THE LORD’S PRAYER
“What is God Really Like?”

Pastor Scott Oas | 02.21.16

“This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven...” - Matthew 6:9

WHAT KIND OF FATHER IS GOD?

1. GOD IS A CARING FATHER.

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who honor Him...” - Psalms 103:13

“So don’t worry saying, 'What shall we eat?... or what shall we wear?’... Your heavenly Father knows you need these things.” - Matthew 6:31-32

2. GOD IS A CONSISTENT FATHER.

“Every good and perfect gift... is from the Father... who does not change like shifting shadows.” - James 1:17
“Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” - 2 Timothy 2:13
“What a God he is! . . . All his promises prove true!” - Psalms 18:30

3. GOD IS A CLOSE FATHER.

“God did this so people would . . . reach out for Him and find Him, since He is not far from each of us.” - Acts 17:27

God:
* Is never too busy for me.
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him...” - Psalms 145:18

* Loves to meet my needs.
“If you... know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” - Matthew 7:11

* Is sympathetic to my hurts.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalms 34:18

4. GOD IS A CAPABLE FATHER.

“For nothing is impossible with God.” - Luke 1:37

GOING DEEPER

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 6:5-15

GETTING STARTED

Do you remember the first prayer you heard or prayed? Did you learn a prayer as a child? Do you remember it? How does it go?

A CLOSER LOOK

This week’s focus is on understanding God as a father. What are some of the downsides/upsides to seeing God that way?

Read Psalms 103:13. What is required of a child to have God be a compassionate Father toward them? What trait is manifested in God with regard to his children?

Look at these 2 verses:

"Every good and perfect gift . . . is from the Father . . . who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17

"Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself." - 2 Timothy 2:13

How does “who does not change” and “remains faithful” help you to understand God’s consistency?
Why would that be important for any serious follower of God to know?

Acts 17:27 speaks of God as being not far from us. He is close.

"God did this so people would . . . reach out for Him and find Him, since He is not far from each of us."

Why would distance be an issue for some people when they think of God?

Read each of these “God is” statements. Which one to you is the most dynamic? Why?

* God is never too busy for me.
"The Lord is near to all who call on Him . . ." - Psalms 145:18

* God loves to meet my needs.
"If you . . . know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" - Matthew 7:11

* God is sympathetic to my hurts.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalms 34:18

* God is a Capable Father.
"For nothing is impossible with God." - Luke 1:37 

DIGGING DEEPER

In the attributes we’ve looked at above, what might stall people out in relating to God as a “Father”? What for you is most challenging with this concept?

What gives you the most strength and confidence in God from knowing these things about your heavenly Father?