Knowing God: God's Love and God's Justice (Chris)

Last week's class focused on the uncomfortable topic of God's "judgement."  God's judgement is a reflection of God's justice, but it does not exist in isolation. God's perfect justice ("holiness") is paired with the other side of God's nature, perfect love ("grace").  "Knowing God" means understanding both of these essential parts of God.   This week, we further explore who God is by considering God's "goodness" (love) and God's "severity" (justice).  A key question to consider: how is it that aspects of God that sound scary like "wrath," "jealousy," and "judgement" actually are evidence of God's care and compassion for us?  This lesson draws on chapters 15-17 of J.I. Packer’s book, Knowing God.

Listen to God's Justice and God's Love
Handout

Knowing God: God the Judge (Randy)

As we continue our exploration of Knowing God, we shift from the easy topics related to God’s love to the harder ones related to his judgement.  What does it mean to say God is our Judge, and how do we feel about divine judgement?  Moderns often dismiss the idea of judgement day, but it is crucial to understand how God’s judgement is necessary for us to have meaningful and moral lives – both at an individual and societal level.  However, the idea of God’s judgement is equally repugnant to our modern sensibilities. How do we reconcile these ideas of needing God’s judgement but not being able to stand it? Fortunately, the gospel message is far more nuanced and powerful than anything we could ever imagine, and helps us make sense of God the Judge.

Listen to God the Judge

Knowing God: Love, Grace, and Living Discipleship (Chris)

Last week, we explored the amazing statement from the Apostle John that "God is love."  (1 John 4:8)  This week, we will continue that discussion and add the element of God's grace.  Once we accept the full magnitude of God's love and grace expressed in Christ, we are transformed by the Holy Spirit to a new life reflecting that of Jesus.  This "Living Discipleship" enables us to reflect the same love and grace of God in our own lives.  The lesson is based loosely on chapters 12 and 13 of J.I. Packer’s book Knowing God.

Listen to Love, Grace, and Living Discipleship

Handout