God The Father | The Trinity

About this talk:

There are a number of things that mark out the Christian faith from all other faiths and from unorthodox views of the Christian faith. There are four such things: God is Trinity; the nature of Jesus as fully man and fully God; the Bible as the authoritative, timeless word of God; salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Without any of those, we no longer have biblical Christianity.

The fact that God is Trinity is not incidental, but absolutely central. Michael Reeves: ‘This ‘God’ simply doesn’t fit the mold of any other. The Trinity is not some inessential add-on to God, some optional software that can be plugged into him. At bottom, in essence, this God is not first of all Creator or Ruler or even “Deity” in some abstract sense. He is Father, loving his Son in the fellowship of the Spirit. A God who is in himself a community of love, who before all things could never be anything but love. And if you trust and come to know such a being, it changes absolutely everything.’

Though we should not rush to application, but be prepared to simply be amazed at who God is, as Reeves says the doctrine of the Trinity affects and changes everything, having practical implications in all directions. It affects how believers worship and pray, seeing God as one in three persons who are all worshipped as one and yet for their unique roles as distinct persons in the Trinity. This doctrine teaches us that God has always been love, as an eternal Trinity, not that he became loving at some point in time when he had a creature to love. It also impacts how Christians live, encouraging us to emulate the Trinity's mutual, interdependent, and loving nature in our own relationships and communities.

‘The salvation that originated with God the Father and is located in God the Son is communicated by the Holy Spirit. Or as we expressed it earlier, salvation is administered by God the Father, accomplished by God the Son, and applied by God the Spirit…The first half of Ephesians 1 gives a complete overview of the work of the triune God in saving sinners. All the blessings of salvation come from God, in Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Our salvation jointly depends on the electing, predestining work of God the Father; the redeeming, atoning work of God the Son; and the sealing, guaranteeing work of God the Holy Spirit…Not only is the existence of our God in three persons central to our worship, but it is also central for our salvation’ (Philip Ryken & Michael Lefebvre).

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Life Group Discussion - The Trinity

The Trinity isn't something to figure out — it's someone to behold. 

1. Opening – Wonder Before Words (5 mins)

Icebreaker (2–3 mins)

Ask everyone to answer briefly (no explanations yet):

"What's something in life you understand just enough to enjoy, but not enough to fully explain?"

Examples: love, music, gravity, the brain, the internet.

Leader prompt: "Christian faith doesn't avoid mystery. The Trinity invites us into wonder, not confusion." 

2. The Trinity in Scripture – God Revealed (8 mins)

Read ONE passage together (choose one):

• Matthew 3:16–17 (Jesus' baptism)

• Matthew 28:19 (Great Commission)

• John 14:16–17

Discussion questions:

1. What does this moment show us about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit?

2. Why do you think God reveals Himself relationally rather than explaining Himself philosophically?

3. What does this suggest about who God is before creation?

Leader note: If people start debating, gently steer back to what this reveals about God, not how it works.

3. The Trinity and Salvation – God at Work Together (7 mins)

Summarise briefly:

• Father plans and initiates salvation

• Son accomplishes redemption

• Spirit applies, seals, and sustains it

Discussion questions:

1. Which person of the Trinity do you naturally relate to most? Why might that be?

2. How does seeing salvation as a shared work deepen gratitude?

3. How might this shape the way you pray or worship?

Leader note: There's no "right" answer here — this is about awareness, not balance.

4. Leaning Into Mystery – From Understanding to Worship (7 mins)

Short framing thought: 

"We don't stop loving someone because we don't fully understand them. Mystery often deepens love. In Western culture we often rely on science, data, and rational explanation. Some faith traditions approach ultimate reality differently. The Trinity invites a unique posture — relational, mysterious, and beyond full explanation."

Discussion questions:

1. How comfortable are you with mystery in your faith?

Leader prompt: Encourage honest reflection — some may find mystery exciting, others unsettling.

2. What might we lose if we try to make God fully explainable?

Leader prompt: Highlight that reducing God to formula or concept can diminish wonder, gratitude, and worship.

3. How does this approach to knowing God differ from what you see in Western thinking or other faith traditions?

Leader prompt: Invite observation, not debate. Look for contrast between control/reason versus relationship/worship.

5. Worship Response – Ending in Awe (3–5 mins)

Leader framing: "Instead of more words, we'll respond the way Scripture often does — with worship."

Play ONE song via YouTube or Spotify:

• This I Believe (The Creed) – Hillsong

• King of Kings - Hillsong

Encourage listening rather than singing if that feels more comfortable.

Invite someone to pray, or use this:

"Father, thank You for choosing us.

Jesus, thank You for redeeming us.

Holy Spirit, thank You for dwelling within us.

We worship You — one God, forever three."