What is Father’s Day?
It is a special day the entire world honour and celebrates Fatherhood and its impact on our society. It is a similar celebration to Mother’s day.
Who is a Father?
A father is a man of integrity. One who loves God provides and protects his family. Fathers are teachers to their biological or spiritual children and they teach them how to be responsible. All fathers must be celebrated whether they are spiritual fathers, Christian father, earthly father, single parent, new dads or even young father.
What is the Biblical meaning of a Father?
The biblical meaning of a Father is one who has compassion for his children, who teaches them the way of the Lord, and disciplines them in love when they err. (Psalm 103:13) (Psalm 22:16) (II Samuel 7:14-15).
A father who leads by good examples at all times and is also strong in the faith should be emulated.
What does it mean to honour one’s parent?
It means to highly cherish for, show regard for and obey” authority in our lives. Honouring parents is a commandment by God. It is one of the ten commandments with rewards in Deuteronomy 5:16 which says “ Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you”
We must love, appreciate and be concerned about their wellbeing and happiness. They must be treated with respect and thoughtful consideration, and seek to understand their point of view.
Spiritual fathers are fathers in the faith who must be obeyed, respected and cared for. Ephesians 6:1 says “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Who are the five renowned Biblical fathers in the Bible who inspires us?
Adam:
It would be impractical to talk about fatherhood without mentioning Adam. God gave Adam a commandment to eat the forbidden fruit as seen in Genesis 2:16-17 but he disobeyed God which brought a grave consequence on him.
Adams story shows that there are always consequences to our actions (Genesis 3:23-24). However, fathers must also sometimes discipline their children when they err.
Noah:
Noah was instructed by God to build an ark. According to God’s instruction he carried his family, food and “two of all living creatures, male and female. Genesis 6:13, 22). God chose Noah to carry out this task because he was righteous, blameless among the people of his time” and a man who “walked faithfully with God,” He was one who
acted to protect his family, he’s an example of fatherhood.
Moses:
Although he is not perfect man due to his refusal to obey God’s command when it came to the water and rock which led to his subsequent inability to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:8-12), he still cared for his people as any good “father” would.He is one of the fathers in the bible that inspires us.
God The Father:
He is the ultimate father of every Christian. John 3:16 tells us of God’s love for His children. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
His love for us all is shown throughout the bible. God’s compassionate act was carried out of pure love for His creation. His selfless, undying love, desire to do anything to assist and encourage His creations provides a perfect example of a fathers love and care for his family. God is indeed a good father.
Joseph:
He is one of the fathers that teaches selflessness and love. He accepted Jesus as his son even though he never knew a woman. After he discovered Mary was pregnant with a child, He knew that the child could not be his so he considered to put her away secretly (Matthew 1:18-19) but an angel of the Lord appeared with a message and the story changed for the best. (Matthew 1:20-21).
Joseph didn’t ignore God’s message but accepted God will to take Mary to be his wife and he became Jesus earthly father. His resolution to raise and protect Jesus depicts devotion.
Why a Father is important?
Fathers are important in the lives of their children. You can easily tell the kind of father from the attributes or moral values of their children. Children are special gifts from God. Any man can give birth to a child but it takes a God-fearing and responsible man to be called a Father. The role of a Father is a critical role in the family. Ask for the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s wisdom to lead your children in the right way.
Fathers have a powerful impact on the development of the emotional well-being of a child. A loving father provides a feeling of security to their children both emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
A good father-child relationship always determines how the child relates with other people because a child grows up imitating the characters of those around the
Why is it important for a Father to be involved in the lives of his children?
It is important because an involved father boosts the strength and self-confidence of a child. Children with absent fathers are more likely to engage in bad behaviours. Children are gifts of God to us.
The hearts of the fathers are expected to be connected to their children, even if they wander away, a good father will always give his children the second chance just as in the case of the story of the prodigal son.
Fathers have a great responsibility to spend quality time with their children. Single parents must not be denied access to their children. It has a grave consequence on their children.
When we understand parenthood for what it really is, then we can see that it is a most sacred responsibility, a divine appointment given to us from our Father in Heaven.
Who should I celebrate if my Father had passed or alive but absent?
If your father is alive but absent or has passed, honour all men or the ather figures in your life such as your mentor, teacher, uncles, grandfather, husband, a friend, or neighbour who is a dad. Please, take note that some fathers are fathers to be who must also be honoured and celebrated.
What is the purpose of Father’s Day?
One of the reasons is to let the Fathers know how great they are and how much they are loved. Also, to understand the usefulness and responsibilities of their God-given role in the emotional development and well-being of their children.
However, we must not wait until its Father’s day before fathers can be celebrated. The best way and the right way is to honour Fathers at all times.
What does the Bible teach about Fathers?
Apostle Paul admonishes Fathers in Ephesians 6:4 never to provoke their children to anger but to discipline and instruct them in the way of the Lord.
What is the name of the priest who neglected his fatherly role/responsibility?
Eli, the priest
What are the names of Eli’s badly behaved children?
Hophni and Phinehas are badly behaved children. They were rebellious children who didn’t reverence God nor the father, Eli. Although, their father cautioned them about their bad behaviours but he didn’t exercise his responsibility to act when they wouldn’t change their ways. He chose to do nothing (I Samuel 2:22-25).
Eli didn’t move beyond words nor did he take action. Eventually, an unpleasant message was sent by God to Eli through little Prophet Samuel informing him of the consequence of not restraining his sons from doing evil and at the end (I Samuel 3:12-13), death was their reward. His both sons died same day (I Samuel 4:17-18)
What are the lessons to be drawn from Eli and his two children?
Be intentional about the spiritual growth of your children. Let them know God and His principles. Train them in the way they of the Lord. Proverb 29:15 says, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Discipline them when necessary. Proverbs 13:24
What are the biblical roles of a Father?
Fathers must be loving towards their children just as God gave us His only begotten Son. John 3:16
Fathers have a special responsibility to train their children in the ways of the Lord, instruct, encourage, comfort and discipline when the need arises. (Ephesians 6:4, Proverb 22:6)
Fathers must show perfect examples like God, the Father. He must be compassionate, bold, and patient according to Apostle Paul’s teaching. I Corinthians 16:13. A perfect father is the one who leads his children by example.
How deep is the Father’s (God) love for us?
The word of God says in Mathew 7 verse 11, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!. . Men here are referred to as our earthly fathers. God demonstrated His great example and great love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ Jesus who was a free gift died for us. Romans 5:8
Conclusion
The roles of mothers are different from that of the father. Fatherly roles must not be left in the hands of mothers. They must take full responsibility. Fathers must make out time today to make it right with their families if they have been absent in their lives.
Mothers should also allow co-parenting or allow the fathers to be involved in the lives of their children in the case of separation or divorce.
Train your children in the fear of the Lord and teach them to know God themselves and not “just the God of my parents”.
Father’s Day Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me in any way I have failed in my responsibility as a father. Teach me to understand my God-given role as a father and help me become the best father I can be.
May every broken relationship with my children be restored today and make us live in peace and joy at all times. Thank You for answered prayers, in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
Wishing All Fathers a very Happy Father’s Day.
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