IS YOUR GOD TOO SMALL ?

A Leader Guide Based on the book byDr. Lawson Schroeder

Leader Guideby

Janice S. Connor, MRE

The attributes and actions of Almighty God

Their meaning to the people of the world

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Important Note about this LEADER GUIDE

This Leader Guide is incomplete in that “Leader helps” for thePreface, Introduction, and Chapters 1 (except for the Major Religions Chart), 5, and 6 are not included.

Only ‘helps’ for Chapters 1 (Major Religions Chart), 2, 3, and 4 are in this guide.

But, thinking that some help and suggestions are better than none,this very abbreviated guide is being provided.

Also, you do not have to be a ‘Leader’ to use this guide. If you are studying this book on your own, feel free to use this guide to help confirm that you are ‘on the right track’ with your answers, charts, comments, etc.

So, with that by way of introduction, here’s a short and incomplete but hopefully helpful guide to aid you in your study or as you lead a group.

editor

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Leader’s Guide: Chapter 1

Major Religion Chart

Name of Religion Name of god Beliefs

Muslims Allah Deny Jesus Christ is GodBelieve that Jesus is Great ProphetHe lived a good life and is in heaven todayAllah is God of AbrahamQur’an describe Allah as a deceiver, author Of evil

Hindus Three gods One supreme being or god, the personalBrahma Worship of many gods: Vishnu Monotheistic Polytheism

Shiva Belief their god is the god of all religions

Buddhists Buddha Do not have a supreme god or creator god

Sikhs Vahiguru Their god is formless, eternal, and unobserved, a personal transcendental creator, who is omnipresent and infinite

Hare Krishnas Lord Krishna Based on Hindu teachings from 16th centuryTheir god is a personal creator and the soulsOf all living things are part of him

Jews Yahweh, Adonai Believe he is the Creator God of the BibleThe true God of the Bible

Pantheism (New Age) Everything in the universe is god. They believe that everything in the universe is self-organizing and ever-evolving. Do not believe in any supernatural powers and a creator God. Everything in the universe is spiritually interconnected with an energy that may be refereed to as god.

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IS YOUR GOD TOO SMALL ?Leader’s Guide: Chapter 2 – Is the Bible True?

Based on Pages 51 – 69 in the book1. In the Bible verses listed on page 51 circle the word truth. State how these

scripture verses enlighten you regarding your belief about the Bible. The Bible is an accurate record of God’s message to mankind.

2. The truthfulness or trustworthiness and the total accuracy of the Bible are dependent upon nature of the author who is the creator God of the universe. Pg. 51

3. List the reasons for the belief the Holy Bible is inerrant as written in the original manuscripts. Pg. 51

>Author: creator God>God’s Holy Spirit providing inspiration>Diversity of people that wrote as they were inspired>Used different writing styles and different perspectives

4. What is A. W. Tozer’s definition of the attributes of God? Pgs. 51-52

…..”Is whatever has in any way revealed about himself” from the book by Tozer “The Knowledge of the Holy” p. 12

5. List reasons why we believe the Bible is true. Pg. 52

God is truth. He is the author. God invented words, language, and abilities for people to communicate.

God is capable of creating and preserving that is accurately and clearly communicates His message to mankind.

God inspired and directed the writing of the Bible. God spoke the Bible so we can be confident of its authority.

6. The Bible has forty authors in sixty-six books and written over two-thousand years. Pg. 53

7. Is the word “Bible” found in the text of the King James Version of the Bible? Pgs.53-54 No, is not found in King James Version.

8. The word Bible comes from the Greek word Byblos that originally meant papyrus. Pg. 54. What is papyrus? Papyrus is a plant. Cut in strips and pressed into sheets of writing material and can be made into a scroll or codex. The early New Testament books were made into scrolls. Later Christians began to copy them on sheets of papyrus that are bound and placed between two pieces of wood for covers. This form of the early book was known as a codex. (added question and answer to use for class discussion.)

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Leader’s Guide: Chapter 2 9. Highlight the phrases/words that describe the Bible listed in the scripture

passages on pages 54-57. Mark: “word”, “words”, “word of God”, “word of truth”, “truth”, “word of the Lord”, “book of the Lord”, and “scriptures”.After you mark these words, re-read these scriptures make a list of the action verbs that follow these words.

10. Why are all the prophecies in the Bible accurate? Pg. 58 Because God is omniscient-He possesses all knowledge…He knows all the past history of the world, everything that is happening in the present and all the future events that will take place in the world. Real reason is the author: God is truthful, faithful and knows all of the events of history before they occur. God inspired writers to pen the words as He wanted.

11. How do the disciplines of history and science document the accuracy of the Bible? Pg. 58…All science recorded in the Bible is totally accurate. Much of it recorded before it happened. God inspired the writers of the Bible. God created all scientific information that is not included in the Bible. Science or History has never documented any mistake in the Bible

12. Read carefully pages 61 – 65. Compare the lists from different sources of why the Bible is true. The resources include: The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and Statements written by Dr. Kurt Wise. Using these resources write on an index card reasons that you can give as to why you believe the Bible is true. Keep this card in a place that it will be available to use when someone asks you why you believe the Bible is true.

13. List seven (7) reasons God gave us the Bible. Page 56

1. That God loves all people2. So that we know how sin entered the world and what impact sin has on

our relationship with God.3. Humans are sinful by nature and by decision4. He has made a way for everyone to have their sins forgiven5. That the Messiah would come to earth6. It is possible for all humans to receive forgiveness of all the sins that

they ever committed during their lifetime.7. So that we may know that the Messiah is the Lord Jesus Christ.

14. How can changing the meaning of one word like “day” in scripture influence a person’s view of the accuracy of the Bible? Pg. 57-59 See notes from AIG

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Leader’s Guide: Chapter 215. Complete the chart by making a comparison of views regarding the literal

translation/interpretation of the Bible. Pages 67-68

Name Title Beliefs_____________________________________________________________________Dr. James Barr Regis professor of He does believe that

Hebrew at Oxford University Genesis is true historyThe earth was formed inSix literal 24 hour daysNoah’s flood worldwide

____________________________________________________________________

Dr. Bernard Ramn Baptist theologian and apologist Does not believe in aLiteral interpretation of

1916 -1992 scripture. Days intend to be Topical rather than chronological, serving asA mere literary framework w/o intending to convey anyhistorical information to thereader.

________________________________________________________________________

Dr. Edward Young Minister of the Presbyterian Believed the Bible be Church of America interpreted literally..straightOT scholar at Westminister forward, trustworthy

1907-1968 Theological Seminary historyPhiladelphia, Penn from 1936Until death

________________________________________________________________________

16. In conclusion for the study of Chapter 2, read carefully the final paragraph on page 69.

Complete the following statements.Bible histories are authentic.Its science is accurate.Its practical wisdom for daily life is unexcelled.Its insights into the human heart are profoundly perfect for every need.The bottom line of this discussion is the Bible reflects the character of God.The descriptions of the Bible also apply to the Almighty himself.

17. In your own words, write in two to three sentences why you believe the Bible is true.

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Is Your God Too Small ?Leader Guide for Chapter 3

Introduction

As you begin your study of the attributes of God, take a few minutes to meditate and pray. Read the following goals. Make a commitment to achieve these goals as you look deeply into understanding: “Who is the God of the Holy Bible?”

1. Develop a desire to know God more deeply and intimately.2. Develop a desire to enrich your personal relationship with the LORD in your

spiritual journey.3. Develop a desire to know God in all His fullness and glory.

Read the following quotes from A.W. Tozer taken from his book, “The Attributes of God”, Volume 1, Page 41.

“Our religion is little because our god is little. Our religion is weak because our god is weak. Our religion is ignoble because the god we serve is ignoble. We need to see God as He is.”

“Christianity at any time is strong or weak depending upon her concept of God.”

1. Read the scriptures listed on page 71: Isaiah 44:8 and I Corinthians 8:4. What do these scriptures tell you about God? There is no God but one He has declaredAn idol is nothing in the world

2. As a follower of Jesus, have you ever seriously thought about the being of God, God’s nature, God’s attributes, or God’s abilities? In Chapter 3 of our book, the author will discuss twenty-eight attributes of God. As a class, we will spend time getting to know our God.

3. What is the best resource to learn about God and to develop a Biblical worldview? The Bible

4. Define the word attribute. Qualities or characteristics inherent in or ascribed to someone or something.

5. Read the three lists on pages 72-74. Place a check mark by the attributes that are repeated in all three lists. Is any one attribute more important than another?

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Chapter 3 Leader Guide

6. Turn to pages 140 -141. Read the list of attributes. These are the twenty-eight attributes of God, which the author will discuss in Chapter 3.

7. As we study these attributes, we will be enlighten of who God is and consider:

The magnitudeThe memoryThe mysteryThe moralityThe missionThe menaceThe mercy and The majesty

of Almighty God!!!!

8. As you study each attribute, first read scripture verses that will inform you about a specific attribute of God. Next complete a chart for each attribute. Read the following directions for completing the chart.

A. Write the attribute at the top of the page. Beside the attribute write a definition for that attribute.

B. Write the Scripture reference, read the scripture reference then list the key words or phrases that you find important.

C. In the column labeled notes, write the meaning of words or make additional comments from our class discussion.

9. Summary and ReflectionsFrom your study of each attribute answer the following reflective questions

A. How does my understanding of this specific attribute make a difference in my relationship with God?

B. By understanding and believing in this attribute of God, how will it change or enhance the way I go about my daily life?

C. Name the attributes that you find most meaningful for you at this time in your life.

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Chapter 3 Leader Guide

Answer the following questions as you study Omniscience one of the attribute of God.(Pages 74 – 79)

1. Define the following words: Refer to a dictionary.

Wisdom: knowledge and the ability to use it to help oneself or others

Understanding: to get the meaning, to have reason to believe, to know thoroughly

Knowledge: understanding and skill gained by experience, a state of being aware of something or having information.

2. God’s words brought the entire universe into existence out of nothing. (Page 76)

3. The first law of Thermodynamics basically says that energy cannot be created or destroyed. (page 77)

4. Everything that changes is sample rearranging itself. (Page 77)

5. Since God created the universe, how much more energy has been added? (Page 77) zero

6. What did God create on day four? Read Genesis 1:14-19 (page 77)Stars, galaxies, sun, moon, light

7. What does God’s creation reveal to us about God being omniscience? (Page 78)It tells us what God knows, what and how he created, where and what his creations are doing at all times, he is powerful, he alone created energy – mass out of nothing

8. Why did God not make mankind as puppets or robots? (Page 79)God gave man the ability to make choices…one must reap the consequences of his decisions and actions… God respects us, God loves us

9. Summary Statement: From your study of the attribute, Omniscience, answer the following reflective questions.

A. How does my understanding of this specific attribute make a difference in my relationship with God?

B. By understanding and believing in this attribute of God, how will it change or enhance the way I go about my daily life?

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Chapter 3 Leader Guide

Study guide for the attribute of Omnipotent (pages 79 – 89)

1. Complete the Attribute chart for the scriptures on page 80 – 82 that describes God as being omnipotent.

2. After completing the chart, read pages 82 – 85 and answer the following questions.

3. Name and briefly define the four fundamental forces that hold the universe together. (Page 82 -85) Gravity, Electromagnetic force, weak nuclear force, strong nuclear force

4. List the things/objects that God made during creation week. How did he make these things? (Page 85) Atoms with neutrons, protons, electrons, and subatomic particles… by His speaking them into existence

5. What did God use to create molecules? What did these molecules become in the universe? (Page 85)He used atoms and subatomic particles..became light, water, earth sun, moon and all of the stars of the universe

6. What did God use other atoms and subatomic particles to create? (Page 85)Became plants, birds, fishes, whales, land animals, and Adam and Eve. God also created the angels.

7. Read the scripture verses from Genesis 1 listed on pages 85- 87. Highlight the italicized words that are the keys to understanding God’s abilities. Make a list of what God made/created.Heavens and earthLightFirmament – divided the waters which were under and aboveWater gathered in one place and dry land appearedGrass, herbs yielding seed, fruit trees after their kindLight divided to be day and night – let them be for signs, seasons, days and yearsGreater light – sun and lesser light moon and the starsFowl, great whales, every winged fowl after their kindLiving creatures after his kind, cattle and creeping things beast of the earth after their kindMale and female: God made in his own image: sixth day evening and morning

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Chapter 3 Leader Guide

8. What is cosmological constant? (Page 87) A repulsive dark or vacuum energy that is often called the cosmological constant. This energy is theorized to be the result of a nonzero vacuum energy detectable at cosmological scales. This energy is believed to aid in determining the dynamics of the universe as a whole.

9. What is the ultimate power beyond all the forces identified by the highly educated scientists of the world? (Page 87) The force of Almighty God. Humans can petition God to use this force

10. Define the power of prayer. Describe how we use the power of prayer. (Page 87)A solemn and humble approach to Divinity in word or thought, usually involving beseeching, petition, confession, praise, or thanksgiving. Prayer is a human request for God to use His power in the universe He created.

11. Who holds everything together? (page 88) Jesus is the creator and it is His power that holds everything together Col 1:17

12. Read the scriptures listed on pages 88 – 89, mark/highlight all the nouns and pronouns that identify Jesus Christ.

13. After reading and marking the name of Jesus, what do these scripture relate to you about Jesus in the creation process? Make a list of the sustaining work of Jesus. Laid the foundation of the earthHeavens are the work of thy handsFor, through, and to Him are all thingsBy Jesus all things created in heaven and in earth visible or invisible Thrones, dominions, principalities, powersAll things created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, by him all things consistGod appointed His son heir of all things, He made the worldsUpholding all things by the word of His power, He purged our sins At present He is at God’s throne sitting on God’s right handHe laid the foundations of the earth. The heavens are his works.

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Is Your God Too Small ?Chapter 3: Who Is the God of the Bible?

Chart for the study of the Attributes of God

Attribute: Omniscience Definition: All Knowledge, He knows everything of past, present and future, all things are seen and known by Him

SCRIPTURES Key words/phrases Notes/comments

Isaiah 42:9 knows all past and future

Job 36:4 truth and perfect

Job 37:16 perfect in knowledge

Job 42:2 Do everything, knows all thoughts

Psalm 139:1-6 God searches me, He knows my rest, Uprising (daily walk), He knows my

Thoughts, He knows my going out andMy lying down, He knows my wordsBefore I speak them, He protects meFrom behind and before, His Knowledge is too wonderful for me To attain, He lays his hand on me

Psalm 147:5 Great God, great tower, His understandingHas no limit

Proverb 3:19-20 By wisdom - founded the earth By understanding – established the heaven

By knowledge – depths broken up, Clouds drop dew

Habakkuk 2:14 All earth is filled with God’s knowledgeOf His glory

Colossians 2:3 All treasures of wisdom and knowledge Hid in Him

Hebrews 4:13 All creatures are manifest in God’s sight Everything is seen by God

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Is Your God Too SmallChapter 3: Who Is the God of the Bible?

Chart for the study of the Attributes of God

Attribute: Omnipotent Definition: Almighty, unlimited power/all-powerful

SCRIPTURES Key words/phrases Notes/commentGenesis 17:3 God appears to Abram

walk before me, I am Almighty God

Genesis 18:14 Is anything to hard for GodSarah will have a son

I Chronicles 29:11 Greatness, power, glory, victory, majesty, all in heaven and earthis God’s, His Kingdom and Heis head above all

Job 38:4 God laid the foundation of the earth

Job 38:22-23 Treasurers of snow and hail

Job 42:2 God can do everything. No thoughtWithheld from God

Psalm 33:4-6 Word of God is right; his works areDone in truthBy his word – heavens made and all hostsBy the breath of His mouthHe spake and it was doneHe commanded and it stood fast

Psalm 139:13-18 God created my inmost beingGod knew me from the time of conceptionAll my days are written in your book

How precious are God’s thoughts to me

Psalm 147:5 Great is God; Great power; understandingHas no limit (infinite)

Isaiah 40:26 The stars God calls them all by name His might that is His strong power; notOne is missing

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Is Your God Too SmallChapter 3: Who Is the God of the Bible?

Chart for the study of the Attributes of God

Attribute: OMNIPOTENT Definition: Almighty, unlimited power/all-powerful

SCRIPTURES Key words/phrases Notes/comments

Matthew 28:18 Jesus says that all power Christ has all authority and powerIs given to him in heaven and earth His disciples are to proclaim His gospel

To the world – this is a pronouncement of victory

Rev. 18:6Lord God omnipotent reigns Victory. This is the hour the

church has prayed and longed forthis time.

Voice of a great multitudeAs many waters and mighty thunderSaying Hallelujah!!!

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Is Your God Too Small ?

Leader Guide: Chapter 4: What does God know?

Introduction

Chapter 4 covers a vast amount of information. Much of this information is very technical and will challenge your mind as you see terms that are in the world of science.Let me remind you to refer to the footnotes that are listed at the bottom of each page.For example: The term evolutionism listed on page 153 with a footnote number 233.The definition is listed at the bottom of page 153. Footnote: 233. Evolutionism is the belief that the physical world organized itself through natural law and process without intervention by a transcendent God. Wise, Kurt P. Faith, Form, and Time, p. 279.

Scripture: When scripture is referred to in the text the author gives the reference in the footnote. Many times the verse is listed completely in the footnote.For example: On page 169, the first sentence at the top of the page reads: “However, the Bible says that God is trustworthy and that God does not lie.”279. In the footnote numbered 279, the scripture verse and reference is listed: 279. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2)

Listed in the following pages are questions to guide you in the study of chapter 4.

Section I. Pages 143 - 151Study Questions

1. Name the three ways that massive amounts of information are preserved. (Page 143)

a. Written documents (Paper)b. Electronic mediac. Vast repository of knowledge is found in the human brain, where

thoughts, memories, ideas, and imaginations of human intellect are preserved.

2. Name some examples of the knowledge that many people who live in rural areas have that is not written on paper or stored on a computer. (Page 144-145)

a. Ancient and modern mariners – built seaworthy craft and navigated oceans without using sophisticated equipment.

b. Ability of hunters to construct effective weapons using materials found or made in their environment.

c. Ability of fisherman to know where to find and catch fishd. Ability of hunters, fisherman, and their families to know how to prepare,

cook, and preserve food and body parts from the animals they claim.e. Know how to care for injuries, how to treat illnesses, and even how to

deliver babies.

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Leader Guide Chapter 4

3. How was the knowledge obtained during these ancient days and even today in rural and remote places of the world? (Page 145)

a. Shared by word of mouth from person to person and generation to generation

4. According the Thomas Sewell, how much knowledge can a well-educated person know in any field of study? (Page 145) 1%

5. God’s Knowledge: Name four areas/themes that give the human mind just a small hint of the vast knowledge of God. (Pages 146 -149)

a. God knows: how the universe came into existence because he created the universe.

b. God knows: the exact composition, the size, the shape, and the age of the universe. Genesis 1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17

c. God knows: He knows precisely where the Earth is, but in fact He also knows precisely where each one of the subatomic particles is located.

He knows the exact locations of all electrons in all atoms at any one moment.d. He knows: about the stars in the universe.

6. Read scriptures that refer to the stars on pages 149-151. Mark the following words in these scriptures: Heavens, stars, firmament, host of them, great lights, sun, moon, host of numbers.

7. How many stars did God name? Choose the correct answer. Ca. The brightest onesb. Evening starc. All starsd. Ones nearest to our planet earth

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Leader Guide Chapter 4

8. From the scripture verses listed on pages 149-151 fill in the appropriate word to complete phrases. These words give us information of how God created the universe.

The _______________ of thy fingers ….which thou had ________________ Ps.8:3-4

…. And the firmament sheweth His _____________________. Ps. 19:1

By the ________________ of the LORD were the heavens _________ all the hosts of them by the __________________ of his mouth. Ps. 33:6

Heaves are thine, the earth is thine: as for the world and the fullness thereof, Thou hast _____________ them. Ps. 89:11

The Lord is in the heavens: he hath ____________ whatsoever he hath pleased. Ps 115:3

To him that by wisdom __________ the heavens.He _____________________ out the earth.He ______________ great lights. Ps. 135:5-9He ___________________ the number of the stars. He ___________them all by their names. Ps. 147:4

Who has _____________________ these things that _______________ out their host by number, he ________________ them all my names. Is. 40:26

9. After this study of what God knows, make a list of the attributes that are related to His knowledge. See pages 146-147Non-physical or SpiritTranscendentImmutableOmnipresentOmniscientOmnipotent

10. Write the following verses on index cards, read, and memorize them. John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17

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