Abba :The Incredible Love of the Father

abba

Abba

Abba: The Incredible Love of the Father. From the Doxology Series, a three-part study in praise of our triune God. Each study is a 9-session interactive Bible study resource with Leader's Guide and take home section.

From our human point of view, we accumulate many different ideas about what a father is and what it means to father children. If you grew up with a father in your home, you may know him as someone who loves you, provides and cares for you, protects you and is present in many positive ways. But if you grew up with a father who walked out on your family or only showed up for weekend visits, or never showed up at all, then your picture of a father may be someone who is aloof or distant, unloving, weak, unfaithful, perhaps even evil. If that is your experience, then you will have negative ideas about what a father is.

The biblical witness to God as our Father transcends what we learn about fathers from our earthly experience. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, many verses speak about how God is a Father to Israel, to Jesus, and even to us. Naming God "father" is more than merely distinguishing one part of the Trinity. Calling God "father" speaks to a wonderful relationship we have with our loving God, a relationship that teaches us about fathering here on earth. Let's explore what the scriptures have to say about our heavenly father.

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About the Authors

Tracie, Michele and Marian met while they were attending Union Theological Seminary here in Richmond. All three graduated with Master of Divinity degrees. Both Marian and Michele also graduated from the Presbyterian school of Christian Education. All three of these women are dedicated to proclaiming and teaching the Word of God in order that lives be transformed and made new in Christ.

Rev. Tracie Mayes Stewart is a life-long Presbyterian who grew up in South Carolina. She is a cum laude graduate of Davidson College and holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological seminary in Richmond, Virginia. Tracie is a Lydian Scholar and is actively involved in the ministries of Presbyterians for Renewal including NPWL, the Issues Ministry, and the Montreat Wee Kirk Conference. Tracie currently serves part-time as the Parish Associate for Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Statesville, North Carolina. She is married to Brian, a Presbyterian minister who is currently starting a new church, the Presbyterian Church of the Springs, in Barium Springs, North Carolina. Brian and Tracie have two boys, Brian Alexander, 6, and William James, 3.

The Reverend Marian Carmical is a life-long Presbyterian who grew up in southeastern North Carolina. A graduate of East Carolina University, Marian left the business world to pursue a call to ministry. She enrolled in the Dual Degree Program at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA where she earned M.Div. and M.A. degrees. Marian served as Associate Pastor for Administration, Education, and Programs at New Hanover Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia. With her husband, the Reverend Ed Boyce, she served the Brookston, St. Andrews, and Young Memorial churches in Henderson, North Carolina. More recently, Marian served as Supply Pastor for Trinity Presbyterian Church in Jonesville, Louisiana. Marian and Ed are the parents of William, 5.

Marian has a keen interest in the relationship between Christian education and evangelism. She is passionate about adult education.

Michelle Allen was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was nurtured in the faith at Hyde Park Presbyterian Church where she was ordained an elder in 1987. That same year she received the call to ordained ministry. After graduating from the University of Scranton in 1991 with a double major in Human Services (Counseling) and Sociology, she entered seminary. She graduated in 1995 from the dual degree program at UTS/PSCE with a Masters in Christian Education along with the Masters of Divinity. Michele served 6 years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and as chaplain for two hospices in the Presbytery of the Pines. She is currently pastor of Friendship Community Church in Sicklerville, New Jersey. She is a co-author of the NPWL ICHTHUS study published in 2004.