Today we continue looking at something we as parents (or as individuals) might be able to use around a meal table this coming weekend.
Following the next chapter in ‘The Ology’ by Marty Machowski this week we consider…
“God is Three-in-One”
Starter Question:
‘How many God’s are there in the Bible?’ (Answers will hopefully vary from “1”’ to “3”!)
How does the Bible help us with this question?
Matthew 3:13-17 -
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Help children to spot God the Father (voice), God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit (descending like a dove).
Matthew 28:19 -
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Help children to spot the three persons of the godhead.
Statement to practice together
You (parent) – "How many God's are there?"
Children's response – "One God but made up of three!"
(Hopefully simple enough words for a 3 year old to repeat)
Discussion
‘How is it possible that God can be both one God and three?’
(see if they can explain it to you)
‘Could we try and be like God in this way?’
Advanced question for older children -
'What does each person of the trinity do...in the past...in the present...and in the future?
(research - see if you can find some passages in the Bible to help)
Only God can be 3-in-1.
Only God is eternal (link with last week) and only God can be one but made up of three.
The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit have always existed and will always exist. They are equal in their value and they love each other perfectly.
Looking Ahead
Jesus tells us that if we know him then we know God the Father.
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14 v 9)
When he ascended into heaven Jesus sent his Spirit to live in the hearts of those who trust Him.
“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1 v 13)
There will come a day when we will see God face to face and be able enjoy the perfect love they have for each other in heaven perfectly.
Pray
Ask you child (or one of them) to thank God that he is Three-in-One and the fact they exist perfectly together.
If you have older children you might ask them to thank the father, Son and Holy Spirit for the different things they do.
Then you as a parent can close in prayer after this.