Seven Traits Of A Successful Father

Seven Traits Of A Successful Christian Father

(Prov 22:6 KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

(Prov 22:6 NLT) Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.

God has given us directive to lead our families. Most men are pretty good husbands. But sometimes I think we are lax when it comes to fathering. Tonight I want to give you seven traits of a successful Christian father. Many of these are drawn directly from Gods word. Others are base upon the principles of his word and still others are out of my heart; my experience as a father.

If we are going to be successful fathers we must…

I. Have firm consistent discipline.

a. (Prov 29:15 NIV) The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

b. (Prov 23:13 NIV) Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

(Prov 23:14 NIV) Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

c. Learn not every child is the same…

II. Live An Example Of Christ Before Them…

(2 Ki 14:1 NIV) In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.

(2 Ki 14:2 NIV) He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin; she was from Jerusalem.

(2 Ki 14:3 NIV) He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash.

Jesus said in (John 13:15 NIV) I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Trans: Not only do we need to have firm, consistent discipline and set an example for them we need to…well…TRY THIS WITH ME SAY “I”… “LOVE”… “YOU”

III. Tell Your Children That You Love Them

A. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS…

B. (John 13:34 NIV) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

(John 13:35 NIV) By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

C. You might say Oh they know I love them! NO! They need to hear it!

D. Story of Bill Bena…

IV. Love Their Mother (or your wife) in Front of Them…

a. It gives them a sense of security

V. Spend Time With Them

a. This shows them that they are important

b. Every once in a while I will show up for Lauren’s lunch, or Joshua’s lunch

c. I have never missed a doctor’s appointment in 27 months of pregnancy…

d. I have rarely missed any game whether it’s soccer, football, baseball, or basketball

e. Talk about developing Joshua’s drumming talent…

VI. Pray With Your Children

a. This is a part of training up a child

b. If the only time our children see us being spiritual is at church, we are going to create lukewarm hypocritical children

c. Think about these opportunities to pray with your children…

• when you are taking them to school in the morning

• when you are praying over the evening meal

• when you put them to bed at night

• when you come home and they are sleeping

VII. Make Sure They Are In Church Every Time The Doors Are Open!