January 17, 2026

Be The Dads – Your kids, Your wife, and this world needs.

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Session 13: Homecoming — Where Are You From? Helping Dads Find a Heavenly Perspective

farmerphilbethedad05 mins
A group of four diverse men in discussion, with a split background showing a city skyline on one side and a countryside landscape on the other. Text above reads: "Session 13: Homecoming – Where are you from?"

For this week’s session of BeTheDads small group we are looking into focus heavenly on how we can integrate the weekend’s sermon by Pastor Josh from the series titled HOMECOMING that was titled “Where are you from?“. It spoke to the importance of a Biblical world view and perspective and how what we believe impacts our values and how our values impact our priorities. We can’t just mask who we are by trying to do what we’re supposed to do without having fixed the underlying framework or else one day it will all come tumbling down like a house of cards when the table is shaken and we all know life will shake us.

Quick overview / purpose

Help dads process Paul’s call in Philippians 3:17–21 (NIV) to live as citizens of heaven, not citizens of this age. Lead them to examine where their identity is rooted (earthly vs. eternal), how that changes beliefs, values and priorities, and practical next steps to live like citizens of heaven at home and work. This session continues the Homecoming series theme and ties into recent BeTheDads sessions on “temporary housing” and returning home.

Opening (10–15 min)

Icebreaker (10 min)

  • Pair up. Ask your partner: “Where are you from?” (first answer, then ask: “Which place shaped you the most?”).
  • Quick share (2–3 volunteers).

Short teaching recap (5 min)

  • Summarize the sermon’s central idea:
    • Paul warns believers not to adopt temporary, worldly identities that produce appetites, pride, shameful boasting, and a short-term perspective.
    • Instead, we are citizens of heaven and must live accordingly.
    • The pastor’s three points: Beliefs → Values → Priorities.

Scripture reading (5 min)

Read aloud together: Philippians 3:17–21 (NIV)

Small-group discussion (30–40 min)

Question 1 — Heavenly Identity check

Q: When someone asks “Where are you from?” which place do you instinctively answer with? Why?
Bible starter answer: Paul reminds us our true home is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).
BeTheDads connection: The Homecoming/Temporary Housing posts encourage dads to name “heaven” as our true home and to view the present as temporary — shifting daily decisions to eternal priorities.
👉 https://bethedads.com/2025/09/session-12-being-dads-that-knowhow-to-turn-back-head-home
👉 https://bethedads.com/2025/09/temporary-housing-thriving-courageously-in-the-tension

Question 2 — Beliefs: What shapes your “truth” about heavenly things?

Q: What sources most shape your beliefs right now?
Bible starter answer: A biblical worldview (Matt. 7:24–27) stands firm in storms.
BeTheDads connection: Posts on “Drawing Closer to God” and earlier Homecoming sessions emphasize embedding Scripture into daily rhythms.
👉 https://bethedads.com/tag/homecoming

Question 3 — Values: What heavenly things are you chasing?

Q: Which values are winning in your life right now? How do they show up at home?
Bible starter answer: Biblical values (humility, service, sacrifice) reflect heavenly citizenship.
BeTheDads connection: The pastor’s statement “I once thought those things were valuable; now they’re garbage compared to knowing Christ” mirrors BeTheDads’ call to prioritize family and mission.
👉 https://bethedads.com/2022/06/the-cause-within-you

Question 4 — Priorities: What heavenly things moves to the calendar?

Q: What’s on your calendar right now that proves you’re a citizen of heaven? What small change would help?
Bible starter answer: Prioritizing Scripture, family presence, and service shows heavenly priorities.
BeTheDads connection: The Temporary Housing session gives practical steps like Sabbath, phone boundaries, and devotions.
👉 https://bethedads.com/2025/09/temporary-housing-thriving-courageously-in-the-tension

Question 5 — The “Impostor” test

Q: Paul warns of people who act like enemies of the cross. Where might your behavior contradict your profession?
Bible starter answer: Confession and repentance re-align life with faith.
BeTheDads connection: The Hit the Home Button / Turn Back & Head Home posts give dads practical repentance and restoration ideas.
👉 https://bethedads.com/2025/09/session-12-being-dads-that-knowhow-to-turn-back-head-home

Key Takeaways

  • Beliefs → are shaped by what we hear and trust (Matt. 7).
  • Values → reveal what we treasure most (Phil. 3:8).
  • Priorities → show up in our calendar (Col. 3:2).
  • Identity → is in heaven, not here (Phil. 3:20).
  • Integrity → means aligning behavior with belief (1 John 1:9).

Large-group debrief & commitments (10–15 min)

  • Each group shares one insight and one commitment.
  • Public accountability: each man completes “I will…”

Closing prayer (3–5 min)

Father, thank you that our true home is with You. Help us to live as citizens of heaven — that our beliefs, values and priorities would reflect Jesus. Give us courage to repent where needed and wisdom to set our calendars by eternal things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Printable Handout (for participants)

Session 13 — Homecoming: Where are you from?

Scripture: Philippians 3:17–21 (NIV)

Three big ideas (from the sermon):

  1. Beliefs — your citizenship shapes what you call true. Build your beliefs on Scripture. (Matt. 7:24–27)
  2. Values — your citizenship determines what you treasure. Choose eternal values.
  3. Priorities — your values become visible in your calendar. Schedule what matters.

Group questions:

  1. Identity check — what’s your default “from”?
  2. What shapes your beliefs?
  3. What values are you chasing?
  4. What evidence is on your calendar?
  5. Where might you be an impostor? What’s one repentance step?

Personal commitment: I will ___________________________
Accountability partner: ___________________

Further reading (from BeTheDads):

Leader’s guide (quick tips)

  • Prep: Read Philippians 3:17–21 and linked posts. Print handouts.
  • Timing: Shorten icebreaker & discussion if running only 60 min.
  • Model vulnerability: Share one area where earthly values creep in.
  • Follow-up: Encourage everyone to read one BeTheDads post before next session.

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