Fathers, Where Are You? | Jentezen Franklin

Sunday, June 16

Scriptures

Genesis 2:22-3:1; 3:9. Ephesians 5:23, Ezekiel 22:29-30

Introduction

Welcome to this week's small group guide! Today, we dive into an impactful sermon that centers around Genesis 2 and 3, focusing on the roles and responsibilities within the family, especially for fathers. This message is not just for current fathers, but also for future fathers, husbands, wives, and everyone in between. The sermon uses the story of Adam and Eve to highlight the importance of being spiritually present and engaged in our families, emphasizing how men are called to lead and protect their homes against spiritual warfare. As we explore these themes, let's open our hearts and minds to the profound insights shared and discuss how we can apply them in our own lives.

Questioning Commands

Ezekiel 28:13-19 tells us that Satan was in Eden. Satan, with his cunning deceit, knew that God had commanded Adam not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Genesis 2:15-17. Adam was responsible for telling Eve of the command. This cunning deceit of Satan lured Eve to question God's commandment; she did not have a full understanding of the consequences to come.

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?'"

Satan will use his every lie to trick and deceive us into going against God’s will and to make us question God’s commitment and love for us all. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, the Apostle Paul warns of the cunning, deceitful enemy and the dire consequences of falling into his trap.

What do you do when you doubt God’s commands?

How can you effectively dismiss the temptations and lies of the enemy?

Defending Against What Always Happens

After the fall Adam and Eve hid. God was walking in the Garden and called out.

Genesis 3:9 “Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

Prior to God asking Adam “where are you”, it’s good to remember the environment in the garden, who was there and what occurred.

Adam and Jesus were the only two who walked with God and had God as physical Father as well as spiritual Father. One made a decision to bring a curse (Romans 5:12), the other became a curse for us. Galatians 3:13)

Adam and his wife were both naked and felt no shame. Things were perfect, the relationship was perfect, the environment was perfect.

Then the serpent entered the garden. See Genesis 3:1 above.

What happened in Genesis chapter three not only happened then, but it is what always happens.

1) “Right after the wedding comes the warfare”. (Pastor Jentezen).

2) If the enemy can’t get to Adam (the head of the family) he’ll go after someone else in the family.

3) Eve ate the fruit, but Adam was silent. Adam does nothing. Adam says nothing.

How does knowing the serpent can wreak havoc even in a perfect relationship help you understand the spiritual truth that the enemy seeks to destroy (John 10:10) and does not respect God or any divine order? How important is a man’s knowledge of the word of God to defending his household? Why?

What ways did Pastor Jentezen say a man should act and speak up for his family and how do those ways different from worldly actions and speech?

Rocking the Roles

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

Per scripture the final decision and responsibility should remain with the husband in caring for the wife as Christ does for the church. Woe to the man who continues to blame others for predicaments that he stood by and did nothing about! A reminder that the man came from the dirt and the woman came from where? His side!

What is the value you see in society today verses what you see in Scripture? What are the similarities and differences?

Conclusion

As we conclude this session, let's remember the powerful message from the sermon: Fathers and men have a critical role in spiritually leading and protecting their families. It's not always easy, and it requires constant vigilance and engagement. But through God's grace and strength, we can rise to the challenge. Let’s commit to supporting each other in this journey, praying for wisdom and courage to fulfill our roles according to God’s design. Thank you for participating and may we all strive to be the men and women God has called us to be!

Resources

· YouTube

· Audio Podcast

Bonus Notes

1. You have an enemy. It is not just dysfunctional families that the devil and his demons attack. Adam and Eve had a perfect marriage, and the serpent immediately came to deceive them and destroy their marriage.

2. Speak up for your family. Adam was with Eve when she was deceived but said nothing. Do not let that happen to you and your family! Men need to stand for the Word of God. It is up to the man to speak up with boldness in prayer.

3. Do not hide from God. When Adam sinned, he hid from God. When men sin today, they do the same thing. It is time to come out of hiding! Where are you when the devil comes to attack your wife and children?

4. Do not blame your wife. Adam blamed his wife when they sinned; do not make the same mistake. Your wife is not the problem! The man is responsible for the home.

5. The man is the head of his wife. As Christ is the Head of His Church, so the man is the head of his wife. If the husband does not lead his home, the devil will. When Eve sinned, it was not Adam’s fault, but it was his responsibility to deal with it. If there’s trouble in the home, it is the man’s responsibility to make a plan, not excuses. Sin was not God’s fault, but He took responsibility for it. Instead of giving up on His children, God sent Jesus to take on your sin. And the more you know His love, the more you will love your family.

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