Power of a Speaking Father: Scriptural Study & Life Lessons

Speak It – Part 6

Review: The Pattern of Speaking

We Must Speak What We Believe - 2 Corinthians 4:13 (AMP)

Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, "I believed, therefore I spoke." We also believe, therefore we also speak.

The World Was Created By A Spoken Word - Hebrews 11:3 (AMP)

By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

We Are Created In God's Image and Likeness - Genesis 1:26-30 (AMP)

Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth."

Jesus Said We Can Do Greater - John 14:12 (AMP)

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.

Jesus Said to Speak to the Mountain - Matthew 21:21 (AMP)

Jesus replied to them, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith [personal trust and confidence in Me] and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen [if God wills it]."

Elijah Spoke to Clouds - 1 Kings 17:1 (AMP)

Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."

Ezekiel Spoke to the Dry Bones and Wind - Ezekiel 37:4, 9 (AMP)

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.'" Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."'"

Joshua Spoke to the Sun and Moon - Joshua 10:12-13 (AMP)

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord on the day when the Lord handed over the Amorites to the sons of Israel, and Joshua said in the sight of Israel, "Sun, stand still at Gibeon, And moon, in the Valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation [of Israel] took vengeance upon their enemies.

A Father Speaking to His Son

David's Instructions to Solomon

1 Kings 2:1-3 (AMP)

When David's time to die approached, he gave instructions to Solomon his son, saying, "I am going the way of all the earth [as dust to dust]. Be strong and prove yourself a man. Keep the charge of the Lord your God, [that is, fulfill your obligation to] walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in everything that you do and wherever you turn."

Psalm 1:1-3 (AMP)

Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

Joshua 1:6-9 (AMP)

Be strong and confident and courageous, for you will give this people as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers (ancestors) to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do [everything] in accordance with the entire law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper and be successful wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

1 Kings 2:4 (AMP)

so that the Lord may fulfill His promise concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful regarding their way [of life], to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and mind and with all their soul, you shall not fail to have a man (descendant) on the throne of Israel.'

Matthew 22:37-39 (AMP)

And Jesus replied to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].'"

Fathers Are to Speak Life Over Their Children

Genesis 35:18 (AMP)

And as her soul was departing, (for she died), she named him Ben-oni (son of my sorrow); but his father called him Benjamin (son of the right hand).

Jacob refused to let his son be named "son of my sorrow." Instead, he spoke life and called him Benjamin—"son of the right hand." Fathers, what you speak over your children matters!

Fathers Should Speak Faith to Their Children

Genesis 22:1-8 (AMP)

Now after these things, God tested [the faith and commitment of] Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he answered, "Here I am." God said, "Take now your son, your only son [of promise], whom you love, Isaac, and go to the region of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and then he got up and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day [of travel] Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. Abraham said to his servants, "Settle down and stay here with the donkey; the young man and I will go over there and worship [God], and we will come back to you." Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (firepot) in his own hand and the [sacrificial] knife; and the two of them walked on together. And Isaac said to Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." Isaac said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself a lamb for the burnt offering." So the two walked on together.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (AMP)

for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God's promises].

And the two walked together. When two or three are gathered. He walks with me, He talks with me. Your kids need to see you speak to your mountains.

Fathers Pray Over Their Children

Job 1:1-5 (AMP)

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God [with reverence] and abstained from and turned away from evil [because he honored God]. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. He also possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke (pairs) of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very great number of servants, so that this man was the greatest [and wealthiest and most respected] of all the men of the east (northern Arabia). His sons used to go [in turn] and feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send word and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of their feasting were over, Job would send [for them] and consecrate them, rising early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Job did this at all [such] times.

1 Chronicles 29:19 (AMP)

and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies, and Your statutes, and to do all [that is necessary] to build the temple [for You], for which I have made provision.

Fathers Accept Responsibility

Matthew 1:18-25 (AMP)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins." All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet [Isaiah]: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel"—which, when translated, means, "God with us." Then Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and he took Mary [to his home] as his wife, but he kept her a virgin until she had given birth to a Son [her firstborn child]; and he named Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation).

Joseph accepted responsibility. He stepped up when it mattered most.

Fathers Petition for Their Children

Mark 5:21-28, 35-43 (AMP)

When Jesus had again crossed over in the boat to the other side [of the sea], a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up; and seeing Him, fell at His feet and begged anxiously with Him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death; [please] come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live." And Jesus went with him; and a large crowd followed Him and pressed in around Him [from all sides]. A woman [in the crowd] had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse. She had heard [reports] about Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His outer robe. For she thought, "If I just touch His clothing, I will get well."

While He was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue official's house, saying [to Jairus], "Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher any longer?" Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power]." And He allowed no one to go with Him [as witnesses], except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He looked [with understanding] at the uproar and commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing [in mourning]. When He had gone in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is sleeping." They began laughing [scornfully] at Him [because they knew the child was dead]. But He made them all go outside, and took along the child's father and mother and His own [three] companions, and entered the room where the child was. Taking the child's hand, He said [tenderly] to her, "Talitha kum!"—which translated [from Aramaic] means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" The little girl immediately got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they [who witnessed the child's resurrection] were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement. He gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.

Jairus didn't give up. Even when others said it was too late, he kept believing.

Fathers Speak Peace Over Their Children

Luke 15:20-24 (AMP)

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate; for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.' So they began to celebrate.

The father didn't focus on the son's failure. He spoke restoration, honor, and celebration over him.

Discussion Questions

1. Speaking life over your children: Like Jacob changing his son's name from "son of my sorrow" to "son of the right hand," what negative labels or declarations do you need to stop speaking over your children? What life-giving words should you be declaring instead?
2. Walking in faith together: Abraham said to Isaac, "God will provide," and then the two walked on together. How are you modeling faith for your children in the midst of difficult circumstances? Do your children see you speaking to your mountains, or only worrying about them?
3. Job's consistent prayer: Job consistently rose early to pray for his children. What would it look like for you to establish a consistent pattern of praying and speaking God's Word over your children? What's preventing you from making this a priority?
4. Accepting responsibility: Joseph accepted responsibility for Mary and Jesus, even though the situation was difficult and unconventional. In what ways is God calling you to step up and accept responsibility in your family? Where have you been hesitant or reluctant?
5. Speaking restoration, not condemnation: The prodigal son's father spoke celebration and honor over his returning son, not shame and disappointment. When your children fail or make mistakes, do your words restore or condemn? How can you better reflect God's heart of redemption in the way you speak to and about your children?