Study 1 of 13 on The Teachings of Jesus
“She was only in the womb when death made her mother a widow. Death with its suddenness ripped her father’s life away from the family. So all this talk of God as a father was a foreign concept to her…but like learning a foreign language…she had to learn about knowing God…. “to know” is not some theoretical episode in life…to know means to take knowledge and put it into some dynamic function. She did that. She expresses her love for her heavenly father in the way she lives her life worshipping Him by the choices she has made and continues to make…but more importantly the way she treats those around her…even the stranger within her gate. I know this personally because she married into my family…and her life has always exemplified her love for her heavenly Father.” –Falvo Fowler
Scriptural Basis: Matt. 6:25–34; 7:9–11; Luke 15:11–24; John 14:8–10; Heb. 9:14.
Key Text: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1, NKJV)
1. What does it mean for you, personally, to address God as your heavenly Father?
2. What do we especially need to know about God?
3. In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–24), what are the evidences the son had of his father’s love.
4. What was the active role of each of the members of the Godhead in the life of Jesus?
5. If we are to know that God loves us, how can we account for suffering?
6. How can we help others who have difficulty trusting their heavenly Father?
7. In what ways, during a time of crisis, were you able to see the reality of God’s love for you? What did you learn from that experience that you can share with someone else who might be struggling and, amid those struggles, questioning the reality of God’s love?
