Hey, Tribe of Valor! Today, we’re diving into a profoundly important topic for all the fathers and future fathers listening—how to effectively balance work, faith, and family to guide and nurture our children in the way of the Lord. We all strive to be godly husbands and fathers, but what does that look like day-to-day? Let’s explore the wise words of Proverbs and unpack how we can lay a strong spiritual foundation for our kids.
Scripture: Our springboard for today’s discussion is: Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
This proverb isn’t just old wisdom; it’s a timeless guideline for raising children. It tells us that the lessons we teach our kids—the values we instill and the faith we share—stick with them throughout their lives. But this isn’t just about teaching them to memorize Bible verses or ensuring they’re in church every Sunday. It’s about integrating faith into everyday life so that living a Christ-centered life becomes as natural to them as breathing.
Training up a child requires intentionality and consistency. It means being present, leading by example, and making the most of every opportunity to teach and guide. Let’s break down how we can put this into practice.
Focus Points to work/study on:
Be Present: In a world where work often follows us home, being physically and emotionally present for our children is vital. Make a concerted effort to carve out time every day to connect with your kids. Whether it’s during dinner, bedtime stories, or weekend outings, use these moments to talk about life, faith, and everything in between. Your presence provides security and a sense of worth to your children.
Lead by Example: Children learn a lot by observation. Let them see you living out your faith. This means demonstrating integrity, kindness, and forgiveness in your daily actions. Let them see you reading the Bible, praying, serving others, and handling challenges with grace. Remember, more is caught than taught; your actions can teach your children how to live out their faith in practical ways.
Use Everyday Moments as Teaching Opportunities: Every day brings moments you can use to teach your children valuable lessons about life and faith. Whether it’s discussing a movie’s moral message, dealing with a mistake, or celebrating an achievement, tie these moments back to biblical principles and God’s love for them. Make spirituality a natural part of daily life rather than something that only happens on Sundays.
Conclusion: Being a godly father is one of the highest callings and responsibilities. By being present, leading by example, and making the most of everyday teaching moments, you can profoundly impact how your children grow in faith and values. Remember, the goal isn’t to raise children who simply go through the motions of a religious life, but who deeply love and follow Christ because they’ve seen Him lived out in you.
Call to Action: This week, pick one of the focus points and take active steps to strengthen it in your life. Perhaps plan a special one-on-one outing with your child or consider a family service project. Be intentional about integrating these lessons into your family routine.
Question of the Day: What's one specific way you can better model Christ’s love to your children this week?
Let's Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of fatherhood and the responsibility it entails. Help us to train up our children in Your ways, to be present in their lives, and to be godly examples they can look up to. Give us wisdom to use every opportunity to teach them about Your love and Your ways. Amen.
Alright, Tribe of Valor, let’s commit to being the fathers our children need, the ones God has called us to be. Let's show them Christ in all we do. Let's Get To Work...
TOV 24-185 Shaping Futures: The Role of a Godly Father