Scripture
Isaiah 6:1-8; John 3:1-17; Romans 8:12-17
Open your mind and heart as you read the passages of Scripture aloud and then again quietly to
yourself. Listen for God’s word to you.
Observation
Whilst the Trinity is not mentioned in the Scriptures it is a theology that has developed as a result of people’s experience over time which sums up the understanding that God is love. It is an attempt by humanity to describe the God who cannot be described for He is without limit and yet He is the essence of who we are. He is in time and yet out of time. He is indescribable.
The passage in Isaiah describes the seraphim proclaiming to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.’ Some commentators say this is because there are three Persons in the Trinity.
He is Father:
God created humankind in His own image. He made people to reflect Himself. But men and women turned their back on God and have caused chaos in the world and enormous pain to God and one another. Isaiah understands through his vision of God on the throne and his response to the praise of the seraphim, that he, himself, is far from holy and is a sinner. He is unable to praise God in such a beautiful way and, having seen God his fate would be to die (Exodus 33:20-23). God the Father, in His love for His creation, sent one of the seraphim to touch Isaiah’s lips and purify him so he could bear God’s message to people. God’s questions, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us? Indicate the existence of the Trinity in the use of both the single and the plural words spoken by the one Speaker. The journey for humankind continues. People turn away from God and from one another. Only God can bring about the harmony He intended for His creation.
He is Son:
And so He did, by sending His Son into the world that all who believed may not perish but have eternal life. The Son is the Saviour of humankind for all time. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that people need to be renewed (born again) in order to receive eternal life. This is a common theme in the New Testament (1 Peter 1:3; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:11; Galatians 6:15; 2 Corinthians 517). David Guzik explains that Jesus speaks of His authority to be able to testify to these things (3:3) and that during this conversation with Nicodemus, He describes the ‘radical conversion’ brought about by the Spirit of God. God’s gift to humanity was ‘His only begotten Son’, the most precious of gifts. To receive the benefit Jesus offers, people need to believe in Him. God’s intention is that none should perish but have everlasting life. God’s love has no limits. It is offered to every man, woman and child and it is shown through the sacrifice of the Son on the cross at Calvary.
He is Holy Spirit:
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that humanity can undergo the transformation which brings life. In His power people turn from sin and submit to God. He is the One who guides believers to follow God’s way once they have accepted Jesus as their Saviour . He leads Christ followers into such an intimate relationship with God that they too, with Jesus, can call Him ‘Abba, Father’; He testifies to the spirit of every believer that he or she is a child of God.
According to Roman law an adopted child had every right which a child born into the family would have. They were equal heirs with any natural children in the family. And so those who follow Christ, who have been adopted into the family of God, are co-heirs of the Father, with Christ the Son, through the power and assurance of the Holy Spirit. The Trinity.
Icebreaker:
Where did you go to find an answer to things you needed to research before the existence of Google, etc? Who did you ask? What books did you use?
Application
- Father. Son. Holy Spirit. Who of the Three plays the most active role in your life? What makes you respond in this way?
- How do you feel about God the Father? What is your relationship with Him? How has your relationship with your own father influenced your feelings for God the Father?
- How do you feel about Jesus the Son? What has the gift and sacrifice of Jesus meant to you
over the years you have known Him? What would you say to Him today if He was here in this room with you? - What is your relationship with the Holy Spirit? What part does He play in your life? How do you feel about Him?
- What would you say to someone who asks you to explain the Trinity to them? Who could you go to for help if you are unable to answer their questions?
- How can the group help you with the struggles you have mentioned during this session?
Prayer
Pray for one another in regard to the issues that have been raised during your discussion time, and in regard to other needs of the group.
Service
Help one another to work out an explanation of the Trinity for anyone who should ask you and consult others if you need help beyond the group. Make it a group project so each one has an answer, even if it is still a matter beyond complete understanding.
Bibliography
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