CHILDREN in the BIBLE
© Original material and text. 2019.

Section Thirteen

Our Father

God is described as a father who gives good gifts to his children. The earthly parent/child relationship is used to illustrate the Father in heaven / child of God relationship (see Matthew Chapter 7 verse 11 and its equivalent Luke Chapter 11 verse 13 as well as James Chapter 1 verses 17 to 18). The famous prayer that Jesus taught in response to the disciples urging “Lord, teach us to pray” startes simply with ‘Father’ or ‘our Father’. So Jesus’ teaching on prayer instructed the disciples to pray to their heavenly Father (see Matthew Chapter 6 verse 9; Luke Chapter 11 verse 2). Three verses use the word ‘Abba’ (along with the Greek translation of the original word). They are Mark Chapter 14 verse 36, Romans Chapter 8 verse 15 and Galatians Chapter 4 verse 6. Jesus addresses God in the Mark passage as ‘Abba Father’ and the other two verses encourage Christians to call God ‘Abba Father’ as well.

The term ‘Abba’

The word is used as part of a way to address God. It is probably Aramaic in origin, but could possibly be Hebrew. It was used as a term of endearment by a child to their father (by both young and grown-up children). Some say that it conveys an affectionate or dependant relationship.
CHILDREN in the Bible
© 2019

Section Thirteen

Our Father

God is described as a father who gives good gifts to his children. The earthly parent/child relationship is used to illustrate the Father in heaven / child of God relationship (see Matthew Chapter 7 verse 11 and its equivalent Luke Chapter 11 verse 13 as well as James Chapter 1 verses 17 to 18). The famous prayer that Jesus taught in response to the disciples urging “Lord, teach us to pray” startes simply with ‘Father’ or ‘our Father’. So Jesus’ teaching on prayer instructed the disciples to pray to their heavenly Father (see Matthew Chapter 6 verse 9; Luke Chapter 11 verse 2). Three verses use the word ‘Abba’ (along with the Greek translation of the original word). They are Mark Chapter 14 verse 36, Romans Chapter 8 verse 15 and Galatians Chapter 4 verse 6. Jesus addresses God in the Mark passage as ‘Abba Father’ and the other two verses encourage Christians to call God ‘Abba Father’ as well.

The term ‘Abba’

The word is used as part of a way to address God. It is probably Aramaic in origin, but could possibly be Hebrew. It was used as a term of endearment by a child to their father (by both young and grown-up children). Some say that it conveys an affectionate or dependant relationship.