1. What is the difference between a Father and a Dad?

“Being a Father requires little emotional investment. Being a Dad is a dedicated and lifelong duty, many men would call a joy.” Jes Diamond Ph.D. (The Goodmen project)

Walk with me:

• Both work
• Both provide for their families
• Both care…sometimes
• Both are present in their homes…most of the time

But one goes so much deeper than the other.

• One knows the heart of their family
• Lie together is more important than apart
• One looks to meeting the purpose for their family
• One is concerned with the spiritual life of each individual
• One schedules their life around their family
• One had children so that they could share and express their love to them
• One loves deeply

To be called “Dad” is earned.

• To be called “Father” is given at birth

The truth is anyone can be a Father.

• It takes a special person to be a Dad

Thought: When was the last time that your family came up to you and asked, “Hey Dad, what do you think about…”

• The language of that sentence tells you a lot about the relationship between a person and their family
  • A Father tries to impart knowledge
  • A Dad expresses his wisdom through love and commitment

Most Father’s want their children to be good people. Success is foremost on their mind.

A Dad not only wants them to be good and successful, but more so, he wants them to be kind, compassionate, honest, real and God fearing.

Dad’s will have tea parties. They will play ball with their kids. Being on the field is more important than being in the stands.

Dad’s want to create life-long memories.

• Time together is valuable to them
• Quality and quantity are both important to him

Dad’s lay in bed at night reading stories and praying for their kids.

• They ask that the Lord directs their children’s hearts and thoughts
• They dream together of what God has for their future
• They believe in their dreams and hopes

A Dad works at building trust between his family.

• He never demands it

A Dad leads by example.

• He practices what he preaches
• He never says, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say.”

A Dad doesn’t put their Mom down.

• He praises her
• Exalts her
• Loves her openly

A Dad treats “Mom” with respect and dignity.

A Dad protects his family.

• He watches over his daughters
• He helps to guide his sons

He stands in the way of anything that would bring harm to his family, no matter what the cost.

A Dad tells his daughter that she is beautiful and loved by him and God.

He tells his son that he is a goodman and that God has a great plan for his life.

A Dad protects his daughter from those who would do her harm.

• Yes, he steps in at times and removes that which would cause her harm or distress

A Dad teaches his son to honor and respect another’s Dad’s daughter.

• He teaches him the rules of relationship
• He defines for his son what is a proper, godly relationship 

The truth is, being a Father is easy. There isn’t much of an investment. No skin in the game.

But a Dad, he is committed to the long haul. 

• He is there through the thick and thin
• No matter what, he can be counted on

Read: John 17 Msg

Closing prayer: Ephesians 3:14-21 ERV

14 So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. 20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.