Embracing the Call of Biblical Fatherhood
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound responsibility of biblical fatherhood, focusing on Ephesians 6:4. As fathers, we are called to be the spiritual leaders of our homes, nurturing our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This role is not merely about providing materially but involves being a spiritual guide, protector, and example of Christ-like living. We are reminded that our homes should be mini-churches where worship, prayer, and the teaching of God's Word are central.
The essence of biblical fatherhood is to winsomely reach, lead, and train our children in Christ. This involves creating a positive spiritual environment at home, where children are encouraged and disciplined in love. Fathers are to avoid provoking their children to anger, which can lead to resentment and a distorted view of God. Instead, we are to lead with patience, understanding, and a focus on the upward call of Christ.
We also discussed the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, as it is impossible to fulfill these responsibilities in our own strength. Fathers must prioritize their relationship with Christ, engaging in regular study of the Word, prayer, and fellowship. This spiritual foundation enables us to guide our children effectively and model a life of faith.
Furthermore, we addressed the cultural challenges that compete for our children's hearts and minds, such as secular education, technology, and sports. Fathers must be vigilant in ensuring that their children are not conformed to the world but are being transformed by the renewing of their minds in Christ.
Ultimately, the goal of biblical fatherhood is to raise children who are disciple-makers, fully devoted to Christ and His mission. This requires intentionality, time, and a commitment to the Great Commission, starting within our own homes.
Key Takeaways:
- The Role of Fathers as Spiritual Leaders: Fathers are called to be the priests of their homes, leading in worship, prayer, and the teaching of God's Word. This spiritual leadership is essential for creating a Christ-centered home where children can grow in faith. [16:29]
- Avoiding Provocation to Anger: Fathers must be careful not to provoke their children to anger, which can lead to resentment and a negative perception of God. Instead, discipline should be administered with love and understanding, focusing on positive spiritual growth. [47:21]
- The Importance of Being Filled with the Spirit: To fulfill the responsibilities of biblical fatherhood, fathers must prioritize their relationship with Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit. This spiritual foundation enables them to guide their children effectively and model a life of faith. [31:11]
- Cultural Challenges and Spiritual Vigilance: Fathers must be vigilant in protecting their children from cultural influences that compete for their hearts and minds. This includes secular education, technology, and sports, which can distract from spiritual growth. [24:39]
- Raising Disciple-Makers: The ultimate goal of biblical fatherhood is to raise children who are disciple-makers, fully devoted to Christ and His mission. This requires intentionality, time, and a commitment to the Great Commission, starting within our own homes. [41:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:4
- [02:30] - The Significance of Easter
- [05:15] - Understanding True Salvation
- [08:00] - The Role of Worship and Learning
- [10:45] - The Importance of Corporate Prayer
- [13:30] - Spiritual Gifts and the Local Church
- [16:29] - The Father's Role in the Home
- [19:00] - Avoiding Traps in Fatherhood
- [22:45] - The Lordship of Christ
- [24:39] - Cultural Challenges to Fatherhood
- [28:00] - The Meaning of Fatherhood
- [31:11] - Be Like Your Heavenly Father
- [34:30] - Bringing Up Children in Christ
- [38:24] - Personal Discipleship in the Home
- [41:32] - Contending for Your Children's Faith
- [47:21] - Leading Without Angering
- [52:05] - The Importance of Happiness in Christ
- [55:00] - Progressing in Scripture Together
- [58:40] - Encouragement and Confession
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Biblical Fatherhood
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:4
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 6:4, what specific instructions are given to fathers regarding their children?
2. The sermon emphasized the role of fathers as spiritual leaders in their homes. What are some specific ways mentioned that fathers can fulfill this role? [16:29]
3. What are some cultural challenges mentioned in the sermon that fathers need to be vigilant about in raising their children? [24:39]
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit in the context of biblical fatherhood? [31:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the instruction in Ephesians 6:4 to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" challenge the common cultural perception of a father's role? [31:11]
2. The sermon discusses the potential negative impact of provoking children to anger. What might be some long-term effects on a child's perception of God if this instruction is not followed? [47:21]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that secular influences can compete with spiritual growth in children, and how can fathers counteract these influences? [24:39]
4. How does the concept of fathers being "priests of their homes" align with the Great Commission, and what implications does this have for family life? [41:32]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current role as a spiritual leader in your home. What is one specific area where you feel you could improve, and what steps can you take this week to begin that improvement? [16:29]
2. Consider the ways you might unintentionally provoke your children to anger. What is one practical change you can make in your approach to discipline to avoid this? [47:21]
3. Identify a cultural influence that you feel is competing for your child's attention. What is one strategy you can implement to help your child focus more on spiritual growth? [24:39]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. What is one daily practice you can adopt to strengthen your relationship with Christ and be more Spirit-filled? [31:11]
5. Think about the concept of your home as a "mini-church." What is one new tradition or practice you can introduce to make worship and prayer more central in your family life? [16:29]
6. How can you intentionally create opportunities for your children to engage in disciple-making activities? What is one specific action you can take to encourage this in the coming month? [41:32]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the importance of confession and forgiveness. Is there someone in your family you need to apologize to, and how will you approach this conversation? [58:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Fathers as Priests of the Home
Fathers are called to be the spiritual leaders of their homes, acting as priests who guide their families in worship, prayer, and the teaching of God's Word. This role is not just about providing materially but involves creating a Christ-centered environment where children can grow in faith. Fathers are to model Christ-like living, ensuring that their homes are places where God's presence is felt and His teachings are central. By doing so, they help their children develop a strong spiritual foundation that will guide them throughout their lives. [16:29]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a specific time for family worship or Bible study into your weekly routine to strengthen your role as a spiritual leader in your home?
Day 2: Discipline with Love and Understanding
Fathers must be careful not to provoke their children to anger, as this can lead to resentment and a negative perception of God. Instead, discipline should be administered with love and understanding, focusing on positive spiritual growth. By avoiding harshness and instead leading with patience and empathy, fathers can foster a nurturing environment where children feel valued and understood. This approach helps children develop a healthy view of God as a loving Father and encourages them to grow in their faith. [47:21]
Colossians 3:21 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you disciplined your child. How could you have approached it differently to ensure it was done with love and understanding?
Day 3: Being Filled with the Spirit
To fulfill the responsibilities of biblical fatherhood, fathers must prioritize their relationship with Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit. This spiritual foundation enables them to guide their children effectively and model a life of faith. By engaging in regular study of the Word, prayer, and fellowship, fathers can draw strength from the Holy Spirit to lead their families in a way that honors God. This reliance on the Spirit is crucial for overcoming the challenges of fatherhood and ensuring that their children are raised in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. [31:11]
Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Christ and be more filled with the Holy Spirit?
Day 4: Protecting Against Cultural Influences
Fathers must be vigilant in protecting their children from cultural influences that compete for their hearts and minds. This includes secular education, technology, and sports, which can distract from spiritual growth. By being aware of these challenges and actively engaging with their children, fathers can help them navigate the world while remaining grounded in their faith. This involves setting boundaries, having open discussions about cultural issues, and encouraging children to develop a biblical worldview that guides their decisions and actions. [24:39]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: Identify one cultural influence that is impacting your family. How can you address it in a way that aligns with your family's spiritual values?
Day 5: Raising Disciple-Makers
The ultimate goal of biblical fatherhood is to raise children who are disciple-makers, fully devoted to Christ and His mission. This requires intentionality, time, and a commitment to the Great Commission, starting within the home. Fathers are to invest in their children's spiritual development, encouraging them to grow in their faith and equipping them to share the gospel with others. By modeling a life of discipleship and providing opportunities for their children to serve and lead, fathers can inspire the next generation to be passionate followers of Christ. [41:32]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can encourage your child to be a disciple-maker in their daily life?
Quotes
And then as well, having been bought by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, when you are saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit gives you a gift. That gift doesn't belong to you. It comes from the Father, and the effective means that you have the ability to accomplish, the ability to be effective and do something that is energized by the Holy Spirit in a supernatural way, in a way that energizes you and gives you joy, that perhaps sets you a step beyond others around you, that gives you the ability to do something with joy in your effect. [00:04:14] (38 seconds)
And so fathers are the priests of their own home, and homes are many churches, and fathers are to give Christ to their children in every way, and so they distribute the mercy of God, the love of God. They are examples of how to be a Christian, and they teach Christ, they worship Christ, and they pray to Christ. So every way you give your family Christ, and so the subject at hand here is fathers educating their children in regards to the Bible, and Christ, and in every way. [00:06:30] (35 seconds)
And so first of all, your number one priority is your relationship with Christ. You must be walking with Christ. You must be in Christ. You must be filled with the Holy Spirit. How do you do that? Well, as a result of being dedicated to continuing in God's Word, studying the Word, having a regular consumption and diet of God's Word, regularly worshiping and praying and participating in the ordinary means of grace that we just talked about that are from Acts chapter 2 in the early church of worship, the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, giving and such, and ordinances. [00:09:43] (33 seconds)
God is not one whom is like us. He is spirit. He is holy, purely holy, not sometimes holy. And so we proclaim his holiness. Father, hallowed be your name. You're holy. You're pure, separate from us. We worship you and we ascribe and bestow honor upon you. Now, as one who is honorable, God, and those of us who are honestly just deplorable, that's high theology, by the way, when you think much of God and less of you, when you get that backwards and think too much of yourself, that's pride, little of God, that's dangerous. [00:28:40] (42 seconds)
up in Christ from being totally depraved and under sin's curse bring them up into Christ your first job is to evangelize your own family evangelize and disciple the Great Commission starts for fathers first at the home and so they're sharing the gospel with their children the true gospel reading the scriptures with their children praying with their children this is this is imperative that you are setting forth a precedence of the Bible God this is first this is everything this is how you're going to shape your home this is how it's going to be honored and blessed of God. [00:32:37] (39 seconds)
Formal instruction with the goal of spiritual maturity. Turn to Colossians chapter 1 verse 27 and following and see a progression here in how the Father is to formally instruct with the goal of spiritual maturity and this requires a lot of effort. Colossians 1 verse 27, to whom God will to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Verse 28, we proclaim, admonishing, him we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom so that we may present every man complete in Christ. [00:35:51] (43 seconds)
And so fathers are to personally disciple their children. According to this verse in verse 27, you see that there is salvation in Christ. Christ in you is the hope of glory. You see, this is an upward thing. We have hope. It doesn't end in a network thing, a negative thing. You should not tell your children, you're going to go to hell unless you repent and believe the gospel. That is negative. See what I'm saying? I think we should portray Christianity in the hope of Christ and allure them with these types of beneficial lessons. [00:38:34] (30 seconds)
And so you as the father should portray an optimistic relationship in life with the Lord. A child can only do what's right because that's the right thing to do for so long until he gets exasperated because that's just what's right. What's right should lead to happiness in Christ? Because we have the rewards of righteousness. We have the fruit of a good life. And so be joyful, be filled with the spirit. What does it mean to be filled with the spirit? You are one who has a melody on your heart. [00:54:15] (32 seconds)
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