Stage 1: Vertical Relationship with God
Stage 2: Horizontal Relationship with other people
1. You have to get to know God in humility
For this reason I kneel before the Father —Ephesians 3:14
He gets to set the agenda
The doctrine of the Trinity emerged because it was the best explanation of the whole scope of the biblical witness to the identity of God. The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God. The Bible just as clearly teaches that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God. Each of them do things only God can do and receive the worship due to God alone.
2. You can’t separate God from himself
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
“the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire … —Daniel 7:9
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, —Ephesians 3:4
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. —Ephesians 3:6
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. —Ephesians 3:19b
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. —Colossians 1:5
If you want to know the Father, you have to follow his Son.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, —Ephesians 3:16
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? —John 14:8-9
The only way to know the Father is to follow the Son through the Power of the Holy Spirit.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, —Ephesians 1:13
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, —Ephesians 3:17b-18a