# 1 Corinthians 04 #soap ## Title: Spiritual Fathers ## Scripture: (1 Corinthians 4:15) “For though you may have 10,000 guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (NET) ## Observation: There is a difference between teachers and fathers. A father is a teacher but a teacher is not always a father. A teacher is interested primarily in transferring knowledge. A father is primarily interested in growing and maturing the child. A teacher will come and go from your life. A father is interested in the long journey. A father is someone you must be willing to submit to and take the long road with. Be sure you don’t go around only looking for teachers. Allow yourself to be mentored by a spiritual father. Spiritual fathers are gifts from God. ## Application: Pray and ask God to put you in the presence of a spiritual father. If you have one, give thanks. Pray and ask God to grow you so you can be a spiritual mentor to someone. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for placing wonderful people all around us. Open our eyes to see them for who You have made them to be.