Lesson: Father’s Devotion
Author: Mark Stusek
Date: 6/15/08
Today is Father’s Day so I believe it begs the question: What are we as men devoted to? What is it that we spend most of our time, effort and money towards? Write it down.
Ladies and young adults – What is it in your life that you spend most of your time, effort and money towards? Write it down.
Usually, there will come a time when God will test the depth of our devotion to Him – others – things!
Scripture tells us about sons who walked in the ways of their dads’ wickedness. At other times it gives us examples where godly men were able to influence children, grandchildren, and others for generations.
I. Devoted to the wrong things.
I Kings 21:1-9, 16
1. No Israelite king ruled longer than Manasseh (55 years) and no king acted more wickedly.
What was Manasseh devoted to? What did he model to his family and others?
A. Devoted to evil – destroyed the monuments to God his father built
B. Attempted to be both obedient, honoring of God and disrespectful and disobedient to God.
C. Ruthless – evil father to his son (Amon).
D. Practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, consulted spirits.
2 Kings 21:19-23
2. Amon was 22 years old and devoted to the wrong things: the lifestyles, behaviors and peers he learned from his dad – not mom.
3. Because of his ways the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed him in his home.
2 Peter 2:20, 21
4. Sin left unchecked always leads to perversion and eventually destruction.
Question: How important is a dad’s example to his kids?
A. National Institute of Mental Health found the absence of a father a stronger factor than poverty in contributing to juvenile delinquency.
B. A study of 39 teenage girls suffering from anorexia shows 36 had one common denominator – lack of a close relationship with their father.
C. John Hopkins University researchers found that “young white female girls living in fatherless homes were 60% more likely to have premarital intercourse than those living in two-parent homes.
II. Devoted to the Right Things.
2 Kings 22:1-2, 19
2 Kings 23:25
1. Although Josiah, Asa and Hezekiah all had ungodly fathers they were able to look past them to other godly examples, i.e. King David.
2. Josiah became king when he was 8 years old and his dad, Amon, was murdered.
3. He had no living example and no parental instruction in the ways of God. But he chose to walk like King David.
4. Josiah committed himself to follow the Lord, keeping all His mandates and decrees.
5. As a result of his example and commitment to God, all the people followed after God and the nation of Israel was strengthened.
A. How has your life affected those around you?
B. Are they devoted to evil and destructive ways OR
C. Devoted to Jesus Christ and doing the right thing?
III. Devoted Solely to God
Gen. 22:1-12
1. Usually there comes a time when God will test us to reflect just how devoted we are to Him.
2. God “tested” Abraham’s faith beyond anything imaginable. The Lord instructed Abraham to take his only son, Isaac, and offer him as a sacrifice.
3. Consider the sacrifice and loss of 2 of your 3 sons to the Iraq war – to give us all the life of life, liberty and freedom we all cherish.
4. In reference to Abraham and Isaac, God did not want Abraham to harm his own son – He was checking Abe’s devotion.
Question: How often have you faced a difficult situation and thought, “Lord, You can have anything, but please just don’t take _______.”
A. If there is something that holds a priority over God (relationship, dream, idea, or pursuit), let go of it!
B. When you do, His goodness and mercy will be poured out in abundance to you.
C. Give your children the gift of a godly role model and watch them model your footsteps.
What could be better than that?
Sources:
Today’s Alternative – December Issue 2007
In Touch Ministry - June 08 newsletter
The Father Connection – Josh McDowell – page 4