Embracing the Legacy of Fatherhood and Divine Love
Summary
Today, we gathered to honor fathers—both earthly and heavenly—and to reflect on the profound legacy that fatherhood leaves in our lives. We began by sharing memories and qualities we appreciate in our fathers: honesty, consistency, unconditional love, humor, integrity, and the simple joys of spending time together. These stories, from both adults and children, reminded us of the many ways fathers shape us, for better or for worse. Yet, as we considered these traits, we also acknowledged that not all experiences with earthly fathers are positive. Some carry wounds from absent or harsh fathers, and for them, the image of God as Father can be difficult. Still, Scripture invites us to see in our heavenly Father the perfection of all that is good in fatherhood, and to find healing and hope in His love.
Jesus, in teaching us to pray, used the intimate word “Abba”—Dada, Daddy—to address God. This was revolutionary, inviting us into a relationship of deep trust and closeness with the Creator. Through the Spirit, we are adopted as God’s children, heirs to His promises, and welcomed to approach Him with childlike faith. Even if our earthly fathers failed us, our heavenly Father never will. He desires that we come to Him not as slaves or distant subjects, but as beloved children, confident in His care.
We also reflected on the creative and sustaining power of our heavenly Father. From the intricate design of bees to the order of the universe, God’s providence is evident. He governs all things, holding even the chaos and evil of the world within His sovereign goodness. As His children, we are called to be a royal priesthood—representing God to the world and bringing the world’s praises back to Him. This is our high calling and purpose.
For those of us who are fathers (and mothers), the challenge is to consider the legacy we are leaving. Beyond providing for our families, the most lasting gift we can give is to point our children to the love of the heavenly Father. Through our prayers, our example, and our devotion, we can help our children know that they are loved by God. Let us spend time with our heavenly Father, call Him “Daddy,” and invite our families into that intimacy. May our legacy be one of faith, love, and a deep relationship with God.
Key Takeaways
- The qualities we cherish in our earthly fathers—honesty, consistency, unconditional love—are but a shadow of the perfection found in our heavenly Father. Even when our earthly experiences are lacking or painful, God invites us to see in Him the fulfillment of all that is good in fatherhood, offering healing where there has been hurt. [31:38]
- Jesus’ use of “Abba” for God is a radical invitation into intimacy. We are not merely subjects or servants, but beloved children who can approach God with the same trust and affection as a child for their daddy. Practicing this in our prayer life can transform our relationship with God, moving us from formality to genuine closeness. [35:01]
- God’s creative power and providence are not distant or abstract; they are personal and ongoing. From the smallest bee to the vastness of the universe, God sustains and governs all things, ensuring that even in the midst of chaos, His goodness and order prevail. This gives us confidence to trust Him with every detail of our lives. [42:41]
- As God’s children, we are called to a royal priesthood: to represent God’s love and lordship to the world, and to bring the world’s praises back to Him. This dual calling gives our lives profound purpose and dignity, reminding us that our daily actions and relationships are part of God’s greater story. [43:58]
- The most enduring legacy we can leave as parents is not material success, but a living faith that points our children to the heavenly Father. Through intentional practices—like family devotions, prayer, and modeling love for God—we help our children experience God’s love and invite them into their own relationship with Him. [50:49]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[23:55] - Sharing Memories of Fathers
[24:46] - Children Reflect on Their Dads
[25:46] - Unique Traits and Stories
[26:54] - Earthly and Heavenly Fathers: The Connection
[28:05] - Jesus’ Teaching: Ask, Seek, Knock
[30:04] - The “How Much More” Principle
[31:38] - Earthly Fathers as Pointers to God
[33:07] - The Challenge of Painful Father Images
[35:01] - Jesus Calls God “Abba”
[36:40] - Our Adoption as God’s Children
[38:26] - The Spirit Calls Out “Abba, Father”
[39:12] - Childlike Trust and Awe
[41:09] - God’s Creative Power in Creation
[42:41] - God’s Sustaining Providence
[43:58] - Our Royal Priesthood and Purpose
[45:14] - God’s Order Amidst Chaos
[47:24] - Legacies of Earthly Fathers
[50:03] - A Father’s Vision and Prayer
[50:49] - Leaving a Legacy of Faith
[54:46] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[01:00:16] - Prayers for Synod and Final Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Legacy of Fatherhood and the Love of Our Heavenly Father
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### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 7:7-11
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
2. Romans 8:14-17
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…”
3. Galatians 4:6-7
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 7:7-11, what comparison does Jesus make between earthly fathers and our heavenly Father? What is the “how much more” principle Jesus uses? [30:04]
2. According to Romans 8:14-17, what does it mean for us to be adopted as God’s children? What word does Paul say we can use to address God, and why is that significant? [36:40]
3. In the sermon, what are some of the qualities and memories people shared about their earthly fathers? How do these qualities help us understand God’s character? [23:55]
4. What does Galatians 4:6-7 say about our relationship with God, and how does the Spirit help us experience that relationship? [38:26]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to use the word “Abba” (Daddy) when teaching us to pray? What does this reveal about the kind of relationship God wants with us? [35:01]
2. The sermon mentioned that not everyone has positive experiences with their earthly fathers. How might this affect someone’s view of God as Father? How does Scripture address or heal this? [33:07]
3. The “how much more” teaching of Jesus is meant to show the perfection of God’s fatherhood. In what ways is God’s love and care greater than even the best earthly father? [31:38]
4. The sermon talks about God’s creative and sustaining power, even in the midst of chaos and evil. How does knowing God is in control affect the way we trust Him with our lives? [42:41]
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### Application Questions
1. Think about your own experience with your earthly father (or a father figure). What is one quality you appreciate, and how does it help you understand God’s love? If your experience was painful, how can you begin to see God as the perfect Father who brings healing? [33:07]
2. Jesus invites us to call God “Abba”—Daddy. Have you ever tried addressing God this way in prayer? If not, what holds you back? If you have, how did it change your sense of closeness with God? [35:01]
3. The sermon encouraged us to spend intentional time with our heavenly Father, like sitting on a porch swing and simply talking to Him. What is one practical way you can create space for this kind of intimacy with God this week? [50:03]
4. For parents: What kind of legacy are you leaving for your children? Beyond providing for their needs, how are you pointing them to the love of the heavenly Father? What is one new practice you could start as a family to nurture faith? (e.g., family devotions, prayer, sharing stories of God’s faithfulness) [50:49]
5. The sermon described our calling as a “royal priesthood”—representing God to the world and bringing the world’s praises back to Him. What does this look like in your daily life? Is there a relationship or situation where you can better reflect God’s love and lordship? [43:58]
6. The “how much more” principle reminds us that God’s goodness far exceeds even the best human examples. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to trust God’s goodness? What would it look like to bring that to Him in prayer this week? [30:04]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of modeling faith for the next generation. Who in your life is watching your example? What is one way you can intentionally show them what it means to be loved by God? [50:49]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, addressing God as “Abba, Father,” and ask for a deeper experience of His love and for help in leaving a legacy of faith.
Devotional
Day 1: God Gives Good Gifts—How Much More Our Heavenly Father
Jesus teaches that even flawed earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, and then points us to the even greater generosity and love of our heavenly Father. This “how much more” teaching invites us to trust that God’s heart toward us is abundantly good, surpassing even the best intentions of human parents. When we ask, seek, and knock, we are assured that God hears and responds with kindness, not with indifference or harm. The comparison is meant to draw us into deeper confidence in God’s character, knowing that if we can recognize goodness in our earthly relationships, we can expect even more from our Father in heaven. [30:04]
Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
Reflection: What is one specific need or desire you have been hesitant to bring to God? Take time today to ask your heavenly Father for it, trusting in His goodness toward you.
Day 2: God Desires Intimacy—Call Him Abba, Father
God’s longing for a close, loving relationship with His people is seen throughout Scripture, culminating in Jesus’ invitation to address God as “Abba”—a term of deep intimacy and trust, like “Daddy.” This is not a distant or formal relationship, but one where we are welcomed as beloved children, able to bring our joys, fears, and needs to a Father who delights in us. Even if our earthly experiences of fatherhood are imperfect or painful, God invites us to experience the tenderness and closeness He offers, encouraging us to approach Him with childlike trust and affection. [36:40]
Romans 8:14-16 (ESV)
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 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!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
Reflection: In your next time of prayer, try addressing God as “Abba” or “Daddy.” How does this change the way you feel about your relationship with Him?
Day 3: We Are Adopted as God’s Children and Heirs
Through Christ, we are not only forgiven but welcomed into God’s family as His sons and daughters, with all the rights and privileges of beloved children. The Spirit within us enables us to call out to God as our Father, affirming our identity and security in Him. This adoption means we are no longer slaves to fear or performance, but heirs of God’s promises, invited to live in the freedom and assurance of His love. God’s desire is for us to know our place in His family and to rest in the inheritance He has prepared for us. [39:12]
Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV)
“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Reflection: What would it look like for you to live today with the confidence and security of someone who is truly God’s beloved child and heir?
Day 4: God the Creator and Sustainer—Marvel at His Care
God’s fatherhood is displayed not only in His love for us but also in His creative power and ongoing care for all creation. From the intricate design of bees to the vastness of the universe, God’s wisdom and providence are evident everywhere. He did not create the world and then abandon it; rather, He continually sustains, governs, and provides for all He has made. This means that nothing in our lives is outside of His loving oversight, and we can rest in the assurance that He holds all things together, even when the world feels chaotic. [43:58]
Psalm 104:24-30 (ESV)
“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.”
Reflection: Take a walk outside or observe a part of creation today. How does seeing God’s handiwork help you trust His care for your own life?
Day 5: Leaving a Legacy—Pointing Others to the Heavenly Father
The most lasting legacy we can leave is not material success, but a life that points others—especially our children and those we influence—toward the love and faithfulness of our heavenly Father. This happens through intentional practices like family devotions, prayer, and modeling a relationship with God that is real and vibrant. Even if we feel inadequate or aware of our failures, our commitment to loving God and showing His love to others can shape generations. The challenge is to prioritize what truly matters: helping those around us know and experience the love of the Father for themselves. [50:49]
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (ESV)
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Reflection: What is one intentional step you can take this week to help someone in your family or community experience the love of the heavenly Father?
Quotes
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