Qualities of a Good, Good Father

1. Impress God’s word on your children.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Our responsibility is to teach our children what God desires… Joshua 1:8, II Timothy 3:16-17

2. Those who love their children is careful to discipline them.

Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod (the rod & God’s word) hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Good and godly fathers recognize that discipline comes from a place of love and a desire to teach our children what is right.

When we discipline our children, Hebrews 12 tells us there are two ways. One way is for the father to discipline for his pleasure (like get out of the way of the TV I’m watching and spank) doing it for himself…Selfish. The other way is…what are they going to profit from the discipline? Discipline by wisdom, love, peace and under control. It will be done by love and learning for the child. Read Hebrews 12:9-11

Key – If a child can’t approach you, they can’t learn from you.

3. Being able to Respond vs. Reacting

Teaching and training our children to think before they act…that’s where we, as fathers, have to model self-control in responding. Don’t let circumstances or tough situations rule your or make you react.

James 1:19 Understand this…my beloved brothers or fathers. Let every man be quick to hear (a ready listener), slow to speak and slow to anger.

Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding but a quick tempered man promotes folly… folly is lack of good sense; foolishness.

Emotional reactions will cost you. Informational responses will save you.

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says…be a doer of the Word of God.

Pastor Dave Stallman