Scripture: Mal 4:5-6

“See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

Who is Elijah??

James 5:17

• Elijah was a man just like us (BSV)
• Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are (KJV)
• Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (ESV)
• Elijah was a human being, even as we are (NIV)

--

7 Lessons from the Elijah Template

1. Turn hearts of fathers to their children

Impact of Father Involvement

• Cognitive
• Higher IQ
• Better linguistic ability
• Higher academic readiness
• Higher academic achievement
• Socio-emotional
• Better coping
• Moral maturity
• Pro-social behaviours
• Secure attachment
• Social competence
• Stable family
• At-risk Behaviours
• Lower rates of delinquency
• Lower rates of substance abuse and stealing
• Less truancy

Fathers impact nations and generations!

Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. (Gen 18:18-19)

2. Turn hearts of children to their fathers

3. Impart double portion

“When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.” (2 Kings 2:9)

4. Father the fatherless

“So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked ... (for water and bread) ... “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread – only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it – and die.” (1 Kings 17:10-12)

5. Rebuild the broken altar

“Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” (1 Kings 18:30-31)

When earthly fathers prayer, our Heavenly Father moves.

6. Don't be weak men

‘Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace ... ” ... Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.” (1 Kings 21:2, 4)

7. Be part of the 7,000

Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him. (1 Kings 19:18)