Discipleship - Believe in God The Father - The Abba Father, The Source of Life
Chapter 1: Believe in God The Father – The Abba Father, The Source of Life
Introduction
Christian discipleship begins with a foundational relationship with God the Father. In the Christian faith, God is not distant or unknowable but is revealed intimately as "Abba Father," a term that conveys both deep reverence and personal affection. This understanding of God as our Father is central to discipleship because it shapes how we view our relationship with Him and how we engage in His mission in the world.
In this chapter, we will explore what it means to believe in God the Father, to embrace Him as the Abba Father, and to recognize Him as the Source of all life. This is the first step in following Christ—acknowledging that our spiritual journey begins with a loving, personal relationship with God, our Creator, Sustainer, and Provider.
1. God the Father: The Source of Life
God the Father is the ultimate source of all life. He is not merely a figurehead or distant ruler but the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In the beginning, He spoke life into existence, and it is through Him that all things are sustained.
Scripture Reference:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 NKJV)
This foundational truth in Scripture highlights that God the Father is the origin of all that exists. The very breath of life we possess comes from Him. We were created in His image and for His purpose (Genesis 1:26-27), and we are sustained by His will.
Scripture Reference:
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16 NKJV)
This passage reminds us that everything in creation exists by the will of the Father and through His divine power. Our relationship with God is rooted in this profound truth: He is the Creator and Sustainer of all life.
2. God as Abba Father: A Personal Relationship
While God is the Creator and Source of all things, He also desires a close, personal relationship with His children. In the New Testament, Jesus reveals a more intimate understanding of God by calling Him "Abba," a term that translates as "Daddy" or "Papa." This term signifies an affectionate, trusting relationship between a father and his child, and it reveals the kind of relationship God desires to have with us.
Scripture Reference:
“And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.’” (Mark 14:36 NKJV)
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus uses the term “Abba, Father” to express His deep intimacy with God. Jesus, the Son of God, was in full communion with His Father, even in His darkest moment, demonstrating the closeness that we, too, can have with God.
Scripture Reference:
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15 NKJV)
Through the Holy Spirit, believers are granted the privilege of calling God "Abba, Father." This passage illustrates the spiritual adoption of believers, where we are no longer slaves to fear, but children of God, invited into a relationship of love and trust. This is the heart of discipleship—responding to God's call as a beloved child of the Father.
3. The Father’s Love and Care
God’s role as our Abba Father also reveals His deep love and care for us. A good father provides for his children, protects them, and desires the best for them. Our heavenly Father is no different—He promises to provide for our needs, protect us, and guide us in the way of righteousness.
Scripture Reference:
“If you then, being 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!” (Matthew 7:11 NKJV)
This verse teaches us about the generosity and goodness of our Father in heaven. Just as earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, God, in His perfection, knows exactly what we need and desires to bless us with good things when we ask in faith.
Scripture Reference:
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)
God the Father promises to meet our needs. As disciples of Christ, we are called to trust in His provision and care, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises.
4. The Father’s Discipline and Guidance
While God’s love for us is unconditional, as any good father, He also disciplines and guides His children for their benefit and growth. Discipline is not a sign of rejection but an expression of God’s care and commitment to shaping us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reference:
“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:6 NKJV)
Discipline is a part of the Christian life. As disciples, we are called to endure God’s loving correction, knowing that it refines us and brings us closer to His perfect will. This process, although sometimes difficult, is essential for our growth as children of God.
Scripture Reference:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)
Trusting in God the Father also means yielding to His guidance. As we walk in faith, we allow Him to direct our paths, trusting that He knows what is best for us.
5. The Father’s Desire for Fellowship
God the Father created us not only to know Him but also to fellowship with Him. The heart of discipleship is walking with God in an ongoing, relational way. We are invited to commune with Him through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. This relationship is not just a one-time event but a lifelong journey of growing in faith and intimacy with our Father.
Scripture Reference:
“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)
The Father’s love is so deep that He has called us His children. This status invites us into fellowship with Him, a fellowship that is not dependent on our merit but on His grace. As we live out our discipleship, we are called to abide in this love and to make it known to the world.
Conclusion
Believing in God the Father is the first step in Christian discipleship. He is the Source of life, the Abba Father who invites us into a personal relationship with Him, the Provider who cares for our every need, and the loving disciplinarian who shapes us into His image. As we grow in our understanding of God as our Father, we come to recognize that our lives are not our own—they are His, and we are called to live in such a way that reflects His love, care, and purpose.
Let us then live as children of God, trusting in His provision, submitting to His discipline, and walking in fellowship with Him daily. May our belief in God the Father deepen as we embark on this journey of discipleship, knowing that He is the Source of all life and the anchor of our souls.
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This chapter introduces the Christian concept of God the Father, setting the tone for deeper discipleship as the reader learns to embrace God’s role as Creator, Provider, and loving Father. Each Scripture passage is included to underscore these essential truths, helping the reader build a stronger relationship with God in the process.