Fatherhood by Scripture
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Timothy 3:3-5 (AMP) not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power—financially ethical]. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and well-behaved] (for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?).
What is your image and expectation of a good father? Although we don’t expect him to be perfect, it probably includes being loving, kind, understanding, warm, embracing, steady, dependable, and empathetic. We would also expect him to be our pillar of strength, provider, protector, and mentor, modelling to us what it means to be in a relationship with God and living out what he teaches us.
Laws without a foundation of unconditional love and effective communication often lead to rebellion, especially during the teenage years. Because children today can be very independent in their thinking as early as ten years old, honour, respect, and obedience to parents don’t come naturally, and demanding obedience is ineffective. Instead, parents must teach, guide, and discipline with patience at various stages of their children’s lives, letting them understand the consequences of their actions through love and logic. Children will only listen, obey, and honour their parents willingly if they know that they love them unconditionally and have their best interests at heart.
Examining different passages of the Bible reveals that God has expectations of fathers. Although the context of the opening passage is the selection of bishops, deacons, and elders, these men are, first and foremost, fathers of different families who have demonstrated a good reputation and managed their families well. A key leadership role of a man in the home is to ensure that he manages his family well. This involves teaching and guiding his children to be respectful and well-mannered in both speech and deeds.
One quality a spiritual leader should possess is maintaining a close-knit relationship with his children, not a strained one where either party is not on speaking terms or is at odds with the other, as this is not God’s design for the parent-child relationship. God has a clear order for the family, especially Christian family, where children are to honour their parents, and the father is to raise the children through his spiritual leadership in the home, helped by his wife. He will guide them in the ways of the Lord so that they will not depart from the Lord once they are independent. The father will also admonish and discipline the children when necessary.
Ephesians 6:4 (AMP) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favouritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Let us look to our Heavenly Father for reference on His design for the family and good character traits of a father. A father will always provide a secure environment by establishing a strong family.
Sermon Series: Dads for Life
