5:11
Loyal Love
The Hebrew word “khesed” is one of the most common descriptions of God in the Hebrew Bible, and it’s almost impossible to translate into any other language! This word combines the ideas of love, loyalty, and generosity. Meditating on the meaning of this word can shape our understanding of God’s character.
Reflect
The Hebrew word “khesed” combines the ideas of unconditional love, generosity, and enduring commitment. Read Psalm 136 aloud in your group, with each person using a different translation if possible. How do various translations help you understand the rich meaning of God’s forever enduring khesed?
Read Ruth 1:5-19. How does Ruth show khesed to her mother-in-law? How does this example support your understanding of what it means that God has khesed for us?
Titus 3:4-7 gives us a good picture of God's loyal love at work in our world. In this passage, what does it look like when God’s loving character appears?
God’s loyal love internally motivates Jesus’ followers to generously share what they’ve been given. What do you think it means for God’s love to be inside of a person (see 2 Corinthians 5:14; John 15:9-13; 1 John 4:16)? How does God’s love affect our actions toward those in need (e.g. 1 John 3:16-18)?
Take time to discuss other themes or key takeaways from what you read together.
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Next Episode
5:12
Episode 6
Faithful
The word *emet* is a common word used to describe God in the Bible. It can be translated as “faithfulness” or “truth.” So when the authors say that God is “full of *emet*,” they are saying that he is trustworthy—we can trust him. But trusting isn’t always an easy thing. In this video, we look at why we can trust that God is full of *emet*.
Character of God Word Studies
6:06
Episode 1
Visual Commentary: Exodus 34:6-7
The list of God’s character traits found in Exodus 34:6-7 is the most repeated and re-quoted text in the Bible. But what does it mean when God describes himself as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness? Understanding the significance of these Hebrew words will bring God’s character into clearer focus.
5:06
Episode 2
Compassion
In the Bible, “compassion” is a deeply emotional word used to convey the strong bond between a parent and their child. It’s also the first word God uses to describe himself in Exodus 34:6-7. God is portrayed as a compassionate parent throughout Scripture—both as a mother and a father—and his compassion is embodied in the person of Jesus.
4:39
Episode 3
Grace
Grace is a word we hear a lot in Christian circles, but the deeper meaning of this rich Hebrew word, especially how it relates to God's character, can get lost. In this video we look at what means for God to be gracious.
5:20
Episode 4
Slow to Anger
In Exodus 34, God describes himself as being "slow to anger," but what does this mean? The literal translation is a Hebrew idiom that has the potential to make this description even more confusing to modern readers. Something about a long nose? What? Learn more in this video.
5:11
Episode 5
Loyal Love
The Hebrew word “khesed” is one of the most common descriptions of God in the Hebrew Bible, and it’s almost impossible to translate into any other language! This word combines the ideas of love, loyalty, and generosity. Meditating on the meaning of this word can shape our understanding of God’s character.
5:12
Episode 6
Faithful
The word *emet* is a common word used to describe God in the Bible. It can be translated as “faithfulness” or “truth.” So when the authors say that God is “full of *emet*,” they are saying that he is trustworthy—we can trust him. But trusting isn’t always an easy thing. In this video, we look at why we can trust that God is full of *emet*.