1. St Mark’s Coptic Church Scotland Youth Conference Oct. 2015

2. Common Complaints I cannot believe or accept God’s forgiveness. I do not always feel loved by God I do not feel important to God I doubt that God listens seriously to me I cannot easily trust Him I don’t know what to expect from Him I often feel “watched and tested” by God.

3. Common Complaints I often have an image of a displeased or hard to please God. I know I am His son/daughter but don’t enjoy His Fatherhood. I feel His Fatherhood is determined by my status and actions. There’s a huge gap between what I believe and how I feel about His love and care.

4. We all had needs…

5. The Father’s Role Co-provider of needs Leadership model Trustworthy Enthusiastic Committed Confident Reliable Stable

6. The Father’s Impact 1 Emotional security Problem solving Risk taking and independence Emotional Intelligence Establishing self esteem Self control and anger management Coping with teenage transition

7. The Father’s Impact 2 Relationship with one’s self Formation of the conscience Girls’ specific needs Boys’ specific needs Our perception of GOD!

8. Our Father So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come….. (Luke 11) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12) For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (Mat 6:32)

9. Our Perception Our image of God is shaped by our experience of fatherhood! Examples: Available & responsive father Caring & forgiving father Hard to please father Cruel & mean father None of us had a faultless father

10. Range of Distortion 1 I can’t remember ever having a hug from dad I have never had a 1:1 with my dad Dad was never available He was so harsh, snappy and unpredictable He was so undermining and critical I can’t remember a word of praise from him I didn’t have a dad

11. Range of Distortion 2 My dad’s love/praise was always conditional Dad was passive. The house was led by mum I had no faith in him, hypocrisy, unreliable I had to contain and “parent” my dad/mum Dad was spoiling. I manipulated him loads I was abused by my dad! None of the above..I just haven’t enjoyed the relationship with my dad

12. The Aims Help you reflect on your own experience. Highlight the distorted image. Start to discover God’s Fatherhood. Begin the journey of healing. View your family through God’s grace. Not to blame your parents. Not to self pity.

13. How to Benefit Practise personalised prayer, it’s a relationship Practise prayer that is not limited to prayer time. Make use of the Quiet time. Seek support if needed. Take notes when possible. When the Spirit talks, be attentive, He will guide you

14. Do Not …..focus on yourself. …..worry, you are not judging. …..worry, the helpers aren’t either. …..postpone it, you will forget it. …..share traumatic experience in groups. Remember Satan doesn’t want you to do this! But The Holy Spirit is so keen to reveal this.

15. Spirit of Adoption For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Rom 8:15, 16 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Gal 4:6Gal 4:6

16. Revelation of Love Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1John 3:1 “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me”. John 17:23

17. Revelation of Love Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. 1Jhn 4:18 …the glorious liberty of the children of God. Rom 8:21 ….and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Rom8:17 For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (Mat 6:32)

18. Any Questions ?