FATHERS

Several years ago, a book entitled Fatherless America was written by David Blankenhorn. The author emphasizes the vital role fathers play in the development of children. He wrote, “Kids need fathers who are strong family leaders. Their OWN fathers. In their own homes, in partnership with moms. And that’s that.” He found four basic qualities of a good father. A good father is a provider, protector, sponsor, and nurturer. God speaks of each quality in His word.

A good father is a provider. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I am sure every generation has had some fathers who take this to an extreme. We want our children to have it better than we did. Many children today have every toy, electronic device, and gadget possible. Fathers are so busy giving their children things instead of giving themselves. That is a problem. However, it is a biblical truth that a good father must provide for the physical, material needs of his children.

A good father is a protector. Blankenhorn saw this as extending beyond the physical to preparing “his child for an increasingly uncertain future.” This sounds similar to God’s statement about Abraham in Genesis 18:19: “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” Whether you are speaking physically, emotionally, or spiritually, it is important that children know they have a father who will protect them from danger.

A good father is a sponsor. Blankenhorn defines a sponsor as one who “transmits character and competence” while teaching the child a way of life. The wise man writes in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” When I attended Freed-Hardeman, their motto was “Teaching how to live and how to make a living.” In Jewish society it was said that if a man did not teach his son a trade he taught him to steal. In today’s world, we do not see many children follow in their father’s footsteps, but it is important that he teach them the principle of work. Also, it is important that fathers instill in their children a sense of right and wrong, a sense of character.

A good father is a nurturer. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). The King James says “nurture and admonition.” Nurture is defined as “to promote the development of by providing nourishment, support, encouragement during the stages of growth.” Again, there is a physical application, but more importantly, a spiritual one. A good father will provide spiritual nourishment and training so his children can be fruitful, productive Christians.
--Lamar