(FATHER’S DAY)
By Pastor Darryl Woodson
When a father begins to ascribe himself to who God is, he shows his family what God the Father is really like. A father who seeks the heart of God can never go wrong in his ways and in leading his family.
Here below are some of the roles of a father and what a father should be;
- A father should be a provider.
1st Timothy 5:8_But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- A father should be a protector.
Matthew 2:13-14 ’...When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,’
Today, it is a shame that many men who should be fathers become perpetrators to those that need their protection, their children. Men need to protect their families emotionally, financially,spiritually and socially. Fathers are to be careful what comes into their homes by way of media, friends at school and neighbours.
- A father should be a man of prayer.
Job 1:5_So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.
There is power in the prayers of a father and a mother for their children!
- A father should be a discipler.
Proverbs 22:6_Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
A child watches the ways of his father and does not only merely hear what his father says. We disciple children by our words and actions (even spiritually).
- A father should be a partner.
1st Peter 3:7_Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
The greatest way a father can love his children is by loving his wife, their mother well.
Some 3 ways by which a father can be a partner to his wife;
- He should fight for his wife. 1st Peter 3:7
- Speak up for her and to her. Speak words of affirmation. Proverbs 18:21
- Act for her. Be purposeful in your affection towards her. Commit to thoughtful acts.
A father can love his children in so many ways;
Invest in your children.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7_5You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6”And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 practical things a father can introduce in his home;
- Family devotions.
- Look for teachable moments with children.
- Take your children out.
- Talk to them all the time.
- Withhold things that are not good for them.
- Explain things to them.
- Teach them the laws of money, sex and manners.
- Fathers hold the biggest key to their children’s heart.
Men need to be there for their children. A child needs a Father more than anything else beside God.