I. SERMON NOTES​

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Introduction

• Context: Delivered on Father's Day, the preacher presented a blueprint by God for fathers as well as mothers.
   

• The Parental Call: In Ephesians 6:4, Paul instructs fathers not to exasperate their children but to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Parents are called to be trainers of their children's faith.
   

• The Blueprint: Deuteronomy 6:5-9 serves as God's blueprint for both fathers and mothers, presenting three key lessons: 1) Love the Lord, 2) Teach the Word, and 3) Walk the Talk.

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1. Love the Lord (v. 5)

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:5)

 

• The Foundation for Loving Others:

Loving God with all our heart sets the pace for how we love our spouse, children, and family. True love for God must manifest as love for people; as 1 John 4:20 states, claiming to love God while hating a brother or sister makes one a liar.​

Jesus loves his father and he never short-changed his love for us. He obeyed his father to die for our sins. That’s the equation the Lord wants us to learn about love.

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• Loving God as Father:

While devout Jews traditionally found the name too great for such an intimate relationship, Jesus invited His disciples (that’s all of us) to call God father as he instructed them how to pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven."

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Calling God "Father" implies acknowledging parental authority (God runs the show, and we submit) and recognizing His right to do as He pleases, even through frustrating circumstances or pain.

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• The Father's Presence:

An earthly father would be proud of his child and would make efforts to spend time or to show how he would love and care for his child. In the same way, God is proud and fond of us, wanting to be a part of our daily affairs.

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As we learn to love the Father, that love flows into our relationships with our own spouse and with others. In turn, our children quietly observe and learn how love is put into practice.

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2. Teach the Word (v. 7)

"Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:7)

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• The Responsibility of Those at Home: 

Spiritual mentorship belongs primarily to parents, grandparents, and older siblings at home, not the church, Sunday School, or Youth Group. Children spend far more time at home than at church.

 

• Everyday Discipleship:

God's Word should be brought into everyday conversations—at the dining table, in the car, during school holidays, or when discussing a movie.

 

• Non-Verbal Instruction:

Instruction of the word does not necessarily have to be by our mouths or by words. What shapes a child's faith often has to do with how parents lived out their lives.

 

• Imparting Truth at Early Age:

Gathering your children together to teach the word of God or to have devotion with them is easier while they are young. Take all opportunities to do so.

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However, to gather your children together in their teenage years to have family devotion can be difficult with their busy timetables. While having your family meals, take the occasion to address Christian values, Biblical teachings as opposed to secular liberalism as topics of discussion.

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• Trusting Jesus:

Part of the teaching and instruction for our children in the faith is also to help them trust in Jesus. Though we may have the human capacity to solve a lot of our problems, but never fail to turn to Jesus for His help, His strength and His provision - that’s what it means to trust in Him.

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3. Walk the Talk (vv. 6, 8-9)

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” (Deuteronomy 6:6) 

“Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:8-9)

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• Internalising and Practising: 

The Jews used physical reminders like hand and head tefillin (black boxes containing scripture) and containers on doorframes to remind them to obey God's commands. 

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The word of God is not meant merely to be learned, but to be deeply written into our minds, hearts, and lives - woven into the very fabric of our being—so that His word is not only understood, but lived out through us. In essence, we are called to walk the talk.

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• Putting God First: 

It is not difficult to believe in God’s word but not easy to do God’s word. Even the devil believes in God and His word but he does not practice the principles and the commandments found in the Bible. Believing and practicing are two separate things.

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One of the ways to teach our children to put God first is prioritising church attendance. If going to church is based only on convenience, it teaches our children that God comes second.

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It is quite common for many to forsake the worship of God on Sabbath Day while overseas or on holidays. Common reasons: timing not conducive due to tour schedule; church services are in foreign languages; and there are no churches available.

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One idea is to conduct your own mini-church service with your family, in your own hotel room at the right time and the right day, if adjustments need to be made.

 

• Instilling a Prayer Life:

Praying for our children is a high priority. Prayer basically means we are unable to sustain life on our own, we need God’s help to see us through. The preacher’s mom and dad prayed for him daily ever since he was born.

 

In his adulthood, as he moved away with his family to Singapore from Melbourne because of the Lord’s calling, his parents continued praying for him and his family. He owes his success in life to his parents’ prayers.

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As the saying goes: ASAP - Always Say A Prayer.

 

In conclusion, if we desire to live our best for Jesus, we must first love God with all our heart, soul, and strength.

We must also know the Word of God, teach the Word of God, and live according to the Word of God. 

 

This last phrase brings us to the final point: walk the talk. Know your faith in Jesus and faithfully live it out each day.

When repentance is needed, do not hesitate to come before the Father and seek His forgiveness.

With these truths firmly in perspective, we can move forward and grow as children of God.

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II. REFLECTION QUESTIONS
 

If someone were to ask you how much you love God, expressed as a percentage out of 100%, what would your answer be?  If you were asked the same question regarding your love for people in general, what percentage would you give? Share the disparity between the two and what that difference may be revealing to you.

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Share with the group your experiences in passing on the Word of God to your family members.  What approaches have been effective, and what lessons have you learned along the way?  Provide examples that may benefit others in their own family settings.

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Think of a Bible character who truly “walked the talk.”  How has this person’s example influenced and strengthened your own walk with the Lord?

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Share your greatest joy in parenting and your deepest regret.  Looking back, is there anything you wish you could do differently if given the opportunity to start over again?