7 September 2003 1 The Legacy of a Father
The Legacy of a Father
· Proverbs 17:6 “The Glory of Children are their Fathers”
(1) Pray for and bless children:
· At Birth - Father needs to hold children
- Pray and break all generational curses
- Speak blessing over the child
· During live - Prayer provides hedge of Spiritual Protection
- Prayer opens the way for the Holy Spirit to move – Help,
mom
· Bless - Lay hands on children & impart their life
- Bedtime, morning as they go to school
(2) Honour and Love their Mother
- Ephesians 6:2 Honour father & mother – that it may go well for you
- Honour => to prize, place value upon, treat with respect
- Example of Father is consistently seen by “little eyes”
- Father sets the standard * How to relate to a woman
- How to make marriage work
- Values are absorbed & then repeated in the next generation
- Strong loving relationship – security, model
- Neglect & abuse – Bitterness spreads to next generation
- Never speak disrespectfully or allow children to do so
(3) Speak encouragement into their soul
Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers – bring children up in training & instruction of the Lord”
· Nurture – Skill of placing words of affirmation & value
· Fathers words have powerful impact to bless or curse
· Withholding words of value starve the soul
7 September 2003 2 The Legacy of a Father
· Eg. Luke 3:22 “The Father nurtured Jesus”
· Speak words 1. Personal Value
2. Confidence in Child
3. Success in Life
· Words powerfully impact children and teenagers
· Genesis 27:34 When words of blessing were withheld Esau felt deeply hurt, bitter, angry at his brother
(4) Bring Direction & Discipline
Ephesians 4:2 “Bring up in the nature and admiration of the Lord”
· Nature of the Lord: - Read the Word
- Explain principles for success
- One direction, what to do & why?
· Admiration = “to call attention to”
- Need to set standard/values in the home
- Discipline = To teach responsibility for words/action
- Bible Meditate is to train children – against modern philosophies
{ Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way it should go” = to
NB { narrow
{ Proverbs 29:15 “ Pod & reproof = wisdom – child left to
{ self brings mother to shame
- Call children to account for words/actions
- Require respect & obedience to basic family values
(5) Give them Work to do
· Work is very important to develop chance to be productive
· John 17:4 Jesus completed the work that the Father gave Him to do
· Fathers assign responsibilities – share in household life
· Follow through to see work completions
· Give direction and encourage in life direction/training
(6) Teach them how to handle Money
Proverbs 13:22 “Good men leaves inheritance for children’s children”
· Money = Life in tangible form: Waste money = Waste life
· Teach principles : work, save, tithe, give, invest, honesty.
· For inheritance to reach the grandchildren
Father: (1) Has heart for next generation
(2) Purposefully sets aside - saves
(3) Helps children learn how to handle money
(4) Helps children get established financially
7 September 2003 3 Legacy of a Father
(7) Speak his mind over choice of Marriage Partner
· Most important decision children will make in their live
· That decision affects the next generation – whether legacy passed
· Survey of group broken marriage – None had been approved by father
· Father is a door – approval is important
- sees what you may not see
· Speak, not be polite – disapprove if feel choice is wrong
· Speak words of blessing over marriage
· eg. Jesus: John 6:44 “No man can come to me unless the Father who has sent me draws him”
· eg: Genesis 24 “Give instruction about choice of life – servant prayed for success
Eg: Solo Parent
* Look to the Lord for help and direction Psalm 27:10/John 14: 18
* Be upfront about the mistake/consequences
* Put right with father - seek his help and input
* Teach children respect for father
* Provide godly input to child
* Don’t repeat the mistake