It was Father’s Day in Australia on Sunday, 4th September 2016. It’s a perfect time to reflect on how God cares for His family, the church. He has given gifts to equip His family to serve and mature in Jesus. May God help us to use these gifts well – the way a father deals with his own children.

Discover

Read Ephesians 4:11-16. To help get a good understanding of the passage, try to describe what is happening or being said in your own words. Take a moment to reflect and note down what stands out as important, significant or meaningful to you. What does this passage tell us about God? What does this passage tell us about people? How does this passage change how we live?

Discuss

1. How do you view the role of a Father? Discuss.

2. When God calls us He equips us with the tools that are needed to do the job that He has called us to do.What has God called you specifically to do? Discuss. (2 Timothy 3:17)

3. Why do you think God gave this array of gifts? Discuss

4. What is your daily strategy for developing your relationship with your heavenly Father?

5. What impact does your faith have in your relationships as a father/mother/child?

6. How do you negotiate the tension between care (staff) and discipline (rod) as a parent? Or how do you experience this as a child? Discuss. (Psalm 23:4)

Respond

God is constantly calling us up and on in our relationships and attitudes, both with Him and with each other. They are never stagnant. Which relationships, brokenness, attitudes is God working on with you at the moment? Are you prepared to engage with Him towards growth and healing? Spend time quietly seeking God and allow Him to highlight a potential area for growth for you.

Watch full sermon – Fathers’ Day 2016