Notes: 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 (for 11/13 home group)

Men: Husband and Father

Men are:

• 5 times more likely to commit violent crimes
• More likely to be Imprisoned –90% of prisoners
• Murdered –79% of murder victims
• Commit Suicide –4 times more likely
• Illegal Drugs –3 times more likely
• Drinking problem –5 times more likely an alcoholic

40% of 25 million children grow up without a father. Fatherless homes account for:

• 90% of runaway children
• 71% of high school dropouts
• 85% of youths in prison
• More than half of teen mothers
• 70% of prisoners

Verses

1 Corinthians 4:14-17, 1 Peter 3:7, Ephesians 5:25-33, Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21, Proverbs 4, Proverbs 13:24, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Genesis 18:18-19

Discussion

1. The husband is to treat his wife in a certain way (Eph. 5: 25-31, I Pet. 3: 7).
2. There is more to fatherhood than just being responsible for conception. The father is presented in the scriptures as also the leader in the training of the children (Eph. 6: 4, 1, Prov. 4: 1-13).
3. The father should be an example regarding leadership and headship (Eph. 5: 22).
4. The father should be a disciplinarian (Eph. 6: 4, Prov. 13: 24).
5. The father should take a leadership role in teaching his children about God, the plan of salvation, the church, conviction and morals, and living the life of the Christian and general character development (cp. Deut. 6: 6-9).
6. What are the qualities of fatherhood evident in God? How can we model these to the children we care for?
7. Is it necessary to be a biological father, in order to take on the role of a father? Are there any children or young people in our community who lack fathers? How can we help them?
8. What is the role of a father in training a child? What responsibilities does a father have to a child? Do these include spiritual responsibilities? (Consider Genesis 18:18-19, Deuteronomy 6:6-7.)
9. Colossians 3:21 says ‘Fathers, do not embitter (provoke, irritate) your children, or they become discouraged.’ What do you think is meant by this? How can a father create the atmosphere in which a child will flourish into maturity?
10. Sixty-one percent of the people in churches are women. Often, wives are more spiritually engaged (church attendance, prayer, bible reading, etc) than their husbands. Why is that?
11. Women: How important is it to you to have a husband who is growing in spiritual maturity & living out God's commands?

Bottom Line Point(s):

1. God wants men to be men.

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

1. Men: Man-up
2. Women: Pray for your husbands.

Bibliography

1. “The Bible and Fatherhood,” bibletruths.net.
2. “Bible study: Fatherhood,” by Rev Joe M Kapolyo.
3. Tyler Jones, Sermon on 1 Cor 4:14-21, Nov 11, 2007