Friday, June 13, 2008 - A Father's Influence - 1 Timothy 6:11-12
God designed fathers to be influential in children's lives. Dads can have a big role in training their sons and daughters in godliness. This is demonstrated through love, support and modeled behavior. Second Peter says Christian fathers have access to all they need for shepherding children.
A father's most powerful influence is his own walk with the Lord. Preschoolers have impressionable minds. These young children will remember seeing us read our Bible. They'll remember us praying on our knees. These young children will remember us worshiping with other believers.
When children are in elementary school, we can talk to them about why we pray and read the Word. They'll notice how we look in the Scriptures for answers to life's problems. They'll see how we receive divine guidance in response to prayer. When they hear us express our confidence that God has a plan for them, their own trust in Him will grow.
As teenagers, they'll watch to see how well our lives match our words. Since we're not perfect, we'll stumble at times. Handling our mistakes in a righteous manner and making necessary changes will speak volumes to them. This will teach them about the Lord's forgiveness and transforming power. And our influence doesn't stop there. It continues even when our children are grown.
God did not plan for fathers to accomplish this alone. Moms, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends all have important roles in teaching and modeling godliness. Working together under the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can watch our children love and serve Jesus with their whole heart.
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