The Trinity (The Three Persons of God)
Objective: Use Reggie’s multi-personalities to illustrate the meaning of the Trinity, how the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are different "persons" of one God.
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5a,Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:1, John 4:24, John 10:30, Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19-20)
I. Introduction
We often sing a song, "Holy, Holy, Holy." Part of this song goes,
"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God Almighty. God in three persons; blessed Trinity." Have you ever thought much about what those words mean?
(Discussion.)
II. Reggie’s three personalities
I thought it might be helpful to illustrate the three in one concept by talking about Reggie. Reggie is a funny dog. He has at least three different personalities: there’s the house dog, the yard dog and the therapy dog.
 In the house Reggie is either sleeping or full of energy, not much in-between. He loves to empty the wastebaskets, scattering stuff all over the floor. Herb has a habit of leaving his cap on the floor or at least in reach of Reggie. Reggie will get the cap and bring it to Herb or me. It’s like he’s saying, "You forgot this." When a car drives up he races to the front door, barking in a loud deep voice, waiting impatiently to see what surprise awaits him. As an inside dog, Reggie is very playful bringing a ball to be tossed or asking to have  his ears scratched. When he’s in the house Reggie is very obedient and gentle.
But Reggie, the yard dog, is different. Once the gentle leader and leash are removed, Reggie shifts into another personality. Most of his training was on leash so once released to freedom he makes the most of it. He gallops around the yard, chasing Blue, gnawing on Blue, chasing squirrels, birds or anything that moves, sampling grass, fruit, dirt, or old bones. He forgets his obedience training, even refusing to "come" if he is doing something particularly interesting (which is almost anything outside.)
On the other hand, when we go to the hospital Reggie is a totally different dog. He seems to shift gears when we get to the hospital parking lot. He is in his working mode. He walks sedately by my side as we enter the lobby. His tail goes into high gear as visitors and staff all greets him enthusiastically. As we visit patients he is intuitive, friendly and patient. He seems to sense if the patient feels bad. He is pretty good about disregarding stuffed animals, flowers and food in the room, although sometimes he has to be reminded to "leave." People, watching him work, talk about how well trained and behaved he is. I’m thinking "if you could only see him as the yard dog!"
III. Your Different Personalities
You probably have three or more aspects to your personality too! You are the child (or offspring) of your parents. Most of you are a sister or a brother. And each of you is a friend to someone.
How would you describe yourself in relation to your parents? Or to put that another way, how do you act around your parents? (Answers may include some of the following.)
- Obedient
- Respectful
- Rebellious
- Angry
- Helpful
Your brothers and sisters may see another side of you. You may squabble and fuss, but there is a special and different relationship between you and your siblings. Your sister or brother sees a very different person than your parents see. How do you think your brothers and/or sisters see you? (Answers may include some of the following.)
- Argumentative
- Jealous
- Bossy
- Servant/slave
- Loyal
Then there is the face that your friends see. This is probably a very different personality than the other two seen by your parents and your brothers and sisters. From this face you may share your deepest thoughts, the secrets of your heart. This may be the fun loving, "let’s do something" face, full of energy and excitement.
So Reggie has three different personalities depending on where he is or who he is with. You have different personalities depending on whom you are relating to. Three different "personalities" but only one dog and only one person.
IV. The three persons of God
Actually we worship only one God (1 Timothy 2:5a: "For there is only one God.") But we often talk about the three "persons" of God. There is God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is a little bit like Reggie’s three personalities and your being a child, a sister/brother and a friend.
V. Father/Creator
God the Father is the creator of the universe. (Genesis 1:1) In John 3:16 we read "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." God is loving. God is Spirit. (John 4:24) Can you list some of the characteristics of God the Father? (Responses may include some of the following.)
- Creator
- All knowing
- Loving
- Spirit
VI. Jesus
Jesus is the son that God sent to the world because he loved us. He is the second person of God. Jesus was God in human form. He showed us what God is really like. (Colossians 1: 15-16: "He is our image of the invisible God, the first born over all creatures. For by him all things were created things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things were created by him and for him.") Jesus is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Friend. If we want to know what God is like, we should read about Jesus in the Bible. (John 10:30: "I and my father are one.")
Can you name some of the characteristics of Jesus? (Responses may include some of the following.)
- Savior
- God in human form
- Healer of sick
- Fed the hunger
- Loving
- God
VII. The Holy Spirit
After Jesus fulfilled his purpose on earth, he went back to heaven to his father, God. He didn’t want his followers to be sad or lonely because he was leaving. So he promised to send a "comforter" the Holy Spirit to be with them always, even to the end of the age. This Holy Spirit is the third "person" of God. He is the presence of God in our hearts. But the Holy Spirit has always been a part of God. (Genesis 1:2: "The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.") We read about the Spirit of God many times in the Old and New Testaments. Let’s list some of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit. (Responses may include some of the following.)
- Truth
- Tell of things to come
- Lives in hearts
- Is everywhere
- God
We believe that God has always had these three "personalities." Jesus and the Holy Spirit were with God and participated in the creation.
There are at least two places in the New Testament where God, the father, the son and the Holy Spirit are mentioned together. Do you have any idea when those two times are? (Response.) Matthew 3: 16-17: At Jesus’ baptism when the Holy Spirit descended as a dove and the voice of God spoke from Heaven and said "Behold my son in whom I am well-pleased." And at the time of his ascension when Jesus gave his disciples the "Great Commission" John 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…"
VIII. Conclusion
The Trinity – God in three persons. This seems difficult at first. But Reggie and each one of us have different aspects to our personalities too. It isn’t exactly the same thing, but it has helped me understand the three persons of God.
What have you learned today about the Trinity?
(Discussion.)
Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your presence today. We cannot see you but we can feel your spirit right here in this room. We do not know what you are like, but as we read about Jesus we know that he reveals you to us. We thank you for that. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen
(Back to top)
|
Printer Friendly
Favorites
Make Home Page!
Email this Page