I. Fathers possess different degrees of Perfection

Mt 5:48  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

For children of God: trust that God doesn’t make mistakes; realize that our heavenly Father is different from your earthly father. (build worth)
For Dads: pursue godliness, but seek forgiveness when it becomes apparent that you art not in heaven.

II. Fathers are Guardians/Protectors

Ps 68:5 father of the fatherless, defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. 89:26 ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.

For children of God: Stay in the place of protection; develop the daily dialogue of dependence
For Dads: Protect your kids from physical, moral, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual harm. No holes in umbrella.

III. Fathers are Givers/Providers/Blessers

Mt 7:11  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Js 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 

For children of God: Get in the place of  blessing and Ask; Daily bread, lack wisdom; Trust that father knows best
For Dads: make sure you know what’s best by knowing God’s perspective and your kids lives (See Power Parenting Tasks  Truthbase.net)

IV. Fathers are Lovers  1Jo 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed ...that we should be called children of God!

For children of God: respond to His love, loyally (relationship built on trust {first assume the best}, availability, responsiveness)
For Dads: sacrifice what’s dear to you for the benefit of your kids; learn to communicate, impart your life to them (not just your DNA)

V. Fathers Teach/Train/Discipline for their children’s Good 

1Thess 2:10 witness...how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved 11  we exhorted, and para-fable, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12  that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Eph 6:4 fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Col 3:21
Heb 13:7  If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected children of God, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  10 For they indeed for a few days chastened children of God as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.  (see also Eph 6:4;; 1Thess 2:11-12)

For children of God: look for the lesson at lowest volume; don’t pout over earned consequences; plant strawberries
For Dads: discipline for holiness (emphasize character over conformity), from God’s perspective, not your preferences

VI. Fathers Receive the repentant and Reason with the reluctant

Luke 15:21And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son…32 ‘It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’
Luke 15:28  "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

For Children of God: it’s never too late to repent (change your mind) and start doing the right thing; rejoice over what God rejoices.
For Dads: rod (just consequences) and reproof (bring to light) give wisdom; take the initiative

VII. How to Reparent Yourself:

(in case your earthly parent wasn’t perfect) Admit reality (you’ve been damaged); Blame appropriately (parents’ fault); Consider cause (damaged begets damaged); Decide to forgive (for your sake); Emphasize the positive (Boy named Sue); Find support (church, duh!); Grow with godly goals (worth from pleasing God); Help someone else grow up.

For Children of God: face the reality or your own imperfections and do something eternally positive about it.
For Dads: help kids set and progressively hit worthy goals; affirm effort, character, and performance (Compete, Compensate, Celebrate)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why do intelligent people have difficulty embracing God as different from their earthly father? What could help a move toward the truth?
2. How do you think the parenting profile of an ancient near east patriarch differs from the modern day version of Daddio Dude?
3. How can we better respond to how God has revealed Himself (worship=response to revelation), especially His love?
4. Get some crayons, scissors, and lots of messy glue, and make your heavenly Father a Father’s Day card, expressing your appreciation.
5. What fatherly characteristics of God could you Dads better emulate this week? What would result in the most joy? (chose what’s best)