CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING
Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
Children are a blessing, not a burden.
GOD WANTS FATHERS TO MAN UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF FATHERHOOD (Genesis 18:19)
No excuses. No blameshifting. Man up, take responsibility.
LEARNING (AND RE-LEARNING) TO BE GODLY FATHERS Fathers need to continue to learn how to be a father after God’s own heart. Many of us fathers need to re-learn how to be godly fathers. (Ephesians 6:4)
WHAT GODLY FATHERS DO
1. GODLY FATHERS LEAD THEIR CHILDREN (Joshua 24:15; Genesis 18:19) - This is one of the most important roles of fathers: Overcome passivity.
2. GODLY FATHERS TEACH & TRAIN THEIR CHILDREN - This is one of the most emphasized roles of fathers in the Bible. Spiritual and moral training is primarily the task of fathers, not mothers. (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
3. GODLY FATHERS LOVE THEIR CHILDREN (1 Corinthians 13:1-8) - Love is spelled TIME. Our kids need a “Full-Time Dad” not a “Part-Time Dad.” Love for our children includes such practical things as playing with them.
4. GODLY FATHERS DISCIPLINE THEIR CHILDREN Discipline is necessary. Fathers, discipline is our task not the task of mothers. (Proverbs 3:11-12; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13-14) To neglect, refuse, or fail to discipline our children (form their character) is a very serious mistake. Fathers, we have to do it.
5. GODLY FATHERS PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN - The Holy Scriptures tell us that one of our responsibilities as fathers is to provide. (1 Timothy 5:8) Godly fathers provide for the material needs of their children.
6. GODLY FATHERS PRAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN (1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Chronicles 29:19) - Job prayed for his children (even in their adult years): Job 1:5
EXPERIENCING GOD AS THE PERFECT FATHER Regardless of how good or how bad your experience of your earthly father was or is, you can experience God as your perfect Father. The Bible says that God the Father’s love for you is perfect. Today, you can experience God as your loving Father (Eph. 3:14-15) Jeremiah 31:3 “the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
WHAT GODLY FATHERS DO
CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING
Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
Children are a blessing, not a burden.
GOD WANTS FATHERS TO MAN UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF FATHERHOOD (Genesis 18:19)
No excuses. No blameshifting. Man up, take responsibility.
LEARNING (AND RE-LEARNING) TO BE GODLY FATHERS Fathers need to continue to learn how to be a father after God’s own heart. Many of us fathers need to re-learn how to be godly fathers. (Ephesians 6:4)
WHAT GODLY FATHERS DO
1. GODLY FATHERS LEAD THEIR CHILDREN (Joshua 24:15; Genesis 18:19) - This is one of the most important roles of fathers: Overcome passivity.
2. GODLY FATHERS TEACH & TRAIN THEIR CHILDREN - This is one of the most emphasized roles of fathers in the Bible. Spiritual and moral training is primarily the task of fathers, not mothers. (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
3. GODLY FATHERS LOVE THEIR CHILDREN (1 Corinthians 13:1-8) - Love is spelled TIME. Our kids need a “Full-Time Dad” not a “Part-Time Dad.” Love for our children includes such practical things as playing with them.
4. GODLY FATHERS DISCIPLINE THEIR CHILDREN Discipline is necessary. Fathers, discipline is our task not the task of mothers. (Proverbs 3:11-12; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13-14) To neglect, refuse, or fail to discipline our children (form their character) is a very serious mistake. Fathers, we have to do it.
5. GODLY FATHERS PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN - The Holy Scriptures tell us that one of our responsibilities as fathers is to provide. (1 Timothy 5:8) Godly fathers provide for the material needs of their children.
6. GODLY FATHERS PRAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN (1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Chronicles 29:19) - Job prayed for his children (even in their adult years): Job 1:5
EXPERIENCING GOD AS THE PERFECT FATHER Regardless of how good or how bad your experience of your earthly father was or is, you can experience God as your perfect Father. The Bible says that God the Father’s love for you is perfect. Today, you can experience God as your loving Father (Eph. 3:14-15) Jeremiah 31:3 “the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you.”