The Spirit Calls Us 'Abba, Father'
Month 6: Stories Jesus Told · Walking in the Spirit
Today's Scripture
Read together: Luke 15:21-22 & Romans 8:15-16
21 The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. — Luke 15:21-22
15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. — Romans 8:15-16
Memory Verse
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.”— Luke 15:7 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Psalms 70-73
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 169 of 365 — Psalm 73's honest struggle that ends in "it is good for me to draw near to God.")The Heart of It
The prodigal came home ready to settle for less. He had a speech all planned. "Make me like one of your hired servants," he was going to say (). He wanted to work it off. He hoped to earn a little corner of the property. He just didn't want to be treated as a son anymore. But the father wouldn't hear of it. Before the boy could even finish his speech, the father called for the robe, the ring, and the sandals. Every one of those was a sign of being a full son, not a servant. The son tried to give himself a smaller place in the family. The Father gave him a full one. That is exactly what God does with us. We come back braced to be barely put up with. We hope to earn our keep. And He insists on calling us sons and daughters. He doesn't want hired hands. He wants children.
And here is where the Holy Spirit comes in. How do we know, deep down, that we are truly God's children and not just servants on probation? Paul says it is the Spirit. "You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (). "Abba" is the warm, family word a child uses for a beloved daddy. It is the Holy Spirit who puts that cry in our hearts. He whispers past our shame and tells us we belong. When you've blown it, the old lie says, "God only puts up with you." But the Spirit says otherwise. Walking in the Spirit means living as a beloved child, not a nervous servant. That assurance is real and warm. And it stays alive as we keep coming home and abiding in Jesus ().
Around the Table
The boy thought he'd come home as a worker. But his daddy made him a SON again, with a robe and a ring! God's Helper, the Holy Spirit, helps us know we are God's kids.
Let's do it: Pretend to put on a fancy robe and a ring. Say, "I'm God's child!" with a big happy voice.
The son tried to make himself a servant. But the father made him a son. The Holy Spirit is the One who helps us feel sure we belong to God's family.
Let's talk: What is the difference between living like a worried servant and living like a loved child? Which one does God want for you?
The robe, ring, and sandals were full signs of being a son. The father overruled the boy's servant plan. It is the Spirit, not how well we perform, who tells us we are truly children. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit" ().
Let's go deeper: When you mess up, where do you usually try to get your sense of being okay with God? Do you reach for working harder, or for the Spirit's witness? How might that change things?
💬 Conversation Starter
What is something a son or daughter gets to do in a family that a hired worker wouldn't? That is the difference God makes for us.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some think Christians can never be sure they are right with God. But Scripture promises an inner assurance from the Holy Spirit Himself. He testifies that we are God's children (). This is not arrogance, and it is not guesswork. It is the Spirit's gift to those who trust and stay close to Christ.
For Dad · Go Deeper
The witness of the Spirit is precious, and it deserves a careful frame. John Wesley wrestled honestly with assurance and landed on a warm, balanced truth. The Spirit really does bear direct witness with our spirit that we are God's children. This is no cold deduction but a felt confidence. Yet it is the abiding believer who enjoys it. Assurance is the privilege of those who continue trusting and walking with Christ (). It is not an unconditional, automatic guarantee detached from a living relationship. Steer your kids away from two ditches. One is the anxious legalism that never feels safe. The other is a presumption that treats salvation as fireproof no matter whether one keeps following Jesus. The true path is rest and relationship together. We are secure in the Father's love, kept warm by the Spirit's witness, abiding daily in the Son. Model that yourself. Be a man who is unshakably loved and therefore free, but who keeps short accounts and stays close.
Draws on: John Wesley, "The Witness of the Spirit" (Sermons).
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that You don't want servants who are scared. You want sons and daughters who are loved. Holy Spirit, help us cry 'Abba, Father.' Help us know deep down that we belong. Keep us close to Jesus every day. In Jesus' name, amen."
The Spirit's quiet whisper says "Abba." I come home not as a hired hand, but as a beloved child.