Scripture: “Honor Your Mother and Father....” Matthew 19:19

Theme: June is Father’s Day. So often we see athletes say “Hi Mom! “ but rarely is it “Hi Dad”. I believe it is because Mom’s reward is in her love but Dad’s is well different. Let’s look at 10 benefits of being a Father.

Scene: The announcer will introduce the scene and then a number of people from 1 or 2 to ten will each do one of the top 10 things mothers get told but people really are thinking or meaning something else. Lights up as Announcer comes to center of stage. 

Overhead: “A mother is love but June is Father’s Day. So what is a Father and what is his reward? Because it is June for your contemplation and enjoyment, we have created a Top 10 List of Benefits of Being a Father. Or as some call him “ Dear Old Dad!” We hope you fathers and maybe a few mothers can relate because of your own joyful memories.”

Lights Down and Number 10 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator may say “Number 10".

Number 10: “Remember your first interaction with Dad. Of course not, you were just a baby! Dad’s first reward was when you were handed to him. He didn’t know what to do with you nor how to hold you. So there you were in his arms. But you knew what to do with him or should I say to Him. He changed clothes and never wore that suit again nor did he ever understand how to change a diaper without it slowly falling off!”

Lights Down and Number 9 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 9".

Number 9: “Father’s next memory of you was trying to teach you to talk and walk. Remember the joy when all the Gaa Goo Goo Talk you used in your child’s presence paid off and they uttered DADA before they said MAMA! Although you may remember the discussion you and your wife had. She needed her ears checked if she thought the baby said MAMA! It was DADA first and rightfully so!”

Lights Down and Number 8 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 8".

Number 8 “Dad’s next joyous memory was coming home from work when the children were not just babies anymore. It was his job to quickly and swiftly shut the door and administer the discipline. Mom told the children: Boy are you in trouble. Wait till your Father gets home. However, the weird thing was she always came back just before the discipline and said you were being too harsh! Why did she always rescue the children in the nick of time! Good thing because you were not real sure what the discipline should always be! ”

Lights Down and Number 7 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 7.

Number 7: “Dad’s next great memory is Father’s Day. The first gift the kids bought was a tie.

Those ties had more colors then Dad even knew. That first Father’s Day Tie was great. But you know, Dad didn’t feel quite the same after the 23^rd and 24^th. Did you ever wonder if some of those ties the kids bought affected their teenage sense of styles?”

Lights Down and Number 6 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 6".

Number 6: “Dad’s next great memory is the family outing or vacation. Regardless if it was a picnic, a hike, or a family vacation to Disney World. Dad remember the joy of the drive. The inevitable first question about 5 miles from home. Dad...are we there yet? Then about 20 miles from home: Dad, I have to use the bathroom. Then 30 miles from home. Dad, I’m hungry. And at 40 miles. Dad I’m Bored. This all in spite of every handheld video game known to man being in the car. The last complaint would start the family games including sing-a-longs, I Spy, and the dreaded license plate alphabet or state game. Dad never got lost or lost his cool. ”

Lights Down and Number 5 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 5".

Number 5: “The joy of sports was Dad’s next task. He would rush home from work just to see his children play. And then there were the years of coaching. There was swings, hits, and name-calling of the umpires while Dad was still in the dugout? Of course all of that happened in the stands because other parents didn’t keep their cool as Dad did. He taught you to love the game. “

Lights Down and Number 4 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 4".

Number 4: “Next was school. Homework and studying for your tests. Remember when Mama said that Math was not her subject and you would have to ask your father for help. He tried to help you. Then at the end of the semester Dad would be the one to sign your report card. Do you remember the 8^th grade when he went to counseling after your last report card?”

Lights Down and Number 3 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 3".

Number 3: “Next Dad taught you how to budget and use money. You were given an allowance. He taught you to tithe off the allowance and God’s principles of money. Strangely enough, he never figured out why the older you got the more money you asked for if you lived on a budget. Even it was his last $20 or $10, he would empty his wallet for you. “

Lights Down and Number 2 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 2".

Number 2: “Remember how your Mama always hugged and kissed you. Dad’s next memory was when you said that you were too old to be hugged and kissed. He often wondered why you were too old for him but never too old for Mama. Do you remember when he gave you the space to not be hugged and kissed again as you asked? Do you remember how he used to smile when you hugged him?”,

Lights Down and Number 1 on Overhead Flashing or on a Poster. Narrator May Say “Number 1".

Number 1: “Dad’s next great memory is the decisions you made because you were now an adult. 18 years old. The cars, dates, jobs, and finally the marriage. Each time you were unsuccessfully, he simply asked God for more help for you but when you succeeded, he would honor God, His heavenly Father! Your dad’s greatest reward was not money but that each day he had done his best to set an example for your precious little eyes. Please thank him for what he did and how he shaped your character, your strength, your perseverance, and your will power.

Why don’t you do that today? Thanks to all our fathers and God our heavenly father for their sacrifices.” 

ON OVERHEAD: Please Hug Your Father Today. “Honor Your Mother and Father....” Matthew 19:19.

LIGHTS DOWN!

THE END!

Bible Study

How can you best honor your father this month?

How can you best honor your husband this month?

How can you best honor other fathers this month?

How can you best honor God the Father this month?