The Carmichael SDA Church is providing spiritual growth resources for individuals, couples, families, and small groups as an extension during this pandemic for a church that is scattered like salt and to indeed be salty; to be light and receive another infusion of power. Pick and choose from these resources for your spiritual growth, whether it’s during your time of personal devotions or family worship or small group gathering. The 10 options include:

If you grew up as a Christian, the idea of the Trinity probably found root deep into your reality regarding how you can explain that three are the same as one, even though they are three.
            In Old Testament times the issue was one God or many gods? It might seem wise to cover your bases with a god for everything (sun, rain, crops, fertility, family, war, peace, prosperity, etc.). But Yahweh told the Israelites that he was Lord of all. Those looking for the Trinity in the Old Testament can find it, although it’s not nearly as explicit as in the New Testament. At creation, the SPIRIT of God was moving on the water, and GOD SAID (the Word/Christ), “Let there be light.” The Trinity is there, but it’s not as straightforward as in the New Testament.
            Imagine the challenge of Jesus walking the earth and claiming to be God. What? I thought God was in heaven? What was God doing walking on earth like a human? Does this mean there are two Gods when our ancestors wrestled to establish that there is only ONE God? And then, close to the end of his life, Jesus told his disciples about the Holy Spirit—the third part of what we now call the Trinity.
            It wasn’t until 325 AD, at the Council of Nicaea, that the Christian leaders “voted” the Trinity. Those who maintained Jesus wasn’t God, but maybe created to God to be a lesser god, lost the vote and became labeled as “heretics.” Yet even today there are some who trip over the metaphor “Son” of God as though God was married to some unnamed female god who birthed Jesus, sort of like some Greek god mythology. Ty Gibson’s book The Sonship of Christ, published by Pacific Press, makes it clear that the term “Son of God” has nothing to do with the beginning existence of Jesus; rather, it describes Christ as the second Adam, fulfilling God’s covenant on earth as God’s begotten son in the same sense that Adam was begotten by God.
            But enough of that. Let’s focus this week’s relational Bible study on Christ’s message to his disciples about the inter-relationships between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. John chapters 14-16 cover a lot of this. We’ll limit this study to just part of John 14.

Select from these questions, or let them prompt your own questions. You can reflect on these by yourself, or discuss them with another person or group of people.

As you face the coronavirus pandemic again this week, what role does the Trinity play in this? Ask God the Father to deal with the pandemic since he is the authority figure of the entire universe (pictured seated on the throne of the universe—Rev. 4). Ask Jesus to speak and act on behalf of humans who are suffering on earth since he knows what it’s like to suffer on earth (Heb. 14-16). Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to live Romans 5:3-5 through you this coming week.

The youth recently spent time during several weeks of Sabbath School studying the Biblical practice of lament—feeling and expressing sorrow. God laments and his people lament. In addition to the book of Lamentations, a number of the Psalms also include sorry and lamenting (see Psalm 44, 60, 74, 80, 85, 90). Contact one of the youth and ask them about lamenting and how to do it. Then join them or do your our lament in these trying times.

Another application idea is to reflect on your current state of mind. Without denying what is happening (and not happening), claim the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. What does it mean for God to dwell within you? How does that impact how you face your dad, your difficulties, and the people or the isolation in your life? Respond with gratitude, expectation, incredulity, invocation, and/or praise.

Yet another application is to actively pray intercession prayers. With the Trinity you get the God of the universe in charge of the entire universe, a human speaking into the ear of God the Father, and God’s presence throughout the entire earth right now. It’s like having Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28:12, 16; John 1:50-51), except throughout the world. So intercede for those within your own house, for others in our church, for those in other parts of the state or country, and for those in other parts of the world outside the USA.

Claim the active presence of God in this world in which there is plenty of evidence for both good and evil. Indeed, the Great Controversy continues even though Christ already defeated Satan. But rather than acknowledge that he has been defeated, the devil refuses to concede and is going down fighting. Even though victory has already been won and Christ has been seen seated at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 7:56; Rev. 5:6-10). Refresh your memory with this reality instead of the noise that Christ hasn’t won. The truth is that Satan has lost, and he will continue to lose even though he presents the false image that he has won. Believe and act on the truth of Scripture no matter how loud the false message gets blasted. Live in light of the Trinity’s reality rather than Satan’s false reality.

Use a concordance or Google the Bible passages about Jesus being God’s only begotten Son. Study the passage and the context to see if this refers to Jesus before he came to earth or if it refers to Jesus during his time on earth. Try John 3:16 for starters. Compare that with passages like Genesis 22:12 and Hebrews 11:17. Consider John 1:1-3, 14, 18. Is this just a mind game, or does it change your outlook, your attitude, and the way you live your life?

Enjoy the variety of music that speaks of the Trinity. 

Coming later on this week