Marks of a Godly Father

Ephesians 6:1-4

Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV)1Children, obey your

parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor

your father and mother” (this is the first

commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and

that you may live long in the land.”

4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,

but bring them up in the discipline and

instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV)

4 Marks of a Godly Father

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

vs 1 ...parents...

vs 2 ...father and mother...

vs 4 ...Fathers...

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

1960about 1 in 10 kids

livedapart from their

fathers

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

Todayabout 1 in 4

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

Children who live apart from their fathers are at

a higher risk to....

...suffer abuse

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

Children who live apart from their fathers are at

a higher risk to....

...break the law

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

Children who live apart from their fathers are at

a higher risk to....

...abuse drugs or alcohol

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

Children who live apart from their fathers are at

a higher risk to....

...struggle with emotional or behavioral problems

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

Children who live apart from their fathers are at

a higher risk to....

...live in poverty

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

Children who live apart from their fathers are at

a higher risk to....

...engage in early sexual activity

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

Children who live with their fathers...

...fare better on nearly every sociological

measure available

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

A) Parenthood is a powerful POSITION

Fathers you are important!

1) Godly fathers have family PRESENCE

B) The greatest influence is PERSONAL influence

Fathers, your family has a disposition to

follow you

2) Godly fathers do not PROVOKE rebellious

reactions4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,

but bring them up in the discipline and

instruction of the Lord.

2) Godly fathers do not PROVOKE rebellious

reactions

Provoke - parorgizoto rouse to wrath, to provoke, exasperate,

anger

2) Godly fathers do not PROVOKE rebellious

reactions“suggests a repeated,

ongoing pattern of treatment that gradually builds up a deep-seated

anger and resentment that boils over into anger”

–John MacArthur

2) Godly fathers do not PROVOKE rebellious

reactionsFavoritism

Overprotection

Unreasonable standards

Smothering

Discouragement

Physical and verbal abuse

Selfishness

2) Godly fathers do not PROVOKE rebellious

reactions

A) ASPIRE others to holiness not

bitterness

2) Godly fathers do not PROVOKE rebellious

reactions

B) AVOID hypocrisy at all costs

2) Godly fathers do not PROVOKE rebellious

reactions

C) APPLAUD accomplishme

nts

2) Godly fathers do not PROVOKE rebellious

reactions

D) AIM at a greenhouse not

a prison

3) Godly fathers guide toward GODLINESS

...but bring them up in the discipline and

instruction of the Lord.

3) Godly fathers guide toward GODLINESS

Discipline – paideia - the whole training and education of children (the cultivation of mind & morals, commands & admonitions, reproof & punishment). It also includes the training & care of the body

3) Godly fathers guide toward GODLINESS

Instruction – nouthesia “a putting in mind,”

admonition

3) Godly fathers guide toward GODLINESS

Guide them to an understanding and respect of God and His Word and train

them to be disciplined Godly

people

3) Godly fathers guide toward GODLINESS

A) Good guides are FAMILIAR with the things

they show

3) Godly fathers guide toward GODLINESS

B) Good guides FREQUENT the areas they show

3) Godly fathers guide toward GODLINESS

C) Good guides are

INFATUATED with what they

show

4) Godly fathers lead with loving PURPOSE

...of the Lord.

4) Godly fathers lead with loving PURPOSE

A) Be LOVING

B) Be PRESENT

C) Be INVOLOVEDD) Be PATIENT

E) Be PURPOSEFUL