How God Reveals Himself to Us Through Creation - Doctrine in Twelve Weeks
A Study on How God Reveals Himself to Us Through Creation - Leader Guide and Handout
Consider beginning your study with a devotional reading of Psalm 19:1-6, reflecting on how the heavens declare the glory of God.
In our previous session, we explored how God reveals Himself through the Holy Spirit and Scripture. This week, we'll investigate another crucial aspect of God's self-revelation: His creation. As we study this topic, we'll see how God's invisible attributes are clearly perceived through what He has made, bridging the gap between abstract knowledge of God and His tangible work in our world.
What can we know about God from what He has made? (Romans 1:18-20)
Ask a participant to read Romans 1:18-20. Invite the study group to answer the above question, leading into a brief discussion about the idea of natural theology.
It is somewhat difficult to reconcile Romans 1:20 with passages like Romans 11:33 or Isaiah 55:8-9, which emphasize the transcendence of God's thoughts and ways. How can God's invisible attributes be clearly seen and understood through creation if His ways and thoughts are higher than our own?
The most straightforward approach is to hold both truths simultaneously. While God's ways and thoughts truly transcend ours, this doesn't preclude Him from revealing aspects of Himself to us. Romans 1 makes it clear that this revealed knowledge through creation is not merely superficial, but encompasses "His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature." Somehow, God's creation reveals His nature. But… how?
Throughout church history, theologians have explored this concept of "natural theology" or "natural revelation." In medieval times, this study often focused on identifying ideas or concepts clearly from God that could be observed in His creation. These ideas were called "transcendentals" because they transcend the things of this world. Observing these transcendentals in creation serves as a starting point in the process of seeking understanding of God's divine attributes. While natural theology is much broader than this one approach, this focused study provides a simple and compelling facet of natural theology that may be taken as doctrine.
God is Unity (Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:4-6)
Ask a study participant to read Deuteronomy 6:4 and Ephesians 4:4-6 aloud. Then, encourage the group to discuss examples of unity they observe in the world around them, as well as areas where unity seems to be lacking. Guide the conversation towards how these observations might reveal aspects of God's nature.
We can observe unity in various aspects of creation, from Godly marriages and complex objects like musical instruments to biological organisms such as the human body. However, we also see a lack of unity in our fallen world through broken families, war, and sickness. Unity in human relationships, especially in marriage, gives us a glimpse of the unity among the Persons of the Trinity. The unity in God's good ordering of creation shows His loving character, while the unity in complex objects demonstrates His divine knowledge and power.
When we think about unity in God, we're considering something far more complete than the unity we see in our world. While we experience unity in families, teams, or even in nature, these are always made up of separate parts working together. God's unity is different. He isn't made up of parts that can be separated or changed. This perfect unity helps us understand why God never changes and why all His attributes work perfectly together. When we say God is love or God is just, we're not describing merely parts of God but His whole being. This unity challenges us to wholly embody Godliness in our lives, acknowledging that Godly ways of living, such as those described as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), are to be lived out as a harmonious whole.
God is Truth (John 14:6, 17:17)
Have someone read John 14:6 and 17:17. Invite the group to reflect on what truth means to them and why it's important in our lives and faith. Encourage participants to share how they've experienced or witnessed truth that reveals something about God's character.
Truth can be understood as a correct understanding of creation or a right statement about it. It's essential for fellowship, living well, and aligning our thoughts and lives with God as we live within His creation. We see truth reflected in each Person of the Trinity: the Father as Creator and Judge, the Son in His gospel and very person, and the Holy Spirit as the guide who directs us to live in accordance with Christ's truth. Our ability to discern, speak, and live out the truth reveals God's goodness and love in how He has created us as rational beings.
Truth in God goes beyond just knowing facts. God’s truth, existing as His very Being, totally encompasses all possible knowledge. While we often struggle to fully understand even simple things in our world, God's knowledge has no limits. He understands everything completely – past, present, and future. Truth itself comes from God, just as He is the source of all creation. When Jesus said, "I am the truth" (John 14:6), He was showing us this aspect of God's nature. This understanding of God as truth encourages us to walk in the truth.
God is Goodness (Psalm 100:5, Mark 10:18)
Ask a study participant to read Psalm 100:5 and Mark 10:18. Then, prompt the group to consider what defines goodness in God's creation and how we long for goodness in our fallen world. Guide the discussion towards how the presence (or absence) of goodness in creation reveals aspects of God's nature.
Goodness contributes to the flourishing of God's creation. We long for goodness in our interpersonal relationships, in nature, and in our moral lives. This longing reveals God's will for His creation. Even in our fallen world, we can still see the goodness of creation in nature, sustaining and growing ourselves and our societies. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and love, as He continues to provide for us even in our fallen state.
When we say God is good, we mean more than just that He does good things. God's goodness is perfect and complete. In our world, we see glimpses of goodness when things work as they should or when people act kindly. But God's goodness goes beyond this – it is His very nature. This means that God is the source and standard of all that is truly good. Understanding this can help us make sense of our desire for justice and righteousness. It also challenges us to align our lives with God's goodness, striving to live according to His will and to reflect His character in our actions and recognizing that living out goodness will, indeed, be good for those around us.
God is Beauty (Psalm 27:4, 50:2, Revelation 4:2-3)
Have different participants read Psalm 27:4, Psalm 50:2, and Revelation 4:2-3. Encourage the group to share examples of beauty they've encountered in the world, both natural and man-made. Lead a discussion on how our perception and appreciation of beauty might reveal something about God's character and creativity.
Beauty can be found in natural wonders, human-made artwork, and even in objects that fulfill their function well. Our ability to perceive and create beauty reveals God's creativity and love. When we observe beauty, we are naturally prompted to worship God for His awesomeness and greatness. Our sense of beauty can also help us perceive God's will in practical ways, discovering God-given meaning for our lives.
Beauty in God is more than mere aesthetic pleasantness. It's about perfect harmony, order, and wholeness. In our world, we find beauty in nature, art, music, and relationships, but our perception of beauty is inherently limited by our experiences and preferences. God's beauty is perfect and universal. Understanding this invites us to appreciate the beauty in God's creation and to create beauty in our own lives as a way of reflecting God's nature.
While these four transcendentals are essential to how we see God in creation, we must acknowledge that there are many places in our world where these attributes seem to be missing due to the fall. Recognition of these areas should strike us as opportunities to live as salt and light in our fallen world. As we contemplate the unity, truth, goodness, and beauty in creation, we gain a deeper understanding of God's nature and character while recognizing His presence in our world.
Conversation Starters:
In what specific ways have you seen God's nature revealed through the world around you?
How can we cultivate eyes to see God through His creation?
What are some things we take for granted that God has blessed us with in His good ordering of creation?
How can we better recognize unity, truth, goodness, and beauty in the world around us?
How does understanding God's revelation through creation impact our worship and daily walk with Him?
Resources
