Week 2: September 11th - 17th
The supplies you will need each week: Your Bible, a pencil or pen with notebook, a candle with lighter, and comfortable place to relax and absorb God’s word. I will be providing the Welcome, Devotional Reading/Poem, the “REVEALED” Bible Study for the week, the words to any songs listed in program, and Closing Benediction weekly via email on Thursday afternoon.
The format is set up if you gather in a small group; change the format if you are doing it by yourself (see * areas).
WEEK TWO
*Welcome to each of you as we gather once again on this beautiful day! Take the time to stop and quiet your mind as you enter this time with God as His name is “REVEALED”.
*Devotional Reading: Psalm 91
*The Lord’s Prayer
Reading of UMW Purpose (If you would like more information on United Methodist Women please email me.)
*Lighting of the Candle and Breath Prayer:
Spirit of God, Breathe on me.
Spirit of God, Pour out Your presence on me.
Spirit of God, Speak through Your word to me. AMEN.
*Reading the Bible Study “REVEALED” and looking items up in your Bible. If in a group setting allow 15 minutes for quiet reflective time and individual Prayer of Discernment before any discussion begins.
*Prayer of Discernment to God on what you read. Ask God for his guidance on what you just read. Write your questions down if something needs further clarity or more prayer.
Each week a New name will be “Revealed"
*A short reading on the Name of God Revealed.A few Bible verses that use the Name of God Revealed.
*Grab your Bible and look up the verses then ask God daily to reveal Himself as the name which you are studying and finally keep a small journal to record how God has revealed Himself in that way.
*Finally, share with someone how God has revealed Himself to you in the name you are studying.
Let Us Get Started:
Week Two: Elohim
Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
In the original Hebrew, we are not able to go more than three words into the text before we are confronted with the word Elohim, which is translated God. The word Elohim is closely paired with another word, bara, which means to create. The very first information we have revealed to us about God is that there is one, and this God is the creator of our world.
God. This standard Hebrew term for deity is Elohim, occurring 2500 times being surpassed only by YHWH which occurs 5410 times.
The basic meaning behind the name Elohim is one of strength or power of effect. Elohim is the infinite, all-powerful God who shows by His works that He is the creator, sustainer, and supreme judge of the world. “Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous [Elohim] who probes minds and hearts” (Psalm 7:9).
Our God is great and mighty. His power is on display every day and night in the universe He has made. “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17). This great power that no one can restrain is the characteristic of God basic to His name Elohim.
The name Elohim is a direct tie to God as the Creator God. “In the beginning, Elohim (the strong One) created ….” The term “created” is only used of God in the Bible; it is not used of men. This is because men reconfigure, recalibrate, or reform things. We do not create out of nothing. We lack the power, ingenuity, and ability to create from nothing. God, on the other hand, creates from nothing – ex nihilo. (Hebrews 11:3)
As we take time to study His name as Elohim let us remember that His ultimate desire is that we would allow our studies to transform our hearts and lives so that we might not only know Him more, but reflect Him in a greater way to those we encounter every day. As part of our time spent each week studying a name of God, I want us to reflect upon how we might walk out that name in our daily lives. In other words, how can knowing this name of God teach me to trust Him more fully, know Him in a deeper way and transform the way I live and interact with those around me. That is the true purpose of any Bible study we undertake. So, I would like to share with you three things to remember this week as you seek to walk out His name, Elohim, Creator.
#1 You are created in God’s image — Genesis 1:27
So, what does it mean to be created in God’s image? The Hebrew root of the Latin phrase for image of God—imago Dei—means image, shadow, or likeness of God. You are a snapshot or facsimile of God. At the very least this means humans occupy a higher place in the created order because we alone are imprinted with godlike characteristics.
You are creative because God is creative. Genesis 1:1
You are spiritual because God is spiritual. Genesis 1:2
You communicate because God is communicative. Genesis 1:3
You are intelligent because God is intelligent. John 1:1
You are relational because God is relational. Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 2:18
You are morally responsible because God is a moral being. Genesis 2:16-17
Take a moment to pause and read through Psalm 139.
What an encouragement! Our Creator knows us intimately. He is always near, always pursuing us, always caring for us. He knows the number of hairs on our head, our thoughts, our desires, and our struggles. He has ordained every one of our days even before they came to be!
Do you see yourself as one who is deeply loved and constantly pursued by the Father? Are you intentional about cultivating a deeper relationship with the Lord by spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer? How would your life change if you lived with the constant awareness that you bear His image?
# 2 You were created to bring God glory — Isaiah 43:1, 3-7 and Revelation 4:11
The word glory in the original language of the Old Testament means “to give a correct opinion of estimate of”.
We can often find ourselves wondering about our purpose in life. It is one of the results of the Fall — separated from God, mankind began to look for purpose, security, and identity in the created things rather than looking to the Creator. But God is clear about our creation purpose —we were created for a relationship with Him and to bring Him glory in all we do.
Do you walk daily in the realization of who you are in Christ Jesus? Do you walk daily seeking to bring Him glory in all you do? Do you magnify your flaws instead of magnifying the One who Created you, our glorious and awesome God?
# 3 You were created for good works that God had planned for you —Ephesians 2:1-10
This passage in Ephesians is one of my very favorites. It is the story of God’s redeeming and rescuing work in our lives in a nutshell. And the turning point, verse 4 “But God…!” But God chose not to leave us in our sin. He set a plan in motion way back in Genesis to redeem the people he had created for his glory. He not only redeems and restores us into a right relationship with himself, in Christ Jesus, but he desires that we might live to display His glory to a broken and lost world. He has given each of us gifts, many talents, and abilities for this very purpose. Are you using yours for the glory of God and His kingdom purposes?
Elohim is the Creator of Beginnings and New Beginnings. He created cycles and seasons, times of barrenness, and times of new life. His creation began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and it began again with Noah and the flood, and yet again with His own son Jesus. Elohim is constantly in the process of creating and recreating all things according to His divine plan and you are a part of it!
Use in the Bible:Elohim God. This standard Hebrew term for deity is Elohim, occurring 2500 times being surpassed only by YHWH which occurs 5410 times.
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures that Reveal God as Elohim:
Psalm 139:13-15, Genesis 1:1-5, Mathew 27:46, Isaiah 43:10, Genesis 18:14
In WEEK ONE, we read the words or sang along to the hymn ‘In The Garden”. You were asked totake quiet time to reflect the meaning of those words in the hymn. After a week of reflection did you notice a change in your relationship with God? Why has the meaning changed? Write down your reaction to review for further clarity or more prayer as you read those words again this week.
Song: In The Garden
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. Refrain
I'd stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling. Refrain
*Closing Benediction: May the light of God illuminate the heart of our souls; may the flame of Jesus Christ kindle us to love daily; and may the fire of the Holy Spirit free us to live to the fullest this day and forevermore. Amen.
*CLOSE YOUE EYES for 5-10 minutes and feel the love of each of your sisters in Christ wrapping their loving arms around you virtually. You are beautiful and one of a kind -YOU ARE GOD’S MASTERPIECE.
* Think about two people that would benefit from this Bible study and invite them to join you.
*Blow your candle out to end your quiet journey with God and your Christian sisters. God bless you until we meet again next week!