Psalm 78:1-8 1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old- 1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old-

3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. 3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:1-8

5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, Psalm 78:1-8

6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Psalm 78:1-8

7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:1-8

8 They would not be like their forefathers— 8 They would not be like their forefathers— a stubborn and rebellious generation, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. whose spirits were not faithful to him. 8 They would not be like their forefathers— 8 They would not be like their forefathers— a stubborn and rebellious generation, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. whose spirits were not faithful to him. Psalm 78:1-8

Number One Duty of Fathers: Make Disciples of Their Children Ephesians 6:1-4

Patria potestas “Hilarion to Alis his wife heartiest greetings, and to my dear Berous and Apollonarion. Know that we are still even now in Alexandria. Do not worry if when all others return I remain in Alexandria. I beg and beseech of you to take care of the little child, and, as soon as we receive wages, I will send them to you. If - good luck to you! - you have a child, if it is a boy, let it live; if it is a girl, throw it out.” William Barclay - Eph. 6:4

Being a father is not for sissies… God and fatherhood Why is it right to obey parents? Eph. 6:1 Eph. 6:1

Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord “provoke” - παροργίζω; provoke to anger, exasperate, make angry; irritation or resentment; make resentful “provoke” - παροργίζω; provoke to anger, exasperate, make angry; irritation or resentment; make resentful “nourish” - ἐ κτρέφω rear, bring up, educate; To nurture, rear, to bring up to maturity such as children “nourish” - ἐ κτρέφω rear, bring up, educate; To nurture, rear, to bring up to maturity such as children “discipline” - παιδεία instruction and discipline “discipline” - παιδεία instruction and discipline “teaching” - νουθεσία; admonition and warning “teaching” - νουθεσία; admonition and warning

“Provoke,” Why Anger? “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger.” “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger.” Why not, Don’t discourage them? Or pamper them? Or tempt them to covet or lie or steal? Or why not, Don’t abuse them? Or neglect them? Or set a bad example for them? Or manipulate them? Why not, Don’t discourage them? Or pamper them? Or tempt them to covet or lie or steal? Or why not, Don’t abuse them? Or neglect them? Or set a bad example for them? Or manipulate them?

Two Reasons Anger challenges authority - Dad embodies authority; anger is the most common emotion of the sinful heart when it confronts authority. Anger challenges authority - Dad embodies authority; anger is the most common emotion of the sinful heart when it confronts authority. Anger kills other emotions; It deadens the soul. It numbs the heart to joy and gratitude and hope and tenderness and compassion and kindness. Anger kills other emotions; It deadens the soul. It numbs the heart to joy and gratitude and hope and tenderness and compassion and kindness.

What Might “Provoke” Anger? Excessive demands Excessive demands Inconsistent parenting (example; Mom says one thing, Dad says another) Inconsistent parenting (example; Mom says one thing, Dad says another) Always finding fault Always finding fault Breaking promises Breaking promises Abusing and violating children Abusing and violating children Always being a “don’ter” and never a “doer” Always being a “don’ter” and never a “doer” Never giving positive reinforcement Never giving positive reinforcement

Be a role model of the person you want your kid to be. There is no stronger message Be a living, day-to-day example of your value system. Show the compassion, honesty, generosity and openness you want your child to have. Be a living, day-to-day example of your value system. Show the compassion, honesty, generosity and openness you want your child to have. Know that there is no such thing as “do as I say, not as I do.” Know that there is no such thing as “do as I say, not as I do.” Examine your own behavior. Be the person you want your kid to be. Examine your own behavior. Be the person you want your kid to be.

EVERY FATHER IS GIVING A MESSAGE TO HIS CHILDREN ABOUT GOD THE FATHER Fathers recognize their responsibility to their children. Fathers recognize their responsibility to their children. Fathers provide for their children. Fathers provide for their children. Fathers talk with their children. Fathers talk with their children. Fathers protect and build up their children. Fathers protect and build up their children. Fathers encourage their children. Fathers encourage their children. Fathers set boundaries and enforce them. Fathers set boundaries and enforce them. Fathers are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Fathers are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Fathers train and instruct their children biblically. Fathers train and instruct their children biblically.