1. Turning Hearts of Fathers & Children Malachi 4:6

2. 2 Godly Fathers & Respectful Children Father: Producer, provider, protectorFather: Producer, provider, protector Child: Product, recipient, protectedChild: Product, recipient, protected When fathers turn their hearts away from their children, they sin, Eph. 6:4When fathers turn their hearts away from their children, they sin, Eph. 6:4 When children turn their hearts away from their fathers, they sin, Eph. 6:1-3When children turn their hearts away from their fathers, they sin, Eph. 6:1-3

3. 3 Turning Hearts “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Mal. 4:6)“And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Mal. 4:6) –Toward God –Toward each other

4. 4 Turning Hearts Require Converted Hearts The Heart: Will & AffectionThe Heart: Will & Affection –Love from the heart –agape (an act of the will) –phileo (warm affection…emotions) The Father’s love for the Son was both, Jno. 3:35; 5:20The Father’s love for the Son was both, Jno. 3:35; 5:20

5. 5 Turning Hearts Require Converted Hearts Hearts ready to repent (Acts 26:20); Lk. 1:17Hearts ready to repent (Acts 26:20); Lk. 1:17 –Turn from selfishness to giving –Turn from pride to humility –Turn from stubborn ignorance to learning Hearts ready to forgive, cf. Lk. 15:18-22Hearts ready to forgive, cf. Lk. 15:18-22

6. 6 Turning the Hearts of Fathers to their Children Do not provoke to wrath (exasperate, discourage), Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21Do not provoke to wrath (exasperate, discourage), Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21 –Unrealistic demands/expectations, cf. 2 Cor. 8:12; Matt. 25:15 –Favoritism, Gen. 25:27-28; 27:41; 37:4 –Failure to discipline, Prov. 3:12; 29:15, 17 (20:30)

7. 7 Turning the Hearts of Fathers to their Children Nurture your children, Eph. 6:4Nurture your children, Eph. 6:4 –Teach, exhort, comfort, charge, 1 Ths. 2:10-11 Examples (2:9-10)Examples (2:9-10) Education (2:9)Education (2:9) Explanations & Experiences (2:7-8); Jno. 5:20Explanations & Experiences (2:7-8); Jno. 5:20 –Give needed warnings, 1 Cor. 4:14-16

8. Turning the Hearts of Fathers to their Children Nurture your children, Eph. 6:4Nurture your children, Eph. 6:4 –Requires good use of time, Eph. 5:16 Set prioritiesSet priorities Persistence, patience & prayer, Judges 13:8Persistence, patience & prayer, Judges 13:8 –Lay up eternal things for child, 2 Cor. 12:14

9. 9 Turning the Hearts of Children to their Fathers Listen to your father, Prov. 1:8-9; 7:24Listen to your father, Prov. 1:8-9; 7:24 Learn from your father, Prov. 4:1-7, 10-13, 20-22Learn from your father, Prov. 4:1-7, 10-13, 20-22 –This will bless you & bring joy to your father, Prov. 29:3 (3 Jno. 4)

10. 10 Turning the Hearts of Children to their Fathers Live your father’s instruction, Prov. 3:1-2, 21-26Live your father’s instruction, Prov. 3:1-2, 21-26 –Example of Jesus, Jno. 8:29, 55 –“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” Eph. 6:1

11. 11 Turning the Hearts of Children to their Fathers Respect your parents, Eph. 6:2Respect your parents, Eph. 6:2 –Obedience shows respect, Jno. 8:26-29 –Respectful in you speech & treatment of your father & mother, Prov. 30:11-14, 17 (20:20); Exo. 21:17 –Don’t take advantage, cf. Prov. 28:24

12. 12 Turning Hearts Hard, unbending hearts that will not turn back will suffer punishmentHard, unbending hearts that will not turn back will suffer punishment –Mal. 4:5-6: “Great and dreadful day of the Lord” Children are a blessing from God… a reward & a challenge, Psa. 127:3-5Children are a blessing from God… a reward & a challenge, Psa. 127:3-5 Parents are honored by those who fear God, Lev. 19:32Parents are honored by those who fear God, Lev. 19:32