Fatherhood

Better than Broken

How many times can we get it wrong?

How much advice would we take back?

Whose philosophy are we actually following?

What can make us better than broken?

Biblical Fatherhood

Our role:

Proverbs 22:6 ESV

6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Our Struggle:

Ephesians 6:4 ESV

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Our Responsibility:

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Our Example:

Luke 15:11–32 ESV

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

Letting them fall:

The younger son is wrong. The younger son is unwise. The father lets him go anyway. The Father’s wisdom allowed him to set his son free to go learn the lessons he needed to learn.

Giving them a place of mercy and grace:

Luke 15:20 ESV

20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

When he returned in repentance the father celebrated his changed heart.

He didn’t rub it in. He didn’t make him pay. He restored him.

Providing for them:

How old do you think these guys are?

Why was the older son still living at home?

The Bible gives us an example of how families work together to succeed. They share in the work and they share in success. There is an understanding that the younger generation will take part in the family and be blessed by the family as they move forward in life. A good father will always look to use the blessings God has given him to bless his family and help them grow. This requires wisdom and discipline.

In our “every-man-for-himself” culture the church has an opportunity to come alongside young people who have been left adrift without the support of families and give them that leg up that they need. We can show the love of God by providing that unexpected blessing that we have told them to pray for and work for. The example comes from our heavenly Father who provides all that we need and strengthens us to use it for the blessing of His name and His family. Sometimes that blessing seems to be held back while we learn valuable lessons that will equip us to use what he plans to give. As we saw with the older brother. Sometimes we presume upon the blessing and then falter when its provision runs out, like the younger brother.

He says to the oldest son, all that is mine is yours. There is a sense of responsibility and provision. The provision comes with preparation.

This father is providing for his family.

Teaching them:

Each child is different and will have to be trained in their own unique way. The same truths have to be taught but the path to teaching them may look very different.

The Result:

Both sons had a better understanding of what it meant to be in relationship with their father. The sons now saw the extent of the Father’s grace and mercy, his intention to share all that He had, and they grew as He patiently taught them.

Are we reflecting the heart of the Father?

Are we teaching with wisdom?

Are we creating a home filled with mercy and grace?

Are we providing even as we have been provided for?

In a world that desperately needs good fathers, the Bible provides a road map to success. It points to the reality that it will not always be easy but it will always be needed.

This Father’s Day, let’s go out and reflect the heart of our heavenly Father in our homes and in the world around us.

Let’s look out for the next generation and determine to use what God has blessed us with to bless the lives of others.