Where were you twenty-five years ago? George W. Bush was president. The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were still standing. We had made it through the Y2K scare without incident. Cell phones were bulky but all were impressed that you could talk on the phone away from the house - Little did we know what was around the corner.
Twenty-five years ago, there were only two good books on fathering that I could find, both written by Dr. Ken Canfield – Heart of a Father and The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers. I was struggling in my role as a father and needed better input. I read the books, met Ken and got involved in all he and his team were doing. As a result, my journey as a father took a powerful turn, a turn toward the Heavenly Father.
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1Timothy 5:8. This is a passage that can cause a dad to focus on financial provision but Paul’s charge is actually one of being provisionary. The financial piece is but one dimension of how dads provide. Others include: Head of the family – As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord – Joshua 24:15. Kids need to see their dad serving the Lord, not just performing in the world; Authority to be respected – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”, which is the first commandment with a promise. - Ephesians 6:1-2; Family priest – “…each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household” – Exodus 3:12. Moses provided clear direction to fathers for the Passover; Family teacher – Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4. Dads are to teach the family a biblical worldview; and, Bearer of divine blessing – And a voice from heaven said, “This is My Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:17. There are multiple dimensions for how a father is to provide for, be a provisionary for his family. Furthermore, there is a compelling example in the triune nature of God – Jesus physical presence in this world; the Holy Spirit’s engagement with the disciples; and the Father’s spiritual leadership in the life of His Son. It is from God’s triune nature that the definition of a faithful father flows - A faithful father prioritizes physical presence, is engaged emotionally and leads spiritually by example.
Faithful Fathering was founded 25 years ago and exists to encourage and equip dads to be faithful fathers. If you want to initiate a powerful turn on your journey as a father:
- Read Scripture, worship and pray daily;
- Read at least one of Ken Canfield’s books;
- Visit the ‘For Dads’ page, click HERE;
- Tune-in to the Faithful Fathering Podcast, click HERE.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your Word and Your triune nature. I confess I spent many years trying to emulate men I looked up to. As a result, I was leading my family under a secular worldview. Forgive me. I want to turn to You and lead my family in a Biblical worldview. Help me focus on emulating Your triune nature by prioritizing my physical presence, engaging emotionally and leading spiritually by example. That is the dad You call me to be, and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father emulates the triune nature of God.
