Who is God?
Youth Small Group Material
This set of material will guide us as we turn to Scripture to find out who God is through his nature, character and attributes.
You can find the content for each session below or scroll to the bottom of this page to download the complete pdf.
In today’s session we will consider the answer to the question ‘Who is God?’ Using Psalm 145 as a starting point we will take time to think about the qualities and characteristics of the God we worship. There will also be an opportunity for the group to creatively express their answer to this question.
Welcome
Cut up the ‘Who is God?’ handout before the session. The aim of the activity is for the young people to match the term with its definition and discuss different beliefs about God.
Atheism: There is no God
Agnosticism: God cannot be known
Deism: God is the creator
Pantheism: All is God. God is the world: in other words, the material world (nature) is itself god or divine
Polytheism: There are many gods/goddesses
Monotheism: There is one God
Trinitarianism: There is one God in three persons
- Which belief do you hold about God?
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
Watch the clip where children from different religions discuss their view of God. Discuss what you think about the views they hold.
- Which viewpoints do you agree/disagree with?
Watch: Kids of Different Religions Describe God – BuzzFeedVideo (4:29)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPYyWhtTDmQ
Word
Divide the group into pairs. One person takes the role of a non-Christian, asking the other person, who is a Christian, the question ‘Who is God?’ Allow a couple of minutes and then swap over.
Ask the group how easy/difficult they found it to answer the question. What words did they use? Did their answers make sense to the other person?
So, who is God? He’s been described as everything from an impersonal life-force to a benevolent, personal, almighty Creator. The Bible teaches us that in all existence, from all eternity, there has been and always will be only one God. God is completely loving, completely just, completely holy, completely merciful, and he always desires the best for us.
To explore the question ‘Who is God?’ in more depth, we are going to spend some time looking at Psalm 145.
Give each member of the group a copy of the ‘Psalm 145 NIV’ handout. Share the psalm together reading a verse each. After you have read through the psalm, give each person a highlighter and either divide them into smaller groups or work together as a whole group. Ask them to highlight statements in Psalm 145 that answer the question ‘Who is God?’ When the group has completed the activity, then share and discuss the activities they have highlighted.
Now repeat the activity that we started with. Divide the group into pairs. One person takes the role of a non-Christian, asking the other person, who is a Christian, the question ‘Who is God?’ Allow a couple of minutes and then swap over. This time, encourage the group to use words and phrases they have discovered in Psalm 145 putting them into everyday language. When the activity is finished, discuss how Psalm 145 has helped them to answer the question ‘Who is God?’
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
- What is your response to the following quote?
‘One of the most wonderful things about knowing God is that there’s always so much more to know, so much more to discover. Just when we least expect it, he intrudes into our neat and tidy notions about who he is and how he works.’
– Joni Eareckson Tada
Witness
Often when we read psalms together in church they can descend into a quiet, low grumbling sound. Psalm 145, however, is a song of praise. Listen to Ryan Ferguson as he brings the words of Psalm 145 to life.
Watch: Ryan Ferguson recites Psalm 145 (3:12)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMMPkZl--c
Psalm 145 speaks of the awesomeness of God. Today we are going to use Psalm 145 as a basis to create a piece of artwork that represents who God is.
For this activity you will need a large sheet of paper or rolled-out piece of wallpaper. You will also need art materials and A3 copies of different translations of Psalm 145 (provided at the end of this session).
Links to a selection of musical versions of Psalm 145 are provided below to play as the group completes this activity. Whilst they are listening to the words, ask people to draw, doodle, graffiti, colour, paint, and write their prayers and their response to this psalm on the wallpaper using whatever art materials you have available. They can also cut and stick words and phrases from the different translations to add to the collage. Try to fill up every available space of the wallpaper with words/pictures/colours. If it is possible in the space you use, then display the collage in the room where you meet.
Songs based on Psalm 145
‘How Great (Psalm 145)’ – Sovereign Grace Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNSoydKOXQo
‘I will Praise my God and King (Psalm 145)’ Live – Pete Crockett Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxVHDOmyFhU
‘Psalm 145’ (Every Psalm) – Poor Bishop Hooper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JabRu5PwZjE
‘Psalm 145 I Will Praise Your Name Forever, My King and My God’ - Francesca La Rosa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIDcnhkVPDc
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
Ask each member of the group to share one word, phrase or doodle that stands out for them in the group collage. Encourage them to explain why they have chosen it.
Worship
Think about the worship songs you listen to regularly.
- What themes do they tend to be about?
- Who do they generally focus on?
Occasionally, worship songs can fall into the trap of being ‘I’ focused rather than God-focused. Your task is to create a playlist of worship songs that are full of praise to God and focus on his character. This playlist can include any musical genre, but all the songs need to focus on God’s character and greatness rather than us!
Decide with the group which musical platform they would like to use to create the playlist, or they could simply share YouTube clips in a group message. The playlist could be shared and used as a resource with the wider church.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
The purpose of this activity is to encourage the group to think about the lyrics of praise songs that they listen to. There is no preset agenda to choosing these songs; it is simply to prompt discussion about whether worship songs today take a similar or different approach from the worship songs in the book of Psalms.
Listen to this song of praise by Elevation Worship.
- What is the main focus of the song?
- Is it a song of praise? If so, who is the focus of the praise?
- How is this song of praise similar to /different from Psalm 145?
Watch: ‘Praise’ (feat. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore) Elevation Worship (5:05)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2oxGYpuLkw
Translations of Psalm 145.
Psalm 145 – The Message paraphrase
1I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King!
and I’ll bless your name into eternity.
2 I’ll bless you every day,
and keep it up from now to eternity.
3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
There are no boundaries to his greatness.
4 Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
each one tells stories of your mighty acts.
5 Your beauty and splendour have everyone talking;
I compose songs on your wonders.
6 Your marvellous doings are headline news;
I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.
7 The fame of your goodness spreads across the country;
your righteousness is on everyone’s lips.
8 God is all mercy and grace –
not quick to anger, is rich in love.
9 God is good to one and all;
everything he does is soaked through with grace.
10-11 Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
your holy people bless you.
They talk about the glories of your rule,
they exclaim over your splendour,
12 Letting the world know of your power for good,
the lavish splendour of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
you never get voted out of office.
God always does what he says,
and is gracious in everything he does.
14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
15 All eyes are on you, expectant;
you give them their meals on time.
16 Generous to a fault,
you lavish your favour on all creatures.
17 Everything God does is right –
the trademark on all his works is love.
18 God’s there, listening for all who pray,
for all who pray and mean it.
19 He does what’s best for those who fear him –
hears them call out, and saves them.
20 God sticks by all who love him,
but it’s all over for those who don’t.
21 My mouth is filled with God’s praise.
Let everything living bless him,
bless his holy name from now to eternity!
(Psalm 145, MSG)
Psalm 145 – The Amplified Version
1I will exalt You, my God, O King,
And [with gratitude and submissive wonder] I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You and lovingly praise You;
Yes, [with awe-inspired reverence] I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is [so vast and profound as to be] unsearchable [incomprehensible to man].
4 One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty and remarkable acts.
5 On the glorious splendour of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
6 People will speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And [with gratitude and submissive wonder] I will tell of Your greatness.
7 They will overflow [like a fountain] when they speak of Your great and abundant goodness
And will sing joyfully of Your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 The Lord is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].
10 All Your works shall give thanks to You and praise You, O Lord,
And Your godly ones will bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power,
12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glorious majesty of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all those [of His own] who fall
And raises up all those who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to You [in hopeful expectation],
And You give them their food in due time.
16 You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is [unwaveringly] righteous in all His ways
And gracious and kind in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
To all who call on Him in truth (without guile).
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear and worship Him [with awe-inspired reverence and obedience];
He also will hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh will bless and gratefully praise His holy name forever and ever.
(Psalm 145, AMP)
Psalm 145 – Contemporary English Version
1 I will praise you,
my God and King,
and always honour your name.
2 I will praise you each day
and always honour your name.
3 You are wonderful, Lord,
and you deserve all praise,
because you are much greater
than anyone can understand.
4 Each generation will announce
to the next your wonderful
and powerful deeds.
5 I will keep thinking about
your marvellous glory
and your mighty miracles.
6 Everyone will talk about
your fearsome deeds,
and I will tell all nations
how great you are.
7 They will celebrate and sing
about your matchless mercy
and your power to save.
8 You are merciful, Lord!
You are kind and patient
and always loving.
9 You are good to everyone,
and you take care
of all your creation.
10 All creation will thank you,
and your loyal people
will praise you.
11 They will tell about
your marvellous kingdom
and your power.
12 Then everyone will know about
the mighty things you do
and your glorious kingdom.
13 Your kingdom will never end,
and you will rule forever.
Our Lord, you keep your word
and do everything you say.
14 When someone stumbles or falls,
you give a helping hand.
15 Everyone depends on you,
and when the time is right,
you provide them with food.
16 By your own hand you satisfy
the desires of all who live.
17 Our Lord, everything you do
is kind and thoughtful,
18 and you are near to everyone
whose prayers are sincere.
19 You satisfy the desires
of all your worshippers,
and you come to save them
when they ask for help.
20 You take care of everyone
who loves you,
but you destroy the wicked.
21 I will praise you, Lord,
and everyone will respect
your holy name forever.
(Psalm 145, CEV)
As Moses stood by the burning bush, he experienced the presence of God. Filled with awe and wonder, he asked a question that is at the heart of this set of sessions: ‘Who is God?’ In today’s session we will explore the meaning of God’s reply to Moses, ‘I Am.’
Welcome
Have each person secretly write on a Post-it Note the name of a famous person. Keeping the name hidden, stick the Post-it Note to another’s forehead.
Each person takes turns to ask the group questions to figure out who the unknown person on their forehead is. The catch is that only ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers can be asked, eg ‘Am I alive?’, ‘Am I female?’
If the answer is ‘no’ your turn is over. If the answer is ‘yes’, you can ask another question. Keep going until you get a ‘no’ or make a guess at who you are. If you guess right, you win, or if you guess wrong, your turn is over.
Keep going until everyone has guessed; or if time is tight, stop after a few right answers.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
This time write the names of the people in the group on the Post-it Notes and stick them on each forehead. Follow the same rules to see how quickly they can guess which member of the group they are. This round should take a lot less time.
Word
- Who is God?
- How would you describe him?
- How do you think he would describe himself?
Our Scripture today describes the moment where Moses bravely asked God for his name. He wanted to know God’s name so the Hebrew people would know exactly who had sent him to them. The story is found in Exodus 3:1-15 and we’re going to read and discuss it together.
1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.’
4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’
And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’
(Exodus 3:1-4)
Moses was an experienced shepherd, but he had never seen something like this before.
- Why do you think God used the burning bush to get Moses’ attention?
- Why didn’t God just speak to Moses?
Read:
5 ‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ 6 Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
(Exodus 3:5-6)
- How does God describe himself?
- Who did God mention and what significance did these names have to Moses?
- Why do you think Moses was afraid of God?
- Do you think we have the same fear and respect of God today? If not, why not?
Read:
7 The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey – the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.’
11 But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’
(Exodus 3:7-11)
- What important task did God give to Moses?
- What was his reaction?
- In what way do you relate to Moses’ response to God?
Read:
12 And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.’
13 Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” Then what shall I tell them?’
14 God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I am has sent me to you.”’
15 God also said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, “The Lord, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.”
‘This is my name for ever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.’
(Exodus 3:12-15)
- What do you think God means when he calls himself ‘I am’?
The Egyptians had gods with many different names. Moses wanted to know God’s name so the Hebrew people would know exactly who had sent him to them. When God told Moses his name, what he actually said is represented by Hebrew characters ‘YHWH’. No one is quite sure how to say this either in Hebrew or in English. Some people have made it easier to say in English by writing it as ‘Jehovah’. But what it means is something like ‘I am what I am’ or even ‘I will be what I will be’.
Watch the following clip to discover more about God’s name.
Watch: God’s Name Has Changed?! (Learn Its Interesting Biblical History) (stop clip at 3:40)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLrGM26pmM0
- Name one thing you discovered about God’s name from the clip.
God called himself I AM, a name describing his eternal power and unchangeable character. God reminded Moses of his covenant promises to his ancestors and used the name I AM to show his unchanging nature. So even though everything in the universe will one day come to an end, God is the one who has always been there and always will be.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
If your group would like to discover more about the story behind our Scripture focus for today, then watch and discuss the following clip.
Watch: Exodus 3-4 | The Call of Moses | Bible Study (3:13)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XdbHW1_smw
Witness
- What questions do you have about God?
- What would you have asked God about himself if you had been there like Moses?
Give each group member a copy of the ‘I Am Who I Am’ handout. This handout includes ten statements about who God is, written by John Piper as part of a sermon entitled ‘I AM who I AM’ – John Piper (Exodus 3:13-15). You do not need to watch the clip to complete the activity with the group, but a link is provided.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzJE1Xtkm6o&t=1908s
Discuss the following statements with the group and answer the discussion question.
‘I Am Who I Am’
- God never had a beginning – he has always been.
- God will never end.
- God is absolute reality. (There is no reality before God or outside of God.)
- God is utterly independent.
- Everything that is not God depends totally on God; everything that is not God is secondary to God.
- All the universe is, by comparison to God, as nothing (like a shadow is to a substance).
- God is constant – the same yesterday, today and for ever.
- God is the absolute standard of truth, goodness and beauty.
- God does whatever he pleases, and it is always right and it is always beautiful.
- God is the most important and valuable reality, and the most important and valuable person that is. He is worthy of our highest interest, greatest attention, deepest admiration and sweetest enjoyment.
- Which one of these statements about God really blows your mind the most …? Why?
Using the statements as a starting point, think of a creative way to answer the question ‘Who is God?’
There is a lot of flexibility in this activity and it depends how much time you have with the group. They may like to discuss and plan a creative way to communicate who God is and then execute the plan before next week’s session.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
- How could you use your creativity to communicate who God is to as many people as possible?
Worship
- How would you describe who God is?
Let’s see how others answered this prayer.
Watch: How would you describe who God is? – Our faith (2:02)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkuCFb-xg4M
As Christians today we can sometimes be in danger of taking our amazing God for granted. Think of the way that Moses responded to the presence of God. He recognised the amazing, powerful, all-knowing God that he served and approached him with reverence and fear. We don’t like to think about approaching God with fear, but his presence should fill us with awe and wonder.
Look at the statements on your handout that describe who God is. As you listen to the music, write a prayer of thanksgiving putting these characteristics of God into your own words and experience.
Watch: Steffany Gretzinger – ‘There is None Like You’ (Official Lyric Video) (3:55)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkrMzHFxa0I
When the music finishes, share the prayers of thanksgiving together.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
Read the words of ‘There is None Like You’ to bring the session to a close.
There is none like you,
No one else can touch my heart like you do.
I could search for all eternity long and find
There is none like you.
Lenny LeBlanc
In today’s session we will spend time searching Scripture to discover more about the many names of God. There will also be an opportunity for the young people to use these names to focus their prayer life and increase their understanding of God’s nature and character.
Welcome
Give each member of the group a copy of the ‘Names of God’ wordsearch, but don’t let them start until everyone is ready. Once the group have the handout and pen, then see who can find all the names the quickest.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
- How many of the names of God shown in the wordsearch have you heard of before?
Word
- Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it and do you like being called by that name?
- What’s your favourite nickname that you’ve ever heard?
In our 21st-century Western culture, personal names often have no meaning other than labels to distinguish one person from another. Sometimes nicknames are chosen which tell something about a person, but even this is a poor reflection of the significance of names in the Bible.
In Scripture, a person’s name is often closely linked to the person’s character and purpose. This is also true of the names of God in Scripture. All names of God reveal something about God and his character, like miniature portraits and promises. God uses his name in Scripture to tell us about himself. We can learn a great deal about God through the various names that are used to communicate aspects of his person.
Remember Abraham? One day God told him to take his only son Isaac up a mountain and make a sacrifice of him. Even though this was a hard test, Abraham trusted God completely and said to Isaac, ‘God will provide the lamb’ for the sacrifice instead of Isaac … and he did! Abraham called the place ‘Jehovah–Jireh’ where this happened – it means ‘the Lord provides’ (Genesis 22). Another example is when Moses fought and won a battle against the Amalekites. He called the place ‘Jehovah-Nissi’ which means ‘The Lord is my banner’ (Exodus 17). Later some Israelite warriors, like David, used the name ‘Jehovah-Saboath’ which means ‘The Lord of hosts’. Hosts means armies, and they used this name to declare that God was the true leader of the Israelite armies.
The aim of the activity is to introduce the young people to names of God they may not have heard before and discuss their meaning. Give each member of the group a ‘Names of God’ handout. Go through the list below and discuss the names of God. As you look at each name, discuss what this name tells us about who God is and how we can experience more of that characteristic of God in our lives. Encourage the group to look up the Bible references linked to each name to add to the discussion. You may like to divide the group and give them different names to focus on.
Primary Old Testament Names
Adonai – Lord, Master. This marks out God as the ruler over all people, times, places and things (Joshua 5:14).
Yahweh - Lord, Jehovah, means self-existent one (such as when God called himself ‘I Am’) (Exodus 3:14).
Elohim - God, Strong one. This name reveals the true God who is more powerful than the false gods. It is often used in reference to God’s sovereignty and work (Psalm 68:7).
Compound Old Testament Names
With El
El is another name that is translated as ‘God’ and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God’s character.
El Olam - The Everlasting God, the unchanging God (Isaiah 40:28).
El Shaddai - Lord God Almighty, all-sufficient one (Psalm 91:1–2).
El Elyon - The Most High God, exalted one, or the strongest strong one (Genesis 14:19, Psalm 9:2).
El Roi - The strong one who sees everything (Genesis 16:13).
With Jehovah
Jehovah is translated as ‘The Existing One’ or ‘Lord.’ The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning ‘to be’ or ‘to exist’. It also suggests ‘to become’ or specifically ‘to become known’ - this denotes a God who reveals himself unceasingly.
Jehovah Nissi - The Lord my Banner (Exodus 17:15)
Jehovah-Raah - The Lord my Shepherd (Psalm 23)
Jehovah Rapha - The Lord who heals you (Exodus 15:26)
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord who is present (Ezekiel 48:35)
Jehovah Tsidkenu - The Lord our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
Jehovah Mekoddishkem - The Lord who sanctifies you (Exodus 31:13)
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:13–14)
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord my peace (Judges 6:24)
Jehovah Sabaoth - The Lord of hosts/angels (1 Samuel 1:3)
Ask each person to consider if there is a name of God that is particularly meaningful for them right now. If appropriate, ask them to share with the group which name and why they have chosen it.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
- How do the names of God help you to understand more about his character?
Witness
In this activity, the young people will have an opportunity to get creative. You can tailor this activity to your group depending on their interests and skills. The aim is to create a representation of the names of God.
They could create a:
- Song
- Poem
- Plan for a Bible Project clip
- Piece of artwork
- Social media clip
- Vlog
- Mini Bible study plan to teach a younger member of the church about the names of God
Give the group time to plan or produce their representation of the names of God and then share them together. How could they develop or complete their Names of God projects before the next time you meet?
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
- What is your response to the following quote?
‘The names of God and what they reveal about his nature and attributes should cause us to love and appreciate him all the more.’
– Dr W Edward Bedore
Worship
Read and discuss the following quote with the group:
‘When we pray the names of God, we take an honest look at where we’re at. We identify the need that we’re facing. And then we choose which name of God speaks to our need. We go to a passage of Scripture where God reveals himself with that particular name, and we discover how and why God revealed himself in that way for that particular need. And then we come to him with our need, in prayer, in conversation with him, and we call him by his name.
For example, if I’m in a place where I’m struggling in the middle of the battle, and I need to know that God is the one who fights the battle with and for me, I pray his name Jehovah Nissi (the Lord is my banner). If I’m in a place where I need God to provide for my need, emotional, physical, spiritual, I come to him in prayer with his name Jehovah Jireh (the Lord provides). His name is not some incantation. His name is his character, and faith is a firm, resolute confidence in the character and nature of God … that God is who he says he is and that God does what he says he does. And his names represent that reality. So we pray in faith, praying the names of God.’
– Jonathan Alexander
- Have you ever prayed using the different names of God before? If not, why not?
We’re going to take some time to pray using the names of God. Look at your handout and, as you pray, search for the name of God that speaks to your spiritual need at this time. As the music plays, focus your prayers on the name of God you have chosen.
Watch: Names of God – Lauren Hubick (3:36)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIAstjWaovI
When the music ends, encourage the group to say the name of God, and the description from the handout, that was the focus of their prayer.
eg Jehovah Rapha – The Lord who heals you.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
Using whatever format they would like (a diary, a phone calendar, notes), ask the group to assign a name of God to each day of the week. Encourage them to take time each day to reflect on the name of God and explore the accompanying Bible verse.
Names of God Wordsearch
Wordsearch to use in week three
The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines an attribute as follows:
‘a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something’. In today’s session we are going to explore the attributes of God and discover how they develop our understanding of who he is.
Welcome
Write out the alphabet on a large sheet of flipchart paper. Ask the group to try and find an attribute/characteristic/name of God beginning with each letter. (For ‘X’ they could use ‘Ex’!)
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
Just for fun, the group could try and create an A-Z list for their own personality and characteristics.
Word
The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines an attribute as follows:
‘a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something’.
In today’s session we are going to explore the attributes of God. Let’s watch the clip to find out more.
Watch: What are the attributes of God? – God Questions Ministries (3:25)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJWn_c0n-3M
Refer back to the A-Z list from the ‘Welcome’ section. After watching the clip, are there any attributes that the group would like to add or change on the list?
- What did you discover about the attributes of God from the clip?
According to the Bible, God is not an idea but instead a living and free person who is completely different, other, or ‘holy’. Speaking about this ‘entirely other’ God is difficult, so Christians often speak about God’s attributes. These attributes are revealed to us in two ways: through Scripture and through our ongoing relationship with God through Jesus.
God’s attributes are inseparable from his very being. In every way that God exists, he exists without limits and imperfection. God’s attributes can be divided into two categories: unshared and shared (incommunicable and communicable). His unshared attributes belong only to him, while his shared attributes are found in people to a limited degree, since we are created in his image and likeness. The difference is that we possess these attributes in a limited way because we are finite creatures, whereas God, our infinite creator, possesses them in an unlimited way.
Divide a flipchart into two columns giving them the following titles: ‘Unshared Attributes (Incommunicable)’ and ‘Shared Attributes (Communicable)’. Using the poster in the link below, select a number of attributes to name and discuss and then write them in the correct column on the flipchart.
https://www.elkcommunitychurch.org/post/the-attributes-of-god
- Which attributes would the group like to discover more about?
- In what ways do you experience the shared attributes of God in your everyday faith journey?
- How could they do that in their own devotional time?
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
- Which of the attributes of God had you never heard of before today?
- What have you discovered about this attribute?
Witness
The attributes of God may seem beyond our comprehension and distant from our everyday faith experience, but they don’t have to be. Just like the names of God that we explored in the previous session, these attributes can form an integral part of our prayer life.
Give each member of the group an ‘Attributes of God’ handout. Dr Bill Bright writes the following prayer / statements of intent using 13 attributes of God. Underneath the statements on the handout there are a set of incomplete statements. Ask the group to complete each statement in a way that is meaningful for them. Encourage discussion about each statement and how it could be applied to their everyday life. There may be some words and phrases that need clarification for the young people to complete the task.
Prayer Statements by Dr Bill Bright
- Because God is a personal Spirit, I will seek intimate fellowship with him.
- Because God is all powerful, he can help me with anything.
- Because God is ever present, he is always with me.
- Because God knows everything, I will go to him with all my questions and concerns.
- Because God is sovereign, I will joyfully submit to his will.
- Because God is holy, I will devote myself to him in purity, worship and service.
- Because God is absolute truth, I will believe what he says and live accordingly.
- Because God is righteous, I will live by his standards.
- Because God is just, he will always treat me fairly.
- Because God is love, he is unconditionally committed to my wellbeing.
- Because God is merciful, he forgives me of my sins when I sincerely confess them.
- Because God is faithful, I will trust him to always keep his promises.
- Because God never changes, my future is secure and eternal.
As group leader, you may want to complete this exercise for yourself before you lead the session.
- Because God is a personal Spirit …
- Because God is all powerful …
- Because God is ever present …
- Because God knows everything …
- Because God is sovereign …
- Because God is holy …
- Because God is absolute truth …
- Because God is righteous …
- Because God is just …
- Because God is love …
- Because God is merciful …
- Because God is faithful …
- Because God never changes …
- How do you think considering the attributes of God will enhance your prayer life?
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
- What is your response to the following quote?
‘One key and defining attribute of God that does not appear in any other world religion or system is the biblical use of the term “Father”. Over 70 times in the New Testament alone, God is described as “Father” to his children. No [other] major world religion describes the relationship between its creator and its adherents in terms of a father.’
– Ergun Caner
Worship
We started this set of sessions using Psalm 145 to answer the question ‘Who is God?’ Over the past few weeks you have discovered new ways to answer this question. To draw these sessions to a close we are going to spend time writing a prayer of thanksgiving. You completed a similar activity in Session Two. Consider how your understanding of God has developed since then. As you write, place all your focus on praising our amazing God and reflecting on the many characteristics you have explored. Listen to the music as you write your prayers and then share them as a group.
Listen: Psalm 145 – Shane and Shane (5:56)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZLmrg8R97Q
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
Read Psalm 145 from The Passion translation to bring the session to a close.
God’s Greatness
King David’s poetic song of praise
1 My heart explodes with praise to you!
Now and forever my heart bows in worship to you,
my King and my God!
2 Every day I will lift up my praise to your name
with praises that will last throughout eternity.
3 Lord, you are great and worthy of the highest praise!
For there is no end to the discovery
of the greatness that surrounds you.
4 Generation after generation will declare more of your greatness
and declare more of your glory.
5 Your magnificent splendour and the miracles of your majesty
are my constant meditation.
6 Your awe-inspiring acts of power have everyone talking!
I’m telling people everywhere about your excellent greatness!
7 Our hearts bubble over as we celebrate the fame
of your marvellous beauty, bringing bliss to our hearts.
We shout with ecstatic joy over your breakthrough for us.
8 You’re kind and tenderhearted to those who don’t deserve it
and very patient with people who fail you.
Your love is like a flooding river overflowing its banks with kindness.
9 God, everyone sees your goodness,
for your tender love is blended into everything you do.
10 Everything you have made will praise you, fulfilling its purpose.
And all your godly ones will be found bowing before you.
11 They will tell the world of the lavish splendour of your Kingdom
and preach about your limitless power.
12 They will demonstrate for all to see your miracles of might
and reveal the glorious majesty of your Kingdom.
13 You are the Lord who reigns over your never-ending Kingdom through all the ages of time and eternity!
You are faithful to fulfil every promise you’ve made.
You manifest yourself as kindness in all you do.
14 Weak and feeble ones you will sustain.
Those bent over with burdens of shame you will lift up.
15 You have captured our attention
and the eyes of all look to you.
You give what they hunger for at just the right time.
16 When you open your generous hand, it’s full of blessings,
satisfying the longings of every living thing.
17 You are fair and righteous in everything you do,
and your love is wrapped into all your works.
18 You draw near to those who call out to you,
listening closely, especially when their hearts are true.
19 Every godly one receives
even more than what they ask for.
For you hear what their hearts really long for,
and you bring them your saving strength.
20 God, you watch carefully over all your devoted lovers like a bodyguard,
but you will destroy the ungodly.
21 I will praise you, Lord!
Let everyone everywhere join me in praising
the beautiful Lord of holiness from now through eternity!
(Psalm 145, TPT)
Who Is God Youth Small Group Material
PDF Download
Explore Further
Youth small group material exploring the meaning behind the gifts that were given to Jesus
Youth small group material looking at the clear purpose and promise Jesus gave his disciples
Compelling small group (previously known as Cell Outlines) Bible study resources for ages 12-25