The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
— Proverbs 20:7 (NLT)
A Father’s Spiritual Influence
Scripture and history show us that as goes the home, so goes the society. Generally speaking, as go the fathers, so goes the home. The moral and spiritual condition of society is often shaped by the family.
Today, many voices try to minimize the role of fathers. However, fathers are deeply important in the development of their children. The Bible is clear that fathers are called to be spiritual leaders in the home.
Dads have a vital role in bringing strength, stability, guidance, and love to the family. Because of this, fatherhood should never be seen as small or unimportant.
Teaching Faith at Home
Deuteronomy 6:4-10 has been called a key guide for the home. It shows God’s purpose for the family and points us toward a life of love, faith, and obedience.
This passage tells us to love God with all our mind, being, and strength. It also tells us to teach that love to our children. Therefore, faith is not only something we speak about at church. It is something we live out at home.
The Bible also tells us in Proverbs 22:6 to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Leaving a Spiritual Legacy
Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” Many people think of this as money or property. However, it also applies to leaving a spiritual legacy.
The role of a father is to plant acorns that grow into mighty oak trees, even if he never sits under their shade. In other words, it is more important to leave a spiritual legacy than only a financial one.
Fathers should love their children as much as their heavenly Father loves them. As a result, children can see a living example of God’s care, patience, truth, and grace.
Apply
As a father, consider how you can help your children know the love of God and follow Him as their guiding light. Be more than a physical father. Be a spiritual mentor as well.
We are always only one generation away from losing our faith if the younger generation is not taught to carry the torch of faith.
Prayer
Father, I pray for all fathers. May they rise up and teach the Gospel to their children for the sake of this generation and for generations to come. Amen.
Walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit
God’s Holy Spirit enables you to be the kind of man God wants you to be. To begin walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, you can open your heart and life to Him right now by praying this prayer with sincerity:
Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.