What Does It Mean to be a Good Father?
Today, on Father’s Day, fathers deserve to be honored with a “TO DO LIST”! Father’s: DO enjoy you day; DO eat the meal of your choice; and DO celebrate your fatherhood and grand-fatherhood. Your involvement is vital to blessing of your family and society.
Transformation of Society
The transformation of society requires the turning of hearts: First to God; then of fathers to their children. Father’s do deserve to be honored today; but not with more things “to do”. Rather, honor fathers with genuine appreciation for their leadership in families and society. When a father’s leadership is missing, all families and society suffer because of it. (Luke 1:11-23).
Greatest Needs of Fatherhood
In our society the greatest needs of fatherhood are presence, not presents. The kind of presence children needs is the deliberate and just practice of nurturing, teaching, admonition, and discipline for God’s holy purpose. (Ephesians 6:1-4, Colossians 3:20, Hebrews 12:3-11). Families need men who will lead and be examples and mentors in the purposes and ways of our Lord.
Good Fathers are Just
Good fathers work hard, protect their families, and deliberately provide the guidance and example of devotion to the Lord. All good fatherhood arises out of one significant character trait: The man is a just man who understands that leadership is not self-serving and harsh; but redemptive and kind. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, exemplified this. The prodigal son’s father, who represents God, also practiced redemptive fatherhood, rather than punishing fatherhood. (Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:13-15, Luke 2:22-24, Luke 2:39-40, Luke 2:41-52, Luke 15:20-24, and Matthew 19:13-15).
Good Fathers Build Up Their Children
Good fathers show affection and provide caring, corrective, up building involvement in their children’s lives. Good fathers encourage rather than shame and they charge rather than punish. Encouraging and charging involves deliberate, strong guidance and empowerment. While corrective punishment may be needed, good fathers are rather willing to suffer much personal pain in order to bring good things and blessings to their children. Good fatherhood was a model for church leadership and church leadership should be a good model for good fatherhood. (Acts 15:36-41, 2 Timothy 4:11, 1 Corinthians 4:14-21, and 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
