Dad We Love You
1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 (NIV)
“As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”
Please Cultivate the Soil by …
a. A _____________________
“We loved you so much” Verse 8
“And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (NASB)
b. A ______________________
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” Verse 8
c. An _______________________
“Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” Verse 9
d. A ______________________
“Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.” Verses 9, 10
e. A _______________________
“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” Verses 11,12
7 Day Action Plan
Sunday
Commit your parenting skills to God and ask for His wisdom
Monday
Go for a “just because” walk with your child
Tuesday
Spend an hour volunteering your time somewhere with your child
Wednesday
Ask your child to give you a definition of a safe home
Thursday
Express “extra-interest” when talking to your child today
Friday
Make a meal together and surprise a neighbor by giving it to them
Saturday
Express an unusual amount of affection to your spouse or your child “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3: 11 (NIV)
