Wild Pictures of God! Snapshots Galore!

Okay, they're not photographs, actually. God has always been a little too—well, expansive to fit into a photograph. So instead, God uses word pictures in the Bible to describe his loving self to us.

And just how does God picture himself?

• Like a roommate. God's the best roommate you'll ever have. But he's on the picky side—he kinda likes things done his way.
• Like rain. When you let God's grace fall on you, all your dirt and grime is washed away.
• Like a lion. Large and in charge. In total control.
• Like a party host. The people he wants at his party are just like you—regular and imperfect. And you won't believe the party he's throwing!

And God is like a comedian—and a hen, team captain, tower, rescue worker, shield, lifeguard, lamb, potter, or rock. 50 pictures of God for 50 days of a little Bible reading, a little journaling, a little thinking, a little praying.

So jump into the wild truth of 50 fantastically different ways God shows his amazing love for you. We guarantee you'll never look at God the same way again.

God is Like an
Artist

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19.1

Some art you like, some art you hate, Even great art is simply amazing to some people and whatever to others. But there's one artist that blows everyone's mind with his creativity. In fact, every single painter, sculptor, and photographer has copied this artists work since he first set down his pallet of paints. That artist is God. (you, being smarter than the average Junior higher had already guessed that, since this is a book about God!)

Orange and pink and red sunsets, Black and white zebras. Blue shadows. Black, brown, reddish-brown, pinkish, and many other colors of people. Deep green emeralds and leaves and frogs. Rainbow-colored, well, rainbows. God made them all. He even came up with the colors! And think of it: you're his best piece of art ever.

Action Shot
Read Psalm 111:2-4

Close Up

What's one of God's art creations you find totally spectacular?

 

 

 

What do you like about how God painted you?

 

 

 

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God is Like a
Party Host

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Some parties are really exclusive—you have to be important to be invited. And that was even more true back when the bible was written. So God, the ultimate party host (hangin' out for a while as Jesus), tells a story to blow away this idea.

"All you fancy-schmancy people, you're so busy worrying about all your stuff and your importance that you're missing my party," Jesus says in so many words. "But the regular people, the imperfect people, the lonely people, the hurting people, those who think are unacceptable—Those are the people I want at my party. And it's going to be a party like no other party, ever, in the history or future of the world!"

So are you regular? Are you imperfect? Are you lonely or hurting or unacceptable? God accepts you! More than that, he wants to host you at the two ultimate parties of the universe—life with him here on earth and life forever in heaven.

Action Shot
Read Matthew 22:2-10

Close-up

In this story God is the party host. What kind of host is he? What does he want his party to be like?

 

 

What was the important thing about the people who came to the party? (Hint: there is one correct statement)

They were all rich.
They were all good looking.
They could use the word scuttlebutt in a sentence.
They were willing to attend.
They could eat anchovies without gagging.
They were all listed in Who's Who in the Roman Empire—Middle East Edition

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God is Like a
Servant

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1

All governments and companies around the world and in all times have developed organizational charts with the head honcho at the top—queen, president, dictator, kahuna, grand pooh-bah— and with lesser honchos arranged at various levels beneath the head honcho. Along comes Jesus, who flips the whole thing upside down. The first will be last, the high and mighty will be humbled... all sorts of radical stuff like that. And Jesus didn't just stand in a pulpit and preach about servanthood—he got down on his hands and knees and washed people's feet.

Action Shot
Read Philippians 2:6-7

Close-up

Use the letters in the word servant to make an acrostic that descrbes a SERVANT. In other words S could stand for "Selfish? No way!"

S

E

R

V

A

N

T

What's so amazing about the fact that Jesus served people? (Hint: remember who he is.)

 

 

 

Dedications & Acknowledgments
Stuff for your youth group leader to read
Stuff for you to read

God is like a—
Comedian
Genius
Dreamer
Voice
Light
Artist
Doctor
Swordsman
Life
Roommate
Gift
Hen
Rain
Party Host
Boss
Rock
Lamb
Counselor
Tower
Carpenter
Inventor
Eagle
Servant
Big Sister or Brother
Shield
Jealous Lover
Dad
Lifeguard
Fort
Heir
Potter
Water
Bread
Shepherd
Team Captain
Best Friend
Lion
Judge
Priest
Child
Cornerstone
Messenger
Fire
Mom
Rescue Worker
Guide
Baby
King
Human
Listener