Fathers Who are Serious about Their God-Ordained Responsibility - Part III

Calling All Fathers!!!!

This is the third of a five-part post on how fathers can practically do Ephesians 6:4 and bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Part I is here and Part II here.

Another intentional action fathers can take with their children is to either (1) ask their children about what they learned in Sunday School; and/or (2) talk with them about some of the points of Sunday's sermon. [This is assuming that fathers are taking their children to church on Sundays...if not, dads, start by doing that!!!!]. Much curriculum that comes through WBC includes a information sheet for parents that aids in prompting further discussions with their kids about what they learned while they were in church. If your child is old enough to participate in a Sunday morning/evening worship service, take notes during the message and jot down good questions in the margins that you can ask your child later. This allows you, dad, to (a) intentionally pay attention to the message; (b) let your child see that you take the message from the Word of God seriously; and (c) prepare for instructing your child spiritually all at the same time! Depending on the age of your child, perhaps challenge them to take notes during the message and jot down questions they have for you as they think through what the Bible passage is teaching.

Another thought, that goes along with this, is to talk to your children each afternoon/evening of Vacation Bible School about the Bible lesson for the day. Ask them what they learned and help walk them back through the story for the day. This will help solidify what they have already heard that morning and allow you to talk through some implications with them on a more personal level.

Again, dads, this doesn't take much effort AT ALL. It just requires us being radically intentional about seizing God-given and already available opportunities to further our children along in the things and ways of God.

For your own personal growth: Read Ephesians 6:1-4 and jot down in your own words what your job is (as a father). Ask yourself, "Since this primary way God has designed for my child to grow spiritually, what needs to be adjusted or rearranged in my life to make this a priority?"