“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,”Ephesians 6:4
Father’s Day is coming up this Sunday in North America. In God’s Word, we find many examples of wonderful, godly fathers, and some not so wonderful. Some made costly mistakes causing suffering in the family. Others were examples of all that an earthly father could be, honoring God, showing mercy and walking humbly before Him. A Father’s love is tested at home more than any other place. The exciting thing is that a Christian home can be a place where love is made complete, where children become confident in their salvation and in their father’s love!
On a weekend visit to a prison, the question was asked of the men: “How many of you have ever had your father look you in the eye and tell you he loved you and that God had a special future for your life?” Not one hand went up! None of the men had a loving father! In the Old Testament we see the patriarchs blessing their children. There is no reason why we can’t carry on “The Blessing” in our homes today! It involves five areas:
- Meaningful touch, be creative!
- Spoken word: encouragement, love, acceptance
- Expressing high value: tell them how important they are!
- Picturing a special future: God loves them, they have gifts and a “calling”
- An active commitment: you will always be there for them to see the blessing come to pass
Father’s represent God to their children! The more your life and character reflect God, the more your children will be attracted to a relationship with Him! A father’s character is an “open book” to his kids. Things like honesty, morality, faithfulness, forgiveness and valuing people and God more than “things” will tell them what you really consider important.
Besides loving God, the next best thing a father can do for himself is to love his wife! Love their mother every day and speak well of her in order to help children in their future marriages. Keep your promises, even when it hurts! This will increase the children’s trust and teach them the value of integrity. Spend time playing and working with them. Kids spell love: “t.i.m.e.”
Teach them and train them in God’s Word, reading it and teaching through life experiences. Equip them with the gospel and prepare them for the “warfare” of peer pressure. Involve them with giving and serving, let them see God at work and the joy it brings. And remember, words have power! Encourage children far more than criticize them. Practice the “blessing” via physical touch, speaking words of love and picturing God’s future for them as they walk with Him.
This seems like a tall order for fathers, but with God’s help we can accomplish some or all of these as we take our places as heads of our families.
Taken from Terry’s Father’s Day sermon — 2009