Fathering

In present day self-interest, responsibility for the next generation has almost been lost. Most haven’t had a good role model, or even worse abusive ones, but we do have the perfect Heavenly Father.

Our God is a generational God, the real work of God will last longer than a lifetime.

God says a righteous man will leave an inheritance for his children’s children.

Paul said to Timothy find faithful men who can teach others.

Our Heavenly Father’s Attributes

LOVE

Faithful - Always going to show up, never leave me nor forsake me.

Hebrews 13:5 “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.””

Good - Best Interests at heart (nice - pleasant; agreeable)

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” KJV says, “expected end”

Nurturing - encouraging The growth And development of

Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Hebrews 12:6–9 KJV 1900

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Translated as nurture someone in righteousness. Eph. 6:4 “Fathers,* do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”

chasten (paideia) - train, correct, prepare, encourage

Sharing The Love And Wisdom We’ve Received

How do you get wisdom? Make a lot of mistakes.

Learn from other people's mistakes.

Listen to others gifted in their area of gifting.

***We get the English word pattern from the word patr, which is Greek for father.

1 Corinthians 4:14–16 NLT

I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me.

Fathers warn their beloved children.

Fathers walk the journey with you and have your best interests at heart.

Paul said, imitate me. He accepted responsibility.

Fathers and mothers attend & over 75% will attend church.

When a mother comes to Christ, 17% of the time the family will come.

When a man comes to Christ, 95% of the time the family will come.

Setting Sons & Daughters up for success.

1 Corinthians 4:17 NLT

That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.

Timothy reminded others of how Paul followed Christ.

Timothy was following Paul’s example.

Healing disappointments,

Commitment to be an example