Unwrapping the Bible: Understanding God's Essential Truths

By David R. Veerman

With Unwrapping the Bible, you’ll understand, in a fun and engaging way, seven essential teachings of the Bible that form the core of the Christian faith.

This convenient guide to the teachings of the Bible begins with who God is. Then it explores what the Bible says about Jesus Christ and us, how we can be saved, and how we can grow in holiness and follow God’s way. The book ends with an explanation of what the church is and its ongoing mission in this world.

By understanding these seven core beliefs and following Jesus Christ wholeheartedly, you can anchor your life to the truth of God’s Word. The storms of this world won’t be able to unmoor you from the truth.

Ground yourself in God’s Word. Find yourself in God’s Story. Walk with confidence in God’s way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Release date: Aug 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781496428202

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

T

HE WORDS

THEOLOGY

AND

DOCTRINE

sound academic and dry, indicating topics that appeal only to academics, scholars. Yet they are vital for anyone who wants to know the truth about God, his nature, works, and will. God has given us the Bible, his Word, and we affirm that it is divinely inspired, inerrant, and infallible. So certainly we should want to know what it teaches. To do this, theologians (biblical scholars) search the Scriptures and organize their findings into subject categories called doctrines. Their task is to discover what all of God’s Word says on a specific topic, not just one verse, a collection of verses, or a Scripture portion.

To use a simple example, consider the construction of a house. Carpenters and other tradespeople don’t start by assembling the roof or framing the walls; rather, construction begins by preparing the site and laying the foundation. Everything else goes up from there, built upon the solid foundation.

Theology is the foundation for the Christian faith. A house of faith built on anything else (e.g., feelings, future, fears, friendships) will ultimately crash, especially during the storms and earthquakes of life.

But the foundation (theology), while vital, is just the beginning. The rest of the structure needs to be built. James had some strong words to say about those who think that knowing and believing are enough: You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror (James 2:19). His point is that we can’t stop with Christian doctrines and having all the answers; we must build on that foundation. And that means allowing the Holy Spirit to use the truths of Scripture to change our lives. We need to act on what we believe.

This passage summarizes it perfectly: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The purpose of this book, therefore, is to teach you the basics of the Christian faith and how those basics should change your life. In short, as a result of working your way through this book, you will know what the whole Bible teaches about seven foundational doctrines and put them into practice in daily living.

So read all the Scripture passages and the written explanations and prayerfully and carefully answer all the study questions. Build your faith-house!

Dave Veerman

Doctrine of God

DOCTRINE OF GOD

SESSION 1

Introduction

OBJECTIVE:

As a result of this lesson, you will know why having a true understanding of God is foundational for theology and life.

LOOK

God Is . . .

1. When you were a child of five or six years of age, how did you picture God? Write a description or draw a picture or symbol of that idea of God.

2. Where or from whom did you get your early ideas about God?

3. In what ways has your understanding of God changed through the years? Why?

People have many misconceptions about God. Here are a few. God is . . .

a strict disciplinarian, looking for rule-breakers, ready to punish.

a kind old man, somewhat forgetful and permissive.

a watchmaker who has designed the universe and set everything in motion but is no longer involved in it.

an impersonal force or spirit.

someone who rewards good people and gives gifts to those who ask.

a powerful tyrant who is always looking for revenge.

everywhere and in everything, so that every living animal and plant is in some way divine.

the all-powerful judge, deciding who goes to heaven and who goes to hell based on their deeds.

What Difference Does It Make?

4. What difference might a person’s concept of God make on how he or she lives?

What someone thinks a person is like affects how he or she acts and reacts to that person. For example, return in your imagination to those childhood years. Suppose you heard that a man living in a certain house nearby is mean and hates children—and he could even hurt them. You probably would avoid that house if possible. And if you had to go near it, you would be anxious and nervous, fearing that he might come out and confront you.

Having ideas about someone you don’t know isn’t limited to childhood. It is a common practice in just about every sphere of life. We can think a person is a certain way because of how he or she looks or talks or because of what we have heard about him or her. We form opinions and act accordingly, even if those opinions are based on very little evidence. And often those ideas can harm us.

We may avoid someone who wants to give help.

We may think someone is lying when he or she is trying to warn us about a danger.

We may miss out on a good gift because we mistrust the package.

We may assume that someone is kind and good who may, in reality, not have our best interests at heart.

Clearly knowing the truth about someone will help us know how to relate to that person.

If this is important in human relationships, consider how vital it is in a relationship with God. Some people have formed their ideas about God because of rumors and false opinions. Others have a very negative view of God the Father because the word Father brings up painful memories of their earthly father. Some don’t think much of God because of the actions of people who claim to be his followers. Whatever the reasons or sources of misinformation, they lead to the misconceptions listed earlier (and others).

5. Let’s revisit those false ideas about God. Think about your own picture of God and what others might be thinking. How might we respond to God if we picture him as . . .

a strict man, looking for rule-breakers, always ready to punish?

a kindly old man, somewhat forgetful and permissive?

a wise watchmaker who has designed the universe and set everything in motion but is not involved in it?

an impersonal force or spirit?

someone who rewards good people and gives gifts to those who ask?

a powerful, vengeful tyrant who is looking for revenge?

everywhere and in everything, so that every living animal and plant is in some way divine?

the divine judge, deciding who goes to heaven and who goes to hell based on their works?

A pastor had a conversation with a young man who declared that he was an atheist. When the pastor asked what that meant, the young man said he didn’t believe in God. So the pastor asked, What kind of god don’t you believe in? After the young man gave his answer, the pastor responded, I don’t believe in that god either. The young man had been rejecting a false idea about God, not the true God. All of us need to see our misconceptions of God for what they are and turn to God as he has revealed himself.

LISTEN

The Source

The place to find the truth about God is the Bible, his revealed Word. Listen to this powerful statement about God: "Listen, O Israel! The L

ORD

is our God, the L

ORD

alone. And you must love the L

ORD

your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Not many gods, but one—and this God demands total allegiance.

During the next few sessions, we’ll be looking into the Bible (also called Scripture) to learn about God, but here’s just a taste, a few descriptions of God.

6. For each passage, write one truth that the passage reveals about God.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

GENESIS 1:1

But the L

ORD

is in his holy Temple; the L

ORD

still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The L

ORD

examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.

PSALM 11:4-5

And they said, We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.

REVELATION 11:17

I will proclaim the name of the L

ORD

; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!

DEUTERONOMY 32:3-4

The instructions of the L

ORD

are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the L

ORD

are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

PSALM 19:7

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

MATTHEW 5:48

The eyes of the L

ORD

search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 CHRONICLES 16:9

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

PSALM 139:7-8

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

MATTHEW 28:20

Praise the L

ORD

, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the L

ORD

’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the L

ORD

!

PSALM 117:1-2

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

1 PETER 5:7

But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

1 JOHN 4:8-10

LIVE

Profound Truths

The previous set of Bible passages is comprised of four sets of three, each set highlighting a profound truth about God. These verses have been chosen as examples, representing the clear teaching of all of Scripture.

The first three (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 11:4-5; Revelation 11:17) speak to God’s power. He is the Creator, the Ruler, the Almighty.

The second three (Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Psalm 19:7; Matthew 5:48) highlight God’s perfection. All of who he is and everything he does is perfect.

The next three (2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 139:7-8; Matthew 28:20) explain that God is everywhere present. Throughout the earth and above and below, he is always with us. Nothing is outside his presence.

The last three (Psalm 117:1-2; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:8-10) show that God is intensely personal. He loves us and cares for us.

Yes, God is powerful, perfect, present, and personal. The next four lessons will focus on these broad characteristics in depth.

Preparation

To prepare for the next lesson, find other Bible passages that describe God’s greatness—his power, knowledge, and authority. List them here.

Prayer

Talk with God, highlighting his attributes of power (God can do what he promises), perfection (what God plans for you is what is best for you), presence (God—the source of love, grace, beauty, forgiveness, and kindness—delivers these in your life), and personality/love (God wants to have a relationship with you, now and forever).

You may want to sing the hymn How Great Thou Art.

DOCTRINE OF GOD

SESSION 2

The Power of God

OBJECTIVE:

As a result of this lesson, you will know that God is all-powerful and the Ruler of the universe and that one day all creation will submit to his loving and righteous control.

LOOK

This lesson will focus on two words: power and control.

Who Has the Power?

1. When you hear the word power, what pictures or words come to mind?

You may picture muscles, giant machines, bombs, extreme winds, catastrophic storms, and more. Power is relative, of course. A small child may be stronger than a tiny insect and, thus, more powerful. But thousands of those insects might destroy a crop or devastate an economy. Let’s make some comparisons.

2. In each pair, circle your answer. Which one is more powerful:

a baby or a mother?

a young man or an Olympic weight-lifting champion?

a hunter or an elephant?

a snake or a lion?

a person or a roaring river?

a spark or lightning?

strong surf or a tsunami?

a match or a fire?

a whisper or a shout?

Some of those answers seem obvious. Others are up for debate.

How about Control?

Another aspect of power is control. Beyond brute strength, this type of power has authority. A dictator may be small in stature but wield enormous power. We also see examples of power under control: a father carrying a baby; an elephant balancing on a rock; a baker kneading dough.

3. What comes to mind when you hear words like rule, supremacy, authority, and control?

4. So, who or what has more authority and control:

a child or a parent?

a citizen of a country or the country’s president?

a soldier or a general?

a person’s mother or the leader of a company?

an individual taxpayer or the government?

a lion or the lion tamer?

a fire or the firefighter?

a plane filled with bombs or the pilot of the plane?

Again, some of these answers seem obvious. Others, however, aren’t quite so clear and depend on specific circumstances. In some families, for example, the children seem to be in charge!

Illusions

5. Often we operate under the illusion that we have power or control. For example, a child may think she controls the light by flipping a switch, or a person may think he knows what the future will hold. What other examples can you think of?

A story is told of a man in a high-stakes game of cards. Looking at what he has been dealt, the man knows he has an unbeatable hand and that soon he will be rich. So he fights to keep his facial expressions neutral and continues to raise the stakes. In just a few moments, he will make his play and win it all! Except that at that very moment, a jet fighter pilot has ejected, and the burning aircraft is hurtling toward the house where the card game is being held. The man will not even get the chance to play his winning hand.

That scenario is played out often in our lives. Because of our limited perspective, we think we’re in control of certain events. We live as though we’re immortal and may even bet our lives on those misconceptions, illusions.

6. What examples of illusions of control can you think of? Why are they illusions?

7. At what moments in your life did you realize you were not in control?

LISTEN

Only God

Christians believe that God is omnipotent—all-powerful. This means, simply, that nothing in the world, universe, or beyond has more power and might than God. In fact, the contest isn’t even close. God is infinitely more powerful than any human institution or invention, army, machine, animal, force of nature on earth or beyond, or spiritual power. Some talk as though God and Satan are battling it out and that God barely has the upper hand. But it’s no match! Satan’s power is tiny compared to God’s. That’s why we call God the Almighty.

God also has all authority and control. The theological word for this is sovereignty. In other words, God is the Sovereign, the King, the Ruler of all. This means that nothing happens outside of his will. He either causes or permits every event to occur.

The Evidence

The last lesson highlighted the fact that the place to find the truth about God is the Bible—the knowledge, wisdom, and written guidance he has given to us. Then you reviewed passages that describe God. Here are two of those passages that speak to his power:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

GENESIS 1:1

And they said, We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.

REVELATION 11:17

8. At the end of the lesson, you were given the assignment of finding other Bible passages that describe God’s greatness—his power, knowledge, and authority. What did you find for power?

Here are some (perhaps the ones you found are in this selection):

Then the L

ORD

said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the L

ORD

? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."

GENESIS 18:13-14

[God] does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.

JOB 9:10

Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.

PSALM 115:3

"O Sovereign L

ORD

! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!" . . . Then this message came to Jeremiah from the L

ORD

: "I am the L

ORD

, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?"

JEREMIAH 32:17, 26-27

This is what the L

ORD

of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me?

ZECHARIAH 8:6

Jesus looked at them intently and said, Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.

MATTHEW 19:26

Put away your sword, Jesus told him. Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?

MATTHEW 26:52-53

For the word of God will never fail.

LUKE 1:37

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

ROMANS 1:20

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

EPHESIANS 1:19-21

The Bible also has much to say about God’s authority. One of the passages from the last lesson, Psalm 11:4-5, states, "But the L

ORD

is in his holy Temple; the L

ORD

still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The L

ORD

examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence."

9. What other passages on God’s authority did you find?

Here are some. See if your passages are included.

Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

GENESIS 14:19

I know now that the L

ORD

is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.

EXODUS 18:11

Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the L

ORD

your God. . . . For the L

ORD

your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.

DEUTERONOMY 10:14, 17

Yours, O L

ORD

, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O L

ORD

, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.

1 CHRONICLES 29:11-12

[Jehoshaphat] prayed, "O L

ORD

, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!"

2 CHRONICLES 20:6

You alone are the L

ORD

. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.

NEHEMIAH 9:6

For royal power belongs to the L

ORD

. He rules all the nations.

PSALM 22:28

For the L

ORD

Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet. . . . For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm! God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne.

PSALM 47:2-3, 7-8

For the L

ORD

is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.

PSALM 95:3-5

Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.

PSALM 115:3

I know the greatness of the L

ORD

—that our Lord is greater than any other god. The L

ORD

does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.

PSALM 135:5-6

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The L

ORD

always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.

PSALM 145:11-13

Give them this message for their masters: "This is what the L

ORD

of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of mine to anyone I choose."

JEREMIAH 27:4-5

He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

ACTS 17:24-26

On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

REVELATION 19:16

Clearly God is both all-powerful and sovereign.

LIVE

The Difference

The first point of this study of God’s power and authority is knowledge. That is, we now know and understand the truth about this aspect of God’s nature. When questioned, we should be able to answer that God is all-powerful and in control. Everything and everyone in the universe sits under his authority. He is our almighty and awesome Creator and Lord.

But beyond knowledge, what difference should these truths about God make in our lives?

10. Let’s begin with his power. How should knowing that God is all-powerful affect how we live?

One application, for sure, is that we shouldn’t fight him or hide from him. That’s what people tend to do, however. Paul explains this in Romans 1:18-23 (we looked at part of that passage earlier). He writes that everyone knows of God’s power through nature. But instead of submitting to him and his guidance, they defy God and make gods that they can control . . . to their destruction.

Unfortunately, we all tend to do that. Our idols may be wood and stone or nature, but we may also give our lives to other false and impotent gods: money, family, power, fame, and more. No matter what we idolize, we must remember the first commandment: You must not have any other god but me (Exodus 20:3).

The second point of this lesson is that God is sovereign; that is, he has all authority and is totally in control.

11. What difference should that truth make for us?

The answer comes down to one word: submission. We should recognize and affirm that God has ultimate authority over us. So when we know what he wants us to do, we should then do it.

Another personal application is that we should be at peace, knowing that God is in control. In another lesson, we’ll learn about God’s love. Knowing that God is sovereign and loving should give us confidence and assurance in every situation. Regardless of personal and societal turmoil, we can live in personal peace because he controls the world and everything in it.

Pray

Spend a few minutes in prayer, worshiping God for who he is, praising him for his ultimate and infinite power and authority, and submitting to his control.

DOCTRINE OF GOD

SESSION 3

The Perfection of God

OBJECTIVE:

As a result of this lesson, you will know that God is perfect, needing nothing, completely good in nature and deeds, so you can trust him.

LOOK

Just Perfect

1. What words or descriptions do you associate with perfect or perfection?

You may have listed ideal, faultless, unspoiled, without flaws, exactly right, pure, complete, excellent, and absolutely correct.

2. Which of the words that you listed would you use to describe the following?

a perfect day

a perfect friend

a perfect test paper in school

a perfect meal

a perfectly good job

perfect timing

3. What examples of imperfection do you see right now in your immediate surroundings?

4. What glaring examples of imperfection have you seen recently?

5. No doubt you’ve exclaimed a time or two, Well, nobody’s perfect! Why is that true?

LISTEN

Absolute Perfection Absolutely

The world is imperfect because of sin, and every human being is a