A Christian father represents God in his family. But, is that the reality in our homes today? Can the low impact of the Christian fathers cause the high level of ungodliness among the youths today?
It’s a pity that the world would soon crumble, if the Christian fathers did not intensify their child-raising responsibilities!
Today’s message reveals some vital duties of a responsible Christian father, but I would like to share this story with you before I proceed:
“An 80-year-old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 year’s old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window. The Father asked his Son, “What is this?” The Son replied “It is a crow”.
After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the second time, “What is this?” The Son said “Father, I have just told you “It’s a crow”.
After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the third time, “What is this?” At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the Son’s tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff.
“It’s a crow, a crow, a crow”.
A little after, the Father again asked his Son the fourth time, “What is this?”
This time the Son shouted at his Father, “Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times ‘IT IS A CROW’. Are you not able to understand this?”
A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page.
When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary: –
“Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window.
My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times.
I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent child”.
While the little child asked him 23 times “What is this”, the Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.”
The duty of a Christian father is not limited to the provision for the needs of his children. But, the following points are also crucial for raising a God-fearing generation:
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Introduce your children to Spiritual Drills
Training your children in the way of the Lord is a fundamental role you can’t afford to miss. The success of a Christian father is to ensure that his children acknowledge the Bible as the only road map for their journey in life.
Proverbs chapter 22 verse 6 says: “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
2. Follow-Up with your Children
It is good to show your children the way of the Lord. But, it is another duty to follow-up with them. Though, the culture of the land gives children above 18 to live without parental guidance, and this culture is a time bomb for the next generation. It’s unfortunate that many children are misusing this freedom.
3. Call for Fellowship
It is true that some children of Jacob had neglected the way of the Lord. But, their hearts were linked to the Lord again through the family altar (Genesis chapter 35).
A Christian father must not be too tired to sing and pray with his children every day. You are failing if you don’t pray with your children at home. There is Power in Prayers!
4. A Christian father is a Role Model
“You can’t give what you don’t have”. If you want your children to be obedient, gentle, kind, God-fearing and caring, then you must start these practices. Because, you are a mirror to your children, they imitate your reflection.
5. Develop an excellent communication skill
A Christian father must patiently listen to his children. Your kids are exposed to many ungodly teachings out there, and most times they get confused.
When you listen patiently, then your children would be encouraged to tell you more. And the more they speak, the more you guide them in the practical way of the Lord.
The world is morally corrupt today, because the input of fathers in the upbringing of their children had dropped drastically.
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Discipline your children
Your kids are bound to do wrongs, but correct them with love. If the culture of the land discourages flogging a stubborn child, then don’t hesitate to punish them through another means.
And give a thorough punishment to the stubborn ones. Teach them how to live in abundance and how to live in shortage. Disciplinary actions should cut across their physical, spiritual, emotional, moral and academic life.
“The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” (Proverbs 29:15)
7. Create Time for your Children
Many children are exposed to online porns, gambling, and occultism, because their father is not around to guide them. A Christian father that works round the clock to earn money is raising his children for the devil.
