1) If an individual exercise:
Sit and meditate on God.
Write a list of His Qualities.
Make a copy of the blank template. (1)
Fill in your own chart.
Think of the relationships between the qualities you chose.
Reflect on how all of the qualities work together in harmony.
2) If a class or group exercise:
A) Teacher/Moderator to have available:
Several dictionaries, unabridged if possible
A copy of The Nature and Attributes of God. (2)
The “Holy Book” of choice appropriate to the group
Chalk/white board and/or large stencil
Make copies of the blank template. (1)
Pencils & erasers
B) Break up into smaller groups–3 to 5 individuals.
Each person (silently) come up with a list of God’s Qualities (5) (3-5 minutes)
Do not worry about using the proper word form(s). (3)
Short phases are okay. (4)
Discuss similarities and differences of personal lists. (5f) (3-5 minutes)
Look over the alphabetical lists of possible divine qualities. (2)
Add and/or subtract from your individual lists.
Continue discussion. (5f)
Fill in a chart with the group’s Qualities.
C) Teacher/Moderator:
Ask each group to present their chart.
Write qualities on board (note duplicates).
Discuss similarities and differences between group charts.
Discuss God’s Qualities versus human qualities. Why are some the same?
Footnotes:
1) Make an 8.5” x 11” paper copy of the blank template or make a crude copy. Write “GOD IS” in the center. All spaces need not be filled in, or add spaces as needed.
2) The capitalized words on the Alphabetical list @ https://ascensioncafe.org/defining-our-times/ are those from The Nature and Attributes of God.
The Alphabetical list is not a complete list of all of God’s qualities. No list can be comprehensive since God is Infinite.
3) Word forms: Think of making a sentence with “God” as the first word. Examples: “God loves.” “God is love.” “God has compassion.” “God is the greatest.” “God is a person.” “God is my Father.”
4) Phrases: It is better to use one or two words to describe the idea about God you choose to be on your chart. If you do not know the single word for it, use a phrase. You are only limited by the space available. Examples: “Worthy of being worshiped.” “Will always have my back.”
5) Tips on how to decide which qualities to use:
What you will put on your list is subject to these various influences:
A) Your information:
If you are unaware of a particular word and its definition then you are hardly likely to add it to your list. If you do not think of it, you will not use it.
B) Your understanding:
How you put together the information you have is very important. You may have insights others do not. Your unique experiences and sensibilities give you a singular point of view.
C) Your first choices will color all of your remaining choices.
The mind tries naturally to be self-consistent; but it can be overridden. Nonetheless, we do see individuals who seem to believe obvious opposites and yet are not bothered by their crossed-up logic.
D) Auto-revelation:
Your relationship with God is unique. God is always the very best of your ideas. God is always the most sublime of your ideals. Ask God for inspiration. Begin with those obvious attributes you know to be true.
E) Ask Questions:
“What is Not God?” And then think of the opposite for your answer. For instance, God is not weak therefore God is Strong. But you may want to go even further because you know that God is the most extreme of any positive value, we humans can think of, so you could use “All-powerful” or “Omnipotent.”
F) Others:
Discuss your ideas and share your enlightenment with others. If you are willing to listen to and accept the views of others you will be inclined to add their opinions to your own. They may be a so-called expert, or just the person sitting next to you. Just remember, you are the one deciding to accept or reject their understanding.