January 22, 2026

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

That God created us to be and that our kids, family, and the world needs us to be.

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Session 25 – Mind the Gap: Good News, Great Joy, All People

farmerphilbethedad05 mins
Five dads gathered around a table in a Christmas-decorated room, discussing faith with Bibles open, reflecting on the theme “Mind the Gap – Good News, Great Joy, All People.”

Session Purpose

As we close out the 2025 BeTheDads Group year, this session challenges dads to recognize and respond to the gap between how we expect God to work and how God actually works.

The Christmas story reminds us that God often shows up in ways that disrupt our plans, stretch our faith, and call us into deeper obedience—especially within our most important relationships.

Opening Prayer

God, thank You for being faithful even when Your ways do not align with our expectations. Help us trust You in the gap between hope and reality. Shape us into men who lead with humility, obedience, and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Icebreaker: Expectation vs. Reality

Ask each dad to answer one:

  • What is something in life or fatherhood that turned out very differently than you expected?
  • What season of parenting surprised you the most?

Transition:
Just like life, faith often has a gap between expectation and reality. Tonight, we will talk about how God meets us in that space.

Key Scripture: The Birth of Jesus

Big Idea for Dads

God rarely works the way we expect—but He is always faithful to do what He promises.
When our expectations are misaligned, we risk missing what God is doing right in front of us.

God Works Through Messy Circumstances

Scripture Focus

Mary and Joseph’s story is not neat or predictable. It is filled with fear, confusion, and social risk—yet God is unmistakably present.

Discussion Questions

  • Why do we assume that God’s work should feel comfortable or clear?
  • Where have you experienced obedience that led to difficulty?
  • How does this reshape your understanding of God’s blessing?

God Works Through His Sovereignty

Scripture Focus

Even when leaders act out of fear or evil intent, God’s redemptive plan is never threatened.

Discussion Questions

  • What fears surface when leadership or systems feel broken?
  • How does God’s sovereignty bring peace without ignoring pain?
  • Where do you need to trust God beyond what you can see?

God Works Through Ordinary Obedience

Scripture Focus

Nazareth was overlooked—but God was not. Faithfulness often happens in quiet places.

Discussion Questions

  • Where do you feel unseen or insignificant right now?
  • Why is faithfulness harder when no one is watching?
  • How does this change how you view daily fatherhood?

Living It Out: God-Given Priorities for Dads

God’s work becomes visible through how we live out our faith in our closest relationships.

Priority One: Our Relationship with God

Scripture

Discussion Questions

  • Where have you tried to control instead of trust?
  • How do unmet expectations impact your faith?
  • What does obedience look like in this season?

Application

  • Prioritize daily time with God.
  • Choose trust before clarity.
  • Model dependence on God for your family.

Priority Two: Our Relationship with Our Wife

Scripture

Discussion Questions

  • Where have expectations created tension in your marriage?
  • How can sacrificial love reflect trust in God?
  • What act of obedience is God prompting you toward?

Application

  • Initiate reconciliation.
  • Choose humility over defensiveness.
  • Love in ways that cost comfort or pride.

Priority Three: Our Relationship with Our Kids

Scripture

Discussion Questions

  • How do expectations shape your reactions?
  • Where is God calling you to greater patience or presence?
  • What does faithful fatherhood look like right now?

Application

  • Be present, not just available.
  • Discipline with grace and consistency.
  • Model repentance and faith.

Closing Reflection

The greatest danger is not that God fails to show up—but that our expectations cause us to miss Him.

Mind the gap.
Trust God’s ways.
Lead your family with faithful obedience.

Additional Resources: BeTheDads Year-in-Review & Related Sessions

Recent BeTheDads Group Sessions

Supporting BeTheDads Posts

Final Encouragement

Thank you for choosing to show up, lean in, and grow as men, husbands, and fathers.
May we continue to Be The Dads God has called us to be—faithful, obedient, and anchored in Him.

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