Is the father to parent his children?
I have had the priviledge of talking to two groups of people who come from different backgrounds on the subject of parenting. During the discussions one major issue arose that struck my mind. The fathers were being blamed for not taking up their parental roles when it is most needed by their children. Fathers have been busy looking for wealth at the detriment of their children.
In one occasion, a child told his father: “ Daddy! Daddy! I have not been with you for a long time and I am grateful for all that you have done for me. My biggest problem daddy is that when I have needed you you have not been there for me and I cannot understand why.”
Many of our children are in similar situations. Fathers must take up their parental roles as part of their fatherhood, failure to which the next generation will blame us and even write us off.
Introduction
Culturally the raising up of children has been left to women. The women have done very well for the infants and small children. But as the children enter into the later years of their lives, the task becomes enormous and the fathers then have to be around to give a hand in raising up these children. Don’t leave the entire responsibility to your wife as you lose face amongst your children.
The Bible, however, challenges fathers in Ephesians 6:4.
“Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master”. (MSG)
Ephesians 6:4
“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord”. (NKJV)
Observations made
One of the big problems in our society today is the "renegade father" who is running away from his responsibility to be a father.
ü As a result, children are growing up with serious resentments toward their fathers.
ü As a result, children have a difficult time relating to God as their heavenly Father.
ü As a result, society’s portrayal of the father figure in the family is not at all flattering.
What is God’s intent?
God’s plan involves a restoration of fatherhood to its God-ordained place.
Malachi 4:4-6
"Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." (NKJV)
What fathers must do.
Fathers must take their rightful place if God's purposes are to be fulfilled in the earth.
For this to happen, every father must be ready to embrace parenting and act.
1. Every father must change his attitude toward his parental duties.
Raising children is not women’s work.
ü The job was given to Adam first and Eve was given to Adam to help him (Genesis 1-3).
ü The emphasis of biblical admonition is on the father. There are five times as many
passages dealing with fathers as there are those dealing with mothers.
ü For too long men have absented themselves from child-rearing.
This is evidenced by lack of involvement in nursery work, Children’s Sunday school classes, PTA involvements, etc.
ü Who reads to the children, disciplines them when needed, doctors them when sick, shuttles them to their activities, tucks them in at night, prays with them, takes them to the park and plays with them in the back yard?
It is time for fathers to get their hands dirty in the child-rearing process. You cannot
expect to ignore your child when he is small and expect him to be your confidant when he is a teenager. No way. You will only be fighting.
God commended Abraham and expressed confidence that he would raise his children in
the proper way (Genesis 18:19).
2. Every father must understand the true value of children.
When it comes to values, it is extremely easy to give our major attention to minor matters. We can focus on possessions, careers, hobbies or other time consuming pursuits
a. The world’s view of children:
ü Children are in the way; they tie me down; they are a nuisance that keeps me from pursuing career goals.
ü Children are a nice thing to experience once, but don't get carried away.
ü Children are interruptions. The day care centers are full of interruptions.
b. God’s view of children:
ü The promise of many children was considered the greatest of blessings. Genesis 28:3
"May God Almighty bless you, And make you fruitful and multiply you, That you may be an assembly of peoples.” (NKJV)
ü Children were seen to be a gracious gift from God. Genesis 33:5
“And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant." (NKJV)
ü Children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from the Lord. Psalm 127:3-5
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate”. (NKJV)
c. Your view of children
How do you value children?
ü In relation to your possessions. Do your children know that you care for them
more than your house, car, money, etc.?
ü In relation to your career.
ü The fact is that children are the only eternal things that you possess.
ü Every child born will never go out of existence.
ü Your children are the only things that you can take with you when you die.
3. Every father must make his family a priority in his life.
People measure how much of a priority something is by certain specific acts.
a. Time spent
b. Money spent (not quantity but comparatively)
c. Actions and overall treatment
ü Do their opinions count?
ü Do you speak to them in sharp, negative ways?
ü Do you give them dirty looks?
ü Are you free with your affection? Do you tell them you love them?
ü Do you treat them as a member of the body of Christ?
ü Do you show an interest in their lives (sports, hobbies, friends, problems, etc.)?
4. Every father must understand his responsibility to his family (Ephesians
6:4; Psalm 127:3-5).
The man has a fourfold responsibility to his family:
a. Provision
Provision is more than just three meals a day. Sometimes we think we have
done our part as parents by feeding them when they are hungry, clothing them and
getting them a college degree.
b. Protection
Protection is more than keeping them from physical harm in a well-protected house.
It involves guarding our children from sin, strife, idleness, worldliness, dishonesty,
hate, moral impurity and anything else that would cause them to become less than
what God intended for them to be.
c. Training
Training involves bringing our children to maturity with all of the equipment that
they need to be successful and to make wise decisions in life.
d. Guidance
Guidance involves aiming our children as arrows in the hands of a mighty man. This
is not a passive involvement, but an active responsibility.
5. Every father must be a role model for his family to follow.
Your children need a hero. Kids are looking for heroes today -- they are not found in
sports, music and entertainment worlds.
a. The most important thing that parents can give to their children is an example to
follow.
ü This is what Jesus did for us (saved by his death and life).
ü This is what pastors (shepherds) are to do for their people.
ü This is what parents are to leave to their children.
b. The example of the father will confirm or negate any positive teaching the
children will receive.
ü Teachers can do their best to input good values, manners and character qualities,
but if the example of the father is not there, it is usually a waste of time.
ü The fact of the matter is children learn what they live! They will follow your
example, not your advice.
The sins of the fathers will often be communicated to the children, but positive things will be communicated as well Deuteronomy 5:9-10
“you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments”.(NKJV)
ü Fathers who warn their children. . .
o not to smoke,
o not to drink,
o not to develop bad habits,
o not to watch certain TV programs,
o not to get into debt,
. . . but who do these very things should not expect good results.
“What you do speaks so loud, I can't hear what you are saying”
Words are established and confirmed by deeds.
Learning From Living
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn;
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight;
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy;
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
BUT
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient;
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence;
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate;
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice;
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith;
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself;
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world!
--Dorothy Laws Holt
What is your child living with?
6. Every father must realize the power he has to change the future.
ü The key to the future is the next generation.
ü Fathers must get a vision for their children’s life and shoot them out as “the
arrows in the hand of a mighty man.”
7. Every father must accept his responsibility from God to be a godly father.
God holds the man accountable for the lives that He puts in his hands.
ü As He did Moses Exodus 4:24
“And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him” .(NKJV)
ü As He did Eli .1 Samuel 3:11-13
“Then the LORD said to Samuel: "Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them”. (NKJV)
Finally
Psalm 128:1-6
“Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!” (NKJV)
God has laid a very heavy responsibility on us fathers concerning parenting our children. There is no excuse that we cannot do what is expected of us. Fathers, be the parents
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