June 's Theme: Strong Fathers

Series Title: A Time to Value Fathers
June 8: The Gift of a Knowing Father
June 15: When Daddy Disciplines
June 22: Fatherhood is not a Popularity Contest
June 29: A Father's Invisible Sacrifice

The Gift of a Knowing Father

Movie: The Winslow Boy

The Big Idea: A child's image of God is shaped by the father's actions.

Scripture: Genesis 3:9-14

Application: Application: To children, parents appear to be all-knowing and all-powerful. How parents handle suspected acts of disobedience can shape the way children later view their Heavenly Father.

Ronnie's father makes it clear that the truth will set him free. If Ronnie is guilty and confesses, his father will show him mercy. If he is innocent, his father will stand behind him and be his advocate. The one thing the father will not tolerate from his son is a lie. Mr. Winslow is an outstanding example of grace and steadfastness.

Similarly, if we are guilty of sin, we must confess it to our Father who tells us that He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness. If we are wrongly accused, God will be our witness in the Day He makes known the deeds of men.

When Daddy Disciplines

Movie: Cinderella Man

The Big Idea: The difficult job of discipline.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:11-12

Application: As parents, God admonishes us to love our children and even to sacrifice for their welfare. Part of that love is discipling them so that they will grow up knowing right from wrong -- and doing what is right. It must have been humiliating for Jim to walk his boy down to the butcher, and painful to see his son have to apologize and ask forgiveness for his sin. But it is what a father does.

God tells us that we know we are His children because he disciplines us.

Fatherhood is not a Popularity Contest

Movie: In Good Company

The Big Idea: Authority is not for Cowards.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Application: Some people think that this act of a father trying to protect his daughter was quaint. Perhaps his response made some of the younger people nervous. Others laughed in surprise that a Hollywood film would choose to portray this fitting response. It was refreshing to see a man aggressively come to his daughter's defense, even if she did not know enough to want to be defended.

Parents have a duty to defend and guide their children. Foolish children disregard that guidance, but it does not lessen the parent's obligation to provide it. If children wish to live a long life, the Scriptures tell us, they should obey their parents. And if we want to raise a generation that respects their parents, we must begin by culturally supporting parental authority.

A Father's Invisible Sacrifice

Movie: Cinderella Man

The Big Idea: Love sacrifices.

Scripture: Luke 11:11-13

Application: Jim Braddock needed that food. He was going to try to get a shift that day working hard at the docks. But in response to the cry of his daughter, he sacrifices his own sustenance to give her what she needs.

Love sacrifices. Children frequently take the sacrifices of their parents for granted. One wonders if we, as parents, are given this insight to demonstrate how often we neglect to give thanks to our Father for all of the blessings He bestows that we take for granted as if they just magically came about as part of our existence. Or if we truly appreciate the ultimate sacrifice He made on our behalf by sending His Son to die for us. As adults, we need to set the example of both sacrifice and thanksgiving for our children, so that they can learn the value of both.