These are suggested answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions included on the reverse side of the insert for the message “Get a Grip on your Father’s Will” presented on March 24, 2013. The full information from the insert is provided first, then the Message Based Discussion Questions are reiterated with suggested answers. These answers only provide a beginning basis to answer the questions. Each person should consider how he might answer the questions.
Get A Grip on your Father’s Will
Luke 22:39-46
How do you get a grip on your Father’s will?
1) Jesus’ Father gave Him strength to press for you Luke 22:39-40
2) Jesus’ Father wanted Jesus to hang on the cross for you Luke 22:41-44
· Is. 53:10
· Gen. 18:19
3) Jesus’ Father left Him without men who would stand with Him Luke 22:45-46
· Eph. 6:4; Deut 6:1-15
We all need to get a Grip on the Father’s Will!
Message Based Discussion Questions
1) When you were less than seven, how did you look at your dad?
Digging Deeper:
2) Read Psalm 78:1-8. How many generations are included in this passage? _____________ What are several admonishments and exhortations of the passage?
3) Note Malachi 4:4-6. Whose heart must turn first? __________________ What is the context of Malachi? What are the consequences if the exhortation is not followed?
4) Look at Deut. 6:1-9. How many ways does it say a parent should teach their children? ____________ Based on that, what does the word diligently look like?
Applying the message to life:
5) How can you help the fathers at Grace be more effective to get a grip on the Father’s will? What specific steps can you take?
6) How should Grace best help fathers who do not grasp the Father’s will?
7) How can Grace best help single moms or moms who do not have husbands who are leading spiritually?
Message Based Discussion Questions
1) When you were less than seven, how did you look at your dad?
a) He was big!
b) He was serious and meant business. I did what he said.
c) He was in control of the house and we did what he said.
d) He was good at fixing things and liked to go fishing and sailing.
e) He worked, we went to school, we ate together.
f) He took us to church and that was no option.
g) I didn’t want to get on his bad side.
h) He could get mad.
i) He was good at treating others with respect.
j) He wanted us to have a good Christmas.
Digging Deeper:
2) Read Psalm 78:1-8. How many generations are included in this passage? _four__ What are several admonishments and exhortations of the passage?
a) Give ear and listen to the Word
b) Listen and concentrate to understand
c) This has been passed down through generations, so be ready to pass this down.
d) Make sure you reveal this to your children
e) Make sure you declare so they praise the Lord
f) Declare God’s mighty works to all generations
g) Declare so that the generations come to know Him
h) That children rise up and declare them to their children
i) That children might keep the commandments
j) That children might not be like stubborn fathers
3) Note Malachi 4:4-6. Whose heart must turn first? __fathers____ What is the context of Malachi? What are the consequences if the exhortation is not followed?
a) Context of Malachi
i) Last prophet in Israel before silence around B.C. 425.
ii) Israel had been back in the land about 100 years.
iii) They had never truly repented and cried out as a nation.
iv) The glory of the Lord had never returned.
v) The people were indifferent toward God.
vi) They were complacent about worship.
vii) The priests went through rituals, without reality.
viii) Persia was still a great nation, but was becoming weaker, so Israel would have had a chance to rise up, but they did not, because they didn’t humble themselves.
b) What are the consequences?
i) If the hearts are not turned, there will be Divine Discipline in the form of a curse on the earth – drought, e tc.
ii) Generations will remain separated.
4) Look at Deut. 6:1-9. How many ways does it say a parent should teach their children? __four__ Based on that, what does the word diligently look like?
a) When you sit, walk, lie down and rise up, means at every opportunity.
b) When sitting at the table, what happened that you can share was a God-sighting or divine moment
c) When walking to the store, or driving in the car, or traveling on vacation, what do you see that connects the child with God or reveals God’s glory or shows how God is working.
d) When lying down at night, how, in prayer, can you praise the Lord for the day and give Him thanks for the work He did on your behalf.
e) When you rise up, give hope of what God is going to do in and through you to influence the world. Be specific in all of these things.
Applying the message to life:
5) How can you help the fathers at Grace be more effective to get a grip on the Father’s will? What specific steps can you take?
a) Show up to church and encourage men when you see them.
b) Get involved in men’s ministry and don’t forsake a brother who is struggling.
c) Befriend a new guy at church and spend some time getting to know him.
d) Ask other men how they are leading their families spiritually.
e) Have a discussion about what they are doing specifically to do the Father’s will instead of their own.
f) Ask him how many hours he spends on entertainment compared to spiritual things.
g) Have a couple over and encourage their relationship.
6) How should Grace best help fathers who do not grasp the Father’s will?
a) Keep the messages directed toward men.
b) Highlight decorations that are manly.
c) Choose music that men can relate to well.
d) Do projects that require men to be involved.
e) Do challenging projects in which men are required.
f) Have men’s breakfasts that highlight what men are doing to lead and show men how to grasp the Father’s will.
g) Spend equal time and money on trying to reach men.
h) Gear ministry to men and have women pray for that.
7) How can Grace best help single moms or moms who do not have husbands who are leading spiritually?
a) Encourage empty nesters to reach out to single moms.
b) Encourage ministry to single moms in their homes and do inside fixing or outside projects to help.
c) Have men determine a safe way to reach out to her children to build them up and give a manly example. Spend time with them.
d) Have men get involved in youth ministry to build up children of single moms, etc.
e) Build bridges to men who are spiritually dormant to help them see their need to follow Christ: go watch a game with him, help him fix his car, go with him to watch his son play a game of ball, invite him over to play board games, etc.
Shepherding Truth 