Lesson 1: God’s Sovereignty

An “attribute” is a quality or characteristic of someone or something. Attributes describe someone so that we can know more about him or her. The attributes of God are things we can know about God. They are true about Him all the time. God has revealed these attributes about Himself so we can know who He is. And, by knowing Him, we can choose to trust Him with our lives.

1. What words come to mind when you think about the character of God?

2. Do you feel that He is someone you can know?

Our first attribute to explore is God’s SOVEREIGNTY.

Attribute #1: Sovereignty

“How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” (2 Samuel 7:22 NIV)

3. How do you feel about this phrase, “God’s sovereignty?”

God is sovereign. That is a fact. He is called “Sovereign Lord” over 300 times in the Bible.

4. Read 2 Samuel 7:22. What is declared about God in this verse?

The dictionary definition of sovereign is “self-governing, independent, possessing supreme power or authority.” At the end of the word “sovereign” is the word “reign.” We say that a king “reigns.” That means he is the ruler, the one with the right to make the rules. Someone who is sovereign is the ruler, the king, and the one who has the right to make the rules.

5. Read 1 Chronicles 29:11-12. What do these verses state about God?

6. Read Deuteronomy 10:14-17. What or who is under God’s sovereignty?

7. Read 1 Samuel 2:6-8. What or who is under God’s sovereignty?

8. Read Psalm 50:10-11. What or who is under God’s sovereignty?

9. As you consider the sovereignty of God from these above verses, what do you think could stop God’s plans from being carried out in your life or in the life of someone you love?

Nothing can stop God. He will accomplish anything and everything in our lives for our good.

10. Read Exodus 20:11. About 2 million people heard God speak those words to them. What gives God the right to be king over everything?

God Himself told us in many places in the Bible that He created everything. God is sovereign—the king—over the universe, over the earth, over all the creatures on the earth, and over every human being. If you create something, do you have the right to make the rules concerning how your creation should live and work? God is the sovereign ruler of His creation. He rules it with supreme authority and power.

If God is the sovereign ruler of His creation, that means He is the sovereign ruler of you. Yet, adding together God’s sovereignty with His great love expressed through the gift of His Son Jesus should give you great security and confidence.

11. If you believed and continually remembered this truth that your God is sovereign, how might that influence your life?

We need to think of Him as our sovereign king and be willing to respect Him and obey Him. We can trust His care for His creation, including us. Our God is the sovereign ruler of His creation. He rules it with supreme authority and power.

12. Though God is the sovereign ruler, He invites you to come to Him with your needs. Are you willing to recognize God’s authority over you—to trust that He knows what is best for you?

Trusting Your Father God

1) Bible verse to learn:

“How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” (2 Samuel 7:22 NIV)

2) Response in prayer & praise:

You can go to your Father God, ruler over everything, and talk to Him about anything. When you talk to your Father God, approach Him with humility and respect for His absolute authority. Choose a heart of obedience. He is trustworthy.

3) Discover God the Father:

Spend a few minutes reading these prayers and reflecting on how each prayer reveals someone’s understanding of and trust in God. Get to know Him well—this One who loves you dearly.

• Read 1 Kings 18:16-40. Reflect on what you read.
• Read 2 Kings 18:28-19:37. Reflect on what you read.