God is our Heavenly Father
Teachers
Lesson Summary
In this class, Richard Sutton taught that Jesus’ invitation to call God “Father” reveals a deep, intimate relationship that was radical in the Jewish context of the first century. He highlighted how the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9) models this reverent yet personal address, and he used the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11‑14) to demonstrate God’s endless compassion and willingness to forgive a wayward child. Sutton emphasized that, just as the father in the story ran to embrace his son, our Heavenly Father eagerly welcomes us when we repent and return. The teacher also shared personal anecdotes about his own father’s strengths and shortcomings, linking those experiences to the broader theme of earthly fatherhood and its challenges. He encouraged the congregation to celebrate Father’s Day while recognizing that human fathers are imperfect, yet can still reflect God’s love. The class concluded with announcements about upcoming storm‑survival lessons, the summer retreat, and a call to engage with the message throughout the week, inviting members to discuss and apply the truth that God is our loving Heavenly Father.
Key Scriptures
Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The young one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the young son got together all that he had and set off for a distant country and there he squandered his wealth in wild living. After he spent everything, there was a severe famine in the whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare and here I am starving to death? I will set out back and go to my father and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired servants.' So he got up and went to his father. But while still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."