Basic 6 · Our World and Our People · Map Making and Landmarks
Attributes of God Seen in Creation
In this topic you will describe the attributes of God as shown in the natural world around us.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name attributes of God
- Explain how nature shows God's attributes
- Show appreciation for creation
What you already know
- Nature of God (Basic 5)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Nature Of God
- Sub-strand
- Map Making and Landmarks
- Indicator
- B6.1.1.1.1 – Describe the attributes of God
Introduction
When people look at the sun, mountains, rivers, forests and animals, many say, "Only a great God could make all this." Creation helps people understand what God is like.
1. Attributes of God
| Attribute | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Creator | God made everything |
| omnipotent | God is all-powerful |
| omniscient | God knows everything |
| omnipresent | God is everywhere |
| eternal | God has no beginning and no end |
| loving and caring | God provides for all creatures |
| orderly and wise | God created everything with order and purpose |
2. Seeing God's Attributes in Nature
| What we see in nature | Attribute it shows |
|---|---|
| the huge sun, stars and oceans | power (omnipotence) |
| the regular cycle of day and night, rainy and dry seasons | order and wisdom |
| food, water and air provided for all living things | love and care (provider) |
| the variety of plants, animals and people | creativity |
| the complex human body and brain | wisdom and knowledge |
3. What the Religions Say
The Bible says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psalm 19:1). The Qur'an invites people to reflect on the creation of the heavens and earth and the alternation of night and day as signs for those who understand (Qur'an 3:190). Traditional Religion sees God in the rain, the earth and the forests, and the Akan say that no one needs to show a child God, because God's works are everywhere.
4. Responding to God's Creation
- Thank God for the gifts of nature.
- Take care of the environment instead of destroying it.
- Treat all people with respect as God's creation.
- Study nature to understand God's wisdom.
Scientists who study the stars, plants and animals often say that the more they learn, the more they admire the order and design of the universe.
Ghana's own natural beauty, from the Wli waterfalls to the savannah of Mole and the rainforest of Kakum, gives us many reasons to give thanks and to protect what has been entrusted to us.
New words
- attribute
- A quality that belongs to God.
- creation
- Everything God has made.
- omnipotent
- All-powerful.
- order
- Arrangement according to a pattern or plan.
- provider
- One who supplies needs.
- reflect
- To think deeply about something.
Summary
- God's attributes include Creator, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere and eternal.
- Nature shows God's power, order, wisdom and care.
- All three religions teach that creation points to God.
- We respond by being thankful and caring for creation.
Class activity: Nature Walk
- Walk around the school compound with your teacher.
- List five things in nature and the attribute of God each shows.
- Present your list to the class.
You need: Local leaves, Flowers, Stones, Printed photographs of Ghanaian landscapes
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which attribute means God made everything?
- A. Creator
- B. Eternal
- C. Omniscient
- D. Omnipresent
Show answer
Answer: CreatorGod made all things.2. The regular cycle of seasons shows God's…
- A. order and wisdom
- B. anger
- C. weakness
- D. absence
Show answer
Answer: order and wisdomRegular patterns.3. "The heavens declare the glory of God" is from…
- A. Psalm 19:1
- B. Genesis 2:15
- C. John 3:16
- D. Qur'an 2:255
Show answer
Answer: Psalm 19:1Bible.4. Food and water for living things show God's care.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueGod provides.5. Only Christianity sees God in nature.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseAll three religions do.6. God has no beginning and no end, so He is ______.
Show answer
Answer: eternalLives for ever.7. Name three things in nature and the attribute each shows.
Show answer
Answer: Sun (power), seasons (order), food (care).Any three.8. How should believing that nature shows God's attributes affect the way we treat the environment?
Show answer
Answer: We should respect, protect and not destroy it, because it is God's work.Stewardship.
Homework
- Write a short poem praising God for one part of nature.