Thursday, April 17, 2014

Theology Thursday: God's Omnipresence



Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:24

Background for Parents:

God’s attributes can be understood from an early age. This lesson focuses on the omnipresence of God. This is the first of the three attributes of God that commonly begin with the prefix “omni” meaning all. The scriptures are clear God is present everywhere (Jeremiah 23:24, Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 139:7-10, Job 24:21, Matthew 18:20, Romans 8:38-39, and many others). 

This lesson includes an object lesson using a kitchen sponge, scissors, and water. You will want to gather these materials prior to sharing this lesson. 

Memory Verse:  

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10

Introduction:

Have you ever wanted to hide from God? Are there people in the Bible who have tried to hide from Him? (Yes, in Genesis 3:8-10 we see Adam and Eve trying to hide from God because they had sinned.) Though sometimes people want to hide from God when they feel guilty about their sin, the Scriptures make it clear it is impossible to hide from Him. Since we cannot hide from God there is an amazing truth about Him we will learn today!

Lesson:

Today I have a total truth for you. God is omnipresent; He is everywhere, when we believe in Jesus He is always with us no matter where we are! 

The prefix “omni” means “all” and “present” can mean being in attendance. So omnipresence means all attendant. This tell us God is present everywhere at the same time. There are many verses in the Bible that describe God’s omnipresence.
(Show your children the sponge.) What is this? (Yes, it is a sponge.)  (Take the sponge and submerge it in a bowl of water.) Remove the sponge and gently wring out excess water.) Ask if the water is everywhere or all present depending on the age of your children. Take a pair of scissors and cut the sponge. Is it wet on the inside where the cut reveals more of the sponge? Keep cutting the sponge; is there any part of the sponge that is dry? No the entire sponge is wet. We can think of God like the water covering the sponge and the earth as the sponge. God is present everywhere just like the water. 

Read Psalm 139:1-10.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.

This Psalm presents us with a view of God’s omnipresence. What does this Psalm tell us the Lord knows? (Yes, when we sit, stand, what we are thinking, our words, etc.) This Psalm teaches us God is everywhere and knows each one of us!

Read Jeremiah 23:24, Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 139:7-10, Job 24:21, Matthew 18:20, Romans 8:38-39

What do these verses teach us about God?

Total Truth:

I have a Total Truth for you today. Are you ready for the truth? Remember the world is full of big lies, but we can always learn the truth from the Bible! Today’s Total Truth is:
God is omnipresent; He is everywhere, when we believe in Jesus He is always with us no matter where we are! 

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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