God’s Names in the Bible-Seven Names to Hold On To!
What is your name? Does it have any special meaning or significance? Even if you don’t know something specific about your name, your name was chosen especially for you. Our names are precious to us … they are a part of our identity. In Bible times names were even more important than they are today. A person’s name was considered to reveal his or her character. God’s name also reveals His character.
Unfortunately, when we hear the name God or Lord it typically conveys little more to us than the designation of a supreme being. But throughout Scripture, we find that the names of God actually present to us miniature portraits of who He is. Throughout the Bible, a person’s name identified them and stood for something specific. This is especially true of God. Naming carries special significance.
• God who is always with us
• Our Lord and Master
• The strong, faithful One
• The Sovereign Ruler of the entire universe.
• Everlasting God
• The God who sees
• God Almighty
What comes to your mind when you hear the name “God”?
A:___________________________________________________
Do you know any other names for “God”? What do those names tell you about God?
A:___________________________________________________
Many Christians experience confusion in their lives because they don’t really know God–who He really is or how He works in our lives. You can know God more fully by studying His names which in turn will give you strength for times of struggle, comfort for times of disappointment and wisdom for times of confusion .Seven different names for God that were used often in the New Testament are included in this lesson. Study each name and its meaning, read the verses associated with each name, and take time to reflect upon how that specific name of God touches your life. Know that God’s names reveal to us His very nature–He is waiting to meet you!
Emmanuel: God with us
Isaiah 7:14: “All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)”. (NLT)
To actually have the God of the Universe “with” us is a mind-staggering concept! Not just a God “out there”, but a God who is always with us! What comes to your mind as you consider “Emmanuel–God with us”?
A:___________________________________________________
Because God is “Emmanuel/God with us” I can
A:___________________________________________________
Adonai: The Lord and Master
Deuteronomy 19:17: “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.” (NLT)
When we have a relationship with God, He is our Lord and Master. The word “Lord” indicates a relationship, one in which we are submissive to God’s will over our lives. Sometimes this is a hard concept for people to accept. When God is “Adonai”, He has total possession of all that we are and all that we have.
Psalm 123:2 says, “As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.”
What is hard for you about this verse?
A:___________________________________________________
What is reassuring to you as you think about God as your Lord and Master?
A:___________________________________________________
Because God is “Adonai/The Lord and Master”, I will
A:___________________________________________________
Elohim: God, the strong, faithful One
Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (NIV)
God has been the consistent, stable factor in all of creation since the very beginning of time. He has proven himself the strong, faithful One again and again.
When times are tough, what keeps you from turning to God, the strong, faithful One?
A:___________________________________________________
When have you experienced God’s strength and/or faithfulness?
A:___________________________________________________
Because God is “Elohim/God the strong, faithful One” I
A:___________________________________________________
El Elyon: The Most High God
El Elyon is the name the Bible uses to tell us that God is the sovereign ruler of the entire universe.
In Genesis 14:20 we read, “And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” (NIV)
Numbers 24:16 says, “My knowledge comes from God Most High, the LORD All-Powerful.” (CEV)
What does it mean to you that God is “The Most High God”?
A:___________________________________________________
How can depending on El Elyon change your life?
A:___________________________________________________
Because God is “El Elyon/The Most High God”, I
A:___________________________________________________
El Olam: The Everlasting God
Genesis 21:33: “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.” (NASB)
What does it mean to you to know that God is everlasting?
A:___________________________________________________
Because God is “El Olam, The Everlasting God”, I
A:___________________________________________________
El Roi: The God who sees
Genesis 16:13: “She (Hagar) gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” (NIV)
Have you ever considered that God always “sees” you? What does this mean to you?
A:___________________________________________________
Because God is “El Roi/The God who sees”, I will
A:___________________________________________________
El Shaddai: God Almighty
Genesis 17:1-2: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’” (NIV)
How can knowing that God is almighty influence the moments of each one of your days?
A:___________________________________________________
What are some other things you look to for deliverance from difficulty in your life?
A:___________________________________________________
In what ways has God revealed Himself to you as “El Shaddai”?
A:___________________________________________________
Because God is “El Shaddai/God Almighty”, I know
A:___________________________________________________
Here’s a great resource for learning more about God’s names as they are presented in the Bible: Lord, I Want to Know You: A Devotional Study on the Names of God by Kay Arthur.
You can also go to: http://bible.org/article/names-god.
Application:
As you consider the different names for God included in this study, which one is most real to you at this point in your life?
A:___________________________________________________
Which one seems the most unfamiliar to you?
A:___________________________________________________
Which one gives you most the comfort?
A:___________________________________________________
Which one is most confusing to you?
A:___________________________________________________
How can holding on to these different names of God help you when you are struggling, are disappointed, or need wisdom?
A:___________________________________________________
