Session #: 1
Series: Based on Sermon 1/4/2026 by Pastor Josh to kick-off the “Clean” series.
Title: Being Dads clothed for the Garden
Primary Theme: Purity, Identity, God’s Covering
Estimated Time: 60–75 minutes
Purpose:
God designed fathers to lead from a place of clean relationship with Him. Sin introduces shame and self-made coverings, but God provides true covering through Christ. This session calls dads to stop hiding and lead from grace, not performance.
Anchor Scripture
Psalm 24:3–6
Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?
Only those with clean hands and pure hearts…
Supporting Scriptures (Referenced Later):
- Genesis 2:15–17
- Genesis 3:1–11, 21
- Isaiah 1:18
- Romans 3:23
Big Idea:
You cannot cover yourself well enough to lead well—only God can clothe a dad for the garden.
Teaching Summary
Key Teaching Movements (Not a Sermon):
- God’s standard of purity existed before Adam
- Sin introduced shame, hiding, and fig-leaf living
- Shame pushes men away; conviction draws them back
- God replaced human covering with sacrificial covering
- Jesus fulfills this covering permanently
Group Discussion
Core Questions (Must Cover):
- Where do dads today tend to define right and wrong apart from God?
Starter Answer (Sample):
Many dads define right and wrong based on culture, convenience, or feelings rather than Scripture. If something feels normal, accepted, or beneficial in the moment, it’s often justified—even if it conflicts with God’s Word.
Leader Prompt (Optional):
- Where do you feel pressure to “bend” biblical standards?
- What “fig leaves” do men use to hide shame?
Starter Answer (Sample):
Men often hide shame behind success, busyness, providing financially, religious activity, humor, or emotional distance. These things look respectable but keep real brokenness concealed.
Leader Prompt:
- Which fig leaves are socially praised but spiritually hollow?
- How does hidden shame affect fatherhood at home?
Starter Answer (Sample):
Hidden shame often shows up as anger, withdrawal, control, or emotional absence. When a dad hasn’t dealt with his own shame, it leaks into how he leads, disciplines, and connects with his family.
Leader Prompt:
- How have you seen this play out personally or generationally?
Optional Depth Questions:
- Why is hiding easier than repentance?
Starter Answer (Sample):
Hiding feels safer because repentance requires vulnerability. It forces us to admit weakness and trust God’s grace instead of our image. Pride and fear make hiding feel easier in the short term.
Leader Prompt:
- What are we afraid will happen if we step into the light?
- What would change if you truly believed you were covered?
Starter Answer (Sample):
If we truly believed we were covered by Christ, we would stop performing, stop pretending, and lead with humility. Fear would lose power, and grace would shape how we parent, love our wives, and respond to failure.
Leader Prompt:
- Where are you still trying to earn what’s already been given?
Key Takeaways for Dads
- Purity is about proximity, not perfection
- Shame isolates; grace restores
- Fathers lead best from clean hearts
- God replaces performance with presence
Practical Application
This Week
- Identify one fig leaf you rely on
- Confess it honestly to God
- Pray Psalm 24 daily
At Home
- Model repentance
- Lead conversations about grace, not image
Closing Prayer
“Lord, we lay down our fig leaves.
Clothe us in Your righteousness.
Help us lead our families from clean hearts.
Amen.”
