Lesson 2 Who Is God?
1. Why should we worship God?
The true God is the Creator of all things. He had no beginning and will never have an end. (Psalm 90:2) He is the Source of the good news found in the Bible. (1 Timothy 1:11) Since God gave us life, we should worship only him.—Read Revelation 4:11.
[“Read” scripture.] Revelation 4:11: “You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created.” [End of “Read” scripture.]
2. What is God like?
No human has ever seen God because he is a Spirit, which means that he is a higher form of life than the physical creatures who live on earth. (John 1:18; 4:24) Nevertheless, we can discern God’s personality from the things he has made. For instance, the variety of fruits and flowers tells us of his love and wisdom. The size of the universe tells us of his power.—Read Romans 1:20.
[“Read” scripture.] Romans 1:20: For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable. [End of “Read” scripture.]
We can learn even more about God’s personality by reading the Bible. For example, it tells us what God likes and what he does not like, how he treats people, and how he reacts in different situations.—Read Psalm 103:7-10.
[“Read” scripture.] Psalm 103:7-10: He made known his ways to Moses, His deeds to the sons of Israel. Jehovah is merciful and compassionate, Slow to anger and abundant in loyal love. He will not always find fault, Nor will he stay resentful forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor has he repaid us what our errors deserve. [End of “Read” scripture.]
3. Does God have a name?
Jesus said: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9) Although God has many titles, he has only one name. In each language, it is pronounced differently. In English it is usually pronounced “Jehovah.” But some people pronounce it “Yahweh.”—Read Psalm 83:18.
[“Read” scripture.] Psalm 83:18: May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth. [End of “Read” scripture.]
God’s name has been taken out of many Bibles and replaced with the titles Lord or God. But when the Bible was written, it contained God’s name some 7,000 times. Jesus made God’s name known when he taught people about God.—Read John 17:26.
[“Read” scripture.] John 17:26: I have made your name known to them and will make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them.” [End of “Read” scripture.]
Picture on page 4: [Image:] God’s name, Jehovah, in different languages

Watch the video Does God Have a Name? See jw.org.

4. Does Jehovah care about us?
Does widespread suffering mean that Jehovah is a God who does not care about us? Some people claim that he makes us suffer to test us, but this is not true.—Read James 1:13.
[“Read” scripture.] James 1:13: When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. [End of “Read” scripture.]
God has granted man the dignity of free will. Do we not appreciate our freedom to choose to serve God? (Joshua 24:15) But many choose to do bad things to others, so suffering abounds. It saddens Jehovah to see such injustice.—Read Genesis 6:5, 6.
[“Read” scripture.] Genesis 6:5, 6: Consequently, Jehovah saw that man’s wickedness was great on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time. Jehovah regretted that he had made men on the earth, and his heart was saddened. [End of “Read” scripture.]
Jehovah is a God who cares about us. He wants us to enjoy life. Soon he will eliminate suffering and those who cause it. Meanwhile, he has good reason to allow suffering for a limited time. In Lesson 8, we will learn what that reason is.—Read 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7, 13.
[“Read” scriptures.] 2 Peter 2:9: So, then, Jehovah knows how to rescue people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people to be destroyed on the day of judgment,
2 Peter 3:7: But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.
2 Peter 3:13: But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell. [End of “Read” scriptures.]
Picture on page 5: [Image:] A father and mother caring for their sick child
Caption: Like this loving father, God is acting for our long-term good
5. How can we draw closer to God?
Jehovah invites us to draw close to him by speaking to him in prayer. He is interested in us individually. (Psalm 65:2; 145:18) He is willing to forgive. He recognizes our efforts to please him, even if we sometimes fail. So despite our imperfection, we really can enjoy a close relationship with God.—Read Psalm 103:12-14; James 4:8.
[“Read” scriptures.] Psalm 103:12-14: As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, So far off from us he has put our transgressions. As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those who fear him. For he well knows how we are formed, Remembering that we are dust.
James 4:8: Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones. [End of “Read” scriptures.]
Picture on page 5: [Image:] A woman praying to God
Since Jehovah has given us life, we should love him more than we love anyone else. (Mark 12:30) As you express your love for God by learning more about him and doing as he asks, you will draw ever closer to him.—Read 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 5:3.
[“Read” scriptures.] 1 Timothy 2:4: whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.
1 John 5:3: For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome, [End of “Read” scriptures.]