Getting to Know You, God
Is God a He, She or It?
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is to explore the essential nature of God. Of special note is how God provides us imagery to help us understand His nature.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand the imagery God uses to reveal Himself to us.
- Feel: Develop a deeper relationship with God through understanding His nature.
- Do: Build upon our understanding of God to better serve and honor Him.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
1. Defend the notion that we experience a deeper and more satisfying prayer life as our knowledge of and relationship with God increases.
Look for statements from students that indicate that the more we come to know God the more we learn to trust Him. It is difficult to trust that which we don't know. The more we come to know God, the easier it is to trust Him. Furthermore, as our knowledge of and trust in God grows, so does our willingness and desire for prayer increase as well.
2. What is the error in associating God exclusively from a gender perspective?
God uses both male and female indicators in scripture at times to help us better understand His nature. The use of a male identity, "He" is a metaphor. God is neither male nor female, but is a spiritual being (John 4:24). God reveals Himself to us using terms and images taken from our frame of reference to help us better understand and identify with Him.
3. What is an associated danger in attempting to know God from what He has created?
There is a tendency to worship or value that which is created rather than the creator. At times we certainly appreciate God's creation but that is not the same as worshiping creation.
4. What are some examples of how God has appeared to man or is seen by man?
God has chosen to reveal himself to us in four ways:
- Through Jesus (Hebrews 1:2; Matthew 11:27; Colossians 1:15)
- Through scripture (II Timothy 3:16)
- Through nature (Exodus 3:2; Psalms 19:1-6)
- Through our consciences (Romans 2:14-16)
5. Comment on the following verses that describe God as a female.
- Ezekiel 19:2 – God is compared to a fierce and protective lioness in giving birth to Israel. A modern-day example of this might be a comparison to a "mama bear" protecting her cubs.
- Isaiah 66:7b – God compared to a woman giving birth.
- Matthew 23:37b – God compared to a protective hen gathering Her children together. This shows the protective nature of God.
6. What is behind Peter's words in II Peter 1:20-21?
God gave the writers of scripture information which they recorded. The images in scripture originated with God, not man.
7. How can you use this lesson to grow spiritually and help others come into a relationship with Jesus?
Whether God is a man, woman or it is not the issue at hand. What is important is that we learn to relate to and trust God by gaining greater knowledge of a creator that loves us to the point of giving Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins in order to restore our relationship with Him.
Included in that relationship is our willingness and desire to trust Him enough to communicate with Him through prayer.
A point of note to remember regarding our prayer: Whenever God promised to answer prayer, He was referring to His people, then and now. God may choose to answer the prayers of those not in the Kingdom. If He does so, praise Him for His love. However, the promise is made to His people. Therefore, to receive the benefits of this promise, one must become part of His people. In scripture we see God answering prayer initially by offering the opportunity to be added to His Kingdom (Acts 9 – Paul; Acts 10 – Cornelius). This entrance is given to those who obey the gospel by responding in faith expressed through repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38). This is the manner by which God adds us to His Kingdom or church (Acts 2:47).