Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men

How to Be a Good Father

for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the L ORD and find the knowledge of God. For the L ORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and un derstanding. (Prov. 2:1 – 6) When fathers teach their children the commands of God, their children will learn that fathers who know the Word are worth listening to. Proverbs 1:8 – 9 says, “Listen, my son, to your father‟s instruction and do not forsake your mother‟s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” A garland was a crown or wreath given to athletes who won a race. When children re ceive godly instructions from their fathers, they can win the race that ends in eternal life. In Hosea 11:3 – 4, God said, It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk.” God was talking about His people. He was saying, ―I have always been with you. From the time you were a child, I was working with you. When you fell down, I picked you up. I was training you.‖ That‘s the spirit of a father. Our heavenly Father takes a personal interest in our training. Likewise, we are to perso nally train our children. Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.” This is serious business. The verse is saying, ―Discipline and train a child now because there is hope in that discipline, hope in that training.‖ You are giving hop e to your child when you discipline and correct him. You are giving him a value sys tem for his entire life. The Scripture says if you don‘t do this, you‘re a party to your child‘s death. Now, we use the phrase ―a party to‖ to 6. A Good Father Trains and Disciplines His Children

205