TOPIC 03 OF 47
God the Father
The Father’s generous care, revealed fully in his Son.
THE MAIN TRUTH
God the Father is one of the three persons of the Triune God.
Watch this topic
Infographic
Explore the biblical teaching about God the Father in this visual overview. Select the image to open it at full size.
The teaching
From the book · pages 7–9
God the Father is one of the three persons of the Triune God. God is Spirit and therefore cannot be seen or confined to one place. He is called Father because he is the Father of his eternally begotten Son, the Word, who took on human flesh in Jesus. He is the Father who created all things, and he is the Father of all who believe in Jesus.
As the loving and all-powerful Father in heaven, he freely gives life to all things. He faithfully provides for all he has made. We are dependent on him to receive everything we need in life as a good gift from his gracious hand. In his complete knowledge of the present and future, he wisely cares for all creatures and human beings on earth as he orders events. He works amid the sin, evil, and devastation that humanity has brought into his good creation to redeem all things and to bring good out of evil.
God’s creation reveals to all people that there is an eternal, all-powerful God. But this natural revelation does not reveal whether his will for us is good and gracious. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Holy Scriptures reveals the heart of God as our loving Father.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
Creation witnesses to God’s power and provision; Jesus reveals his fatherly heart. Read the promises of care in the light of the Father’s gift of his Son.
15 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
Ephesians 4:6 ↗
“. . . one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.”
Book page 8
SCRIPTURE 03
Ephesians 1:3 ↗
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. . .”
Book page 8
SCRIPTURE 04
1 Corinthians 8:6 ↗
“. . . there is one God—the Father, from whom all things exist and we exist for him—and one Lord—Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist and we exist through him.”
Book page 8
SCRIPTURE 06
John 1:12; 20:17 ↗
“. . . to those who believe . . . he gave the right to become children of God . . .” [Jesus:] “I am ascending to my Father and your Father. . .”
Book page 8
SCRIPTURE 07
James 1:17 ↗
“Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, who does not change or shift like a shadow.”
Book page 8
SCRIPTURE 08
Psalm 145:13,15-16 ↗
“The LORD is faithful to all his words and merciful toward all he has made . . . The eyes of all look eagerly to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. He opens his hand, and he satisfies the desire of every living thing.”
Book page 8
SCRIPTURE 09
Matthew 10:29-31 ↗
“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without the knowledge and consent of your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
Book page 9
SCRIPTURE 10
Genesis 50:20 ↗
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring this to pass and to keep many people alive, as it is this day.”
Book page 9
SCRIPTURE 11
Romans 8:28 ↗
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. . .”
Book page 9
SCRIPTURE 12
Isaiah 64:8 ↗
“But now, LORD, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter. All of us are the work of your hand.”
Book page 9
SCRIPTURE 13
Romans 1:19-20 ↗
“. . . what can be known about God is evident among them, because God made it evident among them. In fact, his invisible characteristics—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, because they are understood from the things he made. As a result, people are without excuse. . .”
Book page 9
SCRIPTURE 14
John 14:9-11 ↗
[Jesus:] “The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?”
Book page 9
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
45-Minute Study Guide: God the Father
A printable study that weaves the doctrinal statement together with all of its supporting Scripture passages, plus opening discussion, application questions, and prayers.
Download the Complete Bible Study (PDF)PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
What do we learn about God from creation, and what must we learn through Christ?
Which gifts of the Father do you easily overlook?
How can his promises sustain trust when his care is difficult to see?
A prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for life and daily provision. Give us confidence in your love revealed in Jesus, especially when we cannot understand our circumstances. Amen.