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Some Things Never Change Week 5: Dads Still Matter

SERIES TITLE

Some Things Never Change Week 5: Dads Still Matter

SERIES OVERVIEW

It feels like everything is changing all the time. Seasons change, people change, and society changes. It can be hard to keep up. It can also be unsettling. However, The Bible tells us that while everything changes around us, God remains the same. No matter how uncertain our lives look, we can count on God to remain the same yesterday, today, and forever! Join us for our new series, “Some Things Never Change,” and discover the consistency of God.

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Dads Still Matter

WEEKEND IN REVIEW

This weekend we were reminded that Dads still matter. Actually, BOTH parents still matter but more and more children are growing up in single-parent families where Mom is required to do everything and dad’s are absent. Single-parent households, our society, and our nation’s children themselves are paying a high price for absent, uninvolved, and irresponsible fathers. While there was something for everyone in the message, Jake’s sermon was a powerful call for parents to be involved and intentional influences in the lives of their children. 

WARM UP

Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here are a few potential questions to get the conversation going. 

  • While none of us had perfect parents, can you share a positive impression or positive influence that your father had upon you?  i.e. what is one positive life lesson, character quality, value, or physical trait that you acquired from your father’s influence in your life? (If you didn’t have a father growing up, was there a father figure in your life that positively impacted you?) 
  • Jake shared the 5 different types of fathers Jon Tyson lists in his book The Intentional Father.  Without having read the book, what kind of father would you say you had growing up?  (Feel free to add your own category if these aren’t a good fit.) 
      • The Irresponsible Father 
      • The Ignorant Father  
      • The Inconsistent Father 
      • The Involved Father  
      • The Intentional Father 
      • Jake shared some very alarming statistics about the effects of children growing up in fatherless homes. Look at the list of statistics and see if you can offer an explanation as to why an absent father would have the negative impact stated in each of these statistics.  
  • Children that grow up in fatherless homes are: 
      • 4x more likely to live in poverty.  Why? 
      • More likely to suffer emotional &; behavioral problems.  Why? 
      • 2x risk of infant mortality.   Why? 
      • 1 in 5 prison inmates are fatherless.  Why? 
      • 2x more likely to be involved in early sexual activity.  Why? 
DISCUSSion

Select 4-5 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.

  • Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.  A) Based on Moses’ instructions, who is responsible for the spiritual development of children?

     

  • What did Moses recommend in terms of a strategy for passing on spiritual truth to the next generation?

     

  • Why was repetition a prominent part of his recommended strategy?
           
  • Why do you think visuals were included in his strategy for the spiritual development of children?

  • Who could you call on to assist (not to replace you, but to assist you) in the spiritual development of your children?

  • What will be the likely consequences of failing to do what Moses instructed? 
Application
  • Before they grow up and leave home, what do you want your children or grandchildren to know about God? (Make a list.) 
  • Before they grow up and leave home, what kind of person do you want your children or grandchildren to become? (Make a list.) 
  • Jake made it very clear that someone is going to disciple your child.  He said, “As the parent, it can be you, but if it’s not you, it’s someone. Children are famously impressionable. Think about your own childhood. You were influenced by those jokers on the playground, your favorite musical artists, that young and relatable teacher, and your parents. Your kid is no different. If we want our children to be directed by someone other than TikTok, online influencers, and their worldly friends, we are going to have to engage. And that requires a game plan.” If you are a parent or perhaps in a position of influence in a parent’s life, what are some things that would be important to include or recommend to be included in the ”game plan” Jake spoke about?  Describe a strategy that includes how you would develop your children’s or grandchildren’s knowledge of God and develop their character. 
wrap up | prayer

Share prayer requests and close your time together by praying for one another.