Many people, both inside and outside of the Church, carry harmful and painful views of God as our Father. These views come from a variety of different places, depending on the person, but they all affect that person’s willingness to develop a close and intimate relationship with God. Part of spurring on other believers means sifting through and digging up those painful and false views, so they can have a truthful and accurate picture of who their Heavenly Father truly is. Only through addressing these previous-held beliefs can we help others realize that God’s open arms are a safe place, and an intimate relationship with God will provide so many answers that they have been searching for.
Do you personally have regular rhythms of time alone with God in your day? Are you reading Scripture on a regular basis to grow in your relationship with God? When we are modeling these behaviors and rhythms in our own lives and demonstrating this intimacy with God, we also need to be inviting others along with us to abide with Jesus. While a deep and intimate relationship with God is exactly what we should be pursuing on a daily basis, our hearts should all desire for those around us to have this same type of intimacy with their Heavenly Father.
Discussion/Reflection Question: What false or harmful view might you have of God that you don’t even realize you are holding onto?
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