(15–20 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will study Exodus 3:13-15, Psalm 139:7-10, and Romans 11:33-36 to discover that God’s power, presence, and knowledge are limitless.
Provide a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen for each learner. Also provide paper, a dry erase board, and markers.
Pass out pens and Learner Worksheets. Lead learners to discuss with a partner the study question for this week: Is there any limit to what God can and cannot do?
1. Because God is omnipotent, His power is greater than every other power (Exodus 3:13-15).
To establish the background for today’s lesson, enlist a volunteer to read Exodus 3:1-6. Explain that Moses had lived in Midian for forty years before the events of this day took place.
Explain that God commanded Moses to return to Egypt to bring God’s people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. Read Exodus 3:13-15, and then lead learners in a discussion of these questions:
Point out that God revealed the magnitude of His power to the Israelites and Egyptians through the ten plagues. Instruct learners to scan Exodus 7-12 to identify each of the ten plagues. List each one on the board, pausing to discuss: What did this plague identify about God’s power? After your list is completed, explain that the plagues revealed God’s power over nature, over the Egyptian gods (Egyptian magicians could not duplicate most of God’s acts nor could Egyptian gods protect them from God’s acts), over both animal and human life through disease and death. Point out God’s power allowed Him to protect Israel even as He inflicted judgment on Egypt. Say: One aspect of God’s infinite nature is that His power over all things is greater than any other. The theological word for this is omnipotent.
Lead learners to write “infinite” on their worksheets on line 3 under “His Divine Attribute.” Allow learners to complete: What does that mean about God? (Make sure answers include: God is omnipotent—all powerful; God is greater than every other power.)
2. Because God is omnipresent, He is everywhere at all times (Psalm 139:7-10).
Explain that David recorded information about another characteristic of God’s infinite nature. Ask: What do you remember about David? (Make sure list includes: David was a shepherd; David was anointed to be the future king of Israel while Saul was still king; David served Saul; Saul tried to kill David on multiple occasions.)
Read Psalm 139:7. Ask: Based on David’s observations in verses 8-10, is it possible to flee from God’s presence? To what extent did David contemplate going to elude God? (into the heavens, into Sheol—the highest and lowest places; wings of dawn, remote part of sea—running east or west as far as he could go) Discuss: How do you know that David was encouraged to know he could never escape God’s presence? (David knew that wherever he went, God would “lay hold” of him to guide and protect him.) Say: A second aspect of God’s infinite nature is that He is everywhere at all times. The theological word for this is omnipresent. Lead learners to write “God is omnipresent—He is everywhere at all times—in the center column of line 3 of their worksheets.
3. Because God is omniscient, He knows everything (Romans 11:33-36).
Explain that Paul wrote about another aspect of God’s infinite nature in Romans 11:33-36. Instruct learners to read these verses with a partner and list everything they learn about God’s knowledge. (Answers should include: depth, rich, wisdom, knowledge, unsearchable, unfathomable.) After two minutes, call for responses and list them on the board. Ask: How does God’s knowledge compare to the knowledge that people have? (God’s knowledge is so much greater than ours that we can’t even comprehend it; God’s knowledge is unlimited; His knowledge is so great there is nothing we can tell Him that would add to it.) Say: A third aspect of God’s infinite nature is that He knows everything. The theological word for this is omniscient. Lead learners to write “God is omniscient—He knows everything” on line 3 of the center column of their worksheets.
Review what learners have identified as characteristics of God’s infinite nature. Encourage learners to work with a partner to complete the last column on line 3: What Does This Mean to Me? After two minutes, call for responses. As learners share their thoughts, make sure they include: I can trust there is only one God who has all-power and knows everything, and He is with me all the time.