Resources/Articles
Fatherly Advice
There is some “hard-earned” advice all fathers should consider in their pursuit of being a man of God…
- Never neglect your wife. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wife, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Your wife needs what we all need: understanding, affection, gratitude, support, and appreciation. This is something she does not receive often from your children, especially when they are small. If she does not receive this from her husband either, she will turn to someone or something else to receive what she needs. When a wife starts to complain about small things around the house or circling around and around a problem, it is one sign she is being neglected. Wake up. Pay attention. Listen to her feelings. Help her out. Tell her you love her often. Hug and kiss her daily. Let her know you think of her often throughout the day. This goes a long way in your marriage…
- Children cannot be underestimated. Would the prodigal son’s father ever think he would come back home? What did Timothy’s parents say when he wanted to teach the gospel? Would Ruth’s parents ever think she would stay with her mother-in-law Naomi and not go back home? Do you have high ambitions for your “fast-growing” children as they trod through life? Your children can take every step with intention. They can grow and mature into excellent men and women. Your pleasure with their accomplishments needs to be announced, not to the world, but to them. Be confident in what God can do in them - always…
- Do not treat your teenage children like adults. Proverbs 14:1-9 is one of the most sublime passages for fathers to understand. Give them wisdom as teenagers to be able to make good decisions when they are adults. You may think and say, “He’s big enough to do that,” “She is old enough to do that.” The reality is they need you to pull them up, fine-tune their consciences, and welcome them to adult reality. Show them how to balance a checkbook, pursue a job, work professionally, serve their bosses, and deal respectfully with the opposite sex. Show them how to buy good clothes and dress well. At 14, when they complain, “Why don’t you trust me?”, teach them there is a difference between character and judgment. Their character of honesty and good intentions are sometimes inexperienced at the judgments that have to be made about the opposite sex, cars, friends, and other “forks in the road”…
- Hold a child to his/her commitment. Joshua 24:15 has a statement of commitment Joshua made to his family. They anticipated him living what he breathed, not backing away. Weaseling out of responsibility is the way of politicians. Children should not be allowed to take back their word on a whim. Before they make promises or commit themselves to a course of action, press them to think consequences through and understand their terms, because you will hold them to their word. Having a pet is one of the first things a child wants in life. Make them first commit themselves to feeding and caring for it - then hold them to that. If they want to take guitar lessons, make them promise to persevere, and attend all the lessons, no matter what, for the length of the agreement. Holding a commitment is a sign of your trust and the trust of others in them (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)...
- Do not allow your children to dress in such a way as to bring shame to Christ nor your family. 1 Timothy 2:9,10 does not give permission for anyone to dress but one way - professing godliness. Appearance means something or else God would not have mentioned the need for modesty…
- Always be your family’s spiritual leader. In Deuteronomy 17:15-20, God not only made provisions for Israel to have a king, He also gave instructions on the way in which the king should govern the people. God would have the king responsible for the spiritual leadership of the people. It was for the good of the people and Himself. This should cause every father to take notice. This is a very interesting list, especially when we realize what God did not include. God did not appear to be concerned about a king’s economic strategy, his managerial ability, his expertise or experience with proven techniques, his social status, etc. It appears that none of these characteristics were important to God for his ability to be a good leader. What it takes to lead a family is a father who loves, listens, learns, and leans upon God the Father...
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