The Clubhouse: God As Our Father

Hey Pine Cove! Pikapoo here, Outback Camp Director!

1 John 3:1 says: 

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

Names and titles matter deeply. Think about how families prepare to name a new baby—there’s care, thought, and meaning behind the choice. Sometimes a name honors a relative, sometimes it reflects a special meaning, and sometimes it’s drawn from Scripture. Names shape identity.

We see this in the Bible, even at camp. At the Outback, you call me Pikapoo, and my title is Camp Director. My name carries stories and memories, and my title tells you what I do. Both help you understand who I am.

Today, think about what God wants us to call Him. Scripture gives God many names—around a dozen or more that refer directly to Him, and over a hundred titles describing His character and work. Each name reveals something unique about who He is. But one title stands out in a powerful way: Father.

God has shown us incredible love by sending His Son to die for us. Because of that love, those who are in Christ receive a new name and identity: “children of God.” This isn’t just a label, it’s a reality. It shapes how God sees us, how we see ourselves, and how we live.

So today, let the truth that God is your Father shape your confidence, your hope, and your view of Him. 

Remember that the greatest thing about you is not your achievements, abilities, or status, but that you belong to a Heavenly Father who loves you more deeply than you can imagine.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the knowing that God is your Father impact how you pray to Him? 
2. In what ways have you allowed the opinions of others to influence you more than what God says about you?
3. Do the words you speak to others align with what God has spoken to His children? If not, how can you change that?