IS YOUR GOD TOO SMALL ?

A Leader GuideBased on the book by

Dr. Lawson Schroeder

Leader Guide

by

Janice S. Connor, MRE

The attributes and actions of Almighty God

Their meaning to the people of the world

Important Note about this LEADER GUIDE

This Leader Guide is incomplete in that “Leader helps” for the

Preface, Introduction, and Chapters 1 (except for the Major Religions Chart), 5, and 6 are not included.

Only ‘helps’ for Chapters 1 (Major Religions Chart),

2, 3, and 4 are in this guide.

But, thinking that some help and suggestions are better than none,

this very abbreviated guide is being provided.

Also, you do not have to be a ‘Leader’ to use this guide. If you are studying this book on your own, feel free to use this guide to help confirm that you are ‘on the right track’ with your answers, charts, comments, etc.

So, with that by way of introduction, here’s a short and incomplete but hopefully helpful guide to aid you in your study or as you lead a group.

editor

Leader’s Guide: Chapter 1

Major Religion Chart

Name of ReligionName of godBeliefs

MuslimsAllahDeny Jesus Christ is God

Believe that Jesus is Great Prophet

He lived a good life and is in heaven today

Allah is God of Abraham

Qur’an describe Allah as a deceiver, author

Of evil

HindusThree godsOne supreme being or god, the personal

BrahmaWorship of many gods:

VishnuMonotheistic Polytheism

ShivaBelief their god is the god of all religions

BuddhistsBuddhaDo not have a supreme god or creator god

SikhsVahiguruTheir god is formless, eternal, and unobserved, a personal transcendental creator, who is omnipresent and infinite

Hare KrishnasLord KrishnaBased on Hindu teachings from 16th century

Their god is a personal creator and the souls

Of all living things are part of him

Jews Yahweh, AdonaiBelieve he is the Creator God of the Bible

The true God of the Bible

Pantheism (New Age) Everything in the universe is god. They believe that everything in the universe is self-organizing and ever-evolving. Do not believe in any supernatural powers and a creator God. Everything in the universe is spiritually interconnected with an energy that may be refereed to as god.

IS YOUR GOD TOO SMALL ?

Leader’s Guide: Chapter 2 – Is the Bible True?

Based on Pages 51 – 69 in the book

  1. In the Bible verses listed on page 51 circle the word truth. State how these scripture verses enlighten you regarding your belief about the Bible. The Bible is an accurate record of God’s message to mankind.
  1. The truthfulness or trustworthiness and the total accuracy of the Bible are dependent upon nature of the author who is the creator God of the universe.

Pg. 51

  1. List the reasons for the belief the Holy Bible is inerrant as written in the original manuscripts. Pg. 51

Author: creator God

>God’s Holy Spirit providing inspiration

>Diversity of people that wrote as they were inspired

>Used different writing styles and different perspectives

  1. What is A. W. Tozer’s definition of the attributes of God? Pgs. 51-52

…..”Is whatever has in any way revealed about himself” from the book by Tozer “The Knowledge of the Holy” p. 12

  1. List reasons why we believe the Bible is true. Pg. 52

God is truth. He is the author. God invented words, language, and abilities for people to communicate.

God is capable of creating and preserving that is accurately and clearly communicates His message to mankind.

God inspired and directed the writing of the Bible.

God spoke the Bible so we can be confident of its authority.

  1. The Bible has forty authors in sixty-six books and written over two-thousand years. Pg. 53
  1. Is the word “Bible” found in the text of the King James Version of the Bible? Pgs.53-54 No,is not found in King James Version.
  1. The word Bible comes from the Greek word Byblosthat originally meant papyrus. Pg. 54. What is papyrus? Papyrus is a plant. Cut in strips and pressed into sheets of writing material and can be made into a scroll or codex. The early New Testament books were made into scrolls. Later Christians began to copy them on sheets of papyrus that are bound and placed between two pieces of wood for covers. This form of the early book was known as a codex. (added question and answer to use for class discussion.)

Leader’s Guide: Chapter 2

  1. Highlight the phrases/words that describe the Bible listed in the scripture passages on pages 54-57. Mark: “word”, “words”, “word of God”, “word of truth”, “truth”, “word of the Lord”, “book of the Lord”, and “scriptures”.

After you mark these words, re-read these scriptures make a list of the action verbs that follow these words.

  1. Why are all the prophecies in the Bible accurate? Pg. 58 Because God is omniscient-He possesses all knowledge…He knows all the past history of the world, everything that is happening in the present and all the future events that will take place in the world. Real reason is the author: God is truthful, faithful and knows all of the events of history before they occur. God inspired writers to pen the words as He wanted.
  1. How do the disciplines of history and science document the accuracy of the Bible? Pg. 58…All science recorded in the Bible is totally accurate. Much of it recorded before it happened. God inspired the writers of the Bible. God created all scientific information that is not included in the Bible. Science or History has never documented any mistake in the Bible
  1. Read carefully pages 61 – 65. Compare the lists from different sources of why the Bible is true. The resources include: The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and Statements written by Dr. Kurt Wise. Using these resources write on an index cardreasons that you cangive as to why you believe the Bible is true. Keep this card in a place that it will be available to use when someone asks you why you believe the Bible is true.
  1. List seven (7) reasons God gave us the Bible. Page 56
  1. That God loves all people
  2. So that we know how sin entered the world and what impact sin has on our relationship with God.
  3. Humans are sinful by nature and by decision
  4. He has made a way for everyone to have their sins forgiven
  5. That the Messiah would come to earth
  6. It is possible for all humans to receive forgiveness of all the sins that they ever committed during their lifetime.
  7. So that we may know that the Messiah is the Lord Jesus Christ.
  1. How can changing the meaning of one word like “day” in scripture influence a person’s view of the accuracy of the Bible? Pg. 57-59 See notes fromAIG

Leader’s Guide: Chapter 2

15.Complete the chart by making a comparison of views regarding the literal translation/interpretation of the Bible. Pages 67-68

NameTitleBeliefs

______

Dr. James BarrRegis professor ofHe does believe that

Hebrew at Oxford UniversityGenesis is true history

The earth was formed in

Six literal 24 hour days

Noah’s flood worldwide

______

Dr. Bernard RamnBaptist theologian and apologistDoes not believe in a

Literal interpretation of

1916 -1992scripture. Days intend to be

Topical rather than chronological, serving as

A mere literary framework

w/o intending to convey any

historical information to the

reader.

______

Dr. Edward YoungMinister of the PresbyterianBelieved the Bible be

Church of Americainterpreted literally..straight

OT scholar at Westministerforward, trustworthy

1907-1968Theological Seminaryhistory

Philadelphia, Penn from 1936

Until death

______

16. In conclusion for the study of Chapter 2, read carefully the final paragraph on page 69.

Complete the following statements.

Bible histories are authentic.

Its science is accurate.

Its practical wisdom for daily life is unexcelled.

Its insights into the human heart are profoundly perfect for every need.

The bottom line of this discussion is the Bible reflects the character of God.

The descriptions of the Bible also apply to the Almighty himself.

17. In your own words, write in two to three sentences why you believe the Bible is true.

Is Your God Too Small ?

Leader Guide for Chapter 3

Introduction

As you begin your study of the attributes of God, take a few minutes to meditate and pray. Read the following goals. Make a commitment to achieve these goals as you look deeply into understanding: “Who is the God of the Holy Bible?”

  1. Develop a desire to know God more deeply and intimately.
  2. Develop a desire to enrich your personal relationship with the LORD in your spiritual journey.
  3. Develop a desire to know God in all His fullness and glory.

Read the following quotes from A.W. Tozer taken from his book, “The Attributes of God”, Volume 1, Page 41.

“Our religion is little because our god is little. Our religion is weak because our god is weak. Our religion is ignoble because the god we serve is ignoble. We need to see God as He is.”

“Christianity at any time is strong or weak depending upon her concept of God.”

  1. Read the scriptures listed on page 71: Isaiah 44:8 and I Corinthians 8:4. What do these scriptures tell you about God? There is no God but one He has declared

An idol is nothing in the world

  1. As a follower of Jesus, have you ever seriously thought about the being of God,God’s nature, God’s attributes, or God’s abilities? In Chapter 3 of our book, the author will discuss twenty-eight attributes of God. As a class, we will spend time getting to know our God.
  1. What is the best resource to learn about God and to develop a Biblical worldview? The Bible
  1. Define the word attribute. Qualities or characteristics inherent in or ascribed to someone or something.
  1. Read the three lists on pages 72-74. Place a check mark by the attributes that are repeated in all three lists. Is any one attribute more important than another?

Chapter 3Leader Guide

  1. Turn to pages 140 -141. Read the list of attributes. These are the twenty-eightattributes of God, which the author will discuss in Chapter 3.
  1. As we study these attributes, we will be enlighten of who God is and consider:

The magnitude

The memory

The mystery

The morality

The mission

The menace

The mercy and Themajesty

of Almighty God!!!!

  1. As you study each attribute, first read scripture verses that will inform you about a specific attribute of God. Next complete a chartfor each attribute. Read the following directions for completing the chart.
  1. Write the attribute at the top of the page. Beside the attribute write a definition for that attribute.
  2. Write the Scripture reference, read the scripture reference then list the key words or phrases that you find important.
  3. In the column labeled notes, write the meaning of words or make additional comments from our class discussion.
  1. Summary and Reflections

From your study of each attribute answer the following reflective questions

  1. How does my understanding of this specific attribute make a difference in my relationship with God?
  2. By understanding and believing in this attribute of God, how will it change or enhance the way I go about my daily life?
  3. Name the attributes that you find most meaningful for you at this time in your life.

Chapter 3Leader Guide

Answer the following questions as you study Omniscience one of the attribute of God.

(Pages 74 – 79)

  1. Define the following words: Refer to a dictionary.

Wisdom: knowledge and the ability to use it to help oneself or others

Understanding: to get the meaning, to have reason to believe, to know thoroughly

Knowledge: understanding and skill gained by experience, a state of being aware of something or having information.

  1. God’s words brought the entire universe into existence out of nothing.(Page 76)
  1. The first law of Thermodynamics basically says that energy cannot be created ordestroyed. (page 77)
  1. Everything that changes is sample rearranging itself. (Page 77)
  1. Since God created the universe, how much more energy has been added? (Page 77) zero
  1. What did God create on day four? Read Genesis 1:14-19 (page 77)

Stars, galaxies, sun, moon, light

  1. What does God’s creation reveal to us about God being omniscience? (Page 78)

It tells us what God knows, what and how he created, where and what his creations are doing at all times, he is powerful, he alone created energy – mass out of nothing

  1. Why did God not make mankind as puppets or robots? (Page 79)

God gave man the ability to make choices…one must reap the consequences of his decisions and actions… God respects us, God loves us

  1. Summary Statement: From your study of the attribute, Omniscience, answer the following reflective questions.
  1. How does my understanding of this specific attribute make a difference in my relationship with God?
  2. By understanding and believing in this attribute of God, how will it change or enhance the way I go about my daily life?

Chapter 3Leader Guide

Study guide for the attribute of Omnipotent (pages 79 – 89)

  1. Complete the Attribute chart for the scriptures on page 80 – 82 that describes God as being omnipotent.
  1. After completing the chart, read pages 82 – 85 and answer the following questions.
  1. Name and briefly define the four fundamental forces that hold the universe together. (Page 82 -85)

Gravity, Electromagnetic force, weak nuclear force, strong nuclear force

  1. List the things/objects that God made during creation week. How did he make these things? (Page 85)

Atoms with neutrons, protons, electrons, and subatomic particles… by His speaking them into existence

  1. What did God use to create molecules? What did these molecules become in the universe? (Page 85)

He used atoms and subatomic particles..became light, water, earth sun, moon and all of the stars of the universe

  1. What did God use other atoms and subatomic particles to create? (Page 85)

Became plants, birds, fishes, whales, land animals, and Adam and Eve. God also created the angels.

  1. Read the scripture verses from Genesis 1 listed on pages 85- 87. Highlight the italicized words that are the keys to understanding God’s abilities. Make a list of what God made/created.

Heavens and earth

Light

Firmament – divided the waters which were under and above

Water gathered in one place and dry land appeared

Grass, herbs yielding seed, fruit trees after their kind

Light divided to be day and night – let them be for signs, seasons, days and years

Greater light – sun and lesser light moon and the stars

Fowl, great whales, every winged fowl after their kind

Living creatures after his kind, cattle and creeping things beast of the earth after their kind

Male and female: God made in his own image: sixth day evening and morning

Chapter 3Leader Guide

  1. What is cosmological constant? (Page 87)

A repulsive dark or vacuum energy that is often called the cosmological constant. This energy is theorized to be the result of a nonzero vacuum energy detectable at cosmological scales. This energy is believed to aid in determining the dynamics of the universe as a whole.

  1. What is the ultimate power beyond all the forces identified by the highly educated scientists of the world? (Page 87)

The force of Almighty God. Humans can petition God to use this force

  1. Define the power of prayer. Describe how we use the power of prayer. (Page 87)

A solemn and humble approach to Divinity in word or thought, usually involving beseeching, petition, confession, praise, or thanksgiving. Prayer is a human request for God to use His power in the universe He created.

  1. Who holds everything together? (page 88)

Jesus is the creator and it is His power that holds everything together

Col 1:17

  1. Read the scriptures listed on pages 88 – 89, mark/highlight all the nouns and pronouns that identify Jesus Christ.
  1. After reading and marking the name of Jesus, what do these scripture relate to you about Jesus in the creation process? Make a list of the sustaining work of Jesus.

Laid the foundation of the earth

Heavens are the work of thy hands

For, through, and to Him are all things

By Jesus all things created in heaven and in earth visible or invisible

Thrones, dominions, principalities, powers

All things created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, by him all things consist

God appointed His son heir of all things, He made the worlds

Upholding all things by the word of His power, He purged our sins

At present He is at God’s throne sitting on God’s right hand

He laid the foundations of the earth. The heavens are his works.

Is Your God Too Small ?

Chapter 3: Who Is the God of the Bible?

Chart for the study of the Attributes of God