THREE DISTINCT MARKS OF A GODLY FATHER

Fathers and their role in the development of a child is far more significant than what is made out to be in a general sense. The Association of Child Psychotherapists – UK, say this about fathers, and the role they play in a child’s life.
– “Fathers have an important role to play for both girls and boys. Children benefit from having a close relationship with both parents, with each offering them something that the other does not. As children get older, a father’s role continues to be important, but it changes.”* – Association of Child Psychotherapists – UK

The lessons we can draw from the Bible about fathers, who are they, what contribution they make, and other similarly lessons are many to be found. Here we will consider three lessons from Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
– “4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-9

We can see three distinct marks of a godly father from the above Bible passage. 
– A FATHER IS CALLED TO LOVE THE LORD HIS GOD DEEPLY
– A FATHER IS CALLED TO TEACH HIS CHILDREN DILIGENTLY
– A FATHER IS CALLED TO LEAD HIS CHILDREN BY EXAMPLE DAILY

I. A FATHER IS CALLED TO LOVE THE LORD HIS GOD DEEPLY
– “5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
As fathers we are called to love the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. Herein is the beginning of all good things. Herein is the place where we find meaning and purpose of our lives, especially as fathers in the family. When we as father follow this faithfully, the rest of the things will automatically fall in place. “A FATHER IS CALLED TO LOVE THE LORD DEEPLY.”

II. A FATHER IS CALLED TO TEACH HIS CHILDREN DILIGENTLY
– “7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” – Deuteronomy 6:7
The father is exhorted to TEACH his children DILIGENTLY, TALK about God and His righteous principles, values and ethics INTENTIONALLY, CONSISTENTLY and AT ALL TIMES. We as fathers are exhorted to teach and talk about God’s law…when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up. “A FATHER IS CALLED TO TEACH HIS CHILDREN DILIGENTLY.”

III. A FATHER IS CALLED TO LEAD HIS CHILDREN BY EXAMPLE DAILY
– “7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:7-9
We as fathers are called not only to teach and talk, as in the sense of theory, but are exhorted to practice what we “preach” to our children. For when the child sees the father practicing what he is “preaching” to the children, then they will follow the father’s example. This is what we are called to – “…You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” “A FATHER IS CALLED TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE DAILY.”

May we always seek the LORD Jesus Christ to help us be a good father for the glory of our Father in heaven, and for the blessing of our children and our family. Even so, the LORD help us.