See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.
1 John 3:1
Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31
Take turns reading each of these verses out loud:
A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely.
Psalm 68:5-6a
Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.”
Exodus 34:6
Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:15
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
Psalm 139:117-18
Scripture describes God's relationship with us as that of a father with his children. He is not a distant, impersonal being. God desires to have an intimate relationship with us. The verses above show a Father who is gentle, patient, and affectionate toward his children.
Yet most of us don't see Him that clearly. Our picture of God is shaped by our experiences with human authority (parents, teachers, bosses) and those experiences can distort how we think he feels about us. That's why it's especially important that we renew our minds (Romans 12:) in this area and let Scripture tell us how God thinks about us.
Reflect
Before this study, would you have described God as more distant or more personal? What experiences or influences shaped that view?
David spent lonely nights on a hillside with the sheep, and there he discovered God as "a father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5-6). Where in your life do you most need to encounter God as Father right now? What would it look like to invite Him into that place?
For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:5
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the LORD will take me up.
Psalm 27:10
It grieves the heart of God when we misunderstand His character, because that leads to distance in our relationship with Him and affects our worship, relationships with others, and our service.
For example, if you believe that God is angry, harsh, and controlling, that will shape how you’ll interact with Him. But the Bible says God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4) and that it’s His gentleness which makes us great (Psalm 18:35)
How we see God affects how we come to Him. As you read these verses, let them replace any picture of God that has been shaped by disappointment or hurt with the one he reveals about Himself.
Reflect
Is there an area of God's character you've been viewing wrongly? Find a verse or two that speaks to that area. How does what Scripture says differ from what you've been believing?
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Here are five common hindrances that keep us from experiencing the Father heart of God:
Our own insecurities blind us to the revelation of what God is truly like. When we are not secure in God’s love for us, there is no way that we are actually able to truly love those around us. Knowing we are loved by God allows us to have a generous spirit toward others. (1 John 4:19).
Society accepts people based on performance, looks, and popularity, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16.7). Others having different gifts than us doesn’t mean we’re less favored, as God loves each of us individually.
God promotes people in His timing (Psalm 75:6-7). Wanting a ministry or position to be closer to God or gain His approval is mistaken because He doesn’t love us more because of what we do.
Being rejected by peers, authority figures, and or even employers can shape how we view God. His response is to love us unconditionally. The biblical stories of David and Jacob show us how to experience rejection without being bitter toward God.
Broken relationships lead us to become cynical, build walls in our heart, and not be vulnerable with others. But just as David found, God is a refuge and hiding place for us so we don’t need to fear being let down by God (Psalm 91:1).
Reflect
Which of these five areas is God speaking into right now? Take a few minutes to ask him what He wants to say to you about this. Write down what you sense him saying, and check it against Scripture together,
Reflect
One thing God showed me in this time:
One way I will obey this week:
Pray together.
