Can believers become good mothers and fathers despite the failures of their parents? Certainly. We have a perfect Parent—God, the Father. Through His Holy Spirit, He heals the scars caused by the mistakes of earthly parents. Let’s look at a few of the ways God fathers His children.
1. Our heavenly Father places His Spirit within us. An earthly father sees himself in his children because they were born of his flesh. To some extent, they look like him and act like him.
God gives us His Spirit, who indwells us and empowers us to act in ways that please Him. Our task is simply to let Him live through us (Romans 8: 9-10).
Read the prayer in Ephesians 1:18-19, praying it for yourself.
2. Our heavenly Father bears our burdens. Children can’t provide for themselves. In fact, they usually don’t even try. They simply trust their parents to provide food, clothing, and shelter.
Because we are God’s children, we don’t have to worry about our basic needs. Like little kids, we can trust our Father to supply them. Will we still have to make wise choices? Yes. But we can place our burdens on the wide shoulders of our heavenly Provider.
Read Psalm 84:11-12, and summarize its promise.
Read Isaiah 41:10. According to this passage, why don’t you have to worry?
3. Our heavenly Father is patient with us. A good father doesn’t expect his three-year-old to be able to mow the yard. Nor does he become impatient if his child can’t tie her shoes the first time he shows her.
Similarly, God doesn’t expect us to be mature instantly. He gradually gives us more responsibility and teaches us to lean on Him more completely (Ephesians 4:11-16).
According to the Apostle Paul, what is the ultimate result of God’s kindness and patience with us? (See Romans 2:4.)
Do you frequently expect yourself to be perfect or have other unrealistic expectations of yourself? Explain.
What does Psalm 103:10-14 teach you about God’s attitude towards you when you fail?
4. Our heavenly Father disciplines us. Parents usually regret it when they fail to set boundaries for their children. Although discipline is difficult for both the child and the parent, it is necessary to form a child’s character. Although our heavenly Father is patient with us as we grow, He will discipline us when we persist in willful sin.
What do you think are the benefits of discipline in our lives? (See Hebrews 12:11.)
What is God’s response when we repent? (See Micah 7:18.)
Before you continue with the Bible study, confess and repent any sin the Father brings to mind.
5. Our heavenly Father loves us unconditionally. Unfortunately, many fathers express love to their children only when their child looks good, succeeds, or is well-behaved. Or, a father may communicate a lack of love by spending very little time with his child. In contrast, our heavenly Father is willing to express His love for us at any time (Psalm 103:17-18).
According to Romans 5:6, why don’t we need to worry about being worthy of God’s love?
6. Our heavenly Father has a perfect plan for our lives. Little children can’t plan a vacation, buy a house, or select the school that’s right for them. They trust their parents to plan a good life for them.
As believers, we often think we have more control over our lives than we really do. God wants us to trust Him to give us His goals for our lives (Ephesians 5:15-17). Often, His guidance will come one step at time, not all at once.
What does Proverbs 16:9 teach us about planning?
Father, thank You for your unconditional, perfect love for me. Like a good earthly father, You gently and patiently instruct me as I grow. I surrender to Your authority and invite You to live through me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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