Who Is God? (Creed Part 1)
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Big Idea
God isn't "something out there" — he is a Father who made everything on purpose, and he's powerful enough to keep it going.
Hook — What Do You Mean "God"?
Ask: "When someone says 'God,' what do you picture?" Old man with a beard? A force? A feeling? Nothing? Anger? Love? The Apostles' Creed was written because people argued about what "God" meant. 2,000 years later, we still do. Let's be specific.
Scripture — Psalm 139:1-18 and Matthew 6:9-13
Psalm 139:1-6
You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 139:7-12
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Matthew 6:9-13
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"
- Psalm 139 — "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me." A God who knows you completely and you cannot escape him. "Where can I go from your Spirit?" Nowhere. That's either terrifying or comforting, depending on whether you trust him. The same God who knows everything — your worst thoughts, secret fears, things you've never told anyone — says "I made you, and I'm not going anywhere."
- Matthew 6:9 — "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." Two words: Father (personal, intimate) and heaven (powerful, transcendent). He's not far away. He's not weak. He's both.
Connect to the Creed: "God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth." Father = personal. Almighty = powerful. Creator = purposeful.
Connect — Aslan in Narnia
Mr. Beaver says about Aslan: "He's not safe, but he's good." That captures the Creed's claim. He's not a tame god. Not a cosmic vending machine. He's powerful (Almighty) and does things we don't expect. But he's good — which is why we can trust him even when we don't understand.
Ask: "Would you rather have a safe god who does whatever you want, or a good God who sometimes does things you don't understand?"
Land the Plane
"The Creed says God is Father, Almighty, and Creator. That means you were made on purpose, by someone powerful, who loves you personally. If that's true, you're not an accident. You're not alone."
Discussion Questions
- Does it comfort you or scare you that God knows everything about you?
- "He's not safe, but he's good." How does that change how you think about God?
- What's one thing you've been carrying that you could hand over to him?
Handout
One Thing to Remember: God is Father (personal), Almighty (powerful), and Creator (purposeful).
The Creed — First Phrase
"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth."
| Word | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Father | Personal — he knows you, loves you, is for you |
| Almighty | Powerful — nothing is too hard for him |
| Creator | Purposeful — he made everything on purpose, including you |
Exercise: Before and After
When you hear "God," what image comes to mind? Now read Psalm 139:1-18. What's the biggest difference between your picture and Psalm 139's picture?
Exercise: Safe vs. Good
Aslan in Narnia: "He's not safe, but he's good." Which would you actually choose — a safe god who does whatever you want, or a good God who is powerful and does things you don't understand?
Exercise: Psalm 139 — You Can't Escape
Read verses 7-12. David asks: "Where can I go from your Spirit?" The answer: Nowhere. Is that terrifying or comforting to you?
This Week's Challenge
Read Psalm 139 once a day this week. Underline the verses that hit you hardest. Bring one observation next Sunday.
Scripture for Next Week
Read Philippians 2:5-11 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Come with one note and one question.
Reflection Guide
Core Question for Reflection
What do you think of when you hear "God"?
Be honest — what's the first image, feeling, or thought that comes to mind? Don't filter it. This isn't about being "right," it's about being real.
Questions to Help You Dig Deeper
- Knowing vs. Being Known — Psalm 139 says God knows you completely. Is this comforting or terrifying? If it's comforting, why? If it's terrifying, what are you afraid he'll see?
- Safe vs. Good God — Would you rather have a safe god who does whatever you want, or a good God who is powerful and does things you don't understand? Why?
- Father, Almighty, Creator — Which of these three words resonates most with you right now? Which is hardest to believe?
- Your Picture vs. Reality — When you think about "God," how does that picture match what Psalm 139 describes? Where are the gaps?
Personal Application
Choose ONE concrete action:
- Write down three things about yourself that you're glad God knows about you (even the messy parts)
- Read Psalm 139 once a day for the next 5 days — underline the verses that hit you hardest
- Ask a trusted friend about their picture of God and share yours
- Take one thing you've been hiding or worrying about and tell God about it in prayer
Journal Prompt
If you could ask God one question about being both Father Almighty and Creator, what would it be?