Note: The nature of God is beyond our figuring out.  We need help if we are going to begin to understand who God is and how we can relate to Him.  It takes God to know God.  This is why He gives us His many names that describe who He is.  The reason knowing the names of God will help us trust Him with our daily affairs and with our eternal destinies is that in Scripture, a person’s name often signifies his character or ability or mission — especially when God gives the name.  Over the next few Fridays, we will look at the different names of God in the scriptures. This week, we look at El Shaddai – God Almighty.

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” – Genesis 17:1-2.

The name El Shaddai appears multiple times in the Word of God. In the Book of Genesis, we read about the immutable, unbreakable promise that God made to Abraham. This promise changed the world. Every Jew upon the face of the earth is a living testimony of the faithfulness of Almighty God. And this God who keeps His promise to Abraham is the same God who keeps His promises to you and me through Jesus Christ.

God introduces Himself as El Shaddai in Genesis 17. Some background is in order: God had promised Abram that he would have many descendants.  But the years have gone by and he and his wife Sarai are still childless.  Abram was 99, and Sarah was approximately 90 when God promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations and that Sarah would bear a son.  The onus is on God. Multiple times, the Lord tells Abram something that He will do for him. God only asks of Abram to keep the covenant, walk before God, and be blameless. If Abram walks in obedience, there is a great blessing ahead for not only himself but all his descendants. God would be sufficient for Abram’s every need. He would be Abram’s El Shaddai.

God never calls us to walk before Him and then disappears, leaving us to figure it out ourselves. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit provides everything we need to walk the path God is taking us on. He promises to be sufficient for anything that He allows in our lives.

We can find peace in God’s limitless power and sovereignty. He is the creator of all things and can do anything, offering comfort and strength in the face of challenges. “Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing” (Isaiah 40:26).   

This week, reflect on the truth that God controls all things, past, present, and future, and that no situation is beyond His reach. So, when facing difficulties, find comfort in knowing that God’s power is available to us and that we can trust Him to work through any situation.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the name “El Shaddai” reveal about God’s character?
2. What does it mean to you that the Creator of the universe is also your personal God, capable of handling any challenge you face? How does this knowledge bring you peace and confidence? 

Summary: The Book of John is often considered a great starting point for studying the Bible because it explicitly emphasizes Jesus’ divinity. It presents Him as the Son of God and focuses on His identity and teachings in a clear and personal way, making it easier to understand the core message of Christianity.

The Bible can seem like a big, overwhelming, sometimes highly confusing book. So, people who are reading the Bible wonder where to start. Do they start in Genesis? Is it something they can open and dive into from any page? Do I go for the Old Testament first or the New Testament? What is the best order to read the gospels?

While there is no one way to read the Bible, the book of John is a good place to start if you are new to the faith or to regularly reread if you have been a Christian for years. The book of John points to Jesus. From the very first verse we are left in no doubt that Jesus is the divine Son, sent from God, sharing the nature of God.

John had a special relationship with Jesus and is known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved. “ John was one of Jesus’ closest disciples and a witness to many of Jesus’s most important events. John sat close to Jesus at the Last Supper. He was at the foot of the cross when Jesus died, ran to the tomb after Jesus’s resurrection to confirm that it was empty, and saw the resurrected Jesus.

John has a purpose and an agenda when writing the book. It’s not hidden, but he buries the lead: he tells you at the end of the book. John’s explicit purpose for writing is “…so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name” (John 20:31).

The Gospel of John is not an information dump. It is meant to be more than just a string of events or a Biblical textbook.  It’s intended to make you look inward at your heart, challenge your assumptions, and draw you into a relationship with a living God. The book is meant to motivate you and direct you to God. John wants you to find Jesus so compelling that you don’t want to let go.

We all have best friends. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend is always loyal…” The story of David and Jonathan is an example of deep, enduring friendship; highlighting the responsibility to be a good friend by listening, encouraging, and being present in times of need, while also recognizing that our ultimate best friend is God who is always with us.

Read the gospel of John from the perspective of a best friend who desperately wants you to know how amazing their person is and to join them in a relationship that will lead you to a better life. Jesus left you the words of one of His closest friends so you could get to know Him… and believe.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you read the book of John? How can this book help you be more like Jesus? 

Summary: Human beings, not human doings, means that our actions or accomplishments do not solely define our value as individuals, but rather by our inherent existence and the qualities we possess as human beings, emphasizing the importance of “being” over “doing.”

“God is far more interested in what you are than in what you do.” – Rick Warren.

“We are human beings, not human doings.” While we don’t know the origin of that quote, it sticks in the mind because it rings all too true. We live at a time when we are so focused on doing, doing, doing to accomplish things that we often forget to pay attention to the person we are becoming. We need to pay attention to who we are in our lives because of all we do. Are we a loving person? Are we being of service to others? Are we being a good friend, a trusted worker, a kind parent? Just what is it we are being?

But we must remember that anything and everything we are capable of being is dependent on the grace of God. Going through life on our own is like a jockey who brags he will win the race, completely forgetting the fact that he is riding a horse. No matter how gifted the jockey is, he cannot win the race without the involvement and assistance of that horse, and we, as human beings, cannot win the race of life without God’s grace and help.

To be the person God intended us to be, we need God’s presence in our lives: Reading or meditating on the Bible, praying, serving, fasting, keeping the Sabbath, or engaging in any other spiritual practice is something we do. Engaging in spiritual practices means ceasing to do some things: not racing around, not obsessing, not trying to prove we’re worthy, not trying to earn God’s approval. God’s primary concern is who we are becoming in the process. The will of God has much more to do with being than doing.

What we do will have more impact when we know God’s presence. Being in His presence will prepare us for doing the works He has planned for us to do. Galatians 2:20 says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Paul is telling us we need to put to death our inclinations of doing for God to attain His love. Instead, we should strive to be Christlike and allow His love to flow through us.

God desires me to do things for Him, but my doing should result from becoming more like Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is there a right balance between doing and being? How do we arrive at that balance?

Summary: The “spiritual discipline of service” refers to the intentional practice of putting the needs of others before your own, actively choosing to help and serve others with a selfless heart, often seen as a way to cultivate compassion and grow closer to God by following Jesus’ example of serving others; it’s about seeing needs and meeting them without expecting anything in return, essentially becoming a servant to others.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45.

Jesus redefined service by demonstrating humility and selflessness, showing that true greatness lies in serving others rather than being served, which fundamentally altered how the world viewed the role of a servant. Jesus, despite being the Son of God and the Messiah, chose to serve. He stated, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Serving others is a spiritual discipline. A spiritual discipline is a practice that, with the Holy Spirit’s help, one works at developing to grow spiritually and become more Christlike.  Although our service is directed outward to enrich others, the real benefits of a spiritual discipline belong to the believer who practices it.

God calls us to serve just as Jesus served us. Jesus was the ultimate example of a servant because He served others and sacrificed His life for our salvation. We have the example of Jesus to look up to and model. By serving others, we reflect Christ’s love and bring glory to God. In John 13:1-7, we see a towel as a sign of service. In this passage, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. In our day, this would not seem to be a massive act of service, but in Jesus’ day, it was. Not only was it the lowest of duties, but Jesus volunteered to do it.

Through serving, we can experience the joy and fulfillment of living out our faith and spreading love and kindness to those around us. A good way to get started for those of us whose first instinct is to spectate rather than participate is to join the church’s work by offering your talents. Get involved in an area where you have confidence and comfort. Another way to develop service discipline is to see and meet a need.  Serving others can also mean looking out for their needs. Perhaps a neighbor needs help with yard work, or a friend’s car broke down, and they need a ride. We can serve others through little acts of kindness if we look out for their needs. It may require us to step out of our comfort zone, but loving our neighbors can be as easy as seeing and meeting a need out of a heart for God.

Repeatedly practicing the discipline of service can lead to a heart of compassion that naturally leads to serving others. Serving is a discipline for sharing God’s love with others. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the God-given gifts you have? How can God use you to serve others by using those gifts?
2. What’s the point of us serving others? 

“The process of biblical change, explained in God’s Word, begins when you repent of your sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given you everything you need to make the changes in your life that will please Him and will lead to His blessings. As you continue to obey God’s Word, biblical change toward maturity will occur in your life until you see Jesus face to face.” – John Broger.

Romans 12:22 is a well-known verse: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” That verse gives you the blueprint, but it is not a blueprint that is easy to follow. If only we could read a book, have a spiritual mentor, seek solitude and pray, recommit, have a thorough knowledge of Romans, and wallah, you have a mature, godly Christian.

Real life tends to work differently: we commit, then fail, confess and recommit, and then repeat. We want God (or someone else) to help us change once and for all. The good news is that we can change but deep, lasting spiritual change is a process. It rarely happens overnight. It involves training, testing, and time. There are no shortcuts. We hear people who give their testimony on how they were dramatically delivered from drug or alcohol addiction, and we may think, “Why can’t God do that for me for the challenges in my life? “

Real spiritual change flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus. The more we love Jesus, the greater our motivation to obey Him and to make the choices that please Him.  True change becomes easier if our hearts become wholly devoted to Christ. But it also requires discipline and the indwelling Spirit of God. So, does God do the work, or do we? According to Scripture, the answer is both. Philippians 2:12-13 says, “…Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Don’t forget to focus on what never changes: “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (Psalm 91:4 ). This world is always changing. The news today will be different tomorrow. People change, circumstances change, and the world changes, but God never changes. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is good and trustworthy. We can walk confidently as we depend only on Him. His love for us never changes. His character is always dependable. His truth, ways, and purposes do not change. The seasons come and go, so focus on the unchanged and unchanging God. “Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God” (Psalm 90:1-2).

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you typically respond to change? Does it excite you? Does it stress you out? 
2. How can you better handle change this week?

Note: The nature of God is beyond our figuring out.  We need help if we are going to begin to understand who God is and how we can relate to Him.  It takes God to know God.  This is why He gives us His many names that describe who He is.  The reason knowing the names of God will help us trust Him with our daily affairs and with our eternal destinies is that in Scripture, a person’s name often signifies his character or ability or mission — especially when God gives the name.  Over the next few Fridays, we will look at the different names of God in the scriptures. This week, we look at YAHWEH (I am/will be”).

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” – Exodus 3:14.

Moses’s encounter at the burning bush is a well-known biblical story. Standing on holy ground in the presence of God, Moses hears God’s deep concern about the suffering of his people in Egypt. The moment also marks the beginning of Moses’s call to lead the people of Israel. When God appeared to Moses and told him He was sending him back to Egypt to deliver His people, Moses was afraid and tried everything to get out of the assignment. The job seemed impossible to him, and he had no reason to think the Israelites would accept him as their deliverer. But Moses wouldn’t be going to Egypt alone; God promised to remain with him every step of the way. God told the concerned Moses, “ I Am Who I Am . Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14).

The name Yahweh is God’s name as revealed in the Bible. It refers to the one who was, who is, and who forever will be, and is used to identify God as the God of Israel. Its importance can be seen in the sheer frequency of its use: It occurs nearly 7,000 times in the Old Testament.

The name Yahweh is a perpetual testimony to His faithfulness to His promises. Thus, its usage conveys the thought that God is ever present with His people to save, help, deliver, redeem, bless, and keep. God is actively, personally revealing Himself as Lord through divine revelation: creation, human nature, events, and Jesus Christ Himself.

Understanding “I AM WHO I AM” is important for understanding the complexity of who God is. I AM WHO I AM is all-encompassing and self-sufficient. It is a name above names that reminds the believer that God is in control.

It can be easy in the struggles of everyday life to lose sight of the majesty and holiness of God, but meditating on the name He gave Himself, and all that it represents, can help put our time on earth into perspective. God is infinite, and He is sovereign over our lives. That is what Yahweh means.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the name “Yahweh” reveal about God’s character?
2. How can we live in light of the truth that God is “I Am” who He is? 

“What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:9-11.

Nihilism is a philosophical belief that rejects the existence of objective truth, morality, or meaning. The father of Nihilism, Friedrich Nietzsche, believed that life can appear “futile” or meaningless because there is no inherent, external purpose or cosmic design to existence. Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and have no purpose other than basking in the futility of it all.

Regardless of our faith background or life circumstances, we all live for something. Our lives are driven by a vision of what we consider to be the good life. Whether consciously or unconsciously, this foundational belief shapes our pursuits, choices, and actions. It holds sway over our thoughts and attitudes, dictating how we perceive ourselves and the world around us.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to examine what truly controls our lives and surrender ourselves to the Lord. Jesus invites us to place Him at the center of our lives, embracing His teachings, values, and love, and allowing them to mold us to be more like Him. Jesus’ promise of abundant life is a remarkable invitation to experience a full life.

The story of Stephen in the book of Acts provides us with a front-row seat to the good life God desires for us. In Stephen’s story, we witness a man who, despite the challenges and opposition he faced, exemplified the abundant life that Jesus promised. Stephen’s life was marked by a deep and intimate relationship with God, characterized by his being “full of” the Holy Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power. “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Acts 7:55).

Stephen’s fullness of life also stemmed from his unwavering faith. This steadfast faith gave him the confidence to endure persecution and ultimately face death with grace and forgiveness.

Life has meaning when serving Jesus because by following Jesus’ teachings and dedicating one’s life to serving others in his name, individuals find a deeper purpose and fulfillment that transcends worldly pursuits, aligning their actions with God’s will and experiencing a more abundant life as described in the Bible.

“Your potential is the sum of all the possibilities God has for your life.” – Charles Stanley.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ teaching on “abundant life” differ from worldly perspectives on fulfillment?
2. What steps can you take this week to move closer to experiencing the fullness of life in Christ?

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” – Luke 10:38-40.

Have you ever stopped to think how much hurry gets in the way of your daily fellowship and relationship with God? In a world that constantly pushes us to rush, the invitation to “slow down” is a powerful reminder to pause, breathe, and truly connect with God and the present moment. When we race through life, we often miss the beauty and blessings surrounding us, including the whispers of God’s guidance.

In Luke 10 we read the story of Mary and Martha,  sisters who hosted Jesus in their home and demonstrated different approaches to following Him. Martha busily prepared a meal, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him. Martha was full of inward turmoil and outward agitation. As a result, she was distracted and drawn about in different directions. She was stretched to the limit, and so she turned on Jesus. ““Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”” (Luke 10:40). Jesus answered “…“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Most believers want to be like Mary, but all too often, we find ourselves more like Martha, so busy trying to serve God that we don’t take the time to be with Him. We are running on empty and praying as part of multitasking. We have good intentions but are too busy to spend quality time with Him. So, how do we become a little less like Martha?

First, slow down and spend time in scripture. When we are in a hurry, our time alone with God in contemplative reading of Scripture is limited and sporadic. Slowing down and spending time in scripture encourages a mindful and deliberate approach to reading the Bible, reflecting on its meaning, and truly connecting with God’s word rather than rushing through it quickly. God is not calling us only to a devotional time but rather to experience a devotional life.

Second, deepen your prayer life. Many prayers are simply a “shopping list” itemized list of my wants. We need a more whole-life approach to prayer. If we think more broadly about prayer, it becomes more fulfilling and natural. God wants us to live our whole day in His presence.    

It is time to stop praying on the run and running on empty. Jesus invites us to slow down, sit at His feet, and learn from Him to be more like Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the pressure to rush affect your spiritual life? What areas of your life do you need to slow down in intentionally?
2. How can you create space in your schedule to truly connect with God and others?

Summary: Christian transformation refers to a profound inner change in a person’s life, where they move away from a life of sin and towards a life reflecting the character of Jesus Christ. This is achieved through accepting Jesus as their Savior and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within them. This leads to a gradual process of becoming more like Christ in thoughts, actions, and attitudes—essentially, a “new creation” as described in the Bible. This often happens through practice and partnership.

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13.

Transformation takes practice and spiritual practices. Becoming more like Jesus does not happen by osmosis. Becoming more like Jesus is a process; it takes practice and intentional practices. Professional athletes don’t become successful without a lot of practice because it takes practice to become what you are trying to become. Pursuing spiritual transformation is to pair the target of what we do and how we do it with what Jesus did and how He did it. We’re looking at what practices will help us move into the presence of Jesus, some practices that move us towards wholeness, and some practices that move us into renewal, as we do as Jesus did, and then to intentionally practice those practices. The Message paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” All good athletes train hard, so we must engage in practices that train us to be more like Jesus.  Sometimes, that feels like a slog, but it leads to being transformed.

Transformation also requires partnership. Transformation doesn’t happen solo. It involves a partnership of some kind to make it happen.  For Christians, that partnership is with the Holy Spirit. A partnership with the Holy Spirit is a relationship of faith and obedience in which a person allows the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and empower them. Partnering with the Spirit is about engaging with what God is doing in your life. The Holy Spirit is the one doing the heavy lifting here. Sure, we can engage in practices that grow us, but the spark, the fuel, the power is the transformative power of the Spirit of God.  It doesn’t come by making vows or through the strength of your will. It comes by trusting in Him, depending on Him, listening to Him, and following His leading in your life.

The church plays a vital role in transforming believers by providing a community of support, teaching biblical principles, and offering opportunities for spiritual growth through fellowship, worship, and service. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, individuals are molded into the image of Christ. Transformation doesn’t happen solo.

Discussion Questions:

1. What practices can lead to spiritual transformation?
2. What is the primary role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life? How would you describe the Holy Spirit’s practical work in your life?

Summary: We serve a God of powerful transformations. Throughout Scripture, God takes those whom the world deemed the lowest, the hopeless, and the helpless and uses them to change the world. God longs to break off that which inhibits you from experiencing the fullness of life. He longs to heal you, deliver you, and set you free. May your life be forever changed as we spend time discovering God’s heart for transformation.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV).

Growing as a Christian can feel daunting. We want to become more like Jesus, but we know we’ve got a long way to go, and we can often feel like we’re going backward. So, how can we grow? The answer is given in 2 Corinthians 3:18. This passage of scripture encourages us to look to Jesus while reminding us we are being transformed.

By truly seeing Jesus, we are transformed to become like Him, all through the enabling of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the more we look to Jesus, the more we will look like Him. God, by His Spirit, has opened our eyes to the glory of the eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and immutable Jesus.

The more we see and admire Jesus’s glory, beauty, and holiness, the more we become like Him. Jesus lived a perfect life: He lived to please His heavenly Father and sacrificed His life for us.

But transformation, becoming more like Him, is not found in making up all sorts of strict rules about what we can or can’t do. Nor does it mean avoiding certain behaviors.  To become more like Jesus, you can study His life, love others, and pray. It stands to reason that we cannot grow to be like someone we don’t know. The deeper our knowledge of Christ, the deeper our understanding of Him, and the more like Him we become.

If we want transformation, we have to be willing to work for it. The Christian life is 100 percent God’s work. The resurrection of Christ runs through our veins. But it is hard work from beginning to end. Transformation takes our mental powers, our willpower, and our muscle power.

Jesus changes people. Often, critics of the church say we are hypocrites, judgmental, and harsh. As fallen human beings, we certainly will not be perfect. However, we are people who have been saved by grace and transformed by the love of Jesus. How, then, could we condemn? Instead, we are to live transformed lives, take responsibility for making things right when we sin, take the time to see others and believe the best about them, and invite them to meet Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the barrier to understanding Jesus’ actions, identifying core principles of His ministry like love, compassion, and service, and then reflecting on how to practically apply those principles in your own life?