STB145 | BSE | Faith: The Father | Cultivate Relationships

Bible School Edition - Nathan and Pastor Scott explore how our earthly experiences — especially with fathers — shape our view of God as Father. They discuss the Trinity, God’s relational nature, and how healing reorients our hearts to see Him as He truly is.

— EPISODE CHAPTERS —
(00:00) Wrestling With Our View of God
The episode opens with how our view of God is often shaped by early influences, especially parental examples, leaving distortions that need healing.
(24:31) The Trinity and Our Identity
Nathan and Scott explain how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reveal God’s relational nature and empower our identity, moving beyond shallow analogies into deeper theological truth.
(47:22) God the Father’s Relational Heart
This section highlights God as Father, emphasizing His generosity and constancy while challenging listeners to confront how childhood experiences shaped their view of Him.
(1:19:31) Activation Steps:
The episode ends with reflection and activation, inviting listeners to identify distortions from earthly fathers and anchor themselves in God’s unchanging love and truth.

— EPISODE LINKS —
• Bookshelf | Faith Booklet
https://cultivaterelationships.com/bookshelf/#faith
• Podcast Playlist | Galatians Series
https://cultivaterelationships.com/galatians/
• Unseen Realm, by Michael Heiser
https://a.co/d/9Xf2SqA
• Youtube | St. Patrick's Bad Analogies
https://youtu.be/KQLfgaUoQCw
• The Freedom Booklet
https://cultivaterelationships.com/the-freedom-booklet/
• Bible Tools
https://cultivaterelationships.com/bible-tools/
• More Content & Resources at Our Website
https://cultivaterelationships.com/

— EPISODE NOTES —
THE HOLY TRINITY – Father, Son, & Spirit
Genesis 1.27; 3.22; 11.7; Isaiah 6.8; Matthew 3.13-17; 28.19-20; John 14.16; 16.13-15; 20.21-22; Romans 8.9; 15.16, 30; 1 Corinthians 12.4-6; 2 Corinthians 1.21-22; Galatians 4.4-6; Ephesians 2.18; 4.4-6; 1 Timothy 6.13-16; Jude 20-21
The most foundational theological doctrine of Christianity is that God is one and that there is only one God. Paradoxically, however, God reveals Himself eternally existing in three persons. “Persons” in this sense is not different people but rather best understood by their relationship and distinction to one another — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While God is sovereign, the attribute that brings God the most glory is in Him being relational.

APPLICATION QUESTION(S):
How might seeing God as fundamentally relational — rather than sovereign — affect your view of Him? How might this influence your prayers, thoughts, and actions toward Him?

THE HOLY FATHER — God’s Heart is Relational
Psalm 136.22-26; 138.8; Matthew 6.9; Luke 11.13; James 1.17; Romans 8.15
Our view of God — especially as our Heavenly Father — is often seen through the lens of our experience with our earthly fathers. The role and responsibility of our earthly fathers is to mirror that of our Heavenly Father — to protect us, provide for our needs, and affirm our God-given identity. Our experience can cause us to polarize our view of God’s attributes. We either only affirm the attributes we’ve experienced or completely reject them. Through the Scriptures, God has revealed that He is a good and loving Father who desires relationship with us, His creation.

APPLICATION QUESTION(S):
What was the most encouraging AND discouraging thing your biological father did or said to you growing up?

ACTIVATION STEPS
From this study, prayerfully walk through the following steps:

STEP #1 – RECOGNIZE DISTORTIONS (James 1.17)
Take time this week to reflect on how your experience with your earthly biological father may have shaped your view of God as Father. Ask the Holy Spirit: What distortion of God’s character do I struggle with most?

STEP #2 – REDISCOVER HIS NATURE (Leviticus 11.44)
Search the Scriptures to rediscover an attribute of God you have neglected or found hard to believe. Write down passages that highlight His character and pray them back to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit: Which attributes of the Father do You want to restore in my heart this week?

STEP #3 – REORIENT TOWARD RELATIONSHIP (1 John 3.1):
Take one practical step to engage God as your relational Father (not just sovereign ruler). This could be in prayer, worship, or obedience. Ask the Holy Spirit: How can I live as the Father’s child today, receiving and reflecting His relational love?