The Bible contains a lot of wise words to help us live our lives. I know that some sections of the Bible require closer reading than others. But I have found the following verses helpful in understanding my role as a father.
A lot of these verses came from Proverbs, and most of those have to deal, one way or another, about discipline.
Children are blessings to a father. Having children is a gift from God. It is a big responsibility, I know. But it is also full of joy and fulfillment.
Psalm 127:3-5
Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
Discipline. Maybe discipline is such an important part of rearing a child that Proverbs has a lot of verses to cover different aspects of it.
Proverbs 22:6
Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Proverbs 3:11-12
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights
Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your children while there is hope.
Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
Proverbs 22:15
A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
Colossians 3:20-21
Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
Proverbs 23:13
Don’t fail to discipline your children.
The rod of punishment won’t kill them
Proverbs 29:15
To discipline a child produces wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child
Proverbs 13:1
A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;
a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
Hebrews 12:7-11
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Reminder to Fathers about not going overboard. While the verses on discipline talks about punishment and even physical discipline, the Bible also has several passages that reminds fathers not to overdo it. I’ve seen it happen. Fathers who are a little too eager in punishing their kids.
As a father of a young boy, I know that I am hurt as much as my son, when I discipline him–whether through timeouts or light spanking.
Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Teaching our kids the importance of sound principles. The Bible talks about the importance of teaching God’s laws to children. As fathers, we have the opportunity to tell them and show them principles that can guide them in making important choices in their lives.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Good life starts at home. Generally, men are expected to provide for their families. But in our time and age, the responsibility to provide is now shard both by mother and father. It also means that ordering the home is an equal responsibility between both parents.
As both father and mother embarks on their career–whether in a church, or in the corporate world, a good life still starts at home. Too often, family time is sacrificed in the pursuit of wealth.
1 Timothy 3:2-5
So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?