See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!
1 John 3:1, csb
I Am Actually His Child
I want you to respond to some questions today’s verse that I think will help you understand who God is and who you are. Go ahead and write down the answers to these questions:
Reflecting on Your Child of God Identity
How much does God love you?
How did you get His love?
Whose child are you?
Are you only called His child?
God has given you His great love. His love is greater than any human love. He has loved you more than anyone ever has or ever will.
You did not earn or pay for His love. He gave you His love and set His affection on you. He loved you first, before you ever thought of loving Him. He expressed His love by dying for you on the cross to take away your sin and make you His child.
Living in Your Child of God Identity
You are not merely called His child; you actually are His child! We all know people who have been called things that are not true. Or people who have pretended to be someone they are not. But that’s not the case for God’s children!
God is the eternal King, and you are His son or daughter. Like other famous people, human kings are hard to get to—and almost impossible to sit down with and talk to. They have bodyguards and busy schedules and long lines of people who would love to just get a picture with them. Most people will never speak to a human king. But one person can always get the attention of a good king: the king’s child. Congratulations—the everlasting King is also your Dad! You can approach Him at any time. In fact, when Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to pray, “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9). Jesus wants you to remember that God is your Father.
Challenges to Your Child of God Identity
I think we all know it’s not fun to be called names that don’t fully represent us or that put us in a box. One name I am called semiregularly is “pastor’s kid.” This is an accurate name for me because my dad is a pastor, and I am his child. I actually love being a pastor’s kid! However, I don’t like the name when it is used to accuse me of things that are not true, such as “You only got to do so and so because your dad is the pastor” or “I heard all pastors’ kids are secretly bad.” What? I have worked hard for my accomplishments and because Jesus gave me a new heart and His Spirit, I’m not bad! So as much as I love being my dad’s child, the term “pastor’s kid” isn’t always used to describe me correctly.
Many concepts in the Bible can be confusing, but this statement is so clear and amazing: We are God’s children! When God calls you His child, He actually means it. And it’s not just a title—we also get the privileges that come with it. We are able to talk to the King of the universe whenever we want because the King is also our Dad! We get His care and protection. We are His heirs— meaning He will give us an everlasting and stunning inheritance one day in heaven. Being called His child is not like that participation trophy our soccer coach gave us or the pity character award we got from our teacher. Sure, those were nice, but this is different and better. It’s real!
Applying Your Child of God Identity
Reflection & Discussion Time
Questions About Your Child of God Identity
What titles have you been most proud of in your life? Why is being called God’s child even better?
Why is it important to understand that God loves you because you are His child—not because of anything you’ve done?
Excerpted from 50 Days to Embracing (and Enjoying) Who God Says You Are by Eric and Eden Geiger, releasing in January 2026.
