Sunday AM Service
Teachers
Lesson Summary
In this Father's Day service, Richard Sutton celebrated the importance of fathers in the church and society. He began by sharing the history of Father's Day, which originated in 1909 when Sonora Smart Dodd, inspired after hearing a Mother's Day sermon, campaigned to honor fathers. The day wasn't recognized as a national holiday until 1972. Sutton observed that modern young fathers in the congregation are exceptional, stepping up to be present physically, emotionally, and spiritually with their children—a stark contrast to cultural stereotypes. He attributed this positive trend to fathers witnessing moral decay in society and determining to be agents of change within their families. Sutton argued that the breakdown of the family is the primary problem facing the nation and that fathers are key to addressing this crisis. He emphasized that fathers must be "men of the book," grounding themselves in Scripture (referencing Deuteronomy 6 and Psalm 119:105) to guide their children toward godly, moral lives. The lesson then transitioned to Jesus's parable in Luke 15:11-32, which Sutton reframed as the "parable of the loving father" rather than the "parable of the prodigal son" to emphasize that God the Father is the central focus. Sutton illustrated that parenting is challenging and emotional, comparing it to a roller coaster with highs and lows. He noted that this parable reflects the real experiences of parents with rebellious children, family conflict, and mixed emotions—situations that reveal what godly fatherhood truly entails.
Key Scriptures
And he said, A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them the living. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and journeyed into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: but no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger here! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring forth the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.