God is Good (TOV: week 1)
TEACHING SUMMARY
Church hurt is real. It can cause us to lose trust in the Church, and our sin can cause others to do the same. Hurt grows when we lose sight of God, ignore our sinful desires, and fail to embody His character in relationships. God created everything good because creation reflects its Creator. Human sin began by doubting God’s goodness, distorting our view of God and one another and bringing suffering and death. God did not abandon creation. He revealed Himself to Moses as compassionate and gracious, patient, loving, faithful, forgiving, and just. Jesus Christ is the complete picture of God. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus begins restoring what sin cursed. We cannot achieve goodness through effort; we can only receive and reflect the goodness that originates in God. As we see and trust God’s goodness revealed in Jesus, we can embody His goodness for the sake of others.
TALK-IT-OVER:
How does your personal definition of good differ from the biblical definition of goodness as seen in Jesus?
In what areas of your life do you find it easiest to doubt the goodness of God?
What would your life look like if you made decisions through the filter of embodying God’s goodness?
What is one next step you need to take today?
Who do you need to tell about what you’ve learned?
Further READING:
Psalm 34:8
Micah 6:8
Genesis 50:20
Matthew 5:1-12
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Romans 12:9-10
