE

3. Should we expect to be able to understand the Bible?

THE INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE

T he Fou r Characterist ics of S cript ure

Four truths we should know about our Bible.

DEFINITION
CHARACTERISTICS The Four Characteristics of Scripture
Being a feature that helps #1 Authority
to distinguish a person or How do we know that the Bible is Godʼs Word?
thing; distinctive. Explanation and Scriptural Basis
The authority of Scripture means that all the words in
We are expected to Scripture are Godʼs words in such a way that to disbelieve or
disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey
be able to God. “Thus says the LORD.” Deut. 18:18-20, Jer. 1:9
understand the Bible.
# 2 Clarity
Can only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly?
1) In the OT, the people In the OT, the people were expected to be able to understand
were expected to be able the words of Scripture. Deut. 6:6-7, Ps. 1:1-2, Ps. 19:7
to understand the words Explanation and Scriptural Basis
of Scripture. Deut. 6:6-7, The Old Testament and New Testament frequently affirm that
Ps. 1:1-2, Ps. 19:7, Ps. Scripture is written in such a way that its teachings are able
119:130 to be understood by ordinary believers.
2) In the NT, both Jesus #3 Necessity
and the apostles have For what purposes is the Bible necessary?
the same expectation. How much can people know about God without the Bible?
The Bible is necessary for knowledge of the gospel.
a) Jesus never blames Rom.10:13-17
peopleʼs confusion on the Summary: The necessity of Scripture means that the Bible
obscurity of Scripture. is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual
Matt. 12:3, Matt. 21:42, life, and for knowing Godʼs will, but it is not necessary for
Matt. 22:29 knowing that God exists or for knowing something about
Godʼs character and moral laws.
b) Most of the NT epistles
are written to entire #4 Sufficiency
congregations. 1 Cor. Is the Bible enough for knowing what God wants us to think
1:2, Gal. 1:2, Phil. 1:1, or do?
Col. 4:16 Definition of the Sufficiency of Scripture
c) The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained
NT authors expect that all the words of God he intended his people to have at each
their Gentile audience stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains
would familiarize everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting
him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly.
themselves with a Salvation 2 Timothy 3:15-16, 1 Peter 1:23
Living the Christian Life 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalms 119:2
THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF SCRIPTURE
 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
The Four Characteristics of Scripture

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. Why is the Bible necessary? 1.__________________________________

___________________________________
2. Only Bible scholars understand the Bible ___________________________________
rightly? TRUE / FALSE ___________________________________
___________________________________
3. Should we expect to be able to
2. _________________________________
understand the Bible?
3.__________________________________
4. What does it mean the Bible is sufficient? 4.__________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: The Existence & Knowability of God

How is God like us in his being, and in mental and moral attributes?

What does “invisibility” mean?

What does “omniscience” mean?

THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF SCRIPTURE

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

The Existence & Knowability of God

How do we know God exists?

We know that God The Existence & Knowability of God
exists in two ways:
Believing the Evidence in Scripture and Nature
1. All people have an 1) The Bible everywhere assumes that God exists.
inner sense of God (Gen 1:1)
2. We believe that the 2) Every created thing gives evidence of Godʼs
evidence that is found in existence. (Rom 1:20, Act 14:17, Ps. 19:1-2)
Scripture and in nature. 3) Man, in the image of God, most abundantly shows
the existence of God. (Gen. 1:27)
Humanityʼs Inner Sense
4) The beauty of a snowflake, the majestic power of a
of God
thunderstorm, the skill of a honeybee, the
1) All persons have a
refreshing taste of cold water, the incredible
deep, inner sense that
abilities of the human hand—all these and thousands
God exists, they are his
of other aspects of creation simply could not have
creatures, and he is their
come into existence apart from an all-powerful and
creator (Rom 1:21)
all-wise creator. Everything in Scripture and
everything in nature proves clearly that God exists!
2) Sinful unbelievers
5) We are basing our belief not on blind hope apart
actively or willfully reject
from evidence but on an overwhelming amount of
some truth about Godʼs
reliable evidence from Godʼs words and
existence that they knew.
works. obligation to believe and obey.
(Rom 1:19, Rom 1:25)
The Necessity for God to Reveal Himself to Us (149)
3) Sin leads people to
1) Even general revelation depends on Godʼs choice
think irrationally and to
to reveal himselfthrough the created order. (Rom.
deny Godʼs existence,
1:19)
and someone thinking
2) If we are to know God personally in salvation, it is
irrationally or who has
clearly necessary for God to reveal himself to us.
been deceived will say,
(M att. 11:27; 1 Cor. 1:21; John 1:18)
“There is no God.” (Psa
a) All human beings have a tendency to
14:1, Psa 53:1,Psa
misinterpret the revelation about
10:3-4)
God found in nature. (Rom. 1:18, 21, 25)
3) We need the Bible to properly understand any
4) In the life of a Christian
revelation from God or about him (in nature, history,
this inner awareness of
our consciences).
God becomes stronger
We can know God truly. (151-152)
and more distinct. (Rom
1) Although we cannot know God exhaustively, we can
8:15, Eph 3:17, Joh
know God truly because all that Scripture tells us
14:23, 1Pe 1:8)
about God is true. (1 John 1:5, 4:8; John 4:24; Rom.
3:26)
2) Moreover, we know God himself, not just facts
THE EXISTENCE & KNOWABILITY OF GOD about him. (Jer. 9:23-24; John 17:3; 1 John 2:13, 5:20)
 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
Introduction

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. What does in cause people people do 1.__________________________________

when it comes to thinking about God? ___________________________________
___________________________________
2. Every created thing God created gives ___________________________________
___________________________________
evidence that God exists? TRUE / FALSE
2. _________________________________
3. What is a type of argument for God?
3.__________________________________
4. What is one of the two ways we know God 4.__________________________________
exists? ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: The Character of God

In what way are we made in His image?

What do you think it will be like to see God face to face?

What is the spiritual benefit to our lives from thinking about God's knowledge?

THE EXISTENCE & KNOWABILITY OF GOD

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

The Character of God

How is God like us in his being, and in mental and moral attributes?
Our God is Big The Character of God
Psalms. 33:6
A) Attributes Describing Godʼs Being
1) Spirituality
Do you think this is an
a) Godʼs spirituality means that God exists as a
inferior kind of existence?
being that is not made of any matter, has no
less real? less desirable?
parts or dimensions, is unable to be perceived
God's being as spirit is so
by our bodily senses, and is more excellent
powerful that he created
than any other kind of existence. John 4:24
the universe out of
2) Invisibility
nothing: Genesis 1:1 In
a) Godʼs invisibility means that Godʼs total
the beginning, God
essence, all of his spiritual being, will
created the heavens and
never be able to be seen by us, yet God still
the earth. (out of
shows himself to us through visible,
nothing!)
created things. (John 1:18, 6:46; 1Tim. 1:17,
6:16)
The sun = size of
1,000,000 earths
B) Mental Attributes
1) Knowledge (Omniscience)
Interior: 29,000,000
God fully knows himself and all things actual
degrees (F)
and possible in one simple and eternal act. (Job
37:16; 1Jo. 3:20; 1Cor. 2:10-11)
All the energy produced
2) Wisdom
on earth in history =
Definition: Godʼs wisdom means that God
energy produced by sun
always chooses the best goals and the
in 1 sec.
best means to those goals. (Romans 16:27, Job
12:13)
The sun is 1 star.
3) Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Our Milky Way Galaxy: =
a) Definition: Godʼs truthfulness means that he
400,000,000,000 stars
is the true God, and that all his knowledge and
words are both true and the final standard of
Our Milky Way Galaxy:
truth. He is the true God. (Jer. 10:10-11; John
400,000,000,000 + stars
17:3)
How many galaxies?
current estimate
125,000,000,000
galaxies!

THE CHARACTER OF GOD

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
The Character of God

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. How should we think of God when we 1.__________________________________

pray? ___________________________________
___________________________________
2. Does God have a physical body? TRUE / ___________________________________
___________________________________
FALSE
2. _________________________________
3. Does God know all possible things?
3.__________________________________
4. Why does God not have to take time to 4.__________________________________
ponder or think? ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: God in 3 Persons: The Trinity

How can God be 3 and 1?

Is Jesus really God?

Can we understand the doctrine of the Trinity?

THE CHARACTER OF GOD

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

God in Three Person: The Trinity

How can God be three persons, yet one God?

Our God is Big God in Three Persons: The Trinity
Psalms. 33:6
Three statements summarize the biblical teaching.
1) God is three persons.
Do you think this is an
a) The fact that God is three persons means that each
inferior kind of existence?
person of the Trinity is distinct from the other two
less real? less desirable?
persons. (John 1:1-2, 17:24; 1 John 2:1; Heb. 7:25;
God's being as spirit is so
John 14:26; Rom. 8:27; Matt. 28:19; John 16:7; 1 Cor.
powerful that he created
12:4-6)
the universe out of
i) The Holy Spirit is a distinct person not just the
nothing: Genesis 1:1 In
power of God. (Eph. 4:4-6; John, 14:26, 15:26;
the beginning, God
Rom. 8:26-27; 1 Cor. 2:10; Acts 16:6-7; Acts
created the heavens and
8:29; Eph. 4:30)
the earth. (out of
(a) Passages that would not make sense
nothing!)
if the Holy Spirit is just the “power of
God.” (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38)
The sun = size of
(b) What about 2 Cor. 3:17?
1,000,000 earths
2) Each person is fully God.
a) God the Father is clearly God.
Interior: 29,000,000
b) The Son is fully God. (John 1:1-4,
degrees (F)
20:28, 30-31; Titus 2:13; Rom.
9:5; Isa. 9:6; Col. 2:9)
All the energy produced
c) The Holy Spirit is also fully God. (Matt.
on earth in history =
28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2
energy produced by sun
Cor. 13:14; Acts 5:3-4; 1Cor. 3:16)
in 1 sec.
3) There is one God. (Deut. 6:4-5; 1 Kings 8:60;
Isa. 45:5-6, 21-22; 1 Tim. 2:5, Rom.
The sun is 1 star.
3:30; 1 Cor. 8:6; James 2:19)
Our Milky Way Galaxy: =
4) Simplistic solutions must all deny one strand
400,000,000,000 stars
of biblical teaching.
5) All analogies have shortcomings. Ultimately
Our Milky Way Galaxy:
no analogy adequately teaches about the
400,000,000,000 + stars
Trinity, and all are misleading in significant
How many galaxies?
ways.
current estimate
6) God eternally and necessarily exists as the
125,000,000,000
Trinity. (John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; Gen. 1:2;
galaxies!
pJohn 17:5, 24)

GOD IN THREE PERSONS

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
God in 3 persons: Trinity

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. How should we think of God when we 1.__________________________________

pray? ___________________________________
___________________________________
2. Does God have a physical body? TRUE / ___________________________________
___________________________________
FALSE
2. _________________________________
3. Does God know all possible things?
3.__________________________________
4. Why does God not have to take time to 4.__________________________________
ponder or think? ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: Creation

How, why, and when did God create the universe?

What did God use to create the universe?

What is something we learn when we look at Godʼs creation?

GOD IN THREE PERSONS

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Creation
How, why, and when did God create the universe?
What God Creation
created is God created the universe out of nothing
good. 1) Biblical evidence for creation out of nothing
1) If God created the a) Before God began to create the universe,
nothing else existed except God Himself (He
universe to show his
created the universe ex nihilo). (Gen 1:1, Psa
glory, we would expect 33:6, Psa 33:9, Joh 1:3, Col 1:16, Rev 4:11,
that the universe would Heb 11:3)
fulfill its purpose. b) Because God created the entire universe out
2) At the end of each of nothing there is no matter in the
stage of creation, God universe that is eternal. (Psa 90:2)
saw that what he had c) The fact that God created the universe out of
done was “good” (Gen nothing means that it has meaning and
1:4, Gen. 1:10, 12, 18, purpose.
2) The creation of the spiritual universe (264)
21, 25.)
a) The creation of the entire universe includes
3) At the end of the six the creation of an unseen, spiritual realm of
days of creation, “God existence. (Rev 10:6, Neh 9:6)
saw everything that he b) The New Testament explicitly affirms the
had made, and behold, it creation of the spiritual realm. (Col 1:16)
was very good” (Gen.
1:31). Creation is distinct from God yet always dependent upon
4) Even though sin is God.
now in the world, the 1) God is transcendent, far “above” creation in the
material creation is still sense that he is greater than creation and
good in Godʼs sight and independent of it. (Eph 4:6)
should be seen as “good” 2) God immanent, very much involved in creation, for it
by us as well. (1Ti 4:4-5) is continually dependent upon him for its existence
5) This frees us from and functioning. (Job 12:10, Act 17:25, Heb 1:3)
false asceticism that sees 3) This is distinct from materialism, which would say
the use and enjoyment of that the material universe is all there is.
the material creation as 4) The Scriptural account of Godʼs relation to his
wrong. (1Ti 4:1-3) creation is also different from pantheism, which
6) Though the material says that the whole universe is God or is part of God.
creation can be misused, a) God has no distinct personality.
we must not let the b) God changes with the universe.
danger of abusing Godʼs c) God is no longer holy because of evil in the
creation keep us from universe.
positive,thankful, joyful d) The importance of individual human
use of it. (1 Timothy personalities is lost in the goal of blending with
6:9-10, 6:17-18) the universe.

CREATION
 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
Creation

Questions for you answer. 1.__________________________________

___________________________________
1. What does “transcendent” mean? ___________________________________
___________________________________
2.God created the world out of nothing? ___________________________________
TRUE / FALSE
2. _________________________________
3. Time existed before God? TRUE / FALSE 3.__________________________________

4.__________________________________
4. What is dualism?
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
Answers:

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: Angels & Demons

What are angels?

What are demons?

Why did God create them?

CREATION
 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Angels & Demons

What are angels & demons and why did God create them?
When and Why Angels & Demons
Were Angels
What are Angels?
Created? 1. Created Spiritual Beings (Neh 9:6, Col 1:16)
a. Exercise Moral Judgment (2Pe 2:4)
1) Before the seventh b. High Intelligence (Mat 28:5, Rev 4:11)
day of Creation (Gen 2:1, c. Spirits without physical bodies (Heb 1:14, Luk
Exo 20:11) 24:39)
2) First day? (Job 38:6-7) d. They do not have physical bodies; therefore,
3) God has not given we cannot see them
much information unless God gives us the ability (Num 22:31, 2Ki
4) Angels rebelled before 6:17, Luk 2:13).
the Fall (2 Peter 2:4, Sometimes they temporarily take on bodily form
Jude 1:6, Gen 1:31) (Heb 13:2)
2. Other Names for Angels
1) Show greatness of a. Sons of God (Job 1:6)
Godʼs love and plan b. Holy Ones (Psa 89:5, Psa 89:7)
a) We are more like c. Spirits (Heb 1:14)
God than angels (never d. Watchers (Dan 4:13)
said “made in the image
of God”) (Gen 1:26) e. Thrones, dominions, principalities, and
b) We will have authority authorities (Col 1:16)
over angels (1Co 6:3) 3. Other kinds of heavenly beings in Scripture
c) Angels cannot bear
children (Mat 22:30) a. Cherubim (Gen 3:24, Psa 18:10, Exo 25:22)
d) Godʼs love for b. Seraphim (Isa 6:2-7)
mankind: no angels
were saved (2 Pe 2:4, c. Living creatures (Eze 1:5-14, Rev 4:6-8)
Heb 2:16} 4. Rank and Order (Jud 1:9, Rev 12:7-8, 1Th 4:16)
2) Remind us unseen 5. Names of specific angels. 2 mentioned:
world is real (Act 23:8, a) Michael (Jude 1:9, Rev 12:7-8)
2Kings 6:17, Heb 12:22) b) Gabriel (Dan 8:16, Luk 1:18-19)
6. Only one place at a time (Luk 1:26, Dan 10:12-14)
3) Examples for us (Mat 7. How many angels? (Deu 33:2, Psa 68:17, Heb
6:10, Rev 5:11-12) 12:22, Rev 5:11)
8. Individual guardian angels? (Psa 91:11-12)
4) They carry out some of 9. Angels do not marry (Mat 22:30, Psa 103:20, Eph
Godʼs plans: Messages 1:21, 2Pe 2:11, Heb
(Act 8:26), Judgment (2 2:7, 1Co 6:3)
Ch 32:21, Mat 16:27) 10. Power of angels (Ps 103:20; Eph. 1:21; 2 Pet 2:11;
a) Patrol Heb 2:7; 1 Cor 6:3)
Earth: Zec 1:10-11
b) War

ANGELS & DEMONS

 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Q&A
Angels & Demons

Questions for you answer. Answers:

1. When where angles created? 1.__________________________________

___________________________________
2.Angels have always been here? TRUE / ___________________________________
FALSE ___________________________________
___________________________________
3. What is a demon?
2. _________________________________

4. What are some other names for angles? 3.__________________________________

4.__________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Questions you want to ask.

1.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Study for Next Week: Sin

What is sin?

Where did it come from?

Do we inherit a sinful nature from Adam?

ANGELS & DEMONS