A Good Father

What is a father?  The dictionary gives several definitions:  a man who has begotten a child, a male parent, a founder, a producer, an author, to accept responsibility for, to care for or look after someone, someone deserving respect or reverence.  But a father is much more than this.

Father’s Day is coming up and it’s time to reflect on the importance of fatherhood.  Everyone needs a father figure.  The role of a mother in the family is well known, but the role of the father in especially important.  Fathers bring strength and stability to the home.  All families need fathers.  Our society is in moral decay.  Kids need both mothers and fathers to train and set examples for their children.  Our kids are exposed to so much filth and violence on TV and the internet.  You’ve heard to saying, “garbage in, garbage out”.  That is exactly right.  What goes in our brains influences what comes out good or bad behavior.

You don’t need a Ph. D. in child psychology to figure it out.  We all are influenced by who we spend time with and where we spend it.  What would you rather see your kids influenced by?  Would you want them to be influenced by TV, computer games, friends or by you?  The best way to be a good influence is by taking time to be with them and for them to be with you and with the family.  Taking them to Sunday School and church is good, but that’s only a few hours a week.

It starts in the home.  It starts with God’s Word.

There are several Scriptures for raising your children.  Eph. 6:4 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  How do you do that?  Study the Bible together.  2 Tim. 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

We as Christians want our children to grow up to love God and others and to obey His Word.  It’s a process, but your goal should be to have them keep their focus on God.  Teach them to be obedience and that disobedience displeases you and it displeases God.  We want them to develop a godly character and godly qualities.  Heb. 12:10 tells us that God disciplines or trains us so we may share His holiness.  Parents must do the same. 

They should be taught moral purity.  They need to learn how to deal with trials with the right attitude.  They need to learn to be thankful in all things.  They need to learn not to be selfish.  They need to learn biblical love not worldly love.  They need to learn how to solve conflicts God’s way.  They need to learn certain skills to be able to function as adults.  They need to learn respect and responsibilities.

Tips on how to be a good father:

Love your children as God loves you.  Love them in spite of their shortcomings. 

Give them hugs and kisses.  Never withhold your love from them. 

Be patient with them as God is patient with you.

Be their protector and provider.

Be a dad that disciplines.

Spend time with them.

Play with them and read to them.

Love their mom.

Teach them godly ways.

Pray for them.

Take them to church.

Teach them about Jesus.

Be an example.  They will learn far more from your actions than from what you say.  You don’t have to be perfect.  You will make mistakes.  Just, be a good example and the authority figure in your home.  You have a responsibility!

Have a Happy Father’s Day!

Join me here next time. -- I encourage you to trust in and have faith in Jesus.

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