Pictures of God
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
Job 42:5
Sometimes a person has a particular picture of God that is different than what God is really like. Using your
Bible, take a look at the following people and their pictures of God before and after they encountered Him.
Moses
Read Exodus 3:1-4:17.
1. This is Moses’ first encounter with God. How does Moses initially feel about God? (See v. 6)
2.
As God begins to share what He wants to do for the Israelites in Egypt, He reveals a bit of himself to
Moses. What does Moses learn about God? (See v. 7-10)
3.
In this encounter between Moses and God, God shares His name with Moses. What is this name?
4.
God informs Moses of what He wants him to do regarding the Israelites in Egypt. Based on how Moses
responds to God each time, what can this tell you about Moses’ picture of God?
5.
After Moses developed a deeper relationship with God, his picture of God changed. What was said
of Moses and God’s relationship years later? (See Exodus 33:7-11)
Hannah
Read 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11
6. Based on Hannah’s circumstances, what can that tell you about how she felt in regards to God? (See
v. 11)
7.
What does the name “Samuel” mean? What does that tell you about how Hannah’s picture of God
was changing?
8.
Hannah made good on her promise to dedicate Samuel to the Lord “for all the days of his life.” What
might that reveal regarding Hannah’s feelings toward God after Samuel was born?
9.
Identify two pictures of what God is like that Hannah gives in her prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.
10. How did God honor Hannah’s faithfulness to her promise? (See 2:18-21)
Saul
Read Acts 7:54-8:3
11. What kind of a person was Saul? What kinds of things was he doing before He met Jesus?
Read Acts 9:1-31
12. Based on Saul’s response to Jesus’ voice, what was Saul’s picture of Jesus?
13. After Saul’s encounter with Jesus, he begins to live differently. Make a list of two things he does as a
result of his encounter with Jesus.
14. Saul, later known as Paul, became one of the great leaders of the early Christian church. Years after
his encounter with Jesus he wrote that he considered everything “a loss” compared to what? (See
Philippians 3:8)
Me
15. Describe a picture of God you once had that is now different.
16. What events/circumstances helped to change that picture of God for you?
17. Imagine that someone came up to you and asked the question, “What is God like?” Write three
descriptive words you would use to answer that question.
Pictures of God
(By Jessica Williams)
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
Job 42:5
Sometimes a person has a particular picture of God that is different than what God is really like. Using your
Bible, take a look at the following people and their pictures of God before and after they encountered Him.
Moses
Read Exodus 3:1-4:17.
18. This is Moses’ first encounter with God. How does Moses initially feel about God? (See v. 6)
Afraid/fear. He hid his face and was afraid to look at God.
19. As God begins to share what He wants to do for the Israelites in Egypt, He reveals a bit of himself to
Moses. What does Moses learn about God? (See v. 7-10)
1) He was concerned about their suffering, 2) He wanted to rescue them and 3)would bring
them to a better place/land.
20. In this encounter between Moses and God, God shares His name with Moses. What is this name?
I AM WHO I AM
21. God informs Moses of what He wants him to do regarding the Israelites in Egypt. Based on how Moses
responds to God each time, what can this tell you about Moses’ picture of God?
He doubted what God was saying/didn’t completely trust Him
22. After Moses developed a deeper relationship with God, his picture of God changed. What was said
of Moses and God’s relationship years later? (See Exodus 33:7-11)
The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with a friend.
Hannah
Read 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11
23. Based on Hannah’s circumstances, what can that tell you about how she felt in regards to God? (See
v. 11)
She felt forgotten
24. What does the name “Samuel” mean? What does that tell you about how Hannah’s picture of God
was changing?
1) Samuel means “Heard of God.” 2) She knows that God is paying attention to her. She is
not forgotten.
25. Hannah made good on her promise to dedicate Samuel to the Lord “for all the days of his life.” What
might that reveal regarding Hannah’s feelings toward God after Samuel was born?
She felt grateful/thankful.
26. Identify two pictures of what God is like that Hannah gives in her prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.
1) God is her horn (strength), 2) He is her deliverer, there is no one like Him, 3)He is a rock,
4)He knows all, 5) He is judge, 6) He changes circumstances, 7) He raises the poor, 8) He lifts
the needy, 9) He will guard the feet of the saints.
27. How did God honor Hannah’s faithfulness to her promise? (See 2:18-21)
God gave her more children.
Saul
Read Acts 7:54-8:3
28. What kind of a person was Saul? What kinds of things was he doing before He met Jesus?
1) He was angry. 2) He threw people in to prison, attacked the church. (Possible: was
zealous for what he believed was right.)
Read Acts 9:1-31
29. Based on Saul’s response to Jesus’ voice, what was Saul’s picture of Jesus?
He didn’t know Him.
30. After Saul’s encounter with Jesus, he begins to live differently. Make a list of two things he does as a
result of his encounter with Jesus.
1) Got baptized, 2) preached that Jesus was the Son of God, 3) became a
disciple/apostle, 4) talked and debated with Jews about Jesus.
31. Saul, later known as Paul, became one of the great leaders of the early Christian church. Years after
his encounter with Jesus he wrote that he considered everything “a loss” compared to what? (See
Philippians 3:8)
Knowing Christ
Me
32. Describe a picture of God you once had that is now different.
Answers will vary.
33. What events/circumstances helped to change that picture of God for you?
Answers will vary.
34. Imagine that someone came up to you and asked the question, “What is God like?” Write three
descriptive words you would use to answer that question.
Answers will vary.