Program: Fatherhood Isn't Just a Title --It's a Calling

 

Suitable for Father's Day

Fatherhood Isn't Just a Title --It's a Calling

Theme: Honoring fathers by highlighting their spiritual impact and emotional influence.

Opening prayer 

Song service 

Welcome

Scripture 

Aim/motto/pledge/ song

Devotion 

Special music 

Program:

Presentation: The Power of a Father’s Presence

Opening remarks:

The greatest gift a father can give his child is not his money or material things, it’s his consistent, godly presence.

We live in a world where many children are growing up in homes without fathers. Some fathers are absent because of difficult life situations. Others may be present physically, but emotionally and spiritually distant.

This evening, I want us to pause and honor the fathers who show up;  the praying dads, the protective uncles, the grandfathers who step in, the mentors who guide when biological Dads aren’t around. These men remind us that fatherhood isn’t just a title - it’s a calling.

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Why Fathers Matter Deeply

A. Fathers reflect the character of God.

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with “Our Father…”

That wasn’t random. God chose to reveal Himself as a Father, not a boss, not just a creator, but a personal, loving Father.

A child’s first understanding of what God is like often comes from their earthly dad. If the father is harsh, God may seem scary. If the father is distant, God may seem unreachable. But if the father is loving, kind, and consistent, the child learns to trust that God is the same.

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” – Psalm 103:13

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B. Fathers shape identity and legacy.

Studies and Scripture show that when fathers are involved:

•Children are more confident

•More likely to do well in school

•Less likely to struggle with anxiety or poor decision-making

•More likely to remain in the faith

But even deeper than that, fathers imprint a spiritual and emotional legacy. Every moment a father spends teaching his child to pray, walk in obedience, or handle emotions with self-control, he’s planting seeds of eternal value.

Let’s lighten the mood with a true story from a dad who said:

“One day I came home from work and my 5-year-old ran up to me shouting, ‘Dad! You won’t believe it. I flushed my toy soldier down the toilet and now he’s gone to fight bad guys in the pipes!’

I panicked, until my wife whispered, ‘Just say thank you and go plunge the toilet.’”

Kids think dads are superheroes. Even when they mess up. Even when they can’t fix everything, their love and presence are still everything to their child.

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Activity: 

(Open to the church or panelists only)

Have affordable gifts (socks, tie, tie pin etc) wrapped in gift wrap paper. Inside on a piece of paper ask Dads questions about their children. Eg. Age, date of birth, class they’re in, child’s middle name, hobby etc. They would open the gift, show what's in it, then answer the questions without any help. (Decide if you will let them keep the gift if they answer incorrectly 🤭)

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Biblical Examples of Godly Fathers

Let’s look at 3 examples of godly men in Scripture who show us what fatherhood looks like through a spiritual lens:

A. Abraham – The Father of Faith

Even when he didn’t know where God was taking him, he obeyed. He set a spiritual tone for his household. He taught Isaac the meaning of sacrifice and obedience.

• Fathers today are called to walk in faith even when they can’t see the full picture, trusting God as they lead.

 B. Joseph – The Earthly Father of Jesus

Joseph never said a word in Scripture, but his actions spoke volumes. He protected Mary and Jesus, trusted God’s voice in dreams, and relocated his family multiple times just to ensure Jesus was safe.

• Sometimes the best dads are the quiet ones who don’t seek applause,but simply do what’s right.

 C. Jairus – The Desperate Father (Luke 8)

Jairus risked his status to publicly ask Jesus to heal his daughter. Even when the situation looked hopeless, he trusted Jesus.

• A godly father isn’t afraid to humble himself before God for the sake of his children’s well-being.

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Before we move any further, let’s pause for something special.

You’ve felt the weight of what fatherhood means, but now, it’s time to hear it directly from voices that live it, observe it, and wrestle with it every day.

We’re opening up the floor to real conversations- ones that explore the beauty and the burden, the challenges and the victories of fatherhood.

This isn’t just a Q&A, it’s a heart-to-heart across generations and experiences. Whether you’re a father, you’ve been shaped by one, or you’re still healing from that relationship — this is a moment for reflection, wisdom, and growth.

So lean in, open your heart, and join us as we hear from our panel of fathers and father figures, each with a unique story, but one common thread: a desire to live out the role God has called them to.

(With music in the background, introduce each panelist. Have them enter through an entrance of your choice. Have members applaud them individually after each introduction. In your introduction, you can state things that are noteworthy about these fathers).

Fathers’ Panel Discussion: What Being a Father Has Taught Me

Panelists:

-A young father (possibly with toddlers or pre-teens)

-A seasoned father (with adult or teenage children)

-A father figure/mentor (stepdad, uncle, teacher, elder, spiritual father)

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Questions:

1. For all:

“What is one misconception you had about fatherhood before

becoming a father or mentor, and how did God correct or teach you through it?”

2. For the seasoned father:

“Looking back, what spiritual habits or lessons made the

biggest difference in raising your children and what do you wish you had done differently?”

3. For the young father:

“How do you handle the pressure of being present

and emotionally available in today’s fast-paced world?”

4. For the father figure/mentor:

“You may not have biological children, yet you’ve chosen to invest in young lives.

What does that responsibility mean to you personally and spiritually?”

5. For all:

“How do you lead your home (or those in your care) spiritually when you yourself

are going through personal struggles or feeling spiritually empty?”

6. For the young or new father:

“Has becoming a father changed your understanding of God’s love and discipline? How?”

7. For all:

“How do you model vulnerability and humility especially when you’ve made

mistakes in parenting or mentorship?”

8. For the seasoned father and father figure:

“What legacy do you hope to leave behind in the hearts of those

who call you Dad, Uncle, or Mentor?”

9. Optional bonus question (for laughter and heart):

“What’s the funniest or most unexpected moment

you’ve had while parenting or mentoring?”

Closing thoughts:

Encouragement to All Fathers & Father Figures

Fathers, some of you may feel like you’re falling short. Maybe you didn’t grow up with a great example. Maybe you’re tired, overwhelmed, or struggling yourself.

Let me encourage you with this:

You don’t need to be a perfect father.

You just need to be a present father.

Your consistent presence, your honesty, your prayers, your example, they matter more than you know.

Even in your weakness, you’re showing your children how to lean on God.

“The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.” – Proverbs 20:7

And to the men in this church- mentors, Sabbath School teachers, AY Sponsors, uncles, friends - your influence still counts. Someone is watching how you live. And someone is learning from how you love.

Let’s raise a generation of fathers, biological and spiritual, who:

• Pray openly,

• Love deeply,

• Lead humbly, and

• Reflect the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Because God the Father isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for men willing to say:

“Here I am, Lord. Use me to lead, to love, to reflect You.”

Closing song & prayer 

Closing session- group families within their respective family groups. Have the fathers share a short blessing or affirmation with their family members and the father prays over his family. Other members of the family share one quality they appreciate about their father.

For those who don't have family present- depending on numbers, assign additional members in groups and have them say one thing they appreciate about their church family and pray together.