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 serial, 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, husband and father. The will of God for you in these three glorious positions is for Him to work through you to bring the life of Christ to bear in the lives of your wife and children. So, do not see your position as a burden, rather, take advantage of the opportunity and show to God and your wife and children that you are indeed a good and godly man, husband and father.
Today, let us consider the third stand. It is the platform of fatherhood. Being a father is beyond having children that bear your name. 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. 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. God said, “train and instruct” or “nurture and admonish”.
As a godly father, you are the principal agent 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 Scriptures. Children referred to the God of their fathers and not their pastors or bishops. In a father and child relationship, God expects that the child looks up to the father for instruction and admonition. Isaac looked unto 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). Isaac gave Jacob 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….. 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, through the influence of the Holy Ghost, teach me how to influence my children for You.
- Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, inspire my spirit to mentor my children for Your glory.
- Father, by the power in the blood of Jesus Christ, deliver me from every act of irresponsibility.
FAITH CONFESSION
I take full responsibility to train, nurture and instruct my children for good and godliness because that is what makes me the good and godly father in Jesus name. Amen.
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