DESTINYAPOSTOLIC CHURCH

Destiny Grow · Foundations

Lesson 03 of 10

The One God

The God of Israel made known in Jesus Christ

A subject-specific welcome from

Pastor Travis

The confession that God is one is not cold mathematics. It is Israel’s call to wholehearted love, loyalty, and worship. As we study, do not ask only whether you can explain God. Ask whether your heart belongs wholly to Him. The one God has made Himself known so that we may love Him with everything. — Pastor Travis Morgan

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The big idea

There is one God—YHWH, the Creator and Savior of Israel—who has made Himself savingly known in Jesus Christ and alone deserves undivided love and worship.

Read the Word

Key Scriptures

Deuteronomy 6:4–9

joins the oneness of God to wholehearted love.

Isaiah 43:10–13

declares one God and Savior with none beside Him.

Isaiah 44:6–8

denies the existence of another God.

Mark 12:28–34

shows Jesus affirming Israel’s confession of one God.

1 Corinthians 8:4–6

applies monotheistic confession through Jesus Christ.

01

Hear, O Israel

The Shema begins, “Hear, O Israel.” Biblical hearing includes receiving and obeying. Israel is summoned to confess that YHWH is our God, YHWH is one, and therefore to love Him with heart, soul, and strength. Oneness is relational: because God alone is God, He alone deserves the whole person.

The surrounding nations worshiped many gods and divided loyalty among them. Israel’s confession rejected idolatry and established covenant faithfulness. The one Creator cannot be reduced to one preference among many.

02

One Creator and Savior

Isaiah repeatedly speaks in unmistakable terms: before YHWH no God was formed, neither shall there be after Him; beside Him there is no Savior. These texts protect the uniqueness, sovereignty, and saving glory of God. He does not share deity with a rival or delegate ultimate salvation to another divine being.

The same God who created is the God who redeems. Biblical salvation is therefore God’s own work. This prepares us to understand why the New Testament’s confession of Jesus is so profound: the saving identity and works of Israel’s God are revealed in Him.

03

Jesus and the confession of one God

When asked for the greatest commandment, Jesus begins with the Shema and calls for total love of the one God. The New Testament does not discard Israel’s monotheistic confession. It reveals its saving fulfillment through Jesus Christ.

Paul can confess one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things. He is not introducing a second deity. He is including Jesus within the unique identity and saving work of the one God while honoring the genuine incarnation.

04

No room for idols

Idolatry is not limited to statues. Anything receiving the trust, love, fear, identity, or obedience that belongs to God becomes a rival. Money, power, relationships, politics, self, ministry, and even religious tradition can occupy God’s place.

The doctrine of one God calls us into integrated lives. We do not give God one section while reserving the rest for ourselves. He is one, and our love is to become whole.

Grace Revealed

Grace does not hide truth. Grace reveals and enables.

The unknowable Creator did not leave humanity in darkness. He spoke, covenanted, acted in history, gave His Word, and ultimately revealed Himself in Christ. We know Him because He first made Himself known.

Knowing Him

Doctrine leads toward intimacy.

The Shema moves immediately from revelation to love. God reveals that He is one, then calls, “You shall love.” True doctrine gathers the scattered heart and directs it toward undivided communion with Him.

Why this matters for salvation

Every truth belongs within God’s saving purpose.

Only the true God can save. The identity of the Savior matters because faith must be directed toward the God who actually revealed Himself and acted for redemption. Rejecting idols and turning to the living God is part of conversion.

Lesson notes

Remember these truths.

  • Scripture consistently declares one God.
  • YHWH alone is Creator and Savior.
  • Jesus affirmed the Shema.
  • The New Testament reveals the one God savingly in Christ.
  • Oneness calls for exclusive worship and wholehearted love.

Respond to the Word

Reflect and apply.

  1. What competes for the devotion that belongs to God?
  2. How does God’s oneness call you toward an integrated life?
  3. Why is the Shema relational rather than merely numerical?
  4. How does Jesus reveal the God of Israel?
  5. What would wholehearted love for God change this week?
Pray the truth

One true God, gather my heart. Remove every idol and divided loyalty. Thank You for making Yourself known in Jesus Christ. Teach me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

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Knowledge check

Lesson Quiz

Answer all 10 questions. A score of 80% is required. You may retake the quiz as many times as needed.

1What confession stands at the heart of Deuteronomy 6?
2What response immediately follows the Shema?
3What does Isaiah say about another Savior beside YHWH?
4How did Jesus respond when asked for the greatest commandment?
5What is a present-day idol?
6Which passage is a key text for this truth: joins the oneness of God to wholehearted love?
7Which passage is a key text for this truth: declares one God and Savior with none beside Him?
8Which passage is a key text for this truth: denies the existence of another God?
9Which passage is a key text for this truth: shows Jesus affirming Israel’s confession of one God?
10Which passage is a key text for this truth: applies monotheistic confession through Jesus Christ?

Your next step

Finish this lesson.

Pass the quiz with 80% or higher, then mark the lesson complete.