Sunday, December 31, 2017

THE FATHER'S BLESSING (Introduction)


We live in a time when fatherlessness is rampant. "If it were classified as a disease, fatherlessness would be an epidemic worthy of attention as a national emergency" according to the National Center for Fathering. While the US may have the highest rate of fatherless households worldwide, this is still clearly an international phenomenon. Numbers are skyrocketing in every western nation. Many children grow up never having met their father; even more common is the loss of the father in the home due to divorce or abandonment. Altogether, those affected make up one in three US children today. Others grow up with their father, but do not receive the desired affirmation, either because it is withheld or because they are not able to accept it. A fortunate few grow up with a positive view of what a father is like. Yet each father, whether present or absent, wields great power over his children's lives through the blessings which he bestows or withholds.

The authority of blessings is greatly emphasized in Old Testament Scriptures. Its serious effect becomes most visible in Esau's plea towards his father, Isaak, after having been tricked out of his blessing by his younger brother: "Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father" (Gen. 27:38). We are made to desire and thrive on our father's blessing. When this blessing is withheld, we lack the foundation on which to build our lives, leaving us grasping for identity, a sense of belonging and confidence. We develop an unhealthy and faulty view of ourselves, our role in life and of others around us. Without the blessing we fall for the lie that something is wrong with us and that we will never measure up. "Am I loved?... Am I accepted?... Am I good enough?... Am I liked?... Will I fulfill the purpose for my life?... Will I be abandoned?" — These are the questions which haunt those who have never heard words of love and acceptance from their fathers. Consider these statements from Neal Lozano: "I have often said that the father wound is the deepest wound of all. No one ever protests my statement" (Abba's Heart, Baker Publishing Group, 2015, pg. 127). "We need to be blessed in order to succeed in life. Blessing is bread we need for life's journey" (Unbound, Baker Publishing Group, 2010, pg. 119).

The good news is that God has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ, as the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." The blessings God the Father bestows upon us are the very same words we had hoped to hear from our earthly fathers. These blessings are immeasurably more powerful than any human blessing could be. Only God has the power to fully provide what He promises. How often do we approach God as if he were Isaak and we were Esau. “Don’t you also have a blessing for me?” “Sorry, fresh out.” This is how our conversation with God unfolds in our minds. We can be set free when we realize that God is holding our blessing for us. We no longer have to beg for a blessing like Esau. We can live in the joy of a child who has been blessed. This is abundant life. This is freedom. It is my prayer that you will be liberated from the burden of past pain and struggles in order to increasingly know God as your Father who has blessed you.

In this study we will focus on Ephesians 1:3-14 and the list of blessings we find in this passage which form a picture of what it truly means to be blessed by Father God. For the sake of studying these blessings and their impact on us, they are organized into six categories:

1. The blessing of bestowing value (Eph. 1:4) 
 This is mainly the blessing of a father expressing that he values his child by saying, 
 “I desire you! 
 I love you unconditionally! 
 I love you completely! 
 You are my favorite! 
 You are valuable!”

2. The blessing of acceptance (Eph. 1:5+6) 
The father offers a sense of belonging and protection by saying, 
 “You are mine! 
 This is where you belong! 
 You are safe here! 
 You are not alone! 
 I am so proud of you!”

3. The blessing of forgiveness (Eph. 1:7+8) 
The father sets his child free from guilt and condemnation by expressing, 
“I know you completely! 
 I do not hold anything against you! 
 You are allowed to make mistakes! 
 Good job! 
 I would do anything for you!”

4. The blessing of presence (Eph. 1:9+10) 
 Whether attending your high school graduation, walking you down the aisle on your wedding day or simply being at the supper table each night, a father's presence is worth more than many spoken blessings. By being there, aware of what is going on in his daughter's life, a father is showing her 
“I want a relationship with you! 
 I want to be close to you! 
 I like being with you! 
 I trust you with my deepest thoughts!
 Your thoughts are important to me!”

5. The blessing of provision (Eph. 1:11+12) 
 When we think of a father being a provider, our thoughts automatically move towards the daily needs of food, clothing and shelter. We may also think about a father carefully planning in order to leave an inheritance. But a father's provision also includes teaching his daughter where to find strength and purpose, and helping her discover and develop her talents and abilities by saying: 
"I want you to share in everything I own! 
 I care for you completely! 
 You can be courageous! 
 You will do well in life! 
 You are talented!"     

6 The blessing of stability (Eph. 1:13+14) 
 A child needs to know the unchanging nature of her relationship with her father. This stability provides that child with the confidence to conquer any obstacle. These are the blessings of a father who provides stability: 
"I will keep my promises! 
 My plans never change! 
 I will never abandon you! 
 I will never send you away! 
 I will always be there for you!

We will study these blessings a week at a time. You are given readings for five days each week, and assignments to do on your own. You will be able to discuss these at a weekly group meeting. Don't give up if a busy week has left you with unfinished pages. Attend your meeting even if you don’t complete your homework. There is so much to glean from what other group members have learned and are willing to share.

· Begin this study by reading Ephesians 1:3-14.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

· Using the text provided above, circle every blessing mentioned in the passage above.

· What are your hopes and expectations for this study? Formulate them as a prayer below.

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