Dad, Embrace Your Role with Joy

When a father is absent, the ramifications for children can be catastrophic.

Physical presence and emotional absence can be damaging, as well.

Educational Outcomes

Behavioral Outcomes

Substance Abuse

Mental Health

Godly fathers refuse to provoke their children to wrath.

Loving discipline corrects without crushing the spirit.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.Proverbs 15:1

A father’s spirit sets the tone for his child’s spirit.

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.Proverbs 14:29

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.Proverbs 25:28

Loving discipline, not hypocrisy, is what brings children up in the Lord.

Hypocrisy in a father’s life poisons a child’s heart toward God.

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.Matthew 15:8

Children learn to love or despise God by watching whether dad’s walk matches his talk.

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.1 Corinthians 11:1

Duplicity in the home stirs children to anger instead of leading them to obedience.

Double standards in a father’s life make obedience feel unfair and unreasonable.

Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.Proverbs 20:10

When dad’s private life contradicts his public faith, it becomes a stumbling block to his children.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.1 Corinthians 8:9

A lack of grace from fathers misrepresents Jesus and hardens children’s hearts.

When fathers are harsh but not gracious, children learn fear, not the goodness of the Lord.

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?Romans 2:4

A grace-filled father reflects the forgiving heart of Jesus and invites his children to trust Him.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.Ephesians 4:32

Lead with consistent, calm correction instead of angry reactions.

Confess your sins to your children when you’re wrong and model repentance.

Bring Jesus into everyday life at home through Scripture, prayer, and conversations, not just church services.

Intentionally show grace, affection, and delight in your children so they taste something of the love of their heavenly Father.

Mothers, support, encourage and praise the fathers as they seek to mentor and model.

Get help from your pastor, as needed.

For single moms, we should rally around their children to show them healthy male role models and include them into healthy family dynamics.

The lie of the devil is “Kids are resilient.”