Could you live one month with no UBF activity? What would you do if you were told you could not participate in any UBF programs or go to the UBF center or campus for 30 days? How do you think UBF leaders would react to such an absence?

Pre-reading for this lesson is Genesis 1 and 2, Psalm 65 and Chapter 15 (part b) of “Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem: “Creation is Distinct from God Yet Always Dependent on God”. Also pre-reading is Psalm 103:19-22, Matthew 4:1-12, Revelation 15 and “Jesus: Infinitely Superior to Angels” by John Piper.

The Bible begins with these words:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

God must have existed prior to His creation to be its Creator. The Psalms have much to say about God’s creative power bringing everything into existence. The heavens and the earth testify that God is Sovereign and has all power and authority over His creation.

God not only created the visible world, but many things that are unseen. God is the sovereign ruler of both the seen and the unseen worlds.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.” Psalm 103:19-22

One important part of the unseen creation is the created beings called angels. We often may try to help someone or we may feel helpless in certain life situations. Have we forgotten that angels are everywhere? Do we realize God’s angels serve and minister to believers?

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14

Christian Doctrine Series:
Lesson 1: Scripture – Be Armed! Lesson #1
Lesson 2: God – Be Armed! Lesson #2
Lesson 3: Jesus – Be Armed! Lesson #3
Lesson 4: Holy Spirit – Be Armed! Lesson #4

The pre-reading for this lesson is Genesis 1, Isaiah 6, Acts 17:24-25 and Chapter 9 of “Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem (“The Existence of God: How do we know that God exists?” This study presents God as the compassionate, gracious, forgiving, loving, sovereign, powerful, righteous, holy and only God. The nature and attributes of God are discussed in terms of non-communicable (attributes that cannot be given to mankind) and communicable (attributes that God does share with His followers through the Holy Spirit).

Some non-communicable attributes of God, who created the heavens and the earth, are:

1. Independence/self-existence (aseity) – Acts 17:24-25 ” 24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.”

2. Unchangeableness/immutability – James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

3. Eternity – Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

4. Omnipresence – Deuteronomy 10:14 “To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.”

Some communicable attributes of God are:

1. Goodness – Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”

2. Love – 1 John 4:8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

3. Mercy – Exodus 34:6 “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,”

4. Holiness – Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”

5. Peace – 1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,”

6. Justice – Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

The memory verse for this week is Isaiah 55:8-9 “8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

This week’s challenge questions are: What areas of your life will you let God be Lord of? How will you express His rule in your life?

Christian Doctrine Series:
Lesson 1: Scripture – Be Armed! Lesson #1