Praising God’s Name

Though He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, God's name changes as He reveals Himself to His people in the midst of their circumstances. For instance, He revealed Himself as "our deliverer" when my wife and I encountered a hostile man while witnessing. We know who He is because of His actions.

Here is an exercise to help your small-group members see with new eyes how God is working in their lives. Start by providing each person with a list of God's names that you find in Scripture. For example:

• God who saves me – Psalm 51:14
• My confidence – Psalm 71:5
• A consuming fire – Deuteronomy 4:24
• My friend – Job 16:20
• Wonderful counselor – Isaiah 9:6
• God of all comfort – 2 Corinthians 1:3
• God who avenges me – Psalm 18:47

Now ask each person to complete the following sentence: "Because of what He has done for me, today God's name is _________." Take turns explaining why God has become that name to you recently. Then devote some time to praising God for what you've learned about His character through His names.

Excerpted from "Praising God's Name" by Clark Cothern (Issue 99, May/June 1997). © 1997 Discipleship Journal. All Rights Reserved