Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. ⁶And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. —Malachi 4:5-6

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, ¹⁷ and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” —Luke 1:16-17

Zechariah – the ordinary person with his ordinary wife Elisabeth. Yet they raised this new “Elijah” to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming. Their son was John the Baptizer.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline and don’t give up when he corrects you. ⁶ For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each on he accepts as his child. ⁷ “As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? ⁸ If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.

¹¹ No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! but afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. —Hebrews 12:5-8,11

Two Perspectives:

• What we see; what we are doing. The Child’s view

• What God sees, what God is doing. The Father’s view

God knows what’s best for you. He’ll do whatever it takes to bring you into a relationship with Him. God will change our heart to love amid praying for the other person.

Discipleship Guide

Let’s Talk About It

Parents have a powerful influence in shaping the lives of their children. What’s one memory of your father or a father figure in your life that shaped you in a positive way? The experience could be negative or positive, but the outcome made you a better person. What was it, and how did it affect you?

Malachi 4:5-6; Luke 1:16-17; Hebrews 12:5-8,11; Isaiah 55:6-9

Discussion questions:

• Which part of the message impacted or challenged you?

• Malachi 4:5-6 states that the hearts of the fathers will be turned to the children, and the hearts of children be turned to the fathers. How have you experienced a turning toward your parent or child with forgiveness and reconciliation?
  

• Read Isaiah 55:9. It was said that there are two perspectives. What we see and do. What God sees and does. What perspective currently shapes your life the most? How can you get God’s perspective of your present circumstance?

• Read Hebrews 12:5-8, 11. The bible speaks of God’s love sometimes displayed through discipline. Discipline proves God’s relationship with us. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

• Do you agree or disagree with the statement, “God knows what’s best for you. He will do whatever it takes to bring you into a relationship with Him.” Why or why not?

• In Logan’s testimony, he experienced the power of prayer that changed his father’s life, as well as his own. How has prolonged and persistent prayer affected your relationships, especially estranged or strained ones?

Take a Step

• Consider the last question. Is there a strained familial relationship? What can you do to bridge the gap? Start by praying for them and ask God to reveal your next step.

Here’s My Prayer

Lord, help me to be part of the process of turning the hearts of fathers and children back to one another. Give me Your heavenly perspective, that You are working all things together for our good through Jesus Christ. Please give me grace, strength, and courage to reach out, forgive, restore, and, if possible, reconnect with the key relationships in my life. Help me to show Your love to others this week. Amen.