Mother's Day

Fathers

The male parent of children. Scripture indicates the role and responsibilities of fathers, and shows how God can be thought of as a loving father, who directs and guides his children.

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

Fathers, responsibilities of

Fathers have a responsibility to love, instruct and discipline their children in the ways of the Lord. In return they are to be honoured and obeyed by their children.

The role of fathers

To love and care for their children

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Psalm 103:13 ESV

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Ps

Deuteronomy 1:31 ESV

and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’

Dt 1:31

job 1:4-5

Job 1:4–5 ESV

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

Matthew 7:9–11 ESV

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are 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!

Luke 11:11–13 ESV

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Colossians 3:21 ESV

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

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To discipline their children

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Proverbs 13:24 ESV

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

pr 13:24

Deuteronomy 8:5 ESV

Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.

Deuteronomy 21:18–21 ESV

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

dt 21:

To instruct their children See also ; ,; ; ; ; ;

The rights of fathers

To be honoured by their children

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To be obeyed by their children

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To be heeded by their children

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