Attributes of God Notes
Resources and Further Studies
Knowledge of the Holy God by A.W. Tozer
The Existence and Attributes of God by Stephen Charnockk
A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson
The Attributes of God by A.A. Hodge
The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink
The Attributes of God by S.J. Lawson
The Attributes of God by R.C. Sproul
Introduction
Scripture Readings
Proverbs 9:10
Exodus 15:11–13
Psalm 55:8–9
Psalm 89:5–8
Teaching Objectives
Provide definitions and examples of divine attributes.
Discuss how these attributes describe the triune God.
Show how theology affects life and worship.
Quotations
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." —A.W. Tozer
"This is eternal life, that we may know the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he has sent…" —Robert Letham
The Attributes of God
I. The Importance of a Right Understanding of God
Our thoughts about God critically shape our behaviors and beliefs.
High views of God lead to holiness in living, worship, evangelism, and service.
Low views result in base interactions with God and others.
This series aims to promote a high view of God through an examination of His attributes.
Accurate understanding of God equips Christians to understand themselves and the world.
Every aspect of life is influenced by one’s understanding of God.
Definitions and Descriptions
Attribute: A quality or characteristic belonging to a person.
God’s attributes define who He is.
Full depth of God’s character can’t be fully understood, but key characteristics from Scripture will be explored.
II. God’s Distinct Attributes: An Overview
Self-existent (a se): God has life in Himself, depending on no one.
Spiritual: God lacks a material body and is transcendent.
Sovereign: God rules all things with absolute control.
Holy: God is pure and blameless.
Omnipresent: God is present everywhere simultaneously.
Omniscient: God knows all things.
Omnipotent: God is all-powerful.
Immutable: God never changes.
Truthful: God speaks accurately and with authority.
Wise: God enacts His perfect will through the best means.
Good: God deals generously with His creation.
Gracious: God freely offers salvation to undeserving sinners.
Loving: God shows selfless love to His children.
Righteous in Wrath: God loves purity and punishes impurity.
III. Divine Attributes in Proper Perspective
Incommunicable Attributes: Unique to God (e.g., omniscience, immutability).
Communicable Attributes: Can be partially exhibited by humans (e.g., love, wisdom).
The attributes are interconnected and present throughout the Godhead, while God neither gains nor loses attributes.
Attributes describe and characterize each other; they cannot be divided as God is a simple being (i.e., not complex).
Example: God’s holiness is also eternal, omnipotent, and immutable.
IV. Crucial Implications of God’s Attributes
Understanding God’s attributes is essential for knowing, serving, and worshipping Him.
This teaching is foundational for any Christian life.
True worship arises from a genuine knowledge of God.
Study Questions
Which attribute best describes God's dealings with believers? (Goodness, Omnipotence, Grace, Sovereignty)
Some attributes apply only to the Father. (True, False)
God’s communicable attributes are qualities that… (a. belong solely to God, b. cannot be known except through revelation, c. are easily described, d. are expressed fully by God but shared imperfectly by humans)
Each of God’s attributes is… (a. separate parts, b. unrelated, c. eternally part of character, d. exclusive to the Godhead)
God is better described as a simple being rather than a complex one. (True, False)
Bible Study and Discussion Questions
Discuss the importance of belief in God.
How does understanding God’s attributes affect personal perspective?
How does theology shape worship?
Which attributes are most familiar or intriguing?
The Aseity of God
Scripture Readings
Psalm 90:1–4
Romans 11:33–36
1 Corinthians 8:5–6
Revelation 4:8
Teaching Objectives
Discuss implications of God's eternal, self-sustaining nature.
Recognize the incomprehensibility of God.
Encourage trust in God's all-sufficiency.
Quotations
"There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity." —Charles Spurgeon
"God was under no obligation to create…" —A.W. Pink
I. God of Limitless Majesty
Aseity defined: God's eternal self-existence.
God has always existed; He precedes time.
Unlike humans, God has no origin.
II. Source of All Things
Finite universe owes its existence to infinite God.
Trinity existed without anything else; creation was not a necessity.
God’s creation exemplifies His glory and love.
All life derives from God (Acts 17:28).
Everything is “from,” “through,” and “to” God (Romans 11:36).
III. Finite Children of an Infinite Father
Humanity is designed to live in fellowship with God.
Trust in God aligns with needs in our lives.
God is concerned with all matters in our lives.
God’s all-sufficiency assures that He can meet our needs.
Study Questions
God’s existence before creation was characterized by… (a. Loneliness, b. Satisfaction, c. Angelic praise, d. Boredom)
Human life depends on God as a source. (True, False)
God's self-dependence illustrates His… (a. Immutability, b. Omnipotence, c. Self-existence, d. Transcendence)
Romans 11:36 refers to all things being “through” God, meaning He is the… (a. Goal, b. Overseer, c. Source, d. Means)
We should bring only significant matters to God. (True, False)
Bible Study and Discussion Questions
Explain God's eternal nature to an unchurched friend.
Discuss the statement: "If anything exists, something has always existed."
Did God need to create anything? Why?
How can understanding God’s aseity shape our prayer life?
The Spirituality of God
Scripture Readings
John 1:18
John 4:23–24
1 Timothy 1:16–17
Teaching Objectives
Define God's immaterial, invisible, and infinite nature.
Differentiate between God's and man's spirit.
Encourage worship through recognizing God's mystery and infinity.
Quotations
"God is a Spirit, infinite in being and perfection…" —Westminster Larger Catechism
"God is represented as a spiritual Being…" —Charles Hodge
I. The Spirituality of God
God is spirit and immaterial (John 4:24).
Figurative human anatomy is used in Scripture for understanding purposes.
God’s lack of a body means He is not bound spatially; can be everywhere.
God’s spirituality ensures His omnipresence with us.
II. The Invisible God
God cannot be seen physically (1 Tim. 1:17); Jesus is His only physical manifestation.
God reveals Himself through nature, Scripture, and relationship with Jesus.
Faith is essential due to His invisibility.
III. The Infinite God
God's being has no limits, and understanding surpasses human comprehension.
God’s mystery deepens our worship and draws us into relationship.
The Spirituality of Man
Humans have spirits contained within bodies; God is infinite Spirit.
Study Questions
God being spirit means… (a. Physical is inferior, b. God is an idea, c. No material body, d. Mortal creatures can't interact with God)
Why use human anatomy to describe God? (a. To show what God is not, b. To depict His human form, c. To convey a character understanding, d. To reveal Himself)
Acceptable ways to learn about God include… (a. Personal relationship with Christ, b. Speaking to people, c. Bible study, d. Physical world study)
Descartes defined "extension" as something that occupies space; non-physical has no… (a. Reality, b. Existence, c. Power, d. Extension)
Our spirits are contained in bodies, while God is… (a. An extended, b. An impersonal, c. An infinite, d. A finite)
Bible Study and Discussion Questions
Discuss the incarnation's implications on spirituality.
How does spirituality relate to the second commandment?
Why does Jesus mention God's spirituality in John 4?
How are our spirits similar to God’s?
What does 1 Corinthians 6:17 say about our relation to God's Spirit?
How does understanding God’s spirituality affect worship?