"You shall teach [my commandments] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV)
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4 ESV)
"For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior." (Ephesians 5:23 ESV)
Not only are dads to teach their children about fishing and motorcycles and sex and martial arts and not hitting girls, Christian dads have the added responsibility to teach God's Word to their children.
To teach it, they must know it. To know it, they must be in it and living it. No pressure?!
Let's see. That would include...purity, loving God, sacrifice, submission, authority, freedom in Christ, loving others, defining "others," character, prayer, humility, finding joy in sorrow, fearing the Lord, taking care of nature, studying the Bible, making a "joyful noise," worship...
Wow. Daddies who love Jesus have some big shoes to fill. Wives, they need us. They desperately need us.
I write to myself as I make this list.
Ladies:
- manage your household and children well.
- spend time with the Lord each morning.
- make your hubby the next priority beneath God.
- free your husbands to be godly leaders for your family.
- do NOT usurp his role, even if he's isn't leading.
- pray for him.
- love him.
- cherish and serve him.
Happy Father's Day to all the daddies! Lead us well, because we will follow you!
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