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Deuteronomy 6:4-13; Judges 2:8-18; Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 22:6; [Deuteronomy 31:6]

When we speak of our Heavenly Father, we see wonderful truths in the Word of God about the perfect Father, Who is always providing, protecting, instructing, giving doctrine, reproof and correction, along with the comfort and exhortation that is required. This, then, is where we look for perfection in fatherhood. Some have had examples, both good and bad, of fatherhood, while others perhaps never knew their fathers. ON Father’s Day we endeavor to honor fathers, be it our own or just fathers in general. From God’s Word, we see that fathers are given great responsibility and are to be an example to the younger generation. We see in the scriptures that when the older men taught the younger, that generation was faithful and blessed. An example is how Moses and his generation taught Joshua and his generation. Yet when Joshua and his generation were to teach the next, they failed to do so and that generation did that which was evil in the sight of God.

In Deuteronomy, we find basic instructions for parents. God points out the man is the person ultimately responsible for what goes on in a household, in the marriage as well as with the children. When teaching children, the parents are to begin with, "The Lord thy God is one God." They are to teach their children diligently which implies effort. We have only one opportunity to instill in our children the greatest of all information regarding the truth, which is God’s Word.

God’s Word clearly instructs children to be obedient to their parents. In order to do so, they must first get instruction, implying that the parents are teaching them. Ephesians 6:4 instructs the fathers not to provoke their children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Nurture is training. Admonition is instruction. The children have to know what is expected and what is right. To do so, their parents have to diligently teach them.

The greatest example is our Heavenly Father who gives us doctrine, reproof and correction in the scriptures. He also does not deal with us according to our sins by magnifying our shortcomings. We should not point out the faults of children and criticize them to the point where that child feels he is exasperated and can do nothing right. Along with instruction and training is forgiveness, encouragement and exhortation.

God’s Word states in Proverbs that if you train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old, he will not depart from it. This verse is not an iron-clad guarantee, but simply means that if parents are diligent to teach children the Word of God, when they reach adulthood and possibly stray, they will always have a foundation of truth and know the way back to sweet fellowship with the heavenly Father.


#236 Father's Day Message -- June 17, 2001 ©2001 / Steven A. Michels 51:36 minutes
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"Father’s Day – 2001"- Rev. Steve Michels Deuteronomy 6:4-13; Judges 2:8-18; Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 22:6; [Deuteronomy 31:6] When we speak of our Heavenly Father, we see wonderful truths in the Word of God about the perfect Father, Who is always providing, protecting, instructing, giving doctrine, reproof and correction, along with the comfort and exhortation that is required. This, then, is where we look for perfection in fatherhood. Some have had examples, both good and bad, of fatherhood, while others perhaps never knew their fathers. ON Father’s Day we endeavor to honor fathers, be it our own or just fathers in general. From God’s Word, we see that fathers are given great responsibility and are to be an example to the younger generation. We see in the scriptures that when the older men taught the younger, that generation was faithful and blessed. An example is how Moses and his generation taught Joshua and his generation. Yet when Joshua and his generation were to teach the next, they failed to do so and that generation did that which was evil in the sight of God. In Deuteronomy, we find basic instructions for parents. God points out the man is the person ultimately responsible for what goes on in a household, in the marriage as well as with the children. When teaching children, the parents are to begin with, "The Lord thy God is one God." They are to teach their children diligently which implies effort. We have only one opportunity to instill in our children the greatest of all information regarding the truth, which is God’s Word. God’s Word clearly instructs children to be obedient to their parents. In order to do so, they must first get instruction, implying that the parents are teaching them. Ephesians 6:4 instructs the fathers not to provoke their children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Nurture is training. Admonition is instruction. The children have to know what is expected and what is right. To do so, their parents have to diligently teach them. The greatest example is our Heavenly Father who gives us doctrine, reproof and correction in the scriptures. He also does not deal with us according to our sins by magnifying our shortcomings. We should not point out the faults of children and criticize them to the point where that child feels he is exasperated and can do nothing right. Along with instruction and training is forgiveness, encouragement and exhortation. God’s Word states in Proverbs that if you train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old, he will not depart from it. This verse is not an iron-clad guarantee, but simply means that if parents are diligent to teach children the Word of God, when they reach adulthood and possibly stray, they will always have a foundation of truth and know the way back to sweet fellowship with the heavenly Father.