FATHERS

Text : Ephesians 6:4. 

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up by training and instructing them about the Lord.* 

A lot is hanging on the neck of fathers. *As a father, you are expected to model God to your children. Many children are damaged today because the fathers are failing in their responsibilities.* 

Before God told Fathers what to do, He first and foremost told them what they shouldn't do. FATHERS DO NOT PROVOKE YOUR CHILDREN TO ANGER.

Obviously,  fathers have capacity to make or mar the future of their children. A father's words carry big weight in the lives of his children, hence the need to painstakingly select your words.

Apart from words, the actions and inactions of the father, (both the ones done in the open and the ones done in secret) will determine to a large extent how the life of the children will be moulded.

No doubt, raising children takes inner strength and might, which God is willing to supply when you allow Him to. 

Psalms 127:4-5 says

As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so also are children born during one’s youth.

How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be ashamed as they confront their enemies at the city gate. So, it takes a warrior (mighty man) to raise Godly children.

 *A well-raised father must have garnered enough strength to shoot forth his children as arrows that will pull down the gate of hell.* 

The second leg of the instruction given to fathers from our text is that they are to train and instruct their children about the Lord.

Prophet Eli died a terrible death not because he was not a good prophet or priest but because he failed to discharge his fatherly roles over his children. This goes to show how grave the responsibility of a  father is. (1 Samuel 3:10-14).

Enormous as the responsibilities of fathers may seem, it becomes very easy as you submit to the tutelage of Christ.

Note that if you are not a father today, you will be one tomorrow and the earlier you learn what your roles are, the better you will function when your time comes. 

As a child you will do well to pray for your father so he may rightfully discharge his duties. 

Bible Reading:

1 Timothy 2:8-15.

PRAYER FOCUS

1.) Father God, I receive the grace to submit totally to your tutelage. 

2,) Father, help every father to know what their duties are and to discharge them excellently.