Fathers- Raise Your Children Ephesians 6:1-4

Where Are The Fathers? If… where are the fathers? –50% of young people have been involved in binge drinking in the last two weeks… –64% of young people do not attend church services each week.. –53% of young people are committing fornication… (Taken from The Seekers, May/June 2012)

Societal Changes Not happy with God’s assigned role Reduced a father to a “biological component” of a birth experience Affects the church

Provide Physical Needs Should be obvious –Neglected by many (1 Timothy 5:8) –Turned over to the government –Others think only of material things

Provide Physical Needs Teaches them valuable lessons –Honor in working (2 Thessalonians 3:10) –Good stewardship (1 Corinthians 4:2) –Proper place for material things (Luke 12:13-21)

Provide Spiritual Training Nurtured in God’s way –Nurture means “the whole training of children…mind and morals…employing commands, admonitions, reproofs, and punishment” (Thayer) –Teach them about subjection (Proverbs 19:18; Ephesians 6:4)

Provide Spiritual Training Respect for authority –The elderly (1 Timothy 5:1) –Civil government (1 Timothy 2:2; Titus 3:1)

Provide Spiritual Training Marriage –Permanence (Matthew 19:1-9; Romans 7:1-3) –Duties and responsibilities (1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Hebrews 13:4)

Provide Spiritual Training Do not provoke them to wrath –Unreasonable demands, constant criticism, no praise, inconsistent discipline, excessive punishment (2 Corinthians 2:7; Colossians 3:21) –Discouraging to the child –Promotes insecurity

Set A Proper Example Especially in the home –Love your wife as yourself (Ephesians 5:25, 28, 29, 33) –Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) –Bible study (2 Timothy 2:15) –Timothy’s training (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15)

Set A Proper Example In the community and schools –Lights to the world (Matthew 5:13-16) –Involved in the schools

Set A Proper Example Business or workplace –Honesty and diligence (Romans 12:11, 17; Ephesians 5:5-8) –Hard work praised (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11)

Set A Proper Example In the church –Faithful (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 10:25) –Respect for the elders (1 Timothy 5:17) –Reverence for God (John 4:24) –Give yourself (2 Corinthians 8:5, 12) –Give time and money (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6)

Conclusion Some failed- Eli, David Others succeeded- Noah, Job, Abraham What about you?