December 16, 2011
HEART OF MY FATHER
Malachi 4
Bobby Crotty
Central Truth
Fathers have a profound and even eternal impact on their children. Faithfully walking with Christ enables men to be the dads He calls us to be.
Key Verse | Malachi 4:6
"He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." (Malachi 4:6)
Malachi 4
The Great Day of the LORD
1 1 4:1 Ch 4:16 is ch 3:1924 in Hebrew For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.
4 Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules 2 4:4 Or and just decrees that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” 3 4:6 The Hebrew term rendered decree of utter destruction refers to things devoted (or set apart) to the Lord (or by the Lord) for destruction
Dive Deeper | Malachi 4
As minister to men at Watermark, I talk to hundreds of guys every year. And you know the most common issue I hear -- problems with their dads. Some of these guys are older than I, and they still struggle with father issues. I can relate to them. I know what a profound impact fathers can make because of the impact my dad had on my life.
No, I don't have any dad problems, because I had a great father who loved me and was always there for me. Sports -- he was there. Wise counsel -- that was his specialty. Discipling me -- he did that before it was fashionable. He was forty when he trusted Christ. It changed his life, and ultimately it changed his family's life. He wasn't perfect, but he was pretty close to it in my eyes as I look back today.
When I see my own failures as a dad, I think about how much better he would have handled things. My angry response would have been a gentle word from him. Moodiness -- it never crossed his mind. He was a man's man who earned respect by the way he lived his life. And he was bold in his understated way to proclaim the good news about Christ.
As I have gone through life, I have heard countless stories about his kindness and thoughtfulness to others. And I doubt that he ever really knew how much he impacted others because that's just the way he was -- kind to everyone, regardless of their position or power.
Yes, dads, we have the opportunity to impact our children in profound ways. Will we turn their hearts to the Lord, or will we be stumbling blocks that cause our kids to turn away from our Heavenly Father? Thanks to my dad, I run to my Heavenly Father.
Thanks for being a part of The Journey family in 2011. My prayer is that the Old Testament prophetic books have turned our hearts to the Promised One who is the focal point of the Old Testament and the New.
Miss you, Da.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you struggle with father issues? Read Matthew 11:28-30 and 1 Peter 5:7.
2. Have you shared your struggles with your Heavenly Father? Read Psalm 27:10, 68:5, 146:9; Proverbs 2:6; and 2 Corinthians 6:18.
3. Have you had the courage to share those struggles with your spouse, community, or someone else you trust? Read Proverbs 11:14, 12:15, 19:21, and do so today.
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
ZECHARIAH 14-MALACHI 4 (DECEMBER 12-16)
Read Malachi 3:16-18.
Whose names are written on the scroll? What does it mean to fear God? What does it mean to honor the name of the Lord?
What does verse 17 call those who are written on the scroll?
Read 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT).
How can you be a part of God's people? How does someone care for a treasured possession? How does it make you feel knowing that God cares for His people this way?
ACTIVITY: Let's make scrolls! Fold a piece of paper long ways and cut it along the fold. Gather sticks from the yard and glue one on each end. Then roll the paper from both ends to meet in the middle. Now open the scroll and write on it the names of people you know have trusted Jesus and are a part of His people. Celebrate their relationship with Jesus -- the great joy it is to be in relationship with Him.
Now get another piece of paper and write on it the names of people who you think are not a part of God's people. Keep this as a reminder to pray for them to come to trust Jesus as their Savior. Also, think about a way as a family that you can reach out to them to share about God's love. If they do accept Jesus, add them to your scroll!