1. Men as Fathers Πατήρ = Pater Nourisher-Protector-Upholder one who imparts life and is committed to it; a progenitor, bringing into being to pass on the potential for likeness

2. The Hebrew for Father אַב = ab Pronounced: Av BetAleph (Remember: Hebrew reads from right to left) Examples of occurrences: Abram = “Exalted Father” Abraham = “Father of a multitude” Absalom (King David’s son) = “My father is peace” Abimelech = “My father is king” Abba = “Father father” or “daddy” The first 2 letters of the Hebrew alphabet

3. The Hebrew for Father Q1: So what does the ancient Hebrew word for Father mean actually?

4. Hebrew meaning of ‘Father’ The strong powerful leader in the family The strength in the house / home Or a bull in a china shop?! Think about it! We fathers are called and appointed by God to be the strength in our homes Pause a moment – receive that mandate from God in the Power of the Holy Spirit Then answer the following questions: Q2: In what ways would the Lord have you be the strength in your home? Q3: In what ways am I lacking currently – where I need to raise my game?

5. The Father relationship: a gift of God Our Heavenly Father is passionate about fathering because He has fathered His Only Begotten Son Psa 2:7 I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. We have no choice over the children we sire; they are a gift from the Lord Psa 127:3-5 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. The father-son/daughter relationship is an ongoing life-long permanent one Doesn’t stop when a child comes of age of leaves home. But the way it is expressed does change with the seasons of our children’s lives: Early life | Teenage years & Puberty | Young manhood / womanhood | marriage | Grandparent era Don’t you ever walk away from this most Holy calling (and from what God has sovereignly entrusted to you. Daughters need their dads as much as sons do (perhaps even more so) Daughters need their fathers as much as they need their mothers (perhaps even more so) Having an open door to fathering other spiritual orphans within the family.

6. The unique Strengths that Dads bring into the home Covering & Security – in terms of protection in a consistent, safe & loving environment Taking the lead in decision making (and full responsibility for the consequences) Provision – prime responsibility for adequate food & shelter The male role model to sons and daughters for how husbands should treat their wives and how to raise children Setting of boundaries for the home in terms of values & behaviours Raising the next generation of sons and daughters that will stand on your shoulders And with your full blessing and encouragement will go further deeper than you

7. Spiritual Fathering in Body of Christ Q4: Who have been your role models in the Body of Christ; the men who you have looked up to and sought to imitate in your life, walk and ministry? Heb 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 1Co 4:15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Q5: Who are you currently fathering (mentoring) in the faith?

8. Fathers after our Heavenly Father’s pattern Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand. Q6: How are we shaping the lives of our sons and daughters? Psa 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. Q7: In what ways can I be passionate about the lives of each of my sons & daughters in this season of their lives?

9. Fathers’ Do’s & Don’ts! [Eph 6:4 NASB] 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. [Col 3:21 NASB] 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. Pro 3:12-13 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. We are to delight in our children – their lives & progress Good fatherly guidance is the means by which our children gain wisdom & understanding in life All guidance, discipline and correction is an act of love for our children and must be measured, age appropriate, and done in love and true respect for boundaries and the self-esteem of our sons & daughters – Build-up – no put-downs!

10. Questions Summary Q1: So what does the ancient Hebrew word for Father mean actually? Q2: In what ways would the Lord have you be the strength in your home? Q3: In what ways am I lacking currently – where I need to raise my game? Q4: Who have been your role models in the Body of Christ; the men who you have looked up to and sought to imitate in your life, walk and ministry? Q5: Who are you currently fathering (mentoring) in the faith? Q6: How are we shaping the lives of our sons and daughters? Q7: In what ways can I be passionate about the lives of each of my sons & daughters in this season of their lives? Real fathers sacrificially love and take delight in their sons and daughters and have the inner courage to encourage and guide them in the right way: pathways of peace and wisdom throughout their lives.