Daily Scripture: Exodus 4:19 Adonai said to Moshe in Midyan, “Go on back to Egypt, because all the men who wanted to kill you are dead.” 20 So Moshe took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and started out for Egypt. Moshe took God’s staff in his hand. 21 Adonai said to Moshe, “When you get back to Egypt, make sure that you do before Pharaoh every one of the wonders I have enabled you to do. Nevertheless, I am going to make him hardhearted, and he will refuse to let the people go. 22 Then you are to tell Pharaoh: ‘Adonai says, “Isra’el is my firstborn son.
Romans 8:13 For if you live according to your old nature, you will certainly die; but if, by the Spirit, you keep putting to death the practices of the body, you will live.
14 All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to bring you back again into fear; on the contrary, you received the Spirit, who makes us sons and by whose power we cry out, “Abba!” (that is, “Dear Father!”). 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our own spirits that we are children of God; 17 and if we are children, then we are also heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Messiah — provided we are suffering with him in order also to be glorified with him.
Reflection Questions:
The Bible often applied the term “Father” to God, but Exodus 4 said God planted the idea, calling Israel “my son.” Calling God “Father” was a metaphor. It said God is the ideal all human fathers try to reach. Paul applied the metaphor not to power and dominance—he said the Holy Spirit teaches us to address God with the Aramaic word abba. Abba, many scholars say, was how little children addressed their fathers, somewhat akin to English words like “daddy” or “papa.”
- In Romans 8:15, Paul contrasted “a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear” with God’s loving adoption of us as sons and daughters. Are you more inclined to see God as a person we serve out of fear, or as a loving father who wants what is best for us? What factors shaped your view? If your life experience filled the word “father” with negative memories, what images and relationships help you trust that God is love?
- Paul, trained as a rabbi, drew heavily on the Old Testament. Isaiah 64:8 said, “Now, Lord, you are our father”—Psalm 68:5 described God as a “father of orphans.” When human fathers fall short, God can be the loving Father we never had. Did you have a warm, close bond with your father, or was your experience of a human father more distant, even hurtful? How does the invitation to relate to God as abba speak to your heart?
Lord God, for me to confess that I believe in you as father, as abba, moves me. Bless my earthly father and father figures. Thank you for being, not just higher and greater than any of them, but more loving, too. Amen.
Insights from Rev. Steven Blair
Rev. Steven Blair is the Congregational Care Pastor of Live Forward and Live Well Emotional Wellness Ministry. www.cor.org/liveforward
Right out of the gate the Apostles’ Creed quickly describes God as ‘Father.’ ‘Father’ is a relational word, keying our minds and hearts to view God as connected relationally to us. There are some who may struggle with calling God ‘Father,’ due to their own experiences or other reasons. Using the word ‘Parent’ may help you with The Apostles’ Creed or with the Lord’s Prayer. The meaning behind the word is what we must hold tightly.
Paul uses the word ‘Abba’ as a way to refer to God. Abba is an affectionate term that is better translated as “Daddy.” When I visited the Holy Land, I heard a kindergarten age child say it. He was separated from his dad for a brief moment. He frantically scanned the crowd calling, “Abba! Abba!” His dad was a few steps away. He turned and hugged his son.
As we study The Apostles Creed, may we see the word “Father” as the more relational term “Daddy.” If you are struggling today in any way, hurting or lost, call out ‘Abba’ and God will embrace you.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Right out of the gate the Apostles’ Creed quickly describes God as ‘Father.’ ‘Father’ is a relational word, keying our minds and hearts to view God as connected relationally to us. There are some who may struggle with calling God ‘Father,’ due to their own experiences or other reasons. Using the word ‘Parent’ may help you with The Apostles’ Creed or with the Lord’s Prayer. The meaning behind the word is what we must hold tightly.
Paul uses the word ‘Abba’ as a way to refer to God. Abba is an affectionate term that is better translated as “Daddy.” When I visited the Holy Land, I heard a kindergarten age child say it. He was separated from his dad for a brief moment. He frantically scanned the crowd calling, “Abba! Abba!” His dad was a few steps away. He turned and hugged his son.
As we study The Apostles Creed, may we see the word “Father” as the more relational term “Daddy.” If you are struggling today in any way, hurting or lost, call out ‘Abba’ and God will embrace you.
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 Unied States
913.897.0120
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