#1. Find Mom. (click here for part 1.)
#2. Sit (click here for part 2.)
#3. LEAD. (Time: 15+)
Not like a drill sergeant. Your family needs you to lead them to the heart of God; to be a family that faithfully follows Christ.
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24.15
As the father goes, so goes the family. Our influence as dads is a mysterious wonder. We (maybe I’m speaking for myself here) need reminding how our leadership (or lack of) impacts our family. (Read this article I wrote of a compilation of dad stats.)
It is so easy to rely on vacations, cheering at sporting events and dropping them off church, for checking the box of being a good Christian dad. There is so much more.
How are children to grow in their love of God?
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
Rob Rienow says it best:
“Fathers are to take the lead in passing faith and character to their children… God did not create the institution of the local church to take over or replace His calling for fathers to disciple their children at home… God gives men two vital words here if they want to impress the hearts of their children with a love for God…The word discipline here means far more than correcting wrong behavior. It is a word that connotes systematic training and action. One might think of teaching a child the “discipline” of karate. The child engages in a wide variety of training activities, which in the end lead him toward becoming an expert in karate. In the same way, God calls fathers to take the lead in the spiritual training of their children. Fathers are to pray with their children, worship in church with their children, and serve their neighbor with their children.
“But fathers are not only commanded to practice their faith with their children, they are commanded to bring them up in the instruction of the Lord…God calls fathers to talk with their children about the things of God. Where can a father find the “instruction of the Lord?” There is only one place: in His Word. Fathers are to lead regular family worship in the home: reading, studying, and discussing God’s Word at home.” (Taken from his book: Limited Church: Unlimited Kingdom, p 187. Emphasis added.)
How do you fit all this in to your busy schedules? The real question must be: Is there anything more important? God gave us this responsibility, this privilege, this command. Will we be able to say in a few years from now that we did everything we could to make sure they grew to love and follow God?
Every time we speak on this message, a grandfather says, “I wish I heard this years ago.” Many are dealing with regret. You don’t have to.
Written by Jonathan
Rev. Jonathan Cronkhite has been serving youth and families in full time
ministry for the last 23 years. With the heart of a pastor, he encourages and equips families to have Homes Devoted, through conferences, workshops, coaching and writing. Married to Carrie for 22 years, they have 5 children, run a home school co-op, drama club and invite 50 people over once a month for airsoft battles.
