The Father Heart of God

by Floyd McClung

The compassion of the Father enables us to overcome insecurity and the devastating effects of some of life's most painful experiences. Included in the back is a study guide with questions for each chapter.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith, Spirituality, Theology

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Floyd McClung Jr. is the senior pastor of a large, growing church in Kansas City, Missouri, and the international director of All Nations Family. He has lectured on more than 100 university campuses and traveled in more than 175 countries.

Reviews

[Michael Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outstanding book about God's healing power through His love, written by a man who directed Youth With A Mission work for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and currently is Sr. Pastor of a Kansas City, MO church as well as international director for "All Nations Family," an org. dedicated to making disciples of all nations through evangelism and church planting. In short, he has the practical training to back up his thoughts in the book.

There is a disconnect between the title and the material covered at a shallow level. Not a theology book, but practical in how to show God's love as his world ambassadors.

4 stars as there were no new revelations for me (I've been a Christian for over 60 years), but suspect most folks would glean something from it.

[Ian Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a worldwide need for Fathers and Mothers in the Lord to be an example, be available, and have open homes and "reparent" ones that missed out on genuine parenting. Creating an environment that offers grace and trusts others amid their hurt. To be God's vessel in raising those that are younger or in deep need of spiritual guidance. How can we create a movement of encouraging this in our church? In a society that focuses on the individual, how can we selflessly turn to become ones that look to the hurting other?
This book encourages us to look past our own needs and offers insight on how we can fix them and center our hearts and minds toward God.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book published in 1985, several things in McClung's work seem ahead of their time, namely mental health and spiritual abuse concerns. I liked his metaphor of forgiveness being the way that emotional wounds are protected from infection (bitterness). Nothing too groundbreaking, but I like McClung's voice. By all accounts, he was a great man.

[Tim Littleford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good primer for early Christians.

[Honeybee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part of the core curriculum, so-to-speak, of Youth With A Mission. It talks about how the Lord relates to us as a loving Father and how our relationship with our own dads and other authority figures can inhibit our ability to respond to Him as such.

When I read the book aloud to my husband, we found it to be a bit dry in spots. I would've liked to see more real-life examples, as these often help readers grasp what an author is trying to tell them. Nevertheless, there were some "ah-hah" moments and parts we re-read. I especially found Mr. McClung's chapter on the "Saul Syndrome" relevant and intriguing.

I would've liked the discussion questions at the end of the book to be immediately following each chapter. I didn't even notice them, until we had read the whole book and it was too late to benefit from the guided interaction that I'm sure would've enhanced our interaction with the material.

Whether or not you are/were a YWAMer, the concepts in this book are really enlightening. Having been through Discipleship Training School in the '90's, we found it to be a good review of one of the key concepts of our missions preparation. For those who are not affiliated with this great Christian organization, it would make a fantastic personal or small-group Bible study to increase your understanding of and intimacy with the God who loves you more than humanly possible.

[Steve Heyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting. It was easy to read and some high level ideas made so simple by using some brilliant anecdotes from McClungs life. He writes with conviction and place of security and yet is vulnerable and real.

He has seen more brokenness in the world then I ever hope to and still holds on hope of a father God who wants transform and repair the brokenness we may have. It is a short book but packed with helpful steps and thoughts that I'm sure I will delve back into at some point.

I would recommend this to anyone who struggles with the idea of God as a loving father and someone who actually cares about how you are.

[Kristel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blotted by this world's definition of what a father is, this book corrects your perspective about God as our "Father".

[Elkaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

.
Loved this book, as I had to admit I cried when reading this book, as it was a great book for me heading into Lent. Yet, I was a little disappointed that this book was not about God, the Father – which proclaims it’s about – experiencing the depths of his Love for you. But, after finishing this about a week ago, and reflecting on it, I can see why others feel upset that the book is not about the love of God, the Father, instead how the author who is a senior pastor has dealt dealing with the unbroken – lost souls of the world throughout his ministry by attempting to be an example of God’s love within the world. Therefore, I began to think to myself – isn’t this supposed to be our faith, and life mission upon the earth, to bring the Love God, the Father has for us, to the unbroken – lost souls of the world?
Also, another slight issue I had with this book was its not a catholic one, therefore some of the authors terms and theology was a little different to my own. Yet, I loved the over all message that flows out of this book – God, does indeed love his children, and wants us to spread that love to others!

[Katelyn Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how I long to follow God wholeheartedly. Not just in speech, in conduct, and in action... but also in attitude and posture of my heart. I believe my inability to do so--or, rather, to do so so imperfectly--is due to my lack of an understanding of WHO He is. Of what His heart is towards me.

For how can one fully give their life, their heart, their soul, their affections, their EVERYTHING to a God whom they do not know? Such is what I wrestle with. Lord, I want to know you more... no, I NEED to know you more... if I am to have any hope of devotedly following your pillar of fire wherever it may rest in the stunning darkness that surrounds this world, I must know you. This is not a request but a desperate plea from a hungry, fully-dependent soul.

This book doesn't provide all the answers, but it is a place to begin meditating what God's heart is. A place to begin challenging those ideas we have of God that are so, so incorrect. He is love... He is love... open our eyes and hearts to receive this, Lord. Be gracious to us. I know you will be.

[Brandon H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember seeing the author years ago and enjoying his talks. This book, however, was a disappointment. If people didn't know the title of the book and read it, I doubt that most people would conclude it was about the Father heart of God. He did mention it occasionally in a few short paragraphs but this book was mostly about how to relate to other believers and interact with the lost. The feel of the book was, "God is our Father and He loves you. Now let's talk about the 60 things you need to do if you're to grow and be a good Christian." I can't recommend this one if you're wanting to learn more about the Father heart of God.

[Mar Sella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bintang 5 karena buku ini membahas aspek² penting yang menghalangi kita mengerti isi hati Bapa. Luka batin, kesombongan, dsb akan dibahas dalam buku ini, tetapi dibahas dalam sudut pandang yang penuh pengertian dan dengan contoh tokoh Alkitab yang relatable dengan pembacanya. Saran saya dalam membaca buku yang bagus ini adalah berdoa, membuka hati kita dan biarkan Roh Kudus memimpin kita dalam perjalanan menemukan hati Bapa. Dalam buku ini juga ada panduan berkonseling yang cukup lengkap.

Kalau mau self-healing, this is the real one ;)

[AHuitema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooi boek dat je aanmoedigt om Gods liefde beter te ervaren en meer en meer te worden zoals Hij: een liefhebbende Vader die ontzettend veel van alle mensen houdt. Een Vader die iedereen heeft vergeven door Zijn Zoon. We moeten ook leren om de zonde te haten en de zonde te zien door de ogen van God: iets wat Hem en zijn creatie – ons – ontzettend veel verdriet doet en blijft doen. Het doet me denken aan het Hillsong United-lied Hosanna: break my heart for what breaks Yours.

Dit boek is een aanrader voor iedereen die wil weten wie God werkelijk is.

[Aleisha Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried a lot as I processed and chewed this book; about what it means to have a heavenly Father who loves you more than possibly ever experienced or imagined. It hurts to heal.

Read this book to understand God's heart more; it will change your life. As recommended by the author, you don't just read this book but you respond to it. I am left feeling more in love with God than I had been before, more awakened and open to His love and receiving it through others. I'm thankful for McClung putting together such a great "truth tool".

[Princess Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Father Heart of God uses steps, lists, and examples from the author's own life to tell of the depths of God's love for us. I would recommend it to everyone, young and old, mature or immature, but especially to those who are hurting and struggling to see that God loves them, more than any earthly father could. It doesn't only tell how to experience God's Father heart, but also how to show it to others.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus called God, 'Father', revealing a close and loving relationship. Our understanding of our heavenly Father is often warped by an earthly father who didn't come close to God's ideal.

This small book explores this issue and leads one to a better understanding of our Father God.

[Shane Goodyear · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Really liked this book
* About God’s heart towards people and what are response should be
* Really good stuff on pastoring and parenting
* Having a bad relationship with parents can affect how you view Go

[Mark Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great read with simple and easy to follow insights :)

I have wanted to read this book for some time and I’m so glad I made the time to do it now. It’s full godly advice and insight into God’s heart.

[Razella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about the heart of God. For anyone who hesitates to cry out "Abba!" in their faith walk, I highly recommend this book. It was a quick read, and it carries deep truths you don't want to rush over.

[Pieter Voorwinden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the theology of Fatherhood. Particularly what we can learn from Him, how we with our wounds can find healing with Christ (Who is the express image of His and our Father) and very practically how a godly father looks like.

[Stephen James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Father to know

All humans long for a loving father. Some have it in their dad, but some do not. To know God as a loving father undoes a lot of misconceptions about God. A great read.

[Christen]

I loved this book. It helped me so much to see that God is indeed a loving Father and wants truly the best for us. A lot of people thing He is this judging person who is up there in heaven judging and condemning everyone. But He is not, and I am forever thankful for this book.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those few books that I will own an extra copy of so I can pass it on to others. This book is So Much More than its title.

[Elisabeth Degen · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE. One of the best books I've ever read.

[Calum Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, encouraging and grounded in scripture. Another book I’ll be re-reading. Recommend

[July · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gave me much to ponder, not just God as Father, but on my own, earthly father.

[Jaden, · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.’
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

[Aaron Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Para aquellos que nunca tuvieron un padre o nadie que cumpliera ese rol, este libro es un oasis que te muestra el verdadero amor de Dios por sus hijos❤️‍🩹

[Jonah Arumainayagam]

Worth reading

[Patrick Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the deeper questions at the end of each chapter. It was helpful to unpack where I do and don’t see God as a father and why