GOD’S VIEW

LEADER’S GUIDE

– The Worldview Series –
WORLDVIEW . GOD’S VIEW . OTHER VIEWS . SHINE

The BIG IDEA

God provides satisfying answers to life’s big questions.

The PROBLEM
We allow society to form our view of the world instead of seeing things as God sees them.

Our RESPONSE
Allow our worldview to be shaped by the Bible rather than by the world around us.

Why IT MATTERS
Our worldview affects everything about us. When we don’t line up our worldview with God’s worldview, we take on the views of the world around us and lose sight of the truth.

I WANT MY STUDENTS TO:

KNOW: What the Christian worldview is and why it’s important to line up our beliefs with it.
EXPERIENCE: A confident understanding of the Christian worldview and how it can shape our lives.
DO: Grow in understanding the Christian worldview and line up our beliefs, words, and actions with it.

The idea box is a place where you can find some creative ideas for leading this study. You might find videos, activities, or great illustrations that really bring the main point home. The ideas come from small group leaders like you, so if you have an idea that isn’t in there, click below to share it with the community!

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*WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Doneshia is wrestling with some big questions in life:

Who or what is God like?
Why is she here on this earth?
Who is Jesus?
What should she believe?
She knows and respects you, so she asks what you think. What would you tell her?

Allow the group to discuss. After hearing their responses, help your group see that there’s a Christian worldview, a specific set of answers to life’s big questions from God’s point of view. For instance, someone with a Christian worldview would explain that God is all-powerful but personal, that we’re on this earth to know and honor God, that Jesus is God in human form, and that the Bible is the ultimate source of spiritual truth. Explain that we’ll be exploring this worldview in today’s discussion.

WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT THIS?

*1. Read Acts 17:22–31. In these verses Paul fields some of life’s big questions from a Christian point of view. Based on what Paul says, how do you think he would explain what God is like?
Allow the group to discuss. Paul would say God created everything (verse 24). He’s everywhere, not limited to a certain place like a temple (verse 24); he’s near each one of us (verse 27). He is in control of everything, including the exact times and places every person lives (verses 25–26). He doesn’t need anything because he gives life to all things (verses 25, 28). He’s not made of silver or gold (verse 29). He doesn’t treat people as they deserve (verse 30). He calls people to stop running away from him and run to him instead (this is what “repent” means in verse 30). He will judge the world someday through his Son, Jesus (the Man he refers to in verse 31). He has proven his reality and the certainty of his coming judgment to people by raising Jesus from the dead (verse 31).

2. What do you think Paul would say about what people are like based on these verses?

What do you think he’d add based on Genesis 1:27 and Romans 3:9–12?

Allow the group to discuss. He’d say that we’re religious; we’re made to worship (verse 22). We owe our existence to God (verses 25, 28). He would add, based on Genesis 1:27, that we’re made in his image. We’re his children in that he created and cares for us (verses 28–29; but we become God’s children in the truest sense when we believe in Jesus according to John 1:12). Based on Romans 3:9–12, he would add that we’re all broken. We’re all sinful, unrighteous, and don’t seek God or do good (defined as doing things that honor God out of a desire to honor God).

3. What do we learn about Jesus based on Acts 17:22–31, 1 Corinthians 15:1–6, and Titus 1:1–5?
Allow the group to discuss. Jesus is a man who died, arose from the dead, and through whom God will judge the world (Acts 17:31). He died for our sins and rose from the dead three days later, just like God said he would (1 Corinthians 15:1–6). In addition to being fully man, he’s also God our Savior (our Rescuer from sin, death, and Satan) (Titus 1:1–5).

*4. How do you think Paul would explain our purpose in life based on Acts 17:26-27?

What would Jesus add based on John 17:3?

Allow the group to discuss. Paul would say God made us to seek and find him. Jesus would say the purpose of life is knowing God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

5. Read John 14:6 and Matthew 24:35. According to Jesus, what is the source of spiritual truth based on these verses?
Allow the group to discuss. He points us ultimately to himself since he is the source of truth (John 14:6). At the same time, he points us to his words (the Bible) (Matthew 24:35). They never pass away and show us who Jesus is and what he’s like.

HOW DO WE APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES?

*6. WHAT IS GOD LIKE? – Some people believe there is no God and that our lives are a chance collision of atoms. If we believe God created and cares for the world and everyone in it, how can that change the way we think and live?
Allow the group to discuss. It allows us to believe that God is both good and in control of all things. That means he’s good and in control of the world as a whole and of our lives specifically. When we realize that, it lets us live with peace and confidence.

*7. WHAT ARE PEOPLE LIKE? – Some people believe we’re basically good. Others believe we’re basically bad. Still others think we’re morally neutral. The Bible says people are made in the image of God, but also that we are broken and sinful. If we believe that, how does that affect the way we see the world and ourselves?
Allow the group to discuss. It may be helpful to refer to Question 2 and the discussion on Genesis 1:27 and Romans 3:9–12. If we believe this, we see that there’s good in our world and ourselves. We also understand why so much in our world and in our lives is messed up. We can make sense of how both those things exist at the same time.

*8. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL TRUTH? – Some people today use their friends, their music/tv/movies, or even their “inner voice” as their source of spiritual truth. How can it change us to choose Jesus and his word (the Bible) as our source of spiritual truth?
Allow the group to discuss. It can grow our confidence because having God as our source of spiritual truth means we won’t go off in the wrong direction. It can also grow humility in our lives because we realize the answers aren’t all inside of us. We need Jesus as our way, truth, and life.

*9. WHO IS JESUS? – Many people see Jesus as merely a good person. What difference does it make that Jesus is both Man and God our Savior?
Allow the group to discuss. That Jesus is Man means he can relate to us. He’s experienced the same kind of challenges and difficulties that we have (see Hebrews 4:14–16). That he’s God (and that he’s proven it by rising from the dead) means he’s worthy of us worshiping and following him, making him the most important person in our lives.

*10. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE? – A lot of people think their purpose is simply to be happy and live for themselves. What does it do for us if we realize that our purpose in life is to know and live for God and his Son Jesus Christ?
Allow the group to discuss. It shows us how to focus our lives. It also helps us enjoy other things without letting them become the center of our lives.

*11. Based on this discussion, turn to someone next to you and take turns giving a one-minute explanation of how Christianity answers some of life’s big questions:

What is God like?
What are people like?
What is the source of spiritual truth?
Who is Jesus?
What is the purpose of life?

Allow the group to discuss. Sample responses: God is the all-powerful but personal creator of the universe. People are created in God’s image but broken by sin. Jesus is God in human form and our rescuer from sin. Our purpose in life is to know and follow God. The Bible is the ultimate source of spiritual truth.

Leader, if you have time, quiz your students on the five questions. Help them begin to memorize these five questions and test them on them week after week. This will help them have tools to evaluate how different worldviews are impacting them throughout their lives.

Our review cards are an excellent way to review your past lessons with your students before each study. Not every lesson has one yet but if we have them, you can find them on the PRINT page. Check them out and use them each week to help your students grab hold of the truths in these studies.

What ideas do you have that could improve this study? Are there creative things you do to bring this topic home to your students? Please share with the community clicking the FEEDBACK button or leaving a comment below.

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