Biblical Fatherhood
Our small group is going through a parenting study called, "Visionary Parenting" by Rob Rienow. It is a really great study. This past week, we talked about biblical fatherhood. I wanted to share a few things with you.
Our main roles as fathers is to love our wives and spiritually equip our kids. Rienow used Ephesians 5:25-26 to show us that we need to Love our wives, Serve our wives, and Lead our wives spiritually. He said that Satan will definitely attack us as we try to lead our wives spiritually. We must do these things in order or they will not work. For example, we cannot lead our wives if we are not loving and serving them. This is helpful information, but it doesn't do anyone any good if we are not putting it into practice in our marriage. Husbands, ask God for help and the power to love, serve, and lead your wife!
Our second role as fathers is to train and instruct our children. Rienow pointed to Ephesians 6:1-4 for this role. It is our Biblical job description to train & instruct our children. Spiritual training includes the "doing". We need to lead our children in how to pray, Bible study, serve, and church (to name a few). He says just as an athlete must train by doing physical exercises to get ready, we too must train by doing spiritual exercises. It does not end there. We also must verbally instruct our kids. Leading by example is not enough. We need to speak truth and teach the Bible to our kids. We cannot abdicate our responsibility of instructing our children spiritually to the church.
Rienow concludes with the following statement that was eye opening to me. He says that Satan will tolerate dads who provide, protect, care, and are involved in their kids lives. But Satan will provide an all out attack against a dad who provides spiritual leadership in the home. Dads, this will be a challenge, but it is so important. Ask God for the help and get started loving your wife and training and instructing your kids today!
Our main roles as fathers is to love our wives and spiritually equip our kids. Rienow used Ephesians 5:25-26 to show us that we need to Love our wives, Serve our wives, and Lead our wives spiritually. He said that Satan will definitely attack us as we try to lead our wives spiritually. We must do these things in order or they will not work. For example, we cannot lead our wives if we are not loving and serving them. This is helpful information, but it doesn't do anyone any good if we are not putting it into practice in our marriage. Husbands, ask God for help and the power to love, serve, and lead your wife!
Our second role as fathers is to train and instruct our children. Rienow pointed to Ephesians 6:1-4 for this role. It is our Biblical job description to train & instruct our children. Spiritual training includes the "doing". We need to lead our children in how to pray, Bible study, serve, and church (to name a few). He says just as an athlete must train by doing physical exercises to get ready, we too must train by doing spiritual exercises. It does not end there. We also must verbally instruct our kids. Leading by example is not enough. We need to speak truth and teach the Bible to our kids. We cannot abdicate our responsibility of instructing our children spiritually to the church.
Rienow concludes with the following statement that was eye opening to me. He says that Satan will tolerate dads who provide, protect, care, and are involved in their kids lives. But Satan will provide an all out attack against a dad who provides spiritual leadership in the home. Dads, this will be a challenge, but it is so important. Ask God for the help and get started loving your wife and training and instructing your kids today!
Sweet!
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