How to Overcome Daddy Issues

Trending Now | Part 3

Tom

June 19, 2023

The weekend doesn't have to end. Keep Talking on your own or with a group.

When you hear the word “Father,” what thoughts come to mind?
What do you appreciate most about your father? Do you have other special “dads” in your life, like granddads or spiritual dads?

Jude 1:1

To those who have been CALLED, who are LOVED by God the Father and KEPT by Jesus Christ.

Jude was the half-brother of Jesus. Share two things that would have been fascinating being raised in a family with Jesus.
“Called … Loved … Kept …” These all speak of security and purpose. Why is it that so many people in our culture today are seeking these traits, or substitutes for them, in any way possible?

Based on Jude 1:1, Coach and Pastor Todd said God has placed a calling on all dads to communicate these three truths to their children:

1. Help your children understand their CALLING.

Colossians 1:16 says, “… Everything was created through him and for him.”
Ephesians 1:11 says, “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.”
How can these two verses help people struggling with their identity? Why is it true that we'll never know our purpose if we don’t know our identity?
Read Proverbs 3:1 and 4.
Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people."
Coach shared a story in which he was “pressured” to change his “principles.” Share a time when you’ve faced a similar challenge. How could these two passages help you or someone you know?

2. Help your children know God’s LOVE.

Read Ephesians 3:17-19. Fathers were encouraged to let the love of God flow through them to their children, making it easier for kids to experience God’s love. Can you share how you’ve personally experienced this, or if you haven’t, share why?
At Jesus’ baptism, Matthew 3:17 says, “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'”
Pastor Todd shared that even Jesus needed affirmation, as this verse demonstrates. Share when your father’s affirmation made a difference in your life (or one of your granddads, spiritual dads, etc.).
Luke 15:20 says, “So he [the prodigal son] returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”
Pastor Todd said this should always be our picture of God’s love for us. However, some people may have different perceptions of God, such as believing God is angry with them, or they must perform to earn God’s love. How do people get these perspectives about God? How can we help them gain the proper perspective of Luke 15:20?

3. Help your children know they are KEPT by Christ.

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control.”
In today's age of anxiety, what promises can we take from these two verses? How can we keep growing in “power, love and self-control” daily?
Coach shared this truth:
“When we realize we are kept by Christ, we have the confidence that with Christ, we can handle anything.”
If you are raising kids now, how can you daily instill this confidence in your children? How did you seek to do this if your kids are already grown?

In closing, Pastor Todd and Coach challenged us to pray two prayers:

A prayer for all dads.
This prayer is to strengthen all dads, granddads, and spiritual dads. It’s also an opportunity that reminds all dads that it’s never too late to become the man of God you should be. It all begins by returning to the Father, and that starts with a prayer. Is this your next step?
A prayer for the children.
This prayer is for all the kids that they would know they are called, loved, and kept, and that they would discover their identity and purpose in Jesus every day of their lives! Is this your next step – to begin praying for a specific child?
S.O.A.P. out a passage of Scripture this week.

Or check out our "Faith Over Fear" playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.