Session 14 Study Questions - Man as Father
"But while he was still a long way off, his father
saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his
arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead,
bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians
6:4
- Just as men have lost much of their traditional role as husbands in modern
society, they have lost their role as fathers. Write down some examples where
men no longer serve in traditional "fathering" roles, compared to
the past.
- Some suggest that children in today's society have "outdistanced"
their fathers. What do you think they mean by this statement? Do you believe
this to be true? If so, can you give some examples?
- The evangelical church has made great efforts to counteract the trend which
strips men of their role as husbands and fathers. Give some examples of how
the church is attempting to foster their men to be godly fathers.
- Yet the church falls short at times of the goal of encouraging men to be
good, godly fathers. Can you give some examples where the church falls short?
- The Father in the parable of the prodigal son is often the third most discussed
character (after the prodigal son and the elder son). Do you agree? If so,
why might this be the case?
- Pick out some characteristics of the father in the parable of the prodigal
son which emphasize that this father is an example for all fathers to follow.
- If you must choose one characteristic of a Christian father which would
be a foundation for godly fatherhood, what would that characteristic be?
- If our congregation could institute some new activities to facilitate godly
fathering, what might be some of those activities?