In just a few short weeks I will cross over and fully assume the role of father. While this is an exciting time in my life it is also one that is very daunting. In what will probably feel like no time I will be responsible not only for my life but for the life of another human being. To prepare for this new part of my life I have turned to the only place to find the right answers. The Bible and I have begun to study what the Bible teaches about fatherhood.
Over the last few months, some of the scriptures that I will share with you have taken on true meaning for the first time in my life. Of course, it was not in this season of life that I first read them, but I had never read them before with the mindset I now have.
For instance, Paul speaks to fathers directly in both Ephesians and Colossians. In times past I have read these verses yet did not focus on them because they had no application in my life at the time. However, now I can’t help but want to understand these scriptures on a deeper level. With the hope that they will help me to raise my son as God intends.
Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Colossians 3:21 (ESV)
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Both of these scriptures start the same way. Instructing fathers to not provoke their children. Our goal should never be to anger or discourage our children. Even in discipline, we should lead as our heavenly father does with Love.
Notice also as Colossians mentions not discouraging your child. Ephesians make a point to mention the need that we raise our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Which happens to match up with what Moses instructed the Israelites to do all the way back in Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 6:7 (ESV)
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
That verse seems to have a strong opinion about the conversations that should be had between the parent and the child. Whenever we have the chance we should teach or simply tell our children about our God.
Sadly this seems to be something removed for the act of fatherhood in today’s culture. But according to Proverbs 22:6 if we want our offspring to remain in the faith we must show them the way when they are young.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
While we have a few great passages of scripture that are directly pointed towards fatherhood they still are not many. That being said the Bible is full of scripture that is very applicable to being a father. Many scriptures that teach us how to interact with others should also be applied in the home. One of the best verses for this application comes from James.
James 1:19 (ESV)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
This verse covers all the bases. Far too often we want to jump to conclusions and not listen to what someone says before spotting off our own opinions. Sadly this seems to be even more prevalent in the parent-child dynamic.
I hope to apply this verse as I step into fatherhood. With the hope that by doing so I can save both myself and my son a lot of unnecessary heartaches. Plus, I have a feeling that this verse is going to be one I will rely on throughout fatherhood. Simply as a reminder of how I as a Christian should act.
Biblical Teaching On Discipline
I have had a lot to consider about raising my child over the last nine months. One of the big topics I have had to consider is how will I discipline. There are a lot of options out their today, but I value no opinion more than that of the Bible. Believe it or not, the Bible actually has quite a bit to say about discipline via the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 13:24 (ESV)
24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Proverbs 19:18 (ESV)
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
do not set your heart on putting him to death.
Proverbs 23:13 (ESV)
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 29:17 (ESV)
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.
While it is not something any parent wants to do we can see from those verses the importance of discipline in a child’s life. I know that until the day comes I will not know what it is really like to have to discipline my child. But it is clear from the scripture if I want to raise a godly child then I must be prepared to discipline when the time is right.
The Tip Of The Iceberg
The scriptures shared in this article can only begin to show the lessons the Bible teaches about fatherhood and even just parenthood in general. To be the best parent we can be it is important that we stay in the scripture. Always learning and doing our best to raise our children in the way God would have us too.
I hope this article has helped others who are already in the midst of fatherhood or those who are just about to jump in like myself. If you found this article helpful or know someone who could benefit from reading please share it on social media. So we can continue to reach more and more people. Thanks and God Bless!
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