Empowered Fatherhood: Building Legacies Through Encouragement

Summary

Encouragement is a powerful gift we can give each other, especially as we gather together as believers. One of the reasons we come together is to build each other up, to leave stronger and more encouraged than when we arrived. This is not about sugarcoating the truth, but about genuinely rooting for one another and helping each other grow, like building a house that stands strong. Today, on Father’s Day, we reflect on what it truly means to be a father—not just biologically, but as a dad who loves, invests in, and leads his children, whether by blood, adoption, or spiritual influence.

Being a dad is more than a title; it’s about relationship and responsibility. Spiritual fatherhood is a calling for every Christian man, to be an example and a guide for the next generation. The same is true for mothers and spiritual mothers—our young people are watching, learning what it means to follow Christ by observing our lives. We honor those who step up, who love, who adopt, and who lead spiritually.

Fathers are foundational to healthy families, churches, and even society. Yet, our culture often misunderstands and attacks fatherhood, portraying it as weak or unnecessary. But God’s design is clear: godly men are essential for building strong families and communities. The story of the two twins—one who broke the cycle of abuse and one who repeated it—reminds us that our past does not determine our future. We have a choice: to blame, complain, and covet, or to take responsibility and build a new legacy.

Noah stands as a model for us. He lived in a corrupt world but walked with God, obeyed even when it was costly and unpopular, led his family by faith, and prepared them for the future. His example challenges us to evaluate our own lives: are we walking with God, obeying His word, leading our families, and preparing them for what’s ahead? None of us are perfect, but we have a perfect Father in heaven who invites us to start fresh, to lay down our burdens, and to find rest in Christ. Jesus is the only way to the Father, and through Him, we can become the parents, leaders, and people God calls us to be.

Key Takeaways

- Encouragement and Edification Are Essential
Building each other up is not just a nice sentiment but a biblical command. When we gather, our goal should be to leave one another stronger, more hopeful, and more rooted in Christ than when we arrived. This kind of encouragement is foundational for a healthy church and a vibrant faith community. [32:01]

- Fatherhood Is a Calling, Not Just a Role
Being a father goes far beyond biology; it’s about loving, investing in, and guiding children—whether they are your own, adopted, or spiritual sons and daughters. True fatherhood is measured by relationship, sacrifice, and example, not just by genetics. Every man in the church is called to be a spiritual father, modeling Christ to the next generation. [34:20]

- Your Past Does Not Dictate Your Future
The story of the twins shows that we are not bound by the failures or wounds of our upbringing. We can choose to break destructive cycles and build a new legacy, refusing to blame others or circumstances for our choices. God offers redemption and a new beginning, no matter where we start. [40:21]

- Obedience and Example Speak Louder Than Words
Noah’s life teaches us that walking with God and obeying Him, even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular, is the most powerful legacy we can leave. Our children and those we influence are watching our actions more than our words; daily faithfulness shapes their understanding of God and life. [53:37]

- Rest and Renewal Are Found in Christ Alone
None of us measure up perfectly as parents or people, and many carry burdens of shame, regret, or exhaustion. Jesus invites us to bring our weariness to Him, promising true rest and a restored relationship with our perfect Father. Only through Christ can we find the strength and grace to become who we are called to be. [01:02:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:01] - The Power of Encouragement
[33:26] - What Makes a Dad?
[34:20] - Spiritual Fatherhood and Role Models
[35:44] - God as the Perfect Father
[37:10] - Fathers: Foundation of Family and Society
[38:37] - The World’s Attack on Fatherhood
[40:21] - The Story of Two Twins: Choices and Legacy
[41:22] - Three Ways to Fail at Life
[42:02] - Noah: A Model for Godly Fatherhood
[44:37] - Walking with God in a Corrupt World
[48:01] - Faith in Action: Praying with Our Children
[50:37] - Hearing and Obeying God’s Word
[54:31] - Leading Family by Faith
[56:22] - Preparing for the Future and Leaving a Legacy
[59:27] - Redemption and a Fresh Start
[01:02:23] - Rest in Christ for the Weary
[01:04:41] - Invitation and Closing Announcements

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power of Encouragement and Godly Fatherhood

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### Bible Reading

- Genesis 6:5, 9, 22
(The world’s wickedness, Noah’s righteousness, and his obedience)
- Romans 12:2
(“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”)
- Matthew 11:28
(“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”)

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Genesis 6:9, what set Noah apart from the people around him?
2. In Romans 12:2, what does Paul say we should not do, and what should we do instead?
3. The sermon described two twins who grew up in the same home but made very different choices as adults. What were the main differences in how they responded to their upbringing? [[40:21]]
4. What are some ways the sermon said we can encourage and build each other up when we gather as a church? [[32:01]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Noah was able to walk with God and obey Him even when everyone else around him was doing evil? What does this say about personal responsibility and faith? [[44:37]]
2. The sermon said that being a father is more than just a biological role. What does it mean to be a spiritual father or mother, and why is this important for the church? [[34:20]]
3. The story of the twins shows that our past does not have to dictate our future. What does this teach us about breaking negative cycles in our own lives? [[40:21]]
4. Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest. What kind of burdens do you think people carry when it comes to family, parenting, or their past? [[01:02:23]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to encourage and build each other up every time we gather. Who is one person in your life or in this group you could intentionally encourage this week? What would that look like? [[32:01]]
2. For those who are parents or hope to be, what is one specific way you can “walk with God” in front of your children or those you influence? (For example: praying with them, reading the Bible together, or showing kindness in tough moments.) [[48:01]]
3. The sermon talked about not blaming our past for our present choices. Is there an area in your life where you tend to blame your upbringing or circumstances? What would it look like to take responsibility and start a new legacy? [[40:21]]
4. Noah obeyed God even when it was inconvenient or unpopular. Is there something God is asking you to do right now that feels hard or costly? What’s holding you back? [[51:24]]
5. The sermon said our actions speak louder than our words, especially to the next generation. Can you think of a recent time when your actions taught someone else about faith—either positively or negatively? What did you learn from that? [[53:37]]
6. Jesus offers rest to those who are weary. Are you carrying any burdens of shame, regret, or exhaustion related to family or faith? What would it look like to bring those to Jesus this week? [[01:02:23]]
7. The message honored not just biological fathers, but also adoptive and spiritual fathers and mothers. Who has been a spiritual parent or role model in your life? How could you thank or encourage them this week? [[34:20]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person encourage others, walk with Him, and find rest in Christ.

Devotional

Day 1: Encourage and Build One Another Up
One of the most important reasons we gather as a church is to encourage and build each other up, much like constructing a strong house together. This encouragement is not about sugarcoating the truth, but about genuinely cheering each other on and helping one another leave stronger and more hopeful than when we arrived. When we intentionally speak life and affirmation into each other, we reflect the heart of Christ and create a community where people are strengthened to face the week ahead. [32:01]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Who is one person in your church family you can intentionally encourage today, either with a word, a note, or a prayer?


Day 2: Walk with God Personally in a Dark World
Noah lived in a time of great wickedness, yet he stood out because he walked faithfully with God and did not conform to the world around him. In a culture that often misunderstands or attacks godly living, we are called to let God transform our minds and lives so that we can know and do His will. The example we set by walking with God daily—through prayer, Scripture, and integrity—shines as a light for our families and those watching us. [46:23]

Genesis 6:9 (ESV)
"These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God."

Reflection: What is one daily habit you can start or renew this week to walk more closely with God, even when it’s unpopular or difficult?


Day 3: Obey God Even When It’s Inconvenient
Noah obeyed God’s commands even when they seemed strange, inconvenient, or unpopular. He built the ark despite not fully understanding what God was asking or why, and his obedience spoke louder than any lecture he could give. Our children and those we influence are watching our actions more than our words; daily obedience to God, even in small things, sets a powerful example and shapes the next generation. [52:54]

James 1:22 (ESV)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Reflection: Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you’ve been putting off because it feels inconvenient or unpopular? What step of obedience can you take today?


Day 4: Lead Your Family by Faith and Prepare for the Future
Noah’s faith and obedience didn’t just save himself—it positioned his whole family for God’s protection and blessing. We can’t control every outcome for our children or those we mentor, but we can lead them by faith, show them what it looks like to trust God, and prepare them for a future built on His promises. The legacy we leave—spiritually, morally, and emotionally—can impact generations. [57:41]

Hebrews 11:7 (ESV)
"By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally invest in the spiritual future of your family or someone you mentor this week?


Day 5: Rest in the Love of the Perfect Father
No matter how much we strive, none of us measure up perfectly as fathers, mothers, or people. But the good news is that we have a perfect Father in heaven who loves us, forgives us, and invites us to find rest in Him through Jesus. When we are tired, burdened, or feel like we’ve failed, Jesus calls us to come to Him for the rest and renewal we need. [01:02:23]

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Reflection: What burden or sense of not measuring up do you need to bring to Jesus today, trusting Him to give you rest and remind you of the Father’s love?

Quotes

Noah built an ark. Noah didn't know what an ark was. God said, it's in a rain. Noah didn't know what rain was. He said, it's in a flood. What does that even mean? I have no idea what you're talking about. God said, build an ark. I got more important things to do. That's an inconvenience for me. Build an ark. No. I don't want to build an ark. He obeyed. He obeyed God when it was unpopular. When it was an unpopular decision to do. When everybody on earth was out doing their own things, was being wicked, drinking, and partying, and all of the things that they were doing. the unpopular decision was to listen to God at the time. And he did it. And it was costly. It was a costly decision. It took a lot of time. [00:51:03] (00:01:02 seconds) Edit Clip

We're being watched by our children. Our daily obedience teaches louder than lectures. Who likes to be lectured? Raise your hand if you like to be lectured. Who likes to lecture? I like to lecture, but I don't like to be lectured. So how good do you think my lecturing is doing when I'm lecturing my kids? Probably not very well, right? They lost me after the first couple minutes. So I can lecture my kids how to be a good, godly person. I can lecture my kids how to do it the right way. Or I can just show them. And they're going to listen by my actions more than by my words. Kids will follow our examples. [00:52:59] (00:00:50 seconds) Edit Clip

Fathers, we can lead our children to the cross. We can lead our children to Christ. And when we do that, it's like leading them onto that ark. It's going to provide salvation if they accept that. But they're never going to have a chance to accept it if we don't lead them to it. [00:55:24] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

A godly father prepares for the future. Noah's obedience positioned his family for God's protection and purpose. We can't predict the future. We can't predict if our children are going to come to the Lord. That's a decision that they have to make. And I get that. We can drag them to church and we can drag them all over to every Bible study and men's thing. We can drag them everywhere. But they have to make that decision themselves. But I would rather drag them around and show them what the good life looks like so they have a good opportunity to make a good decision. [00:56:31] (00:00:40 seconds) Edit Clip

We need to show our children the way. We need to leave a legacy. I think all of us could probably say in the room that one of our grandparents or great -grandparents left an impression on us because of the way they loved the Lord. Maybe it was a parent. But it was a legacy that it was like when times get rough, I remember my grandma, you know, she was, both of my grandmas were such good prayers. They would pray. And I remember getting into some tight positions sometimes and I was like, I wonder what my grandma would do here. Maybe I should pray. Grandma would say things like, well, I wouldn't go where Jesus wouldn't go. Don't take Jesus. Remember, you're taking Jesus everywhere you go. Is that where you want to take Jesus? She built a legacy. [00:57:37] (00:00:59 seconds) Edit Clip

And that's what separates us, guys, as Christians, is we have a perfect father in heaven. Perfect father in heaven who loves us, who calls us, and is ready to forgive us and take us into his arms. We have a father that says, okay, you don't measure up. None of us do. None of us in this room measure up. There's not one perfect dad, mom, person in this room. We don't measure up. But the good news is we have a father that loves us so much that's ready to level us up when we ask him to level us up. Because he sent his son to die on the cross for us. Spilt that blood for us. [00:59:48] (00:01:00 seconds) Edit Clip

But Jesus tells us to come to Him. He says, come to me all who are tired and who are burdened. And Jesus says, I will give you the rest that you need. So who's tired? Who is burdened? And who needs that rest? I can't give you that rest. But Jesus can give you that rest. [01:02:12] (00:00:33 seconds) Edit Clip

Some of us are spiritually fatherless and longing for a security and a purpose. But here's the truth. Jesus is the only way to the Father. We have this perfect Father who loves you. And Jesus actually says that I am the only way that you can get to that perfect Father. I am the only way to the Father. You want that rest? You have to go to Jesus. You have to go through Jesus. You have to come to Him and lay down your tiredness and your burdenedness. There's no other door. There's no other shortcut. You can't sneak into heaven. You can't sneak into a relationship with the Father. The only way that you can get into this perfect relationship with the perfect Father is going through Christ. [01:02:59] (00:00:52 seconds) Edit Clip

And the Bible says that Jesus stands at the door and He's actually knocking on that door waiting for you to open the door. And when you open that door it says that you can come in with Him and He will invite you to sit down and eat with Him. [01:03:51] (00:00:18 seconds) Edit Clip