The Fatherhood of God: Abiding with Him

We exist to Fill the City with Jesus. 

We empower the willing to come fully alive in God’s presence for the renewal of our cities.

 Imagine a group of people in an authentic community, loving each other honestly, covering each other’s sins with forgiveness, prayer, confession, and encouragement, and serving and supporting each other genuinely. It’s in spaces like these where we begin to see the supernatural work of God within our relationships.

Use this guide with your community, in concert with the Field Journal, as you Strengthen Yourself in the Lord, Manage Your Household, and Fill the City with Jesus.

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Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

Sermon Summary

Earthly experiences shape our view of fatherhood, but Jesus revealed a radical truth: God is not a distant judge, but a loving Father who desires relationship. In Matthew 6, Jesus invites us to approach God as Father—our Abba who acts as our Source, Sustainer, Protector, and Provider. The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 illustrates two ways we fail to abide. The younger son sought independence through reckless living but found restoration in a Father who valued his identity over his sin. The older son stayed close but remained spiritually distant, trapped in religious performance by valuing property, processes, and programs over intimacy. True relationship requires presence over performance. God cannot be manipulated by religious checklists or works. He is never shocked by our mess; He is simply calling for a generation to put away the distractions, enter His presence, and choose to truly abide in Him.

Scripture References from the Sermon

|   Matthew 6:9   |   Luke 15:11-32  |   Mark 2:5   |   Mark 5:34   | 

Discussion Questions

• Which category best describes your past experience with the word “Father”—safe, threatened, or perfection-driven? Share how that has shaped your view of God?
• When you are going through a difficult season, which of these four roles (Source, Sustainer, Protector, Provider) do you find it hardest to trust God with? Why?
• Jesus called the paralytic “Son” and the bleeding woman “Daughter” to restore their identity amidst visible and hidden struggles. How does knowing you are God’s child change how you view your own struggles?
• What is the practical difference between living close to God (doing all the right religious activities) and abiding in God?
• How can you intentionally put away the “stuff” and the checklists this week to simply rest and abide in the presence of your Father?

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Manage Your Household 

Practical spiritual activities:

• Worship together – Dedicate time each week to worship with those in your household.
• Pray together – Dedicate time each day for listening to and speaking with the Lord individually, and as a household. Record ongoing prayer requests into your journal or Field Journal.
• Intercede for one another – Ask those in your household what is on their heart, then pray for one another. Refer to “Prayer Requests From Our Community” below and prayer recorded in your Field Journal and pray together for your city.
• Read together – Spend time together reading God’s Word. Consider the Bible reading guide on our website.
• Journal & Share – Share insight from what you’ve been hearing from the Lord and capturing in your journal weekly.
• Take communion together – For those who are followers of Jesus, consider taking the elements together. There is a communion guide on our website.

Event Highlight 

• 9a.m. – 12p.m. on July 11 GStudents is hosting two car washes to help students raise money to attend Camp EXP. God did incredible things last year at camp and we’re excited to see what He does this year.
• For more, visit gracechurchsp.org/events  

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Fill Your City

Prayer Requests From Our Community

• Pray for God’s healing and sustaining grace over physical illness and mental health struggles.
• Pray for God’s wisdom, provision, and direction for life transitions.
• Pray for Middle Cross Baptist Church West End and Pastor David Reynolds.

Serve Opportunities 

• In the Church – Our Admin Team helps keep our office operations running smoothly. Flexible midweek volunteer opportunities are available.
• In the City – Join us for a blood drive as we partner with the Red Cross on our Southern Pines Campus July 15th 11a.m. – 4p.m.
• For more, visit gracechurchsp.org/serve 

Your City

• There are six areas of the city: family, health & wellness, business, education, government, and media. What are ways you can serve in your city?
• Share Your Story about what God is doing in your life and your city here: https://gracechurchsp.org/story/