Path to Spiritual Maturity Meeting #7 Recap - God (Trinity)

Opening Prayer

Welcome!

Step 1: Overview

a. Go over last week’s assignment of reading an article on #3 God (Trinity) in the Foundations Pathway, and doing an application.

b. This week’s assignment: read an article on #4 Prayer in the Foundations Pathway, and do an application.

c. Finish with time for questions/comments.

If we run out of time you can always e-mail us, or post in the discussion group. I will post those e-mail addresses and the group link at the end of our session.

Step 2: Review of #3 God (Trinity).

-Go over last week’s assignment of reading an article on #3 God (Trinity) in the Foundations Pathway, and do an application.

So did you do your reading and application this week? (Yes/no) Did you find it helpful? What struck you the most from your reading this week? Was there anything that you were really challenged on that you prayed about or are doing something about?

The Trinity is an interesting topic, because it is both very important, and very hard (impossible) to fully understand. It is important because it related to the very nature and being of the God that we believe in—which if wrong means we are believing in a God that does not exist. Likewise, it is impossible because we are trying to understand an infinite being with finite minds. As the issues came up for me, a few things became clear. 1. I need to believe what the Bible teaches. 2. The infiniteness of God makes it impossible for humans to fully understand (but is not an excuse to faithfully learn what is taught in Scripture). 3. What is impossible for man is possible with God (Miracles, Virgin birth, Trinity, Salvation, Indwelling Spirit, etc.). 4. Sometimes in coming to grips with something it helps to understand what it is NOT.

The Trinity and the Nature of Jesus/the Godhead is an issue with “Jehovah’s witnesses,” Mormons, and with Muslims. What has helped me, is going back to what the Bible says. So I looked at the things that pointed to the Deity of Jesus, and looked at the things which point out the unity and the diversity of the Godhead. This really helped me to see the idea of the Trinity from Scripture, and to trust that even though all the intricacies or questions that I might have are not all made the most clear, there is enough for me to trust in its truth and to wait until God helps me understand more fully in eternity.

What about you? Do you see the truths of the Trinity? Of Jesus’ being 100% man and 100% God? Could you begin to teach these truths to others? Do you know where to go to study this further if a “Jehovah’s Witness” or Muslim was asking about this issue? Do you see the amazing pattern of unity that we should follow in the church and in our families? Are you looking for areas in your life that you need to work in becoming more like Christ in this way? What area are you praying about and working on this in?

Step 3: This week’s assignment: Begin #4 Prayer in the Foundations Pathway.

Read at least one article in the Prayer category on the Path to Spiritual Maturity (#4 Prayer under step 4) [or listen to an audio, or watch a video]. Then think about what you have read and do an application (some suggested ones are listed there). Next week we can discuss any questions that you might have had either about the article, or its application.

Other ideas:

*blog about your reading/application

*write down any questions you might have from the reading/experience

*write out any terms that you did not understand

*spend some time praying about and thanking God for the ability to go directly to Him in prayer and be heard and cared for because of what Jesus has done in making the way.

Step 4: Questions, comments, and interaction.

…

Step 5: Closing Reminders:

*This week, focus on the Prayer Step. (Keep up your Bible reading time, and as needed, focus on your motivation.)

*Go to the group page to post comments, questions, or to find a posting of what we discussed during our time together. http://users.bible.org/groups/path_spiritual_maturity_discipleship

*E-mail us as needed

Closing Prayer

Pursue Christ in all you do, and may this Path to Spiritual Maturity be a tool to help you pursue Him. That is our prayer and desire. God bless!