Knowing God Study - Lesson 6 Ý
Copyright 2004-5 by William Meisheid

Chapter 5: God Incarnate

Today’s theme:  The Word became flesh.

Scriptural background: ." John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Quotes for this section

"I have always had a dread of becoming a passenger in life." Princess Margrethe of Denmark. "On necessity of independent achievement," Life, January12, 1968. 

"Charm is a glow within a woman that casts a most becoming light on others." John Mason Brown. Vogue, November 15, 1956.

"You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room." Theodor Geisel (“Dr Seuss”). "On becoming a writer," NY Times, May 21, 1986.

Concern: Do we really understand who Jesus is?

"True God, from true God." Nicene Creed

He is the human expression of all that is knowable of the Godhead.

1   Do you ever doubt that Jesus is God? Why do you think some people claiming to be Christians do not accept his unique divinity?

2   What is the difference between being divine and being God? Why is this distinction important?

Interacting with the text

Goal: To come to terms with the great mystery of creation, that God should become a creature for any reason, not the least of which was to die for me.

1   What is the supreme mystery of the Bible and the centerpiece of the New Testament? What does this mystery uniquely reveal about God?

2   Why is this mystery the cornerstone of Christian belief?

3   How is the sonship of Jesus unique? Why is it important to understand the distinction?

4   How is the Word related to Jesus' sonship and why is it important to our understanding of the second person of the Trinity?

5    What seven things are revealed about the Word that enlighten our knowledge of incarnation?

6   What is the fundamental reason for the incarnation?

7   What biblical passage best interprets the incarnation? Explain?

8   Why is the incarnation important to us? What relevance does it have in your daily life?

9   Why is the kenosis theory a problem? What important consideration did it attempt to address? What is the solution to the problem it raises?

10   How does how we view Jesus’ “emptying” determine our view of scripture? Why is this important?

11    What is the significance of the incarnation to the celebration of Christmas? Why can't it just be a pretty story filled with “Christmas spirit”, whatever that is?

What To Do Next

Continue Section One by reading Chapter Six: He Shall Testify. Meditate on the “three in one” and what that means to the Christian’s understanding of the nature of God, and especially of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Goal: Never to diminish the significance of the incarnation or the awe that it inspires.

When Paul suggests that we should have the same sacrificial attitude as Jesus Christ when he laid aside his Godly prerogatives, how can we deny anything that he asks of us after considering what he was willing to do in obedience to the Father.