PARENTING-FATHERS
Jonathan
Edwards is described as a husband and father whose care and oversight of his
family was thoroughly spiritual. He took seriously anything that troubled his
children, and would save the evening hours to be spent in prayer and close
fellowship with his family. Primarily concerned for the condition of their
souls, Edwards taught each of his children to earnestly seek salvation, “to
have God our friend, and to be united to Christ.”
Jonathan and Sarah: An Uncommon Union, Soli Deo Gloria, p. vi.
Jonathan
Edwards was a zealous pastor who never forgot for a moment that his own family
was a part of that flock, and that he had been appointed to be a shepherd to
these sheep also, those within his own fold. He was ever concerned for the
salvation of the souls of men, all men, not overlooking those closest to him. He
never for one moment assumed that his own children were of the elect. George
Perry Norris describes him as a “tender brooding parent.”
Edna Gerstner
Jonathan and Sarah: An Uncommon Union, Soli Deo Gloria, p. 133.
Every dad begins fatherhood clothed in garments of praise
[Proverbs 17:6]. It usually happens naturally and effortlessly. He possesses an
authority that is both inexplicable and awesome. For this reason, few things
are more important to a boy – or a man – than a touch, or a smile, or a word of
encouragement from Dad.
Robert Lewis
Raising a Modern-Day
Knight by Robert Lewis, Copyright © 2007 by Robert Lewis, p. 35. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
The best way
to be a good father to your children is to be a good husband to their mother.
Jay E. Adams
Christian Living in the Home, P&R
Publishing, 1972, p. 53, Used by Permission.
Men are never
manlier than when they are tender with their children – whether holding a baby
in their arms, loving their grade-schooler, or hugging their teenager or adult
children.
Kent Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Man, Crossway Books,
1991, p. 51.
Some fathers
exasperate their children by being overly strict and controlling. They need to
remember that rearing children is like holding a wet bar of soap – too firm a
grasp and it shoots from your hand, too loose a grip and it slides away. A
gentle but firm hold keeps you in control… We ought to begin our fatherhood by
holding the tiny helpless bar snugly, but as it grows, gradually and wisely
loosen our grip.
Kent Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Man, Crossway Books,
1991, p. 48-49.
Fathers,
leave your self-conscious masculine dignity outside the home. You will never be
more a man than when tenderly addressing your family in endearing terms.
Kent and Barbara Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Family, Crossway
Books, 2004, p. 40.
Biblically
speaking, there are no exceptions or exemptions for a father when it comes to
overseeing family responsibilities. This does not mean, of course, that he is
to do all the work, but ultimately he is responsible to make sure that all
members of his family are loved, cared for, encouraged, and taught God’s truth.
In turn, he is responsible for each person to function properly (according to
age levels) within this God-ordained social unit.
Gene Getz
Elders and Leaders, Moody, 2003, p. 265.
A famous
cigarette billboard pictures a curly-headed, bronze-faced, muscular macho with
a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth. The sign says, "Where a man
belongs." That is a lie. Where a man belongs is at the bedside of his
children, leading in devotion and prayer. Where a man belongs is leading his
family to the house of God. Where a man belongs is up early and alone with God
seeking vision and direction for the family.
John Piper
Desiring God, 1996, p. 185, Used by
Permission, www.desiringGod.org.
The happiest
and holiest children in the world are the children whose fathers succeed in
winning both their tender affection and their reverential and loving fear. And
they are the children who will come to understand most easily the mystery of
the fatherhood of God.
John Piper
Sermon: Malachi 1:6-14, October 25, 1987, www.DesiringGod.org, Used by
permission.
It is the
father’s responsibility to make the child know that he is deeply in love
with the child’s mother. There is no good reason why all evidence of affection
should be hidden or carried on in secret. A child who grows up with the
realization that his parents are lovers has a wonderful basis of stability.
The Recovery of the Family, Harper and
Brothers, 1953, p. 94.
1. If both
your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there’s an 80% likelihood that you’ll worship God regularly as an
adult.
2. If only
your mother worshipped regularly with you, there’s only a 30% probability that
you’ll worship regularly as an adult.
3. If only
your father worshipped regularly with you, the likelihood that you’ll worship
regularly as an adult increases to 70% percent!
Fathers have
an enormous impact on their children’s faith and values. One of your most
important ministries is worshipping with your kids!
On the Father Front, Christian Service
Brigade, Spring, 1995, p. 4.
The Christian
father is really an instrument in God’s hand. The whole process of instruction
and discipline must be that which God commands and which He administers, so
that His authority should be brought into constant and immediate contact with
the mind, heart, and conscience of children. The human father should never
present himself as the ultimate authority to determine truth and duty. It is
only by making God the teacher and ruler on whose authority everything is done
that the goals of education can best be attained.
Author Unknown
God Questions?
What does the Bible say about Christian Fathers? Used by Permission.
If
you fail, father, to teach your son to fear God, the devil will teach him to
hate God. If you fail to teach your son to guard his mind, the devil will
gladly teach him to have an open mind. If you fail to teach your son to
obey his parents, the devil will teach him to rebel and break his parent’s
heart. If you fail to teach your son to select his companions, the devil will
gladly choose them for him. If you fail to teach your son to control his
body, the devil will teach him to give it over completely to lust. If you
fail to teach your son to enjoy the marriage partner that God has given him,
the devil will teach him to destroy the marriage. If you fail to teach your son
to watch his words, the devil will fill his mouth with filth. If you fail to
teach your son to pursue his work, the devil will make his laziness a tool of
hell. If you fail to teach your son to manage his money, the devil will
teach him to waste it on riotous living. And if you fail to teach your son to
love his neighbor, the devil will gladly teach him to love only himself.
John MacArthur
Crucial Lessons for a Wise Father, Selected Proverbs. This article
originally appeared (www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/80-71)
at www.gty.org. © 1969-2008. Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by
permission.