Capacity to Imagine Fatherhood | Free to Imagine | Drew Moore
Are we created in the image of our human father or God our Father? Well, both. Often, we let our image of “father” shape our image of God. As we are adopted into God’s family, what could happen when we let our image of God shape our image of fatherhood?
Key Verses
Genesis 1:27-28 NLT: So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.
Genesis 5:1-3 NLT: This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself.He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.”When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of a son who was just like him—in his very image. He named his son Seth.
John 8:38-44 NLT: I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”“Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:47 NLT: Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.
Romans 8:14-16 NLT: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
Mark 1:9-11 NLT: One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
One of the best ways to hear what God is saying right now is to look at what He has said in the Bible with a few friends. Discovery Bible Study is an easy-to-use way to hear from God, make good changes in our lives, and share with others what God is up to. Grab some friends, pick a verse or story from above, and dive deeper into this week’s message.
Recap
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To begin the study, each person answers these questions:
What are you thankful for?
What is causing stress for our neighbors and people around us?
What can we as individuals or as a group do to help?
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Have someone retell the story from your previous meeting.
Did you live out your response from last week?
Did you tell anyone else about the story from last week?
DISCOVERING WHAT GOD IS SAYING
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One person reads the story out loud to the group.
Someone else in the group retells the story in their own words as they remember it, and others fill in what’s missing.
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Read the passage again (different version if possible)
What does this passage say about God, Jesus, or His plan?
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Have 1-2 more people retell the story as if they were telling a neighbor outside their home.
What does this passage say about people in general?
DISCOVER WHAT GOD IS SAYING
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What in me needs to change to better DO what God is showing me today?
How will you respond to/obey this passage in a tangible, perhaps even costly ways in the next 47 hours?
Have someone record these for prayer time, and for the beginning of the next meeting.
SHARING WHAT GOD IS SAYING
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Take prayer requests
Pray together
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Who in your life needs to hear this story?
Who could you invite to study the Bible like this?
Practice Generosity Here
Every time you give in Jesus’ name, you make a difference in others AND you make a difference in your own life! Partnering together in generosity helps accomplish things together that could never be accomplished alone! You can partner together in giving today with a single gift, or schedule recurring giving using your checking account, debit, or credit card.