Theme: The Triangle Example Works for All Relationships
Focus: Habakkuk, Prayer, and the “You Need to Eat” Sermon
Attendee Guide
Opening (5 minutes)
- Welcome and introductions.
- Quick check-in: What was one highlight or challenge from your week as a dad?
- Read aloud together:
- Malachi 4:5–6 (NIV)
- Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Sermon Recap (5 minutes)
Pastor Josh reminded us that prayer is like eating — we need it daily for spiritual health. Some meals are quick, some are feasts, but all are needed. Prayer works the same way.
Three directions of prayer:
- Upward Prayer – Adoration, praise, thanksgiving (changes perspective)
- Inward Prayer – Confession, consecration, lament (changes the heart)
- Outward Prayer – Supplication, intercession, agreement (changes circumstances)
Scripture Discussion (30 minutes)
Habakkuk 1 – Wrestling with Injustice
- Read: Habakkuk 1:2 & 1:5
- Discuss: When have you felt like Habakkuk — crying out but not hearing answers?
- Application: How can we model honesty in prayer with our kids?
- Relevant Resource: If there was a dads’ group that met weekly, would you join?
👉 https://bethedads.com/2025/03/if-there-was-a-dads-group-that-met-weekly-would-you-join
Habakkuk 2 – Waiting on God
- Read: Habakkuk 2:1 & 2:4
- Discuss: What does “living by faith” look like as a dad?
- Application: Where do you need more patience or faith in fatherhood?
- Relevant Resource: Becoming A Godly Father – Day 2 – stop being worried or anxious
👉 https://bethedads.com/2022/11/becoming-a-godly-father-day-2-stop-being-worried-or-anxious
Habakkuk 3 – Turning Prayer into Praise
- Read: Habakkuk 3:17–19
- Discuss: How can we choose joy in God even when life is uncertain?
- Application: How would your family benefit if you lived this out?
- Relevant Resource: Radical Wisdom: A 7-Day Journey For Fathers – Day 4 – Unity
👉 https://bethedads.com/2022/12/radical-wisdom-a-7-day-journey-for-fathers-day-4-unity
Group Prayer Practice (15 minutes)
Break into pairs or small clusters and pray together in three ways:
- Upward Prayer: Praise God for who He is.
- Inward Prayer: Confess a personal struggle and surrender it to God.
- Outward Prayer: Intercede for your kids, spouse, family, and community.
Closing (5 minutes)
- Key Takeaway: The closer we get to God, the closer we get to our families.
- Challenge: Pray daily using all three types of prayer this week.
- Scripture Challenge: Speak Habakkuk 3:17–18 out loud each day as a declaration of faith.
- Closing Prayer: Invite a dad to pray.
Leader Guide
Suggested Timing
- Opening & Icebreaker – 5 minutes
- Sermon Recap – 5 minutes
- Scripture Discussion – 30 minutes
- Group Prayer – 15 minutes
- Closing – 5 minutes
Leader Tips
- Keep the focus on dads and how these truths apply at home.
- Encourage vulnerability by modeling it yourself first.
- Keep questions open-ended and draw out quieter voices.
- Create a safe space: remind dads what’s shared in group stays in group.
- Be flexible — if discussion goes deep, adjust timing.
Extra Leader Notes & Links
- Habakkuk 1: Dads can bring doubts to God honestly.
Resource: If there was a dads’ group that met weekly, would you join?
👉 https://bethedads.com/2025/03/if-there-was-a-dads-group-that-met-weekly-would-you-join - Habakkuk 2: Faith in God is more reliable than self-reliance.
Resource: Becoming A Godly Father – Day 2 – stop being worried or anxious
👉 https://bethedads.com/2022/11/becoming-a-godly-father-day-2-stop-being-worried-or-anxious - Habakkuk 3: Joy rooted in God steadies our homes more than circumstances.
Resource: Radical Wisdom: A 7-Day Journey For Fathers – Day 4 – Unity
👉 https://bethedads.com/2022/12/radical-wisdom-a-7-day-journey-for-fathers-day-4-unity - Sermon Tie-In: Prayer is as essential as food. Ask: What would our homes look like if prayer was as consistent as meals?
Resource: But God…
👉 https://bethedads.com/2025/03/but-god
