Week of 6/28 – 7/4
Being A Father / Matthew 18:1-10
In our text, Jesus is speaking with His disciples. He uses a child to show them just what is most important in the kingdom of heaven. A child represents innocence and trust. Clearly, God values the simple faith and obedience of a humble spirit.
A person is valuable in the kingdom of heaven if they possess a humble attitude and a servant’s heart. It is very important that we display love to each other and to those that are lost. “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6) Jesus speaks very harsh to those that would offend the innocent. We must be careful not to cause anyone to be lead astray from God. This warning can also be applied to the relationship of a parent to a child. A father is called to be the leader of his home. He is the role model for his children. It is the father that teaches his children the value of a relationship with God.
This country was founded on Christian principles. Our original school system used the Bible as the primary text book. Children learned about God as they learned to read and write. The result was a belief in God and a desire to uphold moral principles. As a whole, families valued a religious belief system. However, our society has purposely turned away from a focus on Christian values. We no longer have the benefit of these values being taught in our schools. The Bible is not used or respected by the educational system. A Biblical world view has been replaced by a humanistic philosophy. Public schools now teach in opposition to God’s word. American culture has even become hostile toward Christian values. Today, our children are confronted with lies and confusing messages about the truth of God.
A Christian father has the awesome responsibility to teach a Biblical view of the world to his children. He must confront the worldly influence of ungodly people and institutions by spending time instructing his children in God’s word. This will insure that children have a strong belief system to confront the challenges of the world they live in. Being a father requires a lasting commitment to lead children in a right relationship with God.
POINTS OF DISCUSSION
1. Who is important in the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 18:4
2. Who is supposed to teach our children about God? Psalm 78:1-7
3. Discuss the commitment of a father to serve God. Joshua 24:14-15
