Main Scriptures: Deut.6:7-10
More Scriptures: Eph.6:4, Gen.28:1, Gen.32:9, Deut.9:5
As we conclude on this teaching series, I want to encourage you that as the husband and head of your family, it was not a mistake that God made you a man and a husband. The will of God for you in these two glorious positions is for Him to work through you to bring the life of Christ to bear into the lives of your wife and children. God wants you to succeed as the godly man and husband. Do not see your position as a burden. Embrace it with joy in your heart and take advantage of the opportunity God has deposited in it for you and show to God and your wife and children that you are indeed a real man and husband.
Today, let us consider the third stand. It is fatherhood. Being a father is beyond you having children that bear your name. It is much more than a title. It is a call to greater responsibility. You are a mentor to your children, and the first one for that. In Eph.6:4, two distinct words clearly illustrate what God expects from you as a father. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the TRAINING and INSTRUCTION of the Lord (NIV). Another translation says, and ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the NURTURE and ADMONITION of the Lord (Eph.6:4). If you look at these two words carefully, you will appreciate the huge responsibilities God has placed in your hands when He gave you children.
As a father, you are the principal who is to train your children and not your wife. It is also you who should instruct your children-giving godly instructions as provided in the Bible-and not your wife. You are your children’s first mentor and must consistently be so. I have vowed that the day my children no longer see me as their mentor then I have failed as a father. Why? I saw that in Scripture. Children referred to the God of their fathers and not their pastors or bishops. Isaac and Jacob called on their fathers. In a father and child relationship, God expects that the child look up to the father for instruction and admonition. Isaac looked up to his father Abraham. He guided and trained him and so he called the God of Abraham his father when there was famine in the land (Gen.26:1). When Jacob was to get married, his father, Isaac, gave him instructions and admonished him in the way of the Lord. So in Gen.32:9, the Scripture says, and Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac…(Gen.32:9).. The will of God is for you to be a reference to your children for influence, direction and guidance. You are more than a father. You are an ark bearer.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, teach me how to influence my children for You.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, inspire my spirit to mentor my children for Your glory.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, deliver me from every act of irresponsibility.
FAITH CONFESSION
I am a good and godly mentor and influence over my children because that is where my honour lies as the good, godly and responsible father in Jesus mighty Name. Amen.
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