Last week I shared the breath of fresh air of talking about God on Mother’s and Father’s Days, instead of our earthly mothers and fathers.
I love the idea of focusing on God’s fatherly and motherly traits on such days. I would love for churches to make God the centre of these celebrations—to the extent I want to replace Mother’s and Father’s Days with God’s Days.
For churches longing to shift the focus from earthly parents to our Heavenly Father and Mother, here are some more scripture ideas for preaching on God’s motherly and fatherly traits:
God as provider and carer
Luke 12:27-32—Jesus is talking: ‘“Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.”’ (MSG)
’”Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”’
God as loving father
Matthew 7:7-11—Jesus says, ‘“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”’ (MSG)
God as our shepherd
Psalm 23:1-3—‘God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.’ (MSG)
God as a helper
James 1:5—‘If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.’ (MSG)
’If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father.’
God as One who watches over us
1 Peter 5:6-7—‘Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].’ (AMP)
Not only does God nurture us with motherly and fatherly care, he listens to us, anticipates our needs, gives and keeps on giving, refreshes us with tenderness, and watches over us with great affection.
‘He cares about you with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully.’
What wonderful qualities we have in our Heavenly Mother and Father. What a beautiful God!
Have you experienced God’s motherly and fatherly qualities? What traits do you appreciate most about God? Do you know other scriptures that speak about God’s fatherly or motherly love? Share your story. Let’s have a countercultural conversation.