Good morning, Five Minute Families.  It’s “big words day” here as we focus on theology for the family.  We are going to wow you with spectacularly complex topics and bore you with their explanations. Our words are going to have almost as many syllables as Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, which of course is quite atrocious.

Wait right there, mister! We are not going for complex and boring! Five Minute Family is to help families understand God’s word and teachings.

Yes, that is true. Often we hear big words and concepts and want to know what their meaning, but we may not know how to learn them, let alone teach them to our families. We must realize that things like systematic theology (one of those big words) is not just for pastors. It is for families, too. I have heard about parents putting together in-depth presentations, having their children sit through hour long, or longer, lectures. Is that a reality for most of us? No, I don’t think so, though it could be a good thing depending on family members’ ages and learning styles.

So, that’s a big introduction to say that we will try to tackle deeper theological topics and make them easy for families to think about and discuss. Scott Swain states, “theology is wisdom about God and all things in relation to God.” Wow, that can be quite in-depth. So, where do we start?

Let’s start with the theology of how God makes Himself known to His creation. Revelation is our big concept for today. It’s simply how God shows Himself. We like to say that “God likes to show up and show off” and we can see this and discuss this in several ways: His character, His creation, His actions, His words, and His son

Character – the amazing creator of the universe is also a loving and caring God who reveals Himself through a personal relationship with the universe.  Bob Kellemen loved to say, “Even before God created, He related.” That speaks of the concept we call the trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (more about those three in a future FMF episode). Within God’s character we see that he is able to relate, able to think, able to choose, able to feel, and able to be present in physical form. And as Genesis 1:27 says, we are created in His image. God is not an abstract man-made concept or an impersonal force in the universe we manipulate for our own agenda. We can talk with him, stand in awe, and humble ourselves before Him.

Creation –  Nature reveals the glory of God. What awestruck wonder is found when we look at the world around us. Take your family for a walk through the woods or visit a zoo. The variety of plants, trees, bushes, flowers, and even what we would call weeds are amazing in their differences. Animals from the sky to the seas and on lands and rivers, birds, bears and bees, oh wow! Psalm 19:1-2 says “The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech and night to night reveals knowledge.”

Actions – Just like Psalm 19 talked about the day and night, we see evidence of God designing events to show His nature – from the changing of seasons within the year to specific actions like “the flood,” the “exodus,” the “crucifixion” and many other real historical events. These point to God’s story throughout history allowing us to see Him show up and show off.

Words – God’s words – collected together in what we call the Bible or Scripture – were written by men, 40 diverse personalities and styles. And, not just a dictation of what God was saying, but rather an inspiration to His truths, an amazing message that in itself can be labeled an intentional creation.   2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “all Scripture is breathed out by God.” The Bible is not a text book with chapters or topical studies, and yet it still captures everything God intended for us to know. It is the source that we study for our theology. It is our privilege to search the depths of Scripture and share them with our families.

Jesus Christ – He is the ultimate realization and demonstration of God. Fully man and fully God, sent by the Father to fulfill His plans of saving us, which was thought of and planned out since the beginning of time. He embodies love, grace, mercy, forgiveness… this list could continue until the end of time.

More “big word” discussion starters will follow in our Five Minute Family devotional times, not necessarily together as a big package, but often in between the series that we often provide. If you have a desire to hear us talk about a certain theological topic, connect with us as you Google Clear View Retreat.  Be blessed.