Dad's Impact Part II

A Hallmark card summed up a dad’s impact in the following eloquent way:

If he’s wealthy and prominent, and you stand in awe of him, call him “Father.”  If he sits in his shirt sleeves and suspenders at a ballgame and picnic, call him, “Pop.”  If he wheels the baby carriage and carries bundles meekly, call him “Papa” (with the accent on the first syllable).  If he belongs to a

literary circle and writes cultured papers, call him “Papa” (with the accent on the last syllable).

If, however, he makes a pal of you when you’re good, and is too wise to let you pull the wool over his loving eyes when you’re not; if, moreover, you’re quite sure no other fellow you know has quite so fine a father, you may call him, “Dad.”

I want to focus on the role of dads, men who have been given the responsibility by God to be the head of their homes.  The relationship that dads develop with their children is one of the most significant of all human relationships.  It has been said that children view God based on what they observe in their dad’s life.  Because of that, dads, we need to examine God’s Word and commit to act in obedience to His commands.

In I Thessalonians 2:7-12, Paul describes his care for the church.  However, he does it in such tender terms that I believe it provides an excellent example for dads to follow in their families.  As Jonathan Edwards has said, “Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by His rules.”

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.  For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.  You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;  as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,  that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Paul guided his spiritual family with these characteristics that we, as dads, can apply to our families.

GENTLENESS AND AFFECTION (vv. 7-8)

Paul could not have used a more amazing picture of gentleness.  The image of a nursing mother with her baby captures the heart of tenderness, selflessness, and bonding.  Men, we need to be the gentle giants of our families.  We cannot afford to model the world’s view of dads as cold and distant or weak and useless.  God has given us the duty to model the gentle strength our families need.

OPENNESS (v. 8)

We can become so busy making a living that we forget to teach our children how to live.  The time spent with our children making a school project, fishing, or just hanging out, provides our children with the opportunity to observe our reactions and attitudes.  Our time allows us “to impart not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives.”

COMMITMENT (vv. 9-10)

      Paul labored night and day.  Dads, we have a full-time responsibility.  We are not the “babysitter” that watches the kids when mom is not available.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 demands that we recognize that it is our responsibility to teach and train our children.  Schools and churches may assist us, but the burden rests upon us to see that they are pointed to God.

LEADERSHIP (vv. 10-12)

      A dad is to lead his family on a “walk worthy of God.”  It begins with his example – devout, just, blameless – and continues in his discipline – exhort, comfort, charge.  A dad must lovingly discipline his children who stray from the path of righteousness.  Again, dads, we cannot pass the buck, this is our responsibility.

      Dads, Paul has given us an example to follow.  We must commit as Joshua did when he stated, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Suggestions for further reading:

      The Strong Family by Chuck Swindoll  Multnomah Press, 1991.

      Tender Warrior by Stu Weber Multnomah Press, 1993