Incommunicable Attributes of God

(Incommunicable): Not able to be communicated to others

The Self-Sufficiency of God

 

ICE BREAKER QUESTION:

Name someone or something that has helped you get where you are today, where you can say, “If it wasn’t for them/it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”  How have they/it influenced you?  It can be a person, job, school, training course, etc.

 

INTRODUCTION:

The Bible reveals several attributes of God that shape our understanding of Him.  Some attributes are communicated to us to a limited degree, e.g., love, wisdom, faithfulness.  But there are other attributes that belong only to God.  One of them is His self-sufficiency.  This lesson explores that attribute and helps us have a better of understanding of the God we serve, why His is unique and how we are to relate to Him.

​

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Genesis 1:1, 21, 27, Psalm 104:29 - 31, Colossians 1:15 - 16, Ephesians 1:4 - 6, Acts 17:24 - 28

​

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand what it means that God is “self-sufficient”.

2. How self-sufficiency makes Him unique.

3. How we are to relate to a God based on His self-sufficiency.

    

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

    

1. Before we dive into the lesson, explain what you think it means to be “self-sufficient”.

2. Read Genesis 1:1, 1:21 and 1:27.  How does God being the Creator of all things make Him “self-sufficient”?  How does that make Him unique?

3. Read Psalm 104:29 - 31 and Colossians 1:15 - 16. Does God need his creation or does God’s creation need Him?  Explain your answer.

4. Who or what influences God?  Explain your answer.

5. Does God have any needs?  Explain your answer.

6. Read Ephesians 1:4 - 6.  According to verse 4, when did God choose His saints?  According to verse 5 why did He choose us?  According to verse 6, who gets the recognition for choosing us?

7. What do these verses suggest about how we should relate to a self-sufficient God?

8. Read Acts 17:24 - 28.  What does this passage say about God’s self-sufficiency?  What does this say about God’s uniqueness?  What does this passage suggest about how we should relate to Him?