Nature of God: Trinity

Aug 21, 2022 |

The doctrine of the Trinity is essential to Christianity. This doctrine uniquely sets us apart from every other religion, including Mormonism. It is important to know and recognize this as other religions often claim Jesus as a great moral teacher or a prophet. Although Jesus did teach great things about godly morality, and fulfilled the role of all prophets for all time, we believe Jesus was more than this; we believe Jesus is God in flesh. We also believe the Holy Spirit is God living in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Therefore, we affirm God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each member of the Trinity is fully God and fully united. God has always and will always exist in three persons. We understand the Son and the Holy Spirit as preceding from the Father. We do not believe in three gods, but one God existing as three persons. One essence, three persons, all of which are 100% God.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DISCUSSION #1: God the Father is DeityDISCUSSION #2: Jesus Christ is DeityDISCUSSION #3: The Holy Spirit is Deity

DISCUSSION #1: God the Father is Deity

The doctrine of the Trinity is essential to Christianity. This doctrine uniquely sets us apart from every other religion, including Mormonism. It is important to know and recognize this as other religions often claim Jesus as a great moral teacher or a prophet. Although Jesus did teach great things about godly morality, and fulfilled the role of all prophets for all time, we believe Jesus was more than this; we believe Jesus is God in flesh. We also believe the Holy Spirit is God living in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Therefore, we affirm God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each member of the Trinity is fully God and fully united. God has always and will always exist in three persons. We understand the Son and the Holy Spirit as preceding from the Father. We do not believe in three gods, but one God existing as three persons. One essence, three persons, all of which are 100% God.

This discussion will dig into the reality of God the Father as deity.

MY STORY | Starting Place

When was the first time you learned about the Trinity? How was it explained to you? And what do you remember about it?

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application

Take the next several minutes to read Genesis 1. Count how many times you read the phrase, “And God said…”

What do you think is significant about the statement and how many times it is repeated? What does it tell us about God? What about his authority?

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

What do you think verse tells us about God the Father’s authority? If he is like the potter and we are like the clay, how does this analogy teach us about our position in relation to God’s?

Do we possess the ability to be the potter versus the clay? Why or why not?

…yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8:6

Using this verse, how would you defend God the Father as God to a sceptic or someone who did not have healthy experience with his or her father?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship

Is there anyone in this group that has a conversion story of believing in one god to the Triune God? If so, what was it about the Triune that converted you? What unique perspective of God the Father do you have because of other religious experiences?

How does the reality of God in the role of Father impact the “reporting” relationships within the Godhead (between the Father, Son, Spirit), or just in how humans and creation interact with God?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action

Is there someone in your life with whom you can share how we know God is deity (God)? Use the verses and points made today to help you explain this truth.

DISCUSSION #2: Jesus Christ is Deity

The doctrine of the Trinity is essential to Christianity. This doctrine uniquely sets us apart from every other religion, including Mormonism. It is important to know and recognize this as other religions often claim Jesus as a great moral teacher or a prophet. Although Jesus did teach great things about godly morality, and fulfilled the role of all prophets for all time, we believe Jesus was more than this; we believe Jesus is God in flesh. We also believe the Holy Spirit is God living in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Therefore, we affirm God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each member of the Trinity is fully God and fully united. God has always and will always exist in three persons. We understand the Son and the Holy Spirit as preceding from the Father. We do not believe in three gods, but one God existing as three persons. One essence, three persons, all of which are 100% God.

This discussion, you will explore how we know Jesus Christ is deity and not just a good man or moral teacher.

MY STORY | Starting Place

Have you heard theories or competing arguments claiming Jesus was/is not divine? What was the premise of these opposing thoughts? Was there anything about them that made you wonder if Jesus was and is God in the flesh? Explain.

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

Take a few moments and read the surrounding context of this verse. Who is Jesus speaking with? What are they accusing him of? And what is significant about his response?

What is Jesus saying about himself?

Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13

Before discussing this verse, read verse 11. Who/what is Paul talking about when he says, “the grace of God has appeared?”

Now, what point is Paul making in verse 13? How can God’s glory be revealed in Jesus if he is not deity?

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:1-3

“...the exact imprint of his nature…” What implications does this phrase pose?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship

If you don’t already know, how did each of the people in this group come to know Jesus as the Son of God and their savior? Take the rest of your discussion time to share your stories, specifically highlighting when each of you were convinced Jesus was and is the Son of God.

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action

Make a list of people in your life who do not know Jesus as the Son of God. Take 10 minutes each day this week to pray for their heart and mind to be changed by the truth. Be open to the possibility of God using you to accomplish this request.

DISCUSSION #3: The Holy Spirit is Deity

The doctrine of the Trinity is essential to Christianity. This doctrine uniquely sets us apart from every other religion, including Mormonism. It is important to know and recognize this as other religions often claim Jesus as a great moral teacher or a prophet. Although Jesus did teach great things about godly morality, and fulfilled the role of all prophets for all time, we believe Jesus was more than this; we believe Jesus is God in flesh. We also believe the Holy Spirit is God living in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Therefore, we affirm God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each member of the Trinity is fully God and fully united. God has always and will always exist in three persons. We understand the Son and the Holy Spirit as preceding from the Father. We do not believe in three gods, but one God existing as three persons. One essence, three persons, all of which are 100% God.

This discussion will unpack the Holy Spirit as deity, and thus the third person of the Trinity.

MY STORY | Starting Place

What has your experience been with the Holy Spirit? Was it easy or difficult for you to experience and affirm the Holy Spirit as God? Why?

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19

Why would it be important in the Great Commission for a new believer to be baptized in three names?

If the Holy Spirit were not deity, why would Jesus mention him here? What about at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, why would the Holy Spirit be mentioned as present at Jesus’ baptism? What significance does this hold?

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

“...he will teach you all things…” What do you think of this phrase? What does this say about the Holy Spirit’s authority? What might we expect to be included in “all things”?

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21

Do you affirm the Bible as the word of God? Why or why not? How do we know Scripture is God’s word?

Based on this verse, how could the Holy Spirit speak perfectly on behalf of God the Father? Who is able to perfectly produce the will of God outside of God himself?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship

Take the next few minutes to share personal experiences with the Holy Spirit. As you share, be specific about how you knew it was the Holy Spirit moving and working within you.

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action

Thinking of non-believers, or those who are far from God, how would you explain the person and role of the Holy Spirit to them in an approachable and understandable way?

BONUS

As a fun close to this discussion, watch this funny video “explaining” the Trinity. https://youtu.be/KQLfgaUoQCw

Attached at the end of this module is an illustration of orthodox understanding of how the three persons of the Trinity relate to each other.

It is very important to affirm each person as distinct, yet existing in perfect unity. If you were ever asked to explain or draw out how this relationship works, below is the format to be used and relied upon.