If you are a dad, you are part of an exciting exclusive club. However you came to be your children’s father, and whatever your specific story or circumstances, you are their dad. Being a father is one of the greatest privileges God extends to you. But this role also bears the greatest of responsibilities.
Influencing Your Kid’s Heart
You will influence your children more than any other person, for good or evil. Your example will mark them for life. Maybe you need to get down on your knees and ask God to give you His wisdom to do whatever is necessary to be a dad after God’s own heart. And even better is to pray for this every day.
Influencing Your Father Heart
Here are four steps that make a big difference in helping you become a godly father—a father after God’s own heart.
- Love your wife. The most important step you can take as a dad is to love your wife. This may not be the easiest step for you. But it will be the one that goes the farthest in modeling God’s love for His children.
- Affirm in your heart that you are in the faith—that you are in Christ. If you are, you have access to all the help you will ever need to be God’s kind of dad.
- Make sure you are growing spiritually. God wants you to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Because spiritual growth is a command, that means you have a choice. If you want to be a dad after God’s own heart, you will want to choose to grow spiritually. So carve out some time each day to spend with your heavenly Father.
- Don’t make excuses for not reading your Bible. Getting into God’s Word is an obvious step for all important things—including being a dad. I’ve heard a lot of men say, “I have to be at work really early.” Or “I don’t understand the Bible.” Or “I don’t know where to start.” Yet if something is truly important to you, you’ll find a way to fit it into your busy schedule, and you’ll take time to learn how to do it. Not only does a Christian man, husband, and father need to spend time with God daily, but he should want to.
Your love for your Heavenly Father will guide you as you love and lead your family well. Focus on God and let His word guide you as you seek to be a dad after God’s own heart.
RESPOND:
Dear Lord, help me represent You, our heavenly Father, to my children—I want to display Your love, devotion, discipline, and caring well. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES:
This printable serves as a reminder of God’s provision for you, and is available to purchase and download.
REFLECT:
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
In what ways do I need to grow in the Lord in order to grow as a godly father?
REMEMBER:
Your love for your Heavenly Father will guide you as you love and lead your family well.