“Not Many Fathers” – Chris Hodges June 16, 2013

Review It The "fatherlessness" of our generation has led us down a path that's far from how God intended. His intention is that we would be blessed by our fathers. No matter our experience with our earthly fathers, we have the promise of God to be set in families through our church family. Today's message encourages us, men and women alike, to look to fathers in our life and to be a father to someone else so that we can begin to change our generation!

Talk About It

1. Discuss the affect social media/networking has had on our relationships including our relationships with fathers in our lives.

2. Pastor Chris shared a list of statistics on how "fatherlessness" has affected the youth of our generation. Discuss why fatherless homes have had this affect on our culture. What can we do to change that?

3. Every man needs the affirmation of another man. Discuss why men are wired to need that, and why certain affirmation can't come from women in their lives.

4. Read Psalm 68:5-6. Discuss how God sets the lonely in families and how He is a Father to the fatherless.

5. Read James 1:17-18. Discuss how God, our Heavenly Father, loves us and desires that we would see him as Father. Why is it so important that we relate to Him as Father?

Think About It

Pastor Chris mentioned three father relationships: natural father, spiritual fathers, and Heavenly Father. Whether your natural father is living or deceased, what are you most thankful they shared with you? What short-comings do you need to forgive in them?

Act On It

Acknowledge your spiritual fathers this week. Think about who God has put in your life to father you and thank them this week. If you can't think of who they are, begin looking for spiritual fathers that will pour into your life and pursue relationships with them. Then find some people in your life that you can be a father for and begin investing in them.