Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 August 2022 Devotional Message for Sunday– A Father’s Blessings I

Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 August 2022 Devotional for Sunday

TOPIC: A Father’s Blessings I

OPENING PRAYER: Plant my steps in the sure promises of your word today, dear Lord.

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 48.1‐22

Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 August 2022 MESSAGE

When Joseph heard that his father’s health was failing, he went to visit him with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob (Israel) was excited to see his son, Joseph, and his two sons. What was the reason for this excitement (read v.11)? Jacob laid his hands on his grandsons and blessed them.

Jacob’s words of blessings were prophetic. Do words spoken by fathers (or parents) have any effect on their children? Why is this so (see Proverbs 18.21 and 12.18)? Joseph believed his father was uttering prophetic words hence, his worry that Jacob was recognizing Ephraim ahead of his elder brother Manasseh (see vs.17,18).

What does this teach us about how parents should relate to their children? Parents should be careful about what they say to their children, what they speak into their lives. Fathers are ‘prophets’ to their children and what they speak into their lives can affect them for good or evil.

Africans generally believe that the words of a dying man should be taken seriously. Joseph purposely took his children to his father to receive his blessings which he believed was divine.

Question(s) for Reflection
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?

• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?

Closing Prayer
• Lord, grant wisdom to parents that they may speak blessings into the lives of their children.

Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 17:6

One Year Bible Reading Plan
Jeremiah 34‐36.

NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN

Sun, 21-Aug-2022

PRAYER FOCUS

PARENTAL BLESSINGS
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watch over them…
1 Peter 5:2

THANK GOD FOR:
☀ Making us parents, grandparents and guardians of all children He brings along our path on earth.
☀ His desires that all children be brought to Him and the works SU is doing among children.

PRAY FOR:
☛ Our children and grandchildren that they grow and love and serve the Lord.
☛ Grace to continue to pray, teach, correct and smile even as parents and grandparents.
☛ SU children and our children that God will make them a delight to the world, so they will get His blessing and those of their parents and grandparents.

PRAY AGAINST:
⚠ Confusion and worry that will distract us from continuing in praying for them.
⚠ Giving up because of what we see among children these days forgetting it is our mandate in SU to bring them to the Lord.

Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 August 2022. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 August 2022