Faith Community Group Bible Study Week of: Dec 31, 2006 - Jan 6, 2007 Gazing on the Face of God (1 of 6): God’s Order

Starting today our community groups begin a six week follow-up series to The Truth Project called Gazing on the Face of God. Each week we will revisit how the nature of God is expressed in his design and order in human relationships. Our goal is to see the wisdom and relevance of God’s nature in all of life and to apply what we learn about God in every aspect of our lives. If your group is able and willing, you will benefit from reviewing some of The Truth Project episodes. Your group leader will know which one is relevant for each week.

We will also have some short introductory remarks to refresh our memories of certain parts of the Truth Project material, of if you’re new to the group, perhaps introduce these ideas for the first time. Each week will have a sphere to fill in as we compare God’s triune nature (three persons in one being) with his designed order in the various areas of human relationships. We’ll then have questions for group discussion as usual.

Introduction—God’s Order Job 25:2 states, “Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven.” And 1Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” We are about to look at the relationship between the three Members of the Trinity and see the unique roles each Member has in the Godhead and how, despite the diversity of roles, the Triune God has order, harmony and love within Himself. Since God created everything, all the spheres of human relationships are designed to reflect that order in His nature. However, as James 3:14-16 shows, this is no longer our experience: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

Sphere of the Trinity Read the following passages and on the corresponding blank line fill in how each member relates with the other: 1. John 3:35 The Triune God 2. John 20:21 Father 3. John 16:7 1 4. John 14:26 5. John 16:14-15 2 6. John 17:1 6 6 7. John 10:30 4 Son

5 3

7 Holy Spirit Discussion Questions:

1. Would you describe your life right now as well-ordered or chaotic? What areas of your life are which?

2. Why, unlike the gods of Greek mythology or of Hinduism, is there no strife between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?

3. Have you ever encountered a relationship patterned after the nature of God where there was authority and submission without resentment or competition, but was filled with genuine love?

4. If your home, your church, your workplace, your community and government were to model themselves after the love and unity within diversity that exists in the Triune God, where do you think you’d see the biggest changes?

5. You might not be able to make dramatic changes in all of these spheres of life, but as a group, list some specific ways you can work to bring God’s order to bear in these spheres (family, church, labor, state, and community).

6. Are any of these ideas something you can make a small group project— working together toward these goals and revisiting them from time to time?

Challenge for the Week: Read 1Corinthians 13:4-7. What is one way you can bring the orderliness, unity and love of God into your home or workplace this week?