Bible Study Notes on Being a Father Part 1

Malachi 4:5-6 "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. ⁶ "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."

 

Luke 1:13-17 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14 "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb. 16 "And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

 

-What we see here in these important prophetic verses is that when the Spirit of God is upon the hearts of fathers they will turn back to their children in love and devotion to teach them the things of God in righteousness. In other words, they will lead their entire family on the right path to restoration. Leadership here simply means oversight and influence. It is done in such a way that inspires the next generation to continue in the right path for Godly living and blessing. This is why Malachi says what he says about not having to come and smite the land with a curse. So there is a turning back (repentance- changing of the mind and direction) and restoration (healing unity) as the fathers turn to their God and their family. To turn the heart back to the children means that the dad is making his children a priority in his life once again. This best way this is shown is in devoted TIME. The father will make the necessary time and adjustments to turn his heart towards his family in love.