Father’s Day1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Psalm 103

Happy Father’s Day

This is Biblical model for fatherly confrontation,

correction and discipleship.

10 Specifics for us to know how to parent, Father

I. How to Father

A. Affirm Your Love• my beloved children• Agapetos—Agape love• We must always bring correction and guidance in

light of loving them• Loving our kids not because of actions good or

bad but because they are my kids.• Not rooted in my own selfishness but in best for

the child

B. Avoid Shaming Your Kids

• I do not write these things to make you ashamed

• Not to make you ashamed• Helping them live consistent with God’s law• Shame is based in fear

1 John 4:18 (ESV)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in

love.

C. Give Warnings• admonish you• Admonish—reprove gently but earnestly• Alert of the consequences• Warnings must help steer in a clear

direction• Do not make empty threats

D. Establish Your Authority

• 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers

• With parenting, our authority comes directly from God

• We cannot tell our kids to submit to God and avoid Him ourselves

E. Press the Gospel in Deep

• For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel

• We must instill a Christian World View in our children

• The Cross must be central• Because of Christ, we have forgiveness and

salvation available

F. Urge Your Kids to Imitate You

• 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.• 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) Be imitators of

me, as I am of Christ.• Kids learn what they live.• Admit the fact that we are not perfect

G. Make it a Team Effort

• 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

• We really need help. We cannot do it all alone• We need to have others involved in our kids lives-

reinforcements

H. Stay Involved• I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will

find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.

• Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

• There is a lie—Quality time is better than quantity time

I. Give Choices

• What do you wish?• Help them to make choices• Teaches responsibility

J. Customize Your Approach

• What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

• Each takes a specific approach

What are the areas that you can use more work on?

• Begin to pray for God’s wisdom and grace for each.

II. Now Let’s talk about the perfect Father—Psalm 103

Father of benefits

2 Corinthians 1:3 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of

all comfort,

Psalm 103:1-6• He has forgiven our sins.• He has healed diseases.• He has redeemed our lives (saved us!)• He has crowned us with love and compassion.• He has satisfied our desires with good things.• He is righteous.• He gives justice to the oppressed.

Psalm 103:7-12

• He has led people throughout history.• He shows compassion and grace.• He is slow to anger.• He is love.

1 John 3:16 (ESV)

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the

brothers.•He does not treat us as our sins deserve.

Psalm 103:13-19

• He has compassion on his children.• He made us.• He is forever.• His love is always with those who fear him.• His kingdom rules over all.

Do you know my Heavenly Father? He is not like our

earthly Father.Do you know Him?

John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through

me.