October 28, 2016
Teaching: 5 Things Every Father Should Do
1. Be a Provider
Paul put it plainly, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim 5:8).
Certainly a good father does not simply supply material support, but also supports his family in every other way. However, this verse calls every father to financially support his family. There may be unique circumstances where this is not possible, but normally it is a father’s duty.
One of my favorite dads in the Bible was the father of the prodigal son. His son ran away and lived in rebellion, but the father is seen as waiting, longing, and looking for a chance to support his son. As soon as the son turned toward home, the father ran to him and put a ring on his finger, shoes on his feet, and killed the fatted calf. He was joyful for the opportunity to provide for his son.
2. Pray FOR your Children and WITH your Children
The Bible tells us about a man named Job who modeled this for us.
“Early in the morning he [Job] would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them[his children], thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom.” (Job 1:5)
Jesus’ disciples came to him and asked him to teach them to pray. (Luke 11:1). Our children don’t see Jesus in the flesh, but they do see their father. A father should teach his children to pray, to pray for them, and to pray with them.
Perhaps you are a shy person and do not like to pray before anyone, but when it comes to our children, we must grow past this. Make sure your children hear you pray. From your prayers your children will learn: (1) How to pray, (2) The importance of Prayer, and that (3) God can be trusted with your cares.
3. Surround Your Children with Spiritual People
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Left to their own devices, kids may not pick the friends who are good for them. When kids observe parents surrounding their family with spiritual people, they may learn to do the same.
One more thing: Fathers must learn to be careful who their heroes are. My heroes are not drug abusing athletes or foul-mouthed actors. Your kids will be inclined to admire the same people you admire.
4. Model the Spiritual Life to Your Children to Live
One thing that helped King Jehoshaphat be a good king was having a father who was a good king. 1 Kings 22:43 tells us, “In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
When my kids were young and did anything wrong, I would always ask myself, “Did he (or she) learn that from me?” If I know I will leave a good legacy behind for my kids to follow, I don’t mind growing old and even dying someday..
5. Look for life’s Teachable Moments
God tells fathers (and mothers) “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” (Deu 6:6-9)
Jesus was always ready for the teachable moments. Many of his lessons happened during the impromptu moments. Your lessons to your children also happen in the odd moments. You teach your children when you are riding in the car, shopping in a store, fishing in a river, or any of the other thousands of natural moments in life.
Look for those teachable moments and make the most of them. Sometimes when my family and I would be riding in a car and hear an ambulance come blazing by with sirens screaming, I would say, “Kids we are not having a bad day.” Look for the teachable moments.
Quote
“He who knows enough is enough, will always have enough.”
– – Lao Tzu
Scripture: John 16:32c
“I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”
Quiz
1. Who were the first twins in the Bible?
2. On what special Jewish day did the church begin?
3. Who was the first Christian to die for his faith?
Resource: Wunderlist
Wunderlist is a free app that will work on all your devices (computer, smartphone, and tablet). Liz and I share one free account (you create it online). When we need something from the store, you can just put the item on Wunderlist. As long as you have your phone, you have your list. When one of us goes to the store, we open the phone and look at the list. Pick up the item. Touch the item on the list and it goes away. Very, very handy!
Funny
Me a procrastinator? I’ll prove you wrong someday. Just you wait and see.
Fact
Do you know what Jesus ate? He ate bread (Mat 26:26), lamb (Luke 22:15), fish (Mat 14:19), broiled fish (Luke 24:42-43), The Old Testament says he would eat curds (butter) and honey (Isaiah 7:15).
Quiz answers:
1. The first twins mentioned in the Bible were Jacob and Esau (Gen 25:24)
2. The church began on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2).
3. The first Christian to die for his faith was Stephen (Acts 7:59-60).