A Plan to Teach: "The Attributes of God"
Good Morning, All;
Starting with a High School Sunday School class in 1972 I have taught for the better part of the past 50 years. I'm an established Layman, no formal training, Logos user since 2002, corporate background, strong in marketing and public presentation, committed to deep preparation for each weekly class, clearly a Premier candidate in the new Subscription World. I have currently taught a VERY Senior Bible Study Class via Zoom across the Southeast for the past 22+ years. I'm 84 and barely above the median age.
The class has recently exhausted Paul and lays to a certain extent exhausted itself. We're taking a break. For the first time we'll move from verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book Bible Study to a Topic: as captioned above. I've got a couple of weeks to get my act together. I need advice. I turn to you - a resourse from which I've received nothing but quality input for nearly a quarter of a century.
I own both Pink's and Tozar's "The Attributes of God." I will work from these two. Four years ago we tackled Revelation and I loaded up on resources and very nearly sunk the ship. We'll go with what we've got.
Unfortunately these two gentlemen shared few chapter titles. You could save me tons of time by grouping the chapters with the same material across authors. Both have "Love" as a chapter title; both have "Grace - I can handle that! With the rest I need help reducing my reading by your suggestions as to how you would pair similar/exact chapters between the two writers.
Chapter Titles are attached by author. Please use any method you are comfortable with to link or group: draw lines across authors, give similar titles the same number, compose your own groupings. Thanks so very much.
Once grouped please let me have your recommendations as to the best order that you would employ to tell the magnificent story of God and his utter supremacy. I like starting with "Love" and "Grace" moving to his Goodness, Mercy, Holiness, then Supremacy, Authority, Power and so on. Don't let me influence your order. Help me tell the story of God!
Finally, I will use what Logos tools I have such as the Passage Guide, Factbook, etc. Any additional thoughts you might have as to how I might mature this Plan are enormouly appreciated.
Bless You and Thank You!
Phil
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I don't believe the two authors' list of chapter titles attached properly.
Here they are again.
Pink Tozar
Solitariness Infinitude
Decrees Immensity
Knowledge Goodness
Foreknowledge Justice
Supremacy Grace
Immutability Immanence
Holiness Holiness
Power Perfection
Faithfulness Character
Goodness Self-Existence
Patience Transcendence
Grace Eternalness
Mercy Omnipotence
Loving Kindness Immutability
Love Omniscience
Love to Us Wisdom
Wrath Sovereignty
Contemplation Faithfulness
Love
Thanks for your Help!
Phil
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Hi Phil this is a wonderful topic to study. I do not want to limit you to Pink and Tozer. This will be a very fruitful study. The Westminster Shorter Catechism's definition of God is an list of his attributes: "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth." So in essence that is my list. You might find this document helpful. https://www.tarafurman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Attributes-Names-of-God.pdf David Jeremiah has done a lot of this kind of study in his book The God You May Not Know. Logos Factbook will be helpful in finding you resources on the topic. This is a good book as well. The Attributes of God: An Introduction (Short Studies in Systematic Theology) This is another approach that is biblically founded and logical. The Mystery of the Trinity: A Trinitarian Approach to the Attributes of God And if I remember correctly Tozer's book has a study guide. It is on Logos I think. The Attributes of God, Vol. 1 Study Guide and The Attributes of God, Vol. 2 Study Guide. I lead a local Bible study with a group of 11 people 7 face to face and 4 virtual. We did a book study on this book covering the attributes of God. None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That's a Good Thing) We went deeper than the book did. In this study, we covered a chapter a week and did about a 2 hour and half session. A few questions I have for you. 1. Is this study going topically or exegetically? That means are you going to study the topics or the verses behind the topics? 2. Does your group have access to Logos? PS this is a good book but it is not in Logos university yet. I AM: A Biblical and Devotional Study of the Attributes of God by Brian A. Russell. Let me know what you think.
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Here is a outline I created using Logos' factbook and encyclopedia entries.
The Attributes of God
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Infinite
- Definition: God is without limits in every aspect of His being.
- Scripture References: Psalm 147:5, Jeremiah 23:24.
- Application: Encourages trust in God's boundless power and presence.
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Eternal
- Definition: God has no beginning or end; He exists outside of time.
- Scripture References: Psalm 90:2, Revelation 1:8.
- Application: Provides comfort in the everlasting nature of God's promises.
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Unchangeable (Immutability)
- Definition: God does not change in His nature, character, or purposes.
- Scripture References: Malachi 3:6, James 1:17.
- Application: Assurance in God's consistent character and trustworthiness.
IV. God's Attributes in Relation to His Works
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Wisdom
- Definition: God perfectly applies knowledge and understanding in all His works.
- Scripture References: Romans 11:33, Proverbs 3:19.
- Application: Encourages seeking God's wisdom in our own decisions.
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Power (Omnipotence)
- Definition: God is all-powerful and able to accomplish His will.
- Scripture References: Genesis 18:14, Luke 1:37.
- Application: Confidence in God's ability to intervene in our lives.
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Holiness
- Definition: God is perfectly pure, set apart, and without sin.
- Scripture References: Isaiah 6:3, 1 Peter 1:16.
- Application: Calls believers to live holy lives in response to God's holiness.
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Justice
- Definition: God is fair and righteous in all His judgments.
- Scripture References: Psalm 89:14, Romans 3:26.
- Application: Trust in God's ultimate justice and the call to act justly.
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Goodness
- Definition: God is benevolent and kind, showing mercy and grace.
- Scripture References: Psalm 34:8, Exodus 34:6.
- Application: Trust in God's goodness even in difficult circumstances.
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Truth
- Definition: God is the ultimate source of all truth and is always faithful.
- Scripture References: John 14:6, Numbers 23:19.
- Application: Encourages reliance on God's truth in a world of uncertainty.
V. Conclusion
- Recap of Key Attributes
- God is a Spirit: Infinite, Eternal, Unchangeable in His Being, Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Justice, Goodness, and Truth.
- The Impact of God’s Attributes on Daily Living
- How understanding God's attributes can strengthen faith, guide behavior, and shape worship.
You might also find these webpages helpful. https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/attributes-of-god and https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/the-attributes-of-god/#gods-omniscience
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While not technically an attribute you should also teach the progressive covenant throughout Scripture.
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Christian,
Thank you so very much for your two very fine meaningful responses. I am especially appreciate and impressed with the amount of time and effort you spent.
I own "The Attributes of God: An Introduction." It's excellent as well as the Tosar books and Guides. My group is elderly but committed, devoted and faithful. They do not have access to Logos. Our study, as always, will be deeply Scripurally oriented.
Your outline is excellent in itself, but has served to open more doors, remind me of owned resourses, draw on previous experiences.
Thanks again for your interest and consideration.
Phil
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This might be $2.99 well spent:
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Phil Cooper said:
My group is elderly but committed, devoted and faithful. They do not have access to Logos. Our study, as always, will be deeply Scripurally oriented.
Might I suggest Tozer's "The Knowledge of the Holy" as a structure for your class. It is quite affordable (Less than $7 on Amazon) for those on limited income with little technology. There is even a downloadable PDF for free at https://www.restoringthecore.com/wp-content/restored/AW-Tozer-Knowledge-of-the-Holy.pdf
In order to keep my comment Logos-oriented - the audio of Tozer's classic is available at https://www.logos.com/product/43700/the-knowledge-of-the-holy?queryId=534968eb4e252f2307b3c8754a84c96b
Making Disciples! Logos Ecosystem = LogosMax on Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Win11), Android app on tablet, FSB on iPhone & iPad mini, Proclaim (Proclaim Remote on Fire Tablet).
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hi Phil
I am interested in participating in this study
When will you begin?
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I am interested in participating in this study. When will is begin? Is there a weekly meeting time?
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Sue,
Absolutely delighted with your request. You most certainly will be welcomed.
In this pile of correspondence, there is a note from me dated August 15 that tells a whole lot about both the class and me.
- We started the class on Attributes in September with a schedule of 10 Attributes
- We have finished 5
- Expect to finish the class around the first of February
- In 22 years of this Adult Bible Class, Attributes is the first TOPIC we've studied
- Will return to classic Bible Study at the conclusion: Book, Chapter, Verse
- Will return to 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1
- Will take next Wednesday off for Thanksgiving: Next Class: December 4
- Class starts each Wednesday at 10:00 am Eastern Standard; lasts one hour
- I'm live by 9:30 am on Zoom for Social Hour
There is much, much more about the class I would like to discuss. Would like to know you a bit better as well. Please exchange emails, and if you will, phone numbers as well.
lpcoop1@comcast.net 678-825-7045
Hope to hear from you soon!
Phil
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