A. Overall Lesson Objective

B. Learning Competencies

C. Lesson

This lesson is intended to introduce God, the Creator, in a brief biblically based manner but it also uses an analogy to help identify what God does as Creator. Let us pose a question:

🦕 CT? How do you cook a special dish? With this question in mind, how would you begin? List several steps and be prepared to discuss the functions involved.

People make special dishes for meals around the world. Whether you are cooking in a mansion or a hut or in the open, the procedure is not much different. There is a pot or pan, tools to stir or turn the food, some ingredients, some water, and a source of heat. With all these present, there is a procedure to assemble things in the pot or kettle, ingredients are added, some cooking time passes, and a special dish can be served a while later. If you watch the preparation of a special dish in rural Uganda, Haiti, or the Philippines, or in an eating establishment in the center of a large modern city, the same procedures are used.

Now consider all of creation around us as if you were beside God before it was created. Understand that God is the Master Chef. His intention is to create the universe, which includes earth and mankind. How would He do it? We do not have to guess because He left a record of His actions. We will discuss this analogy several times as we study the record He left us. No analogy is perfect, and this one is not either, but it is an easy way for anyone on any continent to understand the functions of what occurred. The analogy also assumes that many people reading this study may not be believers, may be young, or may have some misconceptions derived from the dominant naturalistic world view that makes God appear very small or inconsequential. The analogy will help those people picture the power of God, who is the Master Chef, as we review His record of actions.

The first of four keys about the identity and nature of the God of the Bible will be covered in this lesson. The keys have descriptive titles centering on the ultimate Author of Genesis, which contains the primary biblical record of creation that was given to be written down. Another reason to introduce God in a clear manner very early in the study is to avoid lengthy arguments about which god we are talking about. In a sense, even for a nonbeliever, it is necessary at the beginning to understand that the study is about the God of the Bible. If a person reading the lessons does not have an open or curious heart and is unwilling to consider this premise, then he can still evaluate the information as general knowledge for a biblical world view. However, for the seeker (but not necessarily a believer), the lesson presents the biblical view in an open manner, which invites the seeker to seriously consider it, understand what it means and see where it leads. This matter-of-fact approach is also good for young people, who may not have made a firm decision about God or may not have considered the power of a biblical world view to shape people’s actions. They are naturally curious but often have never considered how a biblical view is far reaching—involving all the universe (all creation), how it has changed due to the consequence of man’s actions, where it is headed, and how it involves individual people.

Genesis 1 and 2; Hebrews 1:1-3, 10; and John 1:1-10 are the first references for this lesson. Review them when you finish this paragraph. You are reading the verses together as an account or reference to creation. The student is encouraged to read the words at face value. In other words, the plain meaning of the words indicates exactly what was intended by the Master Chef, who is providing an accurate account of the making of all things. When this is completed, we will discuss the first of four keys about God and you will answer the questions from the verses indicated.

This is a short subsection that is centered on His names, which reveal who He is. The Bible often relates the function and authority of a person by the name that is given. This is true of God’s description in the Bible. Many of the names relate to the subject of the study since they define Him outside or beyond time and space. And He is Triune, which is also apparent from scriptures. Please read the following scriptures and note some of the names and descriptions given to God:

God in Genesis 1:1 (used in several succeeding verses but the most common name in the Bible)

Spirit of God (found in Genesis 1:2 and used in similar forms in other parts of the Bible)

“Us” and “Our” in Genesis 1:26 (referring to the Triune nature of God)

[Research note for creation.com: Triune God]

Lord God in Genesis 2:4 and some succeeding verses

The Word in John 1:1-3 (referring to Jesus Christ, through Whom everything was made)

Alpha and Omega, the Almighty (with a description of what it means) in Revelation 1:8

Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, Beginning and the End in Revelation 22:12-13

🦕 CT? Many verses could be added, but just from these, what kind of authority and power is being revealed by the names and verses? What is the extent of power of this One being described? We use the word ‘eternal’ to explain that He has no limit, so He is both the Beginning and End, the First and the Last. Is there anything not included if He is Eternal?

🦕 CT? How detailed is God if he makes all things (as stated in John 1:1-3) and embraces both beginnings and ends of the universe as we know it? How detailed is God if He made both the largest and smallest things ever discovered and authored all laws and processes within creation?

🦕 CT? Is there anything that would not be under His hand in the universe if He is Eternal God? [Research note: Creator God]

D. Assignment

Read the following verses for the next lesson: Luke 8:22-25, Isaiah 55:8-9, Deuteronomy 8:3, Proverbs 30:5-6, and 2 Timothy 3:16.

E. Learning Activity

Briefly analyze Hebrews 1:1-3,10 by discussing the following:

F. Concluding Assessment

The first key to the nature of God is understanding who He is as Eternal God. He embraces all things, has no beginning, and has no end. He is wholly responsible for both creation and its being upheld. Unlike God, creation has a beginning and was made by Him. As an analogy, He is the Master Chef, whose creation is completely His doing like a special dish. No one else was involved.