Encountering the Unchanging God
INTRODUCTION
The doctrine of God’s immutability refers to God’s unchanging nature. Dr Wayne Grudem, in his book Systematic Theology, defines this attribute of God in the following way. God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.
We live in an ever changing world. We expect things to change, whether we want them to or not. In nature, anything left unaided will move from a state of order to a state of disorder. We see this most often in the case of decomposition of plant and animal materials. We also see change in the natural cycles of the world, such as the seasons of the year.
We do not experience change only as outside observers. We experience change within ourselves. As we go from infancy to old age, we experience a multitude of changes emotionally, mentally and physically. Ultimately, change results in death.
With everything around us, including ourselves, trapped in a changing environment, it is hard, if not impossible, for us to comprehend an entity that does not change. Yet the Bible makes it clear that God, in his very essence, is unchanging. This is the concept that we will explore this week.
Study 1: Isaiah 46:9-11
There is not one passage that can completely explain the unchangeableness of God. This passage points us in that direction.
1. In verse 9, God points us to the past.
a. Why would God tell us to remember the former things?
b. The text uses Hebrew parallelism to make a significant point about God. What is the main point?
2. In verse 10, God asserts His authority.
a. How does God demonstrate his authority over history?
b. How does the second half of this verse point us toward God’s unchangeable nature?
3.In verse 11, God speaks of his actions in the world.
a. What is the main point of the first half of this verse?
b. What truth is God asserting in the second half of this verse?
c. How does this point us to the unchangeable nature of God?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.Why is it important for us to understand that God is unique?
2. How can looking back over time help us to see the unchangeable nature of God?
3. Why is it important for us that God is ultimately in control of the events of human history?
4. God has declared that His plans will stand firm. Why is it important to us that God’s plans do not change?
5. God has made many promises in the Bible. How does the concept of God being unchangeable relate to these promises?
6. How do you respond to the unchangeable nature of God? Is it a comfort or a concern? Why?
Study 2: Hebrews 13:7-8
Jesus is God in human form. He came to reveal the nature and character of God to us. Our faith is based on the unchangeable character of Jesus.
1. Verse 7 tells us to remember our spiritual leaders.
a. What role have these leaders played?
b. Why is their message important?
c. How can their lives reflect the truth of their message?
2. Verse 8 points us to Jesus.
a. What truth about Jesus is stated here?
b. Why is this truth important to us?
c. How does this truth affect the depth of our faith?
3. How did Jesus demonstrate the unchangeable character of God through His life?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. Outside of the Bible, who have been some positive spiritual influences in your life?
2. How can the lives of godly men and women encourage us to trust God more?
3. In our ever changing world, why is it important for us to understand the unchangeable nature of Jesus?
4. What are some barriers to our grasping the unchangeable nature of God?
5. In what ways have you experienced God’s unchangeable nature?
Study 3: God’s Unchangeable Nature
As was stated in the introduction, God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises. Let’s take a closer look.
1. Read Psalm 102:25-27
a. What aspect of God’s unchangeableness does this passage point to?
b. How does the Psalmist compare God to the world?
2. Read James 1:13-18
a. What aspect of God’s character is referenced in verse 13?
b. How is God’s character demonstrated in verse 17?
3. Read Psalm 33:1-11
a. For what reason are we to praise the Lord?
b. How does the Psalmist emphasize God’s authority over the world?
c. How does the Psalmist contrast the plans of God with the plans of man?
4. Read Numbers 23:19
a. What aspect of God’s unchangeableness is highlighted here?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. Think about your own character. How has it changed over the years?
2. Why is it important to us that God does not change in his essence? If God could grow like us, what would that say about Him?
3. Our character is our moral compass, our internal operating system. What are the implications if God’s character could change?
4. How is God’s unchangeableness related to His plans for our world? Why is this important?
5. We have become accustomed to people “stretching the truth”. What would it mean to us if God stretched the truth from time to time?
Study 4: Unchangeable but not Impassive
One of the corollaries of the concept of the unchangeableness of God is the misconception that God is impassive. If God cannot change, then he must not experience emotions or interact with us in any meaningful way. This is a heresy, which the Church has rejected.
1. God does experience emotions. Consider the following examples.
a. Isaiah 62:5:
b. Ephesians 4:30:
c. Exodus 32:10:
d. Psalm 103:17:
2. How does Matthew 7:7-8 demonstrate that God interacts with us?
3. Read Deuteronomy 7:12-15.
a. How does this passage demonstrate that God is not impassive?
b. Given other such references, what is the implication if the people of Israel did not obey God’s laws?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.How do you respond to a person who never seems to express emotions?
2.How does the expression of emotions affect our sense of well-being?
3.How would your image of God change if in reality He was impassive? What difference would it make?
4.In what ways did Jesus demonstrate that God is not impassive?
5. What difference does it make to you that God responds to you according to your actions?
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