Christian Fatherhood & Sonhood - RBSM

Christian
Fatherhood &
Sonhood

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Topic:

CHRISTIAN FATHERHOOD & SONHOOD

Bible Text: Ephesians 5:1

Teacher: Oluwatobi S. Adewuyi

Prayer

Dear Father, Thank You for all You have done for us, we bless
Your Holy name for there's none like You, we are gathered today
in order to be more grounded in Your word, Holy Spirit Divine
take control and have Your way in Jesus Christ's name. Amen

Introduction

Today's study is really a wide one, it's an issue currently a source

of concern in the body of Christ, and we cannot shy away from
its reality. This is why we will delve into it and swim in the ocean
of God's word to the level the Holy Ghost grants us grace.
Therefore, I welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible Text

Eph.5.1 [KJV]

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.

Eph.5.1 [AMP]

Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His

example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. [AMP]

Study

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Paul previously said that as children of God's household, we

should be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving.
Stating that this was what God did to us in Christ, God sent His
son the Lord Jesus Christ to die so that we can receive the
forgiveness of our sins. If God can go to this extent to save us,
then we should also do whatever it will take us to also forgive
others. Thus, Paul commands that we should be imitators of God
that is we must be careful to look upon the life of God, His
nature, His actions, His ways and begin to copy it, to make things
easy for us, God Himself had to come down in the form of man
who is Jesus Christ to show us who He actually is. John 14:8-9
KJV Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it
sufficeth us. [9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time
with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us
the Father? From these verses we can see that Philip told the
Lord Jesus Christ to show them the Father and the Lord was
shocked to hear that saying, so ever since they have been with
Him they did not know Him? Why should he still say that he
wanted to see the Father when anyone who has seen Him has
seen the Father already because the Father dwells inside of Him
and He dwells inside the Father.

By this, the Lord Jesus Christ is making it clear that they are one
and cannot be separated. Therefore when Paul says we should be
followers of God, he meant that we should look carefully into the
life of the One who came into the world in whom dwells all the
fullness of the Godhead bodily and imitate Him since He is the
One that is seen physically and so much has been written about
Him. Colossians 2:9 KJV For in him dwelleth all the fulness of
the Godhead bodily. As His children, we must imitate Him the
way children imitate their parents. When a child starts growing,
he begins to watch what his parents does, how they relate with
each other, how they talk, how they react to situations, how they

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walk and their postures etc. and he will begin to learn from them
both consciously and unconsciously in the same way as children
of God, we must learn from God and this happens to us
consciously and unconsciously. Consciously in the sense that we
look into His word and take intentional steps to put what we read
and put what we see Him do into practice.

While unconsciously, in the sense that when we go deeper in His

word, learning His word and been deep in the ocean of His word,
it is at that time we begin to live like Him even when we are not
intentional about it, this is because His words would have
illuminated our spirit man so much that we would be lost in His
kind of life because we are always with Him. This stage is very
important for every child of God to get to. It does not happen
overnight, Christ must be learnt to that stage by then nothing
will be able to separate us from Him because He is now fully
formed in us. That was what Paul was trying to explain to the
Church of Galatia. Galatians 4:19 KJV My little children, of
whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Paul
labored on them and the reason he was laboring was so that
Christ would be formed in them.

It is very compulsory that every child in God's household gets to

the point that they begin to live like God both consciously and
unconsciously. It shows that they have been crucified with Christ
and now live His life and not theirs anymore because it is Christ
that now lives in them. Galatians 2:20 KJV I am crucified with
Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son
of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. There are
different ways to learn about Christ. Christ can be ultimately
learnt through His word, in fact it is mostly advisable to sit down
with God's word for a longer period of time than sitting to read or
listen to any book or message of any man of God because the

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scriptures are the main source and it cannot in any way be

polluted.

Meditating on God's word for longer hours of the day would not
only make a person know about God but would also make him
receive the life of God. Because these words are spirit and are
life. John 6:63 KJV It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh
profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are
spirit, and they are life.

Another way to learn Christ and be imitators of God is through

following true ministers of God. Although in these last days, this
is not really advisable because many false Ministers are outside
there yet many people lack the Spirit of discernment to discern
the right person to follow. Whereas following the wrong minister
means heading straight to hell fire. A minister that should be
followed is any minister that follows Christ. Paul says 1
Corinthians 11:1 KJV Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ. From this he says as long as he is following Christ follow
him.

A minister worth following is the minister following Christ in

truth and in Spirit. Therefore we can be followers of God by
following His true ministers but serious caution must be made
when it comes to this aspect as said earlier and one must let the
Holy Spirit lead one on who to follow. This can also be in the
aspect of mentorship, we must be careful of those whom we
choose as mentors. We don't submit under people anyhow, some
are in the habit of submitting to anyone they come across as
much as they see the person doing some notable spiritual
gymnastics, this is very wrong and dangerous.

We must come to understand some things about fatherhood and

mentorship according to the scriptures and not according to
what is popular in the world. When talking about fatherhood in

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the body of Christ the Lord Jesus Christ discourages anyone

calling another person a father or spiritual father in the church.
Matthew 23:7-10 KJV And greetings in the markets, and to be
called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. [8] But be not ye called Rabbi: for
one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [9] And
call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father,
which is in heaven. [10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is
your Master, even Christ. In this part of the scriptures the Lord
said the scribes and pharisees sit in Moses seat and they love
honor, they tell people what to do but will not do what they
themselves say, they place burdens on people which they
themselves would not carry, all they do is for show off and not
because they want to serve God. They are power drunk as such
they do not lay good examples for the people, yet they seek the
position of spiritual heads. They also love special seats in the
synagogues and love to be called "Rabbi" (teacher) "Master and
Fathers" because they want to exercise dominion over others.

In this way the Lord did not mean that men should not be
addressed as others Masters or teachers but that they should not
be placed in the position of God having dominion over the
spiritual lives of others. Paul says 2 Corinthians 1:24 KJV Not for
that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your
joy: for by faith ye stand. Paul states it clearly that they—the
Apostles do not have dominion in the sense of controlling the
spiritual life of people instead of the Holy Ghost, no true apostle
of the Lord Jesus Christ would claim such authority which solely
belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is not saying that
people should disrespect their leaders but He is saying they
should not place any man above God. For it is Him only that is
the most supreme and should be accorded the greatest honor
—"God and His Christ" those who place themselves in such a
position are in error such as the pharisees. Just like how it is in

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the Catholic church is what the Lord condemns and should not
be allowed in the true Church of God.

The reason we must understand what the Lord means here well is
so as not to fall into errors and then become proud and arrogant
towards leaders. If the Lord meant that no one should be called a
Father at all on the earth, it means that children should not call
their biological fathers so too. Genesis 27:18 KJV And he came
unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who
art thou, my son? here you see Jacob call Isaac his father. 1
Samuel 19:3 KJV And I will go out and stand beside my father in
the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of
thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. Jonathan says Saul his
father wants to kill David. These men called their biological
fathers "fathers". In the parable of the prodigal son the Lord said
the prodigal son came to his senses and said he would go back to
his father. Luke 15:18 KJV I will arise and go to my father, and
will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
before thee, from this we see that Jesus Christ is not referring to
biological fatherhood.

In the case of "master" the Lord is not referring to earthly

"masters' for servants must call their masters "masters". Genesis
24:12 KJV And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray
thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my
master Abraham. The servant of Abraham when he was
commanded to get a wife for Isaac out of his kindred called
Abraham his master. The Lord said no man can serve two
masters. Luke 16:13 KJV No servant can serve two masters: for
either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold
to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
mammon.

The Lord asked Nicodemus if being a master(teacher) he still has

little knowledge. John 3:9-10 KJV Nicodemus answered and said

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unto him, How can these things be? [10] Jesus answered and said
unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these
things? He called him a master in Israel, the word master also
means teacher. And from this the Lord says Nicodemus was a
teacher, then James says that many should not seek to be
teachers because teachers have a tendency of receiving greater
condemnation. James 3:1 KJV My brethren, be not many
masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater
condemnation.

What the Lord Jesus Christ is against is for anyone to serve as

Lord over others especially in the household of God. Peter
admonished the elders of the church to be good examples to the
congregation and not lords. 1 Peter 5:3 KJV Neither as being
lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. This
was what the Lord Jesus Christ was addressing them, He says
those who want to be great in the Church of God must become
servants, that is, they must bring themselves down as nothing
and not seek to be placed at high positions, you should not be
power-drunk, but have the desire to serve. Matthew 23:11 KJV
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

The Lord taught about pride, self-exaltation and domineering

over people. Therefore, no one should be called Father, Master,
Teacher in the position of God. This refers to the word "Spiritual
Father" too. God is the only Spiritual Father we have, we are all
equal before the Lord.

If you are still with me say "may I not fall into errors"

No one on earth deserves to be called a spiritual father, call no

one your spiritual father. It is better said as "father in the Lord".
By this, one implies that the Lord is the head while that person is
subjected to Him. In the area of calling someone teacher, God
Himself set some to be teachers. Ephesians 4:11 KJV And he gave

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some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and

some, pastors and teachers; these set of people are not to be
addressed as Lords over God's people, they are teachers under
Christ and can be called teachers according to the virtue of their
calling and not be placed above Christ.

It is not wrong to call them teachers because God Himself gave

them that gift of ministry and set them there. Now, going into the
aspect of fatherhood in Christendom. Today this concept has
been largely misinterpreted and used. The word fatherhood
originates from the word father.

Who is the father?

It is a male parent.

A man who has a child.

One related to another in a way suggesting that of father to child.

These all point at the physical life but the word Father can also
refer to the Almighty Creator the Godhead etc. but let us talk
about fatherhood in Christendom. There is nowhere in the Bible
that anyone referred to a human being as his spiritual father. But
in various places did we read of the apostles calling those whom
they lead children. This is because of the relationship they have
together.

Just like the physical aspects of fatherhood, there are two ways
to claim fatherhood and sonship in the Lord over a person.

(a) Such was led to Christ by the person: This means that
before a person can claim that another is his son or daughter in
The Lord Jesus Christ or in the faith, the person must have come
into the faith through the message heard from him. 1
Corinthians 4:14-15 KJV I write not these things to shame you,
but as my beloved sons I warn you. [15] For though ye have ten

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thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for

in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Paul says
he gave birth to them through the gospel, since before a person
can be a member of Christ household, he must be born again.

So Paul called them sons and told them they have him as their
father in The Lord, in Christ, in the faith even if they have many
teachers or many mentors yet their father in Christ is one. But
spoke about the Colossians as his children in Christ. Galatians
4:19 KJV My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until
Christ be formed in you, then in Philemon 1:10 KJV I beseech
thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
talks about Onesimus whom he gave birth to in his chains—
while in his prison that is, he was brought into the knowledge of
Christ while he was in prison. All these people and more came to
Christ through Paul, he claims his fatherhood over them in Christ
and not as one who is the one who saved them, he placed himself
under the authority of Christ. That is the same way a man calls
his biological children "children". John the apostle also refers to
the members of a church he was overseeing as his children. 1
John 2:1 KJV My little children, these things write I unto you,
that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: Peter called Mark the
Evangelist his son. 1 Peter 5:13 KJV The church that is at
Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth
Marcus my son. There is something common about these
apostles, they lead their children in the Lord to have faith in
Christ.

Are you being led truly in the ways of the Lord?

(b) Such was taken (adopted as a child in the Lord): this

implies that the person was not preached to nor came to Christ
through the person who claims fatherhood over him, but the
other chose to accept the fatherhood of such an elder in Christ

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over him. This was the case with Paul and Timothy, Timothy was
a young man who began traveling with Paul and Silas when they
visited Lystra during the second missionary journey of Paul. Acts
16:1 KJV Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a
certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain
woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a
Greek:

It was recorded in the scriptures that Timothy had known the

Lord right from his childhood through his mother. He was
already a disciple before Paul met min. Eunice "Timothy's
mother" brought him up in the faith. And when Paul found him
he took him, though Timothy was a Greek and his mother was a
Jewess because of Timothy's love for Christ and will to do
anything for the advancement of the gospel, he allowed himself
to be circumcised so as not to offend the Jews they will
encounter. Paul and Timothy had a very close relationship that
got to a point that he referred to Timothy as his son in the faith.
Paul was not the one that preached to Timothy before he got
saved here though he called him a son in faith. 1 Timothy 1:2
KJV Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and
peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul then became a mentor to Timothy and for such a mentoring

relationship to succeed Paul and Timothy had to have the right
attitude for such. 2 Timothy 2:1 KJV Thou therefore, my son, be
strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. But the major problem
in Christiandom concerning the issues of fatherhood and sonship
in the faith is lack of no relationship.

Some Scriptural Facts About Fatherhood

1. Full of knowledge: many who claim fatherhood lack the

knowledge about Christ, even looking into Christendom most
especially among the youths, what we find is a quest for power

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without discipline, position without knowledge, and honor

without integrity. We are in the era where small boys and girls
want to father others. They are so eager to be called mentors and
fathers. They do not want to wait, those who are still babies in
Christ want to father other babies in Christ. There is something
common about the apostles which is fatherhood over the Church
of Christ they oversee, and that is knowledge! The deep
knowledge of Christ was part of what qualified them for that.
Paul talked about his knowledge in the mystery of Christ.
Ephesians 3:4 KJV Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand
my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) a person who claims to
be a father but lacks the knowledge of Christ is simply a
deceiver. A father should be more knowledgeable than his child,
but this is not so with many, many only quest for authority they
have no understanding of the doctrines of Christ.

2. The father must be a follower of Christ: unfortunately many

who claim fatherhood are not followers of Christ but deceivers.
They look like it but are not. Paul says "imitate me as I imitate
Christ". 1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV Be ye followers of me, even as I
also am of Christ. In other words follow me as a child follows his
father as I too follow the footsteps of my Father Jesus Christ.
Many do not even know Christ but can quote the scriptures from
Genesis to Revelation, are these those that are meant to be
followed? Yet many follow these people blindly. These are those
the Lord Jesus Christ called blind leaders that lead the blind. A
true father in Christ is one who follows the footsteps of Christ,
he is one that if imitated, it would lead one to heaven, he is one
who communicates the lifestyle of Christ to one and also lives it
out being an example to follow.

3. A father has fathering nature: many claim to be fathers yet do

not have fathering nature, they are not approachable, they do not
show love and concern, there is no cordial relationship between

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them and those they call their children. Even looking deeply into
the scriptures, we will say that there was a father nature in the
apostles' life, they cared so much for the physical and spiritual
well-being of the church. The nature of a father is one that
protects, guides, loves, and provides for his children.

True fathers are more concerned about the well-being of their

children than theirs. And would not always seek after what they
can get from the children but what they can give, Paul the
apostle displayed this nature to the Corinthian church. 2
Corinthians 12:14-15 KJV Behold, the third time I am ready to
come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not
yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the
parents, but the parents for the children. [15] And I will very
gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I
love you, the less I be loved.

He says he does not seek what they have but themselves, that is,
the prosperity of their souls. This points out that a man who is
more concerned about your soul than what you can give him is
truly a father in the faith. A man who can go extreme lengths to
see that you flourish spiritually is a true father in the faith. Those
who are after your money and not you are not to be submitted to
as fathers in the faith because they lack the true nature of
fatherhood.

4. A father must be patient: looking into the life of Paul in

mentoring Timothy, he was patient enough to instill the
necessary knowledge needed into him before he was qualified to
lead a church, even to the point that he was capable of correcting
errors going on in a church. Learning takes patience and a person
who is not patient can destroy what he has been laboring on for
years within a minute. There are many fathers who lay curses on
those whom they claim they are fathering. Whereas just the same
way biological fathers are not to lay curses on their children they

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are not supposed to do so, some even go to the extent of saying

they would curse with the anointing on their heads, this is
uncalled for, exercising patience in training of one's biological
children is expedient, that is the same way patience must be
exercised in training and nurturing children in the Lord, it is in
this that corrections and warnings come. 1 Corinthians 4:14 KJV
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I
warn you.

Some Scriptural Facts About Sonship

1. Sons must be humble: it takes humility to submit under the

mentorship of another person, Timothy had to be humble to
learn from Paul he followed instructions given to him by Paul.
Humility will make one not complain about being used. Today
many sons and daughters lack humility, this is why they expect
to be compensated for anything done for their fathers in the
faith. Some even want to be paid for the work they do in the
household of God. Many continue to complain that they are
being used anyhow and claim levels with others in the fold.
Never did we read about Timothy being proud and not taking to
corrections assuming he was not humble enough under Paul he
wouldn't have been recommended by Paul. 1 Corinthians 4:17
KJV For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my
beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into
remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every
where in every church.

2. Sons must be teachable: there are some who argue with those
they call their fathers, to them, they are more knowledgeable
than their fathers. Looking at the life of Timothy he was able to
stay under Paul to learn. 1 Corinthians 4:17 KJV For this cause
have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and
faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my
ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

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Timothy was to bring the ways of Paul (his lifestyles) in Christ as

he taught in every church to the Corinthians because he himself
had learnt them. A teachable spirit is very important for those
who would excel in ministry.

Sons who possess teachable spirits would be carried on the

shoulders of true fathers in the faith to see farther than they can
naturally see.

3. Sons must be committed: It must have taken a great level of

commitment and great deal of faith on Timothy's part to submit
to circumcision. He was free in Christ, circumcision was not
necessary to have a right relationship with God, yet Timothy
allowed himself to be circumcised so that he could be a more
effective witness for Christ. Before a person can become truly
committed to God's work he must be devoted faithfully to the
Lord Jesus Christ. Timothy proved to be trustworthy which was
why he was sent by Paul to the church. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 KJV
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our
fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to
comfort you concerning your faith:

This was also the case with Elisha, he was so committed that he
focused so much and refused to be distracted by what those
around him were saying when Elijah was to be taken away from
him. His commitment did not make him miss the time the chariot
came to take Elijah away. 2 Kings 2:12 KJV And Elisha saw it, and
he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the
horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of
his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He recognized
Elijah as his father, assuming he was not committed in his service
to the Lord under Elijah, he would have missed the double
portion of Elijah's power.

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Sons in the Lord, need to be committed to the Lord, under whom

the Lord has placed them.

Some facts about Christian fatherhood & Sonhood

The concept of fatherhood and sonhood has been misinterpreted

by many today in the faith. Some claim fatherhood on those who
do not see them as fathers, while others claim sonhood on those
who do not recognise them as sons in Christ.

There are two forms of fatherhood/sonship relationship or

discipleship.

1. Direct father and son relationship

2. Indirect father and son relationship/general discipleship.

(a) Direct father and son relationship

Looking at the case of Paul and Timothy, it is a direct one

because there are three things involved.

(i) Consent

(ii) Physical access

(iii) Cordialness

(i) Consent: Paul consented to the fact that he wanted to train

Timothy by picking him up from Derbe and Lystra. Acts 16:1-3
KJV Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain
disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain
woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a
Greek: [2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were
at Lystra and Iconium. [3] Him would Paul have to go forth with
him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which
were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a
Greek. Paul took Timothy and circumcised him, Timothy did not
reject but followed, which proved that he consented to it. At this

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point it shows that he accepted to be fathered by Paul, he would

accept discipline and correction and allow himself to be
mentored. Before there can be direct mentorship/father and son
relationship there must be consent from both sides.

(ii) Physical Access: by taking Timothy along with him. Timothy

had access to Paul and even when others did not, he had it
because he was a son who he had consented to. Just the same
way children have access to their parents even when others do
not, a child can enter into his father's room even uninvited if he
wants his father's attention, that was the case with Timothy, he
got access to wherever Paul was without hindrance. Even when
others were restrained from seeing or entering where he is,
Timothy could and also Paul had access to Timothy without
limits because he must be trained and this was what hastened his
growth in the faith. This was also the case with the Lord Jesus
Christ and His 12 disciples. Mark 3:14 KJV And he ordained
twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send
them forth to preach, the 12 disciples had physical access to the
Lord, the Lord called them and they consented to His call.

(c) Cordialness: in direct discipleship there must be a show

marked by warm and often hearty friendliness, favor, or
approval, both must be willing to walk together, there must be
togetherness. Can two walk together except they agree? (Amos
3:3)

The Lord Jesus Christ was very close to His disciples to the point
that they ate together. We never read where He did so in the
midst of the multitude. Although some of the multitude may
claim that they are his sons, yet they do not know much about
His private life. Timothy and Paul had cordial relationship, they
went on missionary journeys together, stayed at a place together,
so Timothy was able to learn the life of Christ from Paul not only
through word-of-mouth alone but through actions(lifestyle).

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2. Indirect father/son relationship/discipleship

In today's world this is the most common one because of the rate
of advancement in technology. In this kind of discipleship,
getting in contact with each other is indirect, that is it lacks from
both parties, there is usually no free access although there can
be cordialness to a reasonable extent. Example of such is Jesus
Christ's relationship with the disciples other than the twelve i.e
the seventy. Luke 10:1,17 KJV After these things the Lord
appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before
his face into every city and place, whither he himself would
come. [17] And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord,
even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

These have been following Jesus Christ though but do not have
direct access and consent like the 12 disciples who are in the
inner circle. These one's were appointed directly by Jesus Christ
but the 70 got to be His disciples as He was going on with
ministry. It got to a point in Jesus' ministry that many of His
disciples went back from Him because they could not endure His
teachings. John 6:66 KJV From that time many of his disciples
went back, and walked no more with him. There were not many
that left. Those were indirect disciples. They had the opportunity
to listen to His teachings and chose to leave because they were
not deeply in love with Him, there was not really any consent
between them.

Those who are direct disciples are those who would say "to who
will they go" if they are asked if they want to leave the genuine
following of Christ for a false one, as Peter said to Jesus Christ
when He asked if they also want to go away. John 6:67-69 KJV
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? [68] Then
Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast
the words of eternal life. [69] And we believe and are sure that
thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

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In Paul's letter to the church at Corinth, he calls them all his

children, this is because of the cordial relationship between
them, they recognised his authority over them although they did
not have direct access or a strong consent on the issue of
agreements to their father and children relationship, but they
honored him as a father. 2 Corinthians 12:14 KJV Behold, the
third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be
burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children
ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the
children.

Those in a church may decide to leave that church at any time

even without the leader knowing about it because they are under
indirect discipleship.

In our generation it is now possible to have a form of direct

discipleship without physically meeting. This means that there
will be consent, cordialness and access, but the access is not
physical where they both will be able to see each other
frequently but the follower will be able to learn the lifestyle of
Christ from his father in the Lord through frequent
communication over different communication medium, this
access is majorly through the use of technology.

This type can be in operation when the two of them agree to the
father and son relationship. This means that the one who is to
disciple the other must consent to it while the disciple must also
consent to it and be ready to submit and learn under him. There
will be free access for the disciple to reach the one disciplining
him even when others do not have such access, he would be able
to communicate personal issues with his mentor and in this case
his mentor is always ready to attend to his disciple even when he
is busy to attend to others.

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It must be noted that in the area of fatherhood and sonship,

physical age does not really apply. There are levels in the realm
of the spirit and a teenager who is well discipled and deeply
rooted in Christ can be a father to an adult who is still trying to
stand in the faith. Timothy was a youth who pastored a church
with different age groups of people, children, youths and adults
and Paul told him to be an example to them all. 1 Timothy 4:12
KJV Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith,
in purity. This implies that he should be a mentor to them all. It's
not by physical age but by spiritually stature and experience.

Cautions in Christian fatherhood and sonhood

There are some cautions that need to be put in place no matter

the kind of fatherhood/sonhood relationship that one chooses to
operate under so as not to miss it at the end because through this
issue of father and children in the faith relationship many have
missed it and are regretting it.

1. Seek the Lord: before choosing a father under whom you will
submit to in the faith, pray and seek for God's guidance and
leading, don't just choose a father in the faith without seeking
the Lord, many of those who did so are already regretting their
actions now. In the same way before taking someone as a son or
daughter in The Lord, pray about it and let the Lord guide you to
avoid future regrets. Don't just look at the surface of things to
choose, leaning on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths.

2. Does Such Person follow the Lord?: before submitting under

anyone be sure to know that such a person truly follows the Lord
Jesus Christ and not self and other worldly things or even Satan,

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many have found themselves submit to occultic men, this can

even tarnish the reputation of such person, if at the end the
secret of that father is revealed. Just like the case of a popular
musician in Nigeria who had an occultic man as a father in The
Lord not until the man died and it was exposed that he was into
occultism.

Before choosing anyone as a disciple be sure such a person is

ready to follow Jesus Christ because there are those who are not
ready to follow Jesus Christ at all but only want to associate in
order to gain attention and popularity, there are many that are
rebellious too.

3. Be spiritual and follow God's word strictly: anything you will

be discussing with your father in the faith should be within the
scope of Christianity, things that have to do with your walk with
God not gossips, not immoral words, sex chatting and seductive
pictures etc.

Some fathers and daughters in faith have become fathers and

daughters in fault for they have found themselves in deep mess
to the point that they send illicit pictures to each other, some
have even graduated into sexual immoralities.

This is why anyone who is to disciple another must be a mature

Christian who has been able to discipline himself or herself so
much. Not someone whose emotions still have control over him.
Such must have the fruit of self-control and other fruits in good
operation in his life.

Do not do anything contrary to the word of God no matter the

person who asked you to do it. The word of God is supreme, and
as a father do not test any of your children in the Lord by telling
them to do what is contrary to the word of God.

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May the Lord guide us in all we do, and make us effective fathers
and children in the Lord, in Jesus Christ's name. Amen

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Invitation

If you know that you are still living in sin and you are ready to
repent and begin to live your life in strict obedience to God so
that you can overcome every sin in your life to make heaven.
Please place your right hand on your chest and say this prayer
with your mouth.

Say,

Lord Jesus, I accept You as my personal Lord and Saviour, I believe

that You died for me and took away my sins so that I will not face
the penalty of them. I surrender my life to You today and I make a
decision to obey and follow You, come into my life now, and accept
me as Your child. Thank You for saving me, in Jesus Christ's name
I pray, Amen.

Congratulations, now you are saved. If you prayed this short

prayer please WhatsApp +2347067511039, and tell me that you just
got saved. I want to have a word with you. God bless you!

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Media Team

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