Introduction To A Study of The Names of God

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At our Homeschool Co-op we have a Chapel time during our snack time. We break bread (or popcorn) together while we study in the Word of God together. I have the privilege of leading this time.

As I considered this chapel time I had to recognize that we were a diverse group from different denominational backgrounds. I would also be teaching an age range from pre-school to adults. My dilemma was what did I need to focus on that would keep the attention span of a pre-schooler and yet also be edifying and encouraging for every age in the room including the adults, while not offending any one’s denominational doctrine.

As I was seeking God’s will for this chapel time and was asking Him what direction I needed to go in, He led me to Himself. He simply said… teach Me. So the chapel time is focused on learning the names of God.

We learn a new Hebrew name for God each week of co-op and we look at what that name means, where God teaches it to us, and how knowing it applies to our lives.

I introduced the study by sharing how I have had different names through out my life that have shared a part of who I am. My given name is Nicole Love Halbrooks. When I was growing up I got the name No-No from my cousin who is nine months younger than me because he could not say Nicole. My dad used to call me Sleufoot and my aunt called me Red.

When I got my drivers license I got the nickname Crash and Brick because I had several wrecks in a row, in one I totaled my parents brand new car by crashing through two brick columns, thus Crash and Brick. When my oldest niece was born I got the name Nay-Nay, and I am still Nay-Nay to all my nieces and nephews.

Then I met my husband and I became Nicole Love Halbrooks Vaughn. I became Wife and Stepmother to his beautiful daughter. Then I had my Shelby and Bekah and I became Momma. When I became a teacher, I became Mrs Nicole. These are just a few of the names that I have been given that have revealed a part of who I am.

In the same way God has revealed Himself to us in the names He has given us in Scripture. Each name shares a part of who He is and teaches us a little bit more of His character.

Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
Psalm 20:7
The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe. 
Proverbs 18:10
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8
for
“WHOEVER WILL CALL
ON THE NAME OF THE LORD
WILL BE SAVED.”
Romans 10:13
These are just a small example of the plethora of Scripture that lets us know how important the name of our God is and should be too us.
So I invite you to join us in this study of the names of God…

>Put Away

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Put away the foreign gods
which are among you,
and purify yourselves
and change your garments.
Genesis 35:2
 
After the slaughter at Shechem, God comes to Jacob and tells him, once again, to go to Betheland live there. God also says to build there an altar, but first Jacob and his family have business to attend to.
 
They have foreign gods among them; they have rings in their ears and garments on their bodies that represented these foreign gods, and they were to be removed.
 
These foreign gods were made by a goldsmith, formed by silver and gold. These foreign gods had to be carried around on someone’s shoulder. They had to be set in place and stood up by someone because they cannot stand up on their on. These foreign gods that had to be bought, formed, and stood were worshiped, and those who stood them bowed before them.
 
Jacob knew that it was not these foreign gods that had protected him and answered him in his day of distress. The family carried these foreign gods, but the One True God carried the family.
 
The God of Abraham and Isaac had been with Jacob wherever he had gone. Jacob did not have to pack God with the tents in order for Him to come along.
 
Jacob is finally completely surrendering to the Lord his God and is finally stepping up as the spiritual leader of his household.
 
 
Oh Father,
 
You have called us to be separate, and we are to put away all idols and everything that is in our lives that comes before You. We are to purify our hearts and change our actions and our attitudes so that they are in line with You. You called me to be Yours and to represent You and to be a holy priesthood and a light in this dark world. My light cannot shine if it is smeared with the muck of this world. My God, how I need You. You deserve nothing less than all of me. Show me how to give all I am to You.
 
My Jesus, it is in Your name I pray,
Amen.